The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-10-02

HlS CLOAK covered nm from head to iout
The increasing light showed the bandage over
his eyes.
The viscount got his gun ready. and glided
along furrow. He thought to himself, '.In
three minutes that man will be mine"
The iurrow along which he glided extended
hundred and fifty steps nearer the straight
line pursued by Kosen He came straight to
ward the viscount, who was kneeling with his
gun to his face.
count fred
Koseus cloak tell and displayed his Hun
Earian costume, iroin the belt OF which hung
golden dagger, exactly like the one worn by
NJ. de Villiers. lie continued to advance.
Scarcely sixty steps separated him from his
adversary. when the viscount fred the secoi; t!
barrel Of his gun.
Kesen stopped and raised his hand to his
forehead. Henri believed that he had wound
I'd him in the head.
But. Instead of staggering. Rosen seemed
suddenly to grow taller. His form. STOPPING
ND that time. became erect and firm At the
same time lie tore of the bandage and dis
closed his face.
George Leslie Y he cried, quickly reload
ing his carbine.
Il prohibit you from reloading," said Ro-
sen, calmly.
As Henri did not obey him. Rosen brought
his gun to his shoulder for the first time a
yeport-the third one Of the morning-re
sounded over the desert plain. and the butt
enc Of the viscount's gun Was shivercd into
tplinters.
Roscn threw down his own gun and con-
tnued to advance. His eyes were fixed
epon those of the viscount, who was pale but
who rcsolutely grasped his golden dagger.
'You have chance, Mr.. Leslie said Hen
ri. "If / had aimed true. what would all
these niumcres have served youY"
SOUR fight has not yet commenced, Mon
sieur de Nilliers," answered Roseu. There
we're 10 balls i'll Your cartridge
'Thcn this is an assassination!!"
Roscn drew his dagger. "Will you do JUS
tcc to Ellen Talbot p he asked.
'.No!' answered Henri IL await you"
Rosen took two steps forward Henri
awaited for him with firm foot, and aimed
at him blow which Rosen parricd without
replying to it.
4 I.oment afterward Henri was stretched
upon the ground. Rosen held him by the
right wrist, and put his knee upon his breast
will you Go justice to Ellen Talbot?" he
asked for the second time.
The viscount foamed at the mouth in his
powsrlesss fury.
NO" he answered again. And then he
added: "You have taken an oath not TO kill
ne"
For the third time Rcsen asked:
"Will you do justice to Ellen Talbot 2"
His hesitation treasured NJ de Villiers.
Il wish to marry Helene de Boistrudan,
ny COUSIN" he replied Il yield the other
one one to you. bold knight Grant"
The Count Albert could not yet understand
the shameful raillcry Of his words.
Scarcely lad Henri spoken when he made
sn effort to disengage E,nscli.-au effort ST.
violent that his coat became torn and opened
A paper fell from his bosom.
lie uttered roar Of rage, and bit the wrist
Of Rosen to nake him let 90.
lie did let go, in fact. lie stopped for the
paper. which was u letter.
At the first glance of his eye he reccgniz-
ed the American postage stamp The letter
sams from Baltimore 1t was addressed to
Madamoiselle de Bostrudan, but it was not
the writing of Ellen Talbot.
Yielding TO his first impulse. Rosen threw
himself upon the letter, and the viscount,
who was watching him, bounded forward like
tiger. aimed at his heart, aud struck q furi
Gus blow with his knife
But his blow did not reach its object--and
he felt himself lifted from the ground by two
athletic arms which seized him around the
waist.
He could not turn round. There was no
use to do so,-tor the hands of Towah the
pawnce were as easily recognizable as his face.
"Do no harm to him." ordered Rosen.
lie opened the letter and read it. His head
fell upon his breast, and tears came to his
eyes.
ELLEN is dead " he said softly.
A gutteral sound issued from the throat Of
the Indian.
ELLEN is saint at Gods footstool, added
Rosen.
You see, now" said the viscount, shat
even if had been willing, could not have
yielded to your demand"
Rosen drew his hand across his forehead
ELLEN is dead p he repeated, in sobbing
voice. 1.-THE holy and beautiful love OF my
youth promised to spare you as long as
you had possibility of repairing your crime
My promise is now dead also. Release him.
Towahv'
The Indian obeyed.
''Do as do, Monsieur de Villiers, resum
ed Rosen. taking from his pocket book the
paper signed by Henri at Baltimore. the night
when the duel had been offered and accepted
IL distrust that man, said Henri pointing
to Towah.
"Come here. Towah," commanded Resen.
The Indian placed himself between the two.
sSwear to me that you will remain motion
less during this fight
'.Towah swea il"
'.Swear to me that if fall you will not
avenge me-"
Towah hesitated
Roeen put his hand on the indians shoulder.
Swear" he resumed, "by the bones oi
your father
''Towah swears it" pronounced the Indian.
with repugnance, ''by the bones Of his father y
Il must be satisfied with that" said Henri.
with bitter smile.
s.Monsieur de Vllliers." said Roscn. s.if Won