Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-06-06
appeared in the moonlight, Fastening toward him,

the young mans pulse beat equally, and his face
retained its bitter composure. In q moment, the
adversaries were face to face, and by the clear
moonlight, they read each others countenances
lplainly.
s'It is well, sir, said Lord Ruthven, in tone
so low and hollow that it sounded like avoice from
the dead. II see that you keep your word, at
least in some things, and have not added cowardice
to treachery."
Innis started, as though aserpent had stung him,
for no human being had ever before dared to ad-
dress him thus. ..-
'Ireachery, sir!'' he exclaimed; ''you accuse
me of treacherv? Beware u
'We'n have no discussions, if you please re-
turned Ruthven in the same hollow voice; ''an-
other sort of argument than one Of words-no
words! see the point Of q sword below your
cloak, sir. Draw!" ...,-.-;s.sfs -..
|. As he spoke, the young nobleman, whose eyes
burned with lurid fire, strongly in contrast with the
anxious coldness of his tone drew his own weapon,
quickly from its scabbard, and saluted briefly
Innis had already thrown aside his cloak and
laid his hand upon. the hilt of bis sword. But the
hand suddenly fell, and the young man said
'Before cross your sword, sir, it is necessary
that I should make q simple statement"
1T is useless-I want no statements" come in
quick, cold accents ''Draw, sir!"
'sYou shaInot be disappointed, my Lord Ruth
ven" said Innis, bitterly. DO not fear, SIR de-
sire this meeting almost, or quite as ardently as
you can, for you've wronged me, far more deeply
than I you-if I have, indeed, injured You at all.
I say that statement from me is necessary; and
that statement I will make. In brief words then,
sir, your mind is laboring under suspicion wholly
gratuitous and unfounded Lady Ruthyen is as
pure as that moon above US, Sir, and as innocent Of
wrong toward you, as the babe unborn. Her sole
fault, if it be such, was the imprudence Of meet
ing me in this manner, and I myself, induced her
to take this STEP. besought her to grant me q
last interview, before left Virginia-perh for
ever. She consented to my solicitation, and in an
other moment, had you not appeared, the young
lady and myself would have parted"
'sWith last embrace!' came like hiss from
the pale lips of his adversary. "Well, sir, as
your story is over, you will please assume your
position. Your blood or mine shall flow, sir"
And Lord Ruthven seemed about to rush upon
his foe, and stab him with his short sword before
he could place himself on guard.
"a single moment, sir, said 1nnis coldly, "and
will not further detain you. The embrace of
which you speak was not 80 criminal as you think,
and I beg your Lordship to forego your bloody
purpose, for brief period, if possible, in order
that when our ghosts meet In another world, there
may be no misunderstanding.
The young mans tones were gloomy and mena-
cling. Lord Ruthven, doubtless, felt that he was
sure of his man, and listened, chafng
"You must know, my Lord said Innis with
bitter calmness, "that before she met you, Lady
Ruthven was engaged to me. Yes sir-engaged
We were cousins, had been playmates all our lives,
and before she repaired to Williamsburg, she had
plighted her troth to me-here at Haddon-not q
hundred PAGES from the spotupon which We stand.
Well, was poor, and the baronet was proud. ]
asked Sir Rein for his daughter-he refused
You asked-he consented! He consented, and in
spite of the repugnance Of the young lady-a re,
pugnance which knoU you to have been perfectly
aware of-forced her to marry you'll
'That's the history of three persons sir, and oil,
except the fact of my engagement to Honoria, is
an old story to you. You know now what that in.
nocent embrace meant such as cousins simply, OF:
ten interchange. She came at my request, sir, to
bid me, her kinsman, farewell forever. Her agita-
ton overcome her-that is all. She is wholly
blameless, sir as innocent as seraph. If there
be fault, am the guilty person, and should beal
the storm of your wrath. For that wrath, care
nothing, as care nothing for my life. Just now,
when you charged me with treachery, wished te
kill you; now, you may kill me if you choose, sir
but charge you on your honor as gentleman te
absolve my cousin." ....
"Have you done, sir?" ....
That was the brief, stern question which follow
ed Innis' explanation. The tone Of the speaker
ended all doubt of his intentions. His design tc
say his toe had not been, for an instant, shaken
and the simple explanation of Innis fell upon un
needing ears The same deadly menace burned
in the young nobleman's eyes-the same singular
glitter was observable-the wild heart had plainly
taken the place Of the man, and thirsted for blood
'Your Lordship is bent on killing me, then p
said Innis, as coldly as before. -.-.-
Lord Ruthyen's reply was to rush upon his ad
versary, and aim deadly lunge at his heart
1t was parried, and then, for some moments, 6
breast to breast conflict took place-bitter, desper
ate, bloody. ........
Innis' sword snapped in the violent struggle
and the foes grappled with each. other and fell
Lord Ruthven beneath his adversary.
But Innis was to reap no advantage from thai
fact. The young nobleman still clutched his sword
and shortening it suddenly, drove it by main force
through the bosom of his enemy, who, relaxing hi
grasp upon Ruthvens throat fell back powerless
The blood gushed in torrent from his breast
and in momnnt, all movement had ceased.
It was face of marble which Lord Ruthven saw
before him, and for some moments he contempla
ted the prostrate figure with motionless attention
$50 much is done," he muttered, in the same
hollow voice; "now let me go back to my bonny
bridel"
And with wild sneer upon his writhing lips
eyes glttering with horrible resolution, and cench
ed hands raised to heaven, Lord Ruthyen rushed
toward the mansion.
CONCLUSION NEXT WEEK.
THE BANKS OF ENGLAND following an
ecdote will show with what nice precision the &C
counts are required to be kept in the great private
banking houses of the English metropolis: Attel
closing the doors to customers, every clerk makes
up his accounts, and general balance is struck
which must tally to the veriest farthing before the
clerks seperate. It happened on the occasion ii
question, that in one of these great establishments
there were two shilings and ten pence minus il
the balance Every clerk was ordered to revise hi
account, the silver and copper money in the vas