The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-02
or the Sunday Crescent
BARTRELLE.
CHAPTER v11r-coNr1NUED.

for days, but settled at once. Well, the
terms 2"
"You cannibal! Why, Dick, were it not
for your white skin, I'd swear you were a
South-Sea islander" cried the Major, as he
noted the fierce light that lit up the wild blue
eyes, and the naughty curl that wreathed his
lips, as he asked the question. 81 think you
are the best friend a man ever had, but devil
take me if I want you for an enemy. Don't
be so impatient, my dear fellow; there's time
enough. Yes, have seen him, and settled
every thing"
"And the terms; what are they? You see,
it is my maiden duel, and I want all the time
between now and the meeting to settle my
nerves" and again that wicked smile wreathed
his lip. 1t was well that his antagonist did
not see il. Few nerves would have been proof
against the calm, cruel ferocity of that smile.
1t said as plainly as words could have pro-
claimed 81 will not spare HIM" 1t told
of Iaotore which passion end lAAta had nrn-
ely distorted; of generous impulses stiaed;
of a heart resolute in its fixed determination
not to spare.
eyes, it looks like it, you incarnate demon!
We'll, the distance Is five paces-you are to
use my pistols-the time five in the morning
and the place, the island. We must look
sharp or the police viii be after US. Unjust
look up old Mcdowell we've agreed on
him. The old heather will rejoice over the
prospect of gouging into a mans body after
an ounce of lead, as much as he would over
an invitation to a wine supper. Bat, be of
with you now. You must stay at my rooms
tonight and so be wakened carly, and thus
gain fair start for the ground. You are
determined not to spare him I see Well!
1t may be Just as well. lie don't much des-
erve to live" And the careless soldier went
his way.
Few men in Major Hartwell's place but
would have done as he had. It was not indif-
ference to human life No man had warmer,
tenderer heart But he had been reared to
believe that the code furnished the only
avenue through which difficulties of this sort
could be adjusted. Sensitive to a fault;
proud, chivalrous, and keenly alive 10 per-
sonal honor, it was the course he would have
pursued himself and he had no hesitation in
assisting as a friend, one whom, he believed,
circumstances compelled to accord the same
privilege to another. He loved Richard Bar
trelle as brother, and his heart trembled at
the thought of his danger, his mind never
misgave him as to the correctness of the
course he pursued.
OF all those who were engaged in arranging
the meeting for the next day Bartrelle was the
least excited. Heart and nerves like his were
never made to shake at human peril. He
hurried home, however, to make such arrange
ments as he conceived necessary IN case Of ac-
cide,d; laughed and jested with his uncle and
cousin as usual; and when night came on ex-
cused himself on the plea of an engagement
down town.
Never did he appear more gay and joyous
than on this night. The exquisite jest-the
brilliant repartee, fell from his tongue with
all the gay abandon of mind utterly at ease
with the world and rich in the happiest augu-
ries. Hartwen was astonished! Never had
he seen him so brilliant-so perfect a man Of
the world. And when the hour came for re-
firing, he laid down to sleep as calmly as if
the coming dawn was the herald to him Of
life's most ordinary incidents, instead of
arousing him to a struggle of life and death,
in which his own stood as fair a chance Of
being sacrificed as that of his opponent.
There are natures so constituted that the
mere thought Of danger, carries with it an e1-
uberance of feeling, which the iveliest and
happiest emotions of others fail to excite. Its
thrilling anticipations opens the heart and
stirs the blood to a wild fever heat. So it
was with Bartrelle. The slumbering passions
! of his soul were in arms and danced in the
ecstasy of anticipated revenge. Those twin
sisters of passion wrought heart hate and
cruelty, for a time held undisputed sway in
his breast and the better instincts of his
character sunk subservient to their dominion.
1t was the effervescence Of all that was evil in
his nature-the good, lay dormant, not ex-
tinct. 1t only needed an occasion to call it
out-the opportunities only were lacking.
| Let only some fitting incident occur-some
instance in which his better nature was
| appealed TO, and it would rise in grAnder
| beauty from the contrast. His heart was
kind, and when his passions were not aroused,
| EOullC anu pdtuCl4C 10 u NO4lAlil D.
What a strange paradox? And yet it was
true. He would turn from his path to save
worm beneath his feet The insect that
stung him, he would turn loose with gen
tleness as tender as though it had given him
exquisite pleasure instead Of pain. But LET
his fellow man offer him an injury, or wan.
tonly insult him, or those he loved, and the
fierce, resentful instincts of his heart sprung
at once into active life. A tale of wrong he
never heard unmoved; and the cry of the
helpless and distressed smote upon his hear
with a pang of pity. This was the good ant
evil of his nature.
Properly directed his capabilities were grea
for good; but if dashed by oppression or per
verted to wrong, his talents might become
instruments offearful evil Thus he appeared
to-night-what he was on the morrow, let u
see!
CHAPTER TX.
| Of l;