National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-09-01

lcct, ana Win hef ! never once cOnncctc
: poor Charley SOamc.
r | reached Diapers Drop, The nigh
wns most beautiful the lull moon, witt
her rays reflected in the water, appeared il
} the clou1ess ornament like an immens
ball of pale light, suspended by some invis
ible power. Right away before me stretch
; ed the mighty ocean, with gentle rippl,
on It's surface, which, aS il rolled in upol
the shngle, seemed to Just kiss 1t an,
retire ! stood for some minutes to con
template the grandeur of the scene. Will
the exception OF the soft murnur of the
water which arose from the beach below
and the gentle sighing OF light breez,
through the trees Just behind me, not
sound was to be heard. folded my arms
and thought aloud. Here" SAID |, "stooc
the lovely creature who loves me, and who
but few hours ago told me so aud yet
she is bound to marry the man she only
likes. This must not, shal not be; il
would simply be an outrage upon her.
father cannot make child violate her
feelings in this way. No, 1t shall not be =
and in the excitement to which | had
raised myself by this soliloquv | turned
sharply round to walk home, when to my
utter surprise and almost fright, with
whom should | lind myself face to face
/ but Charley SOame He stood before me.
bolt upright, his hat oft, his halr disordercd,
looking deadly pale, and with counte-
nance demoniac in expression. instinc-
lively started back. Gracious heaven,
Charley, what is the matter ?" said |, when
| recovered myself; why, your father
and mother are dreadfully nervous about
you, and | came out to look for YOU but
what on earth is all this about Come
along home, do"
Liar perfidious liar ~ exclaimed he in
a loud voice, at the same time dealing me
heavy blow on the chest don't dare to
address me by any familiar name; you
know what you have done"
" am quite at . loss to understand the
meaning of this outrageous conduct" said
|; you know that you are presuming
upon the friendship of years, and desire
you will explain yourself at once"
Explain myself! explain myself" said
he, almost choking with rage; 81 will ex-
plain myself, and so shal you, before you
leave the place tonight. You cursed hy-
pocrite, you double-tongued scoundrel, you
false friend Over that cliff one or both
Of us shall 90 before"
beg of YOU TO be calm for your own,
for your mothers sake. There is some
misunderstanding which NAV he cleared
up" replied Mortified at the idea that
Charley had lost his reason.
"lhere is no misunderstanding, villain"
SAID he, approaching me- ~ have sus-
pected You for some time, and my suspic- |
ions were confirmed this afternoon. ! |
stood in that copse and overheard all you |
said to Gertrude Peyton and all she said
to you. | am the man she only likes, and |
you are the man she loves, eh da, ha !
ou knew | loved her"
II declare most solemnly | did not,
nor"
add no more lies to those You have
told already. And so it shall not be, eh,
gou precious friend, you sentimental ras-
al 2"
6 tell you, Sir, never knew of your
owe for Miss peyton,n said |, losing pa
icnce.
"You lie you did know of it 2" shrieked
he poor fellow in the tones of maniac.
! assure you felt the greatest compass
ion for him, so said
Hear reason; | will at once do any
hing you ike-leave the country believe
ne, dld not know of yonr attachment"
Presume not, Sir, to dictate to me-" :
aid he incoherently. "She only likes me ,
You have stolen her love away from me ,
he love which | valued beyond all things,
nd to retain which would have sacrificed &
g,
% repeat that you are mistaken" said i,
and you will repent this conduct some :
ay ! have done nothing to deserve these =
lie reproaches. Miss Peyton is yours; |
i'll go"
" want none OF your assurances. You
ave damned me, Sir soul and body; you
ave made me mad-a criminal for | =
ean to have your life il die for it," q
With these words he made movement "
'ward me, and seized me with the grip of q
giant. II
saw that we were engaged in a strug- =
e for life. In vain did ] conjure poor 9,
harley by all that was sacred, by our u
rmer friendship, by his parents love, to Il Il
,sist from this horrible struggle. Out of T.
'eath he replied. 81 felt certain YOU y
ould come to Diapers Drop to look for y
e, and sentimentalze over that wretched "
RI and awaited you. | heard you say, :.
shall never be-n)r shall il ~ and he -
We me a twist that brought me close to -
e edge of the lrightfpl precipce. -
He had got hold of my collar with both II,
nds, and was making the most frantic l. L
orts to pull me toward the edge of the %
fl. =
:" [ nj and me, YOU fool - | exclaimed %
W fully alive to my danger. =. "a
Not a word in reply, but redoublcd at ~ 81
npts to effect his intention. ] never Y, w
v a face SO horribly distorted with rage VI VI
d madness as his was. | have often i
ought since what a remarkable sight a, az
1t would have appeared to a spectator ~ ~
o young men, who twelve hours since ~ -:
re tirm friends, engaged in struggle m ~
1t would certainly terminate fatally to VI
: or both: and at such time and place a
y Ii makes me Shudder when recall iii'
events of that night. We
With a desperate effort | threw him off, an
he fell 10 the ground pu
Charley, my old friend, said |. % i'm 'h
re you to desist Remember o"
But before | could finish the sentence, ~ 4,
was on his feet. and made furious 'Wi' W
h at me. stepped out of the way, vi
lbly moving toward the copse, and W sn'
avens II is almost too horrible TO re- an
t!-poor Charley went over the preci- 80, 80
:. quickly approached the BRINK and .ui .,'l
rd the thuds of his poor body against .I' ln
rocks on its way TO the bottom. He WI WI
e one croan and no more. ''i''
soon reached Mr.. Soame's, and an
need that | was unable to find Charley. Jol
IT Lady Geraldine ! shall never for lar
the look she gave me that night on VIII
rIno fbis I aap 900 lor rnr,- .