The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-05-07

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London His thoughts went before him to
his dying friend, and his indignation with
Hugh slowly faded from his mind, when.
just as cloud obscured the moon, he heard
thesnort OF q spurred horse, shadow fell
on his path, hand suddenly caught his
bride, and pistol was pointed at his
head.
Your money or your life!"
The words were spoken quickly, in a dis
guised but agitated voice. There was just
light enough to see the highwayman was q
slight-built man, of no apparent physical
force, yet the squire remembered his vain
boast as he felt how completely he was in
the STRIPPING s power. There was q moments
silence. The squire's hand was in his great
coat pocket. Did the robber think he was
getting his purse2 Did the squire know he
was searching for his pistol?
The hlghwayman spoke again in the same
strange voice, which seemed full of smother
ed passion or griof-"I have heard you
would never yield to o single man. The
squire's blood boiled at the implied taunt,
but yet the pistol was terribly near his head
and he felt that in such case neither
strength nor courage can always win victory
"Nor would yield to you," he said-he
knew not what prompted him-''not to you
alone; but to that other fellow looking over
your shoulder"
turned. Swift rs lightning the squire aimed
his own pistol, and fred''
For moment, the mcorland seemed illu-
mined; out of the fendish brightness came
light, sharp, almost girlish shrek. A
second more, all was dark and quiet, and
the squire realized he stood alone in the
dim moonlight, with q dead man at his feet
A stern man was Latymer Coran of
Coran, and he was not to be brought to q
on, l,ic L. l. ]
chanced to say thief. Nor was it the awe
and horror Of bloodshed which blanched
and flushed his cheek rs he rode on. No,
his rigid justice decided that the man de-
served his DEATH only it was not meet that
such as he should have betrayed an honora-
BILE gentleman to deceit. For he knew that
he had verified his boast, and saved himself
by n lie!
That haunted him as he stood in the grim
chamber of Wrottcl Clockhousc, and saw
the last Of his old friend, the county ma
gistrate. He despatched no one to the dead
robber-timc enough for that when he re-
turned in the morning.
Then he took officers of justice with him,
and they, respecting his position and the
depression in which he seemed plunged,
walked quietly side by side, n little way be-
hind his horse. At last they reached the
spot where the deadly deed had taken place.
10 their astonishment little group of peo-
pie were gathered about, and as they drew
near they heard sound of lamentation,
aud the squire saw his own livery servants,
one of them holding the bride of rider
less horse. They turned startled, white
faces to him as he rode up, and were silent.
What is the matter?" he demanded, i'm
periously.
ooh, he Gamma be dead, the bonnie lad
die!" sobbed an old Scotch groom.
L.,
or three at once.
cit must have been duel" said some
one, ''for the young master has his own pis-
tol with him.
The squire pushed his horse through the
crowd. On the blood STAINED heather Law
his antagonist of the night before-his own
grand-son-the back of his head completely
shattered, and stains of blood on his fair,
boyish face. The steward knelt by the
corpse, disengaging the pistol from the stiff
grasp of the dead. He looked at it with
has never been loaded!'
Then the old squire understood it all-he
understood that his boastful, provoking
words had aggravated Hugh to put his cou-
rage to the test, in hope of convincing him
there is no trial Of bravery between an ho-
nest man and robber. And the squire
understood also that had that unloaded pis-
tol Deen what 1t had seemed, he, the
honorable Coran of Coran, had only escaped
by a lie!
II did itr' he said, gloomily, and the two
deferentia officers of Justice came and stood
at either side of Latymer Coran, and his
own servants fell back in horror and dis
may. Alas! for the twice bereaved woman
waiting and weeping, and as yet hoping, in
the proud old castle towersl
Latymer Coran was spared the ignominy
of trial--he did not even live to hear that
the coroner's jury returned verdict of
mlsadventure. The stout old heart was
broken. Hughs funeral was delayed but
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