The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-16

prepared or unprepared before the
throne. Jehovah help mer
1t was fearful oath, and the look of
the girl as she slowly uttered it, showed
that she would fulfill it.
In the winter of 1S5-the elite of
Charleston were on the qui rive, for there
was to be masked ball at the mansion
of Colonel vipont, retired planter
The ball was to celebrate the eighteenth
birthday of his only daughter Estella.
When night had thrown her mantle
around the southern city, carriages roll
ed up to the Yipont mansion, and depos-
tied their loads of maskers. The house
soon resounded with gay shouts and
merry .aughter,as the guests moved hith-
er and thither,in the ample and gorgeous
ly furnished drawing rooms. The mask.
ers personated every character imagin-
able. 'r.4ereawalked the majestic queen.
leaning on the arm of the ruler of the
Russias. There sat, on the richly cush-
ioned divan, the troubador, humming
some songof Palestine OF recounting
the daring deeds of the Knights of the
Cross. a
Conspicuous among Mr.. Vipont's
guests was person representing an Ital-
lar count. He was richly clad, and jewels
glistened all over his handsomely formed
person. lie possessed dark eyes whica
glanced around the room; and which
seemed to send forth sparks of fire as
they rested upon the handsome form Of
the monarch of monarchs. Charlcm-
agne, upon whose arm leaned bewitch-
ingly the Queen of the Fairies. 49,.
When every invited guest was assem-
bled the dance began, and soon all were
threading its mazes. After some min
utes spent in dancing the music ceased,
and moment after the maskers were
seated.
The call went forth for maskers tc
unmask. Instantly every mask fell to
the floor and the guests gazed into each
others faces "~f
The Italian count gazed into the face
of Charlemagne, and shade, black as
night, swept over his face.
1t is he, muttered the count and cross,
ed the room where sat Charlemagne,
laughing with the fairy queen, who was
none other than Miss R, then the
belle'of the city.
The count stopped before the King,
and touched his shoulders. He looked
up as though he had been insulted; and
the count struck him in the face with all
his might. sae
What means this insult, sir? cried
Lionel Vasco, who had personated
Charlemagne! a1a ,aeFai
1T means sir that you are cowardi
a liar and fugitive ffofn Justice
By, sir, you shall eat those, words! !
cried Vasco, quivering with rage. =, a
Il will not, murderer came the dc
termined reply.
The ladies shrieked and flew to the
further end of the room. The men
gathered around the quarreling twain.
Il demand satisfaction for the insult,
cried Lionel vasco.
you shall have it.
'Wheny -
sNOwn F1>
4 will not fight you now
You will, or be branded as coward,
forger, and murderer as
The words seemed burning ones, as
they issued from Count Wills mouth =
Vasco's eyes seemed to start from their
sockets as, for the second time within
the last few moments, the epithet OF
murderer was applied to him.
i will fight you now he cried. you
desire IT. and by the gods you will not
live to bestow such epithets again upon
me or anybody else.'
1--WE shall see" quietly returned the
count $50
Hurried preparations were now made
for the s'affair of honor" which was to
take place in Colonel Vipont's garden
A pair of splendid dueling pistols were
procured of the colonel; who was a
sporting man." and always possessed
such things, and tile parties adjourned
to the gardens. No one tried to settle
the difficulty, for all saw the look of the
count which said palmer than words, 81
will fight him in spite of all of YOU"
Seconds were chosen, and tho distance
measured, and just previous to taking
their stand, the duelists. approached and
shook hands. AS their hands were with
drawn the count leaned forward and
whispered in Vasco's ear. The naughty
man threw his hands to his forehead and
staggered back What word had Count
Viii whispered 1t must have been full
of the terrible, to move Vasco thus.
The count took his stand and waited
for his antagonist to follow his example
but Vasco stood looking bewilderingly
around.
"Has your courage failed you, sir p
asked the count, whose face showed that
he rejoiced in the agony of Lionel
Vasco.
The words seemed to bring him to
his senses, and he sprang to his place,
shouting:
"No! My courage never failed.
am ready"
Colonel Vipont now stepped forward
and loudly pronounced:
"One-Two-THREE!
AT the last nmeral, two pistols crack
ed, and Vasco throwing his hands to hi:
head fell backward upon the lawn, while
Count Viii remained standing. lie wa:
mhurt.
The spectators moved around Vascc
who was mortally wounded, and passing
rapidly into the unknown future. Coun
Viii now advanced and stood by the sidt
of the dying man.
Horrible were the oaths that came from
Vasco's mouth, and he raved of his enc
mics. He saw his antagonist approach
ing him, and he sprang up, in spite O.
his wounds, shouting:
.,HWfo >are you? Speak. In tht
name O. God 1 command you!'
The counts hands. flew to his face, h,
jerked off his sillsen maustache, ant
Vasco gazed into the face Of, Eloa d,
Vilioni, the betrothed of his sictip.
the fair, beloved Vicer la Estroni =
With one cry he fell hack ward dead