Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-02-21

upon my lips 10 enforce silence.
aThe Lotd in heaven bless you, my dear
friendr' were his first words, as he placed his
thin white fingers in my land.
Hush, Gcorgc--your life depends upon
your not becoming agitatcd,f said
"Agitated l--agita,edl No, my agitation is
now nearly passed. am calm. can be-
come but one degree calmer-dead y Then
he started suddenly, rose up in the bed, look
ed at me s'ernly, "Crawford, are the hounds
near? Tell me-tell me, Ike man--where
am !? Are they saving my life to hang me
aiterward?' y
aiIush, George. Upon The word Of q man,
your existence is not known. YOU arc in my
own house"
"Thank God, my friend !" and the borrow
ed strength failing he fell backward.
| At length we succeededin so far mitigating
his pain, that when alone he told me his ca
reer from the time Of the duel with "Littlc
Billy" / will repeat this narrative as pithi-
PLY as possible.
! Passing through France to England Bel
font made his way to tile village Of v,
where, as so noble and gallant fellow de-
served, he was rapturously received by his be-
thro;bed, and for time all seemed eeslew dc
rose But the remembrance Of the duel with
Billy, alas cast a shadow over his future
| It had been against his conscience, it hung
upon his spirits like cloud prophetic Of a
coming storm Of rctribution. lie felt he was
acting lie to the woman LIE was about to
marry the approaching spring.
| The spring came Belfont being in to~n
| was induced to drive TO the Derby. TIE day
| was spent as ell Derby days are srent; he
was returning home a vehicle shot ahead Of
him, and in q spirit Of rivalry not uncommon
upon race days he Whipped his horse; wheel
| md wheel caught tile vehicle Of his oppo-
nent, if may use the term, was upset. and
| its owner thrown heavily to the ground. With
| he rapility of though, Belfont alighted and
went to the assistance Of the fallen man, who
had received = severe confusion upon Lis
head, and cnsaged with the pain, and more
| than half intoxicated commenced volley Of
abuse. TO pat an end 70 the scene, Delfont
| gave him his card with his address, telling
him that in the morning he would satisfy him
by making an ample apology to any friend he
might send, and so thought no more of the
matter till next day, while ct breakfast,
gentleman waited upon him.
| If, sir, you are friend Of the gentleman
whom so unfortunately threw from his gig
last evening, will at once anticipate your
message, by frankly Offering any apology that
one gentleman may make to another through
a third person."
Stay, sir, am commissioned to demad o
written apology
'.For what purpose is written apology re-
1uired?'' asked Belfont.
'.That he may post you pardon me for using
my prompted language as a coward when
and where he pleases.
ssThis is sheer madness. Does your friend
know that it is TO soldier he addresses this
request:" said Dclfont.
ssHe believes that it is Lieutenant Belfont,
late of the British Auxiliary Legion. Is he
right p
"He is
sThen you can no longer wonder at Mr.
Gray refusing to accept anything but an alb
| ject apology, or meeting. In fact Mr.. BEL
| font, he will no. rest satisfied until he and
You have stood before each otlscr in a struggle
of life or ,les tn
&C ood Heaven, how strange the brother Of
poor Gray said Belfost, adding, however,
when he had recovered from his astonishmcnt
'.but why should Mr.. Gray seek my life p
aHe believes you to be the murderer of hi
| brother
Maddened by the unexpected revival Of the
old shame, he became mad. sFool, fool, ex>
claimed Belfont, "was not the impossibKi,y Of
his having fallen by my hand rsoyes y
| NO; but simply that he was killed BY .
bayonet, which was easily hidden by the
murderer
eIwill not meet him. BY heaven will
not-dare not Belfont replied, not thinking
that those very words iess strength to tho
suspicion against him.
.sTLen MIR. Gray will proclaim you, sir,
what he believes you, an assassin and foul
duelist, even to the woman of whose atsec-
tions you have robbed my frienl,' said he.
"What mean you" he cxcleimel, graspiny
his arm.
THAT but for you, Mr.. Gray would have
been married to Miss-whom he hears you
are about to lead to the altar"
! Great HaaFez! another comp Elication!-
Then jealousy, anger, envy, took possession
Of Belfonts mind. lie felt in the hands Of ON
invisible destiny that was dragging him
downward, downward, to obstruction, and
| could make but one answer-,o meet him.
They met the following day; but thank hcav-
en- Belfont had time to cool. They exchanged
FIRE his ball passed through the rim OF Bel.
/ font ts hat, Belfont FIRE was in the air. lie
! insisted upon another fire, Helfont refused
he tainted i,n with cowardice, and again tile
murderer ofhis brother. My friend could bear
no more His opponent had his wish. They
fired he fell dead, and II em that mouent
| Belfont wandered about from town to 10 town
endeavoring to secrete himself He had NO
friends in England; and at last remem-
bering me he made his way to my residence.
As he crossed the bridge the moonlit waters,
seemed to offer him peace and rcposc. a
species Of madness seized him. lie could eas
only those calm waters, and-but you know
the rest
The day following my interview witA him
the poor fellow grew worse and nYorti6cA AtiOn