The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-04

lect, and with ller never once connected
poor Charley Soamc,
| reached Diapers Drop. The night
was most beautiful the full moon, witt
her rays reflected in tine water, appeared il
the CloujlcSs ornament like an immense
ball Of pale light, suspended by some invis'
ible power. Right away before me stretch,
cd tue mighty ocean, with gentle ripple
on its surface, which, as it rolled in upon
the shingle, seemed to just kiss It and
retire stood for some minutes to con
template the grandeur Of thescene. With
the exception Of the soft murmur Of the
water which arose from the beach below
and the gentle signing Of a light breeze
through the trees just behind me, not 4
sound was to be heard. folded my arms
and thought aloud. Here" said |, "stood
the lovely creature who loves me, and who
but a few hours ago told me so and yet
she is bound to marry the man she only
likes, This must not, shall not bei il
would simply be an outrage upon her, A
father cannot make child violate heI
feelings in this way. No, it shall not be =
and in the excitement to which | had
raised myself by this solilOquy, | turned
sharply round to walk home, when to my
utter surprise and almost fright, with
whom should | find myself face to face
but Charley Soamc! lie stood before me
bolt upright, his hat oII his llalr disordered,
looking deadly pale, and with n Counte'
nance dcmOniac in expression. instinc'
lively started back. "GraciOus heaven
Charley, what is the matter !" said |, when
recovered myself; "why, your father
and mother are drcadiully nervous about
you, and | came out to look for you; but
what on earth is all this about Come
along home, dom
Liar, perildious liarm exclaimed he in
a loud voice, at the same time dealing mt
a heavy blow on the chest don't dare to
address me by any familiar name; you
know what you have done"
:" am quite at u loss to understand the
meaning of this outrageous conduct" said
l; "you know that you are presuming
upon the friendship Of years, and | desire
you will explain yoursclfat once"
"Explain myself! explain myself" said
he, almost choking with rage; 81 will cx'
plain myself, and so shall you, before you
leave tue place tonight. You cursed by.
pOcrite. you double-tongued scoundrel, you
false friend Over that clill one or botl
of us shall 60 before"
81 beg of YOU to bt calm for your own
for your mothers sake. There is some
misunderstanding which may be cleared
up" replied, Mortified at the idea that
Charley had lost his reason.
"1hcre is no misunderstanding, villain,
said he, approaching me. 81 have sus,
pccted you for some time, and my suspic'
ions were confirmed this afternoon. i
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, ehl LA, ha
You knew | loved her."
81 declare most solemnly did not,
nor
add no more lies to those you have
told already. And so 1t shall not be, eh
you precious friend, you sentimental ras.
cal 7f
" | tell you, Sir, ! never knew Of your
love for Miss Peyton," said !, losing pa
ticncc.
"You lie you did know Of it m shriekcd
the poor fellow in the tones of a maniac.
assure you l felt the greatest compas.
SION LOT nill, 50 sI'u al .
A., near tS,asohi J. VIII at % once 10 any any
thl"g you hheLlca'e I tlc country pei,ene y
me- ! u'u 'io' Aiio" VI your a''"ci''i'e''''
:" Presume not, Sir, TO dictate to me,
said he incoherently. "She only likes mt
you have stolen her love away from me
the love which ! valued beyond all thlngs,
and to retain which wonid have sacrificed
everything"
81 repeat that you are mistaken" said
!, "and you will repent this conduct some
day; have done nothing to deserve these
vile rcproaches. Miss Peyton is yours; !
will CO."
81 want none Of your assurances. You
have damned me, Sir, soul and body you
have made me mad-a criminal Tor
mean to have your lie il die for it"
With these words he made a movement
toward me, and seized me with the grip oil
giant.
saw that we were engaged in a strug.
gle for life. In vain did conjure poor
Charley by all that was sacred, by ouI
former friendship, by his parents love, tC
desist from this horrible struggle. Out oI
breath, he replied. 81 felt certain you
would come to Diapers Drop to look fOI
me, and sentimentalzc over that wrctcbed
girl and awaited you. | heard you say,
il shall never bc-n1r shall it m and he
gave me twist that brought me ,lose to
the edge of the frightful precipice.
lie had got hold of my collar with both
hands, and was making the most frantic
efforts to pull me toward the edge OF thu