Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-02


he found himself going over her words.
looks, tones, and actions, and found pleasure
therein, but did not find himself moved 10
greater kindness for Morris. lie owed him
nothing and did not sec why he should not
have his try at the mark. All he wanted
was fair play, and If he missed he hoped
he'd take bis luck without whining.
Then he heard Morris moving in his room.
and the sound 10 the loneliness of the night
made him sorry, and struck him with papr
of something very like remorse. Ho had
been thinking Of the bold rebel captain he
had taken on the road. Now it was the
pale young convalescent with the cut on his
check, as be wistfully strained toward Got.
tonwood from the hill that afternoon. How
frank and handsome he was How the
rich sunlight bad flushed his thin face and
gilded his struggling hair And how mad
y fond he was Of Miss Forest and with
what reason! The thought Of her made
Luce restless again, and he walked about the
ROOM He heard the click of gate and
looked out. There he was, walking about
the garden, down the path to the stream
and across by the rude bridge. Here he
came again crossing the brook higher up on
the stones not ninding a wot foot. Poor
boy how he was tormented. And what
was il all about Why was the brave
young fellow turning out when he ought to
have been asleep. and walking uneasily
across and around Who but he was the
cause2 Was he not coming between him
and his love, and taking advantage of his
extravagant notions of honor and obligation
to plague him in his own house and drive
him wild with doubts and impatieuce
How would he like to have had some one
making up to that Alice when he was her
fool ? How had he liked Dudley Clark, in
fact, when the little devil was playing them
off against one another and amusing herself
with their rage and hate?
He heard him come in, and then the
light streamed out of Morris window and
shone as long as Luce knew. He was Of
many minds and moods before he lay down,
and he did not sleep n great deal.
While he was dressing in the morning,
Tony, young imp Of darkness who waited
on him, brought him a letter. 1t was from
Morris, and was in these words q" can
only see one way out Of this. challenge
you to fight with such weapons as you
choose, and according to the usages custom
airy among gentlemen. If you accept, the
details can be easily arranged without the
knowledge of my family If you refuse,
| shall consider that am under no further
obligation to allow you any privilege in this
affair, and shall expect you to keep out of
my way. | shall still owe you for the
risk you took on my account, and make
you very welcome as long as you care to
stay in my home. Let me have your
answer Immediately"
Luce had already made up his mind
At breakfast Morris was brighter and freer
than he had been. Afterward he gave
Luce cigar, aud they stepped out at the
window and strolIed down into the fields
They came among clump of trees and
stopped,
Did you get my note ?" asked Morris
Yes" answered Luce.
Well, what is your answer DO you
accept ?"
"l refuse, said Luce continuing to smoke.
You do ?" Morris echoed throwing
away his cigar. "Then consider that
you have forfeited any right you may have
had IN this matter, and warn you to keep
out of my way. Down here we consider
that men who refuse to fight arc" He
saw Luce's face turn quite pale and his
hand 90 up and tumble at his throat, and
be did not finish.
Luce leaned back against tree and said
al vnuldnit ronaat that ;f uara rou
We consider your code of honor barbarous
and brutal. And pretty settlement you'd
make Of it You must have a high re-
gard for the lady that you can't let her
choose between us, but would have the bull
let choose for her and make the one left
her a murderer. | declare | don't believe
you care for her half as much as for your.
self. think care more for her than that
But that's neither here nor there,--l'm
going to cut adrift from you and steer
my own boat, and you can do the same"
fle turned and walked back to the house,
went up and packed his luggage, came
down and found Miss Morris and her faith
er and bade them good bye, with thanks
for their kindness and frank regret at CO.
ing away.
Morris insisted upon carrying him over
to the town, but Luce was impatient to
be alone, and would only let him send his
luggage.
So he went away and walked over to-
ward the river and up it to the camp.ground,
where he had spent that memorable month.
Then he took the well-remcmbered road he
had ridden so often. He had not been over
it since he bad come galloping back to camp
with lump n his throat aud bitter ache
and blindness. And they came back to
him now as he recalled them, trudgng back
on foot.
1t was late in the afternoon when he came
near Cottonwood, and sat down to look
among some bushes a little way off The
negroes went about the place as Of old he
heard old 1Esop's croaking voice berating
some young hopeless, and the youngsters
high chatter and yap-yap. There was Gen.
eral, the great st. Bernard aud the smaller
fry of dogs about the cabins. All was the
same. He heard horse, and Miss Ellen
came cantering up the avenue to the door.
1lsop came and took the black mare Luce
knew her very well,-Camilla was her name.
The old negro seemed 10 be making somo
complaint to his young mistress, aud while
he gibbered and gesticulated the lady stood,
with the sunset lighting up her face and
figure, straight and fine. her arm straight
down and holding the skirt of her habit,
the other hand around the mares white
nose, and her face intent and displessed.
She made an impatient motion and settled
the matter with few words, pointing them
with her whip. Then she went into the
house.
When she was gone Luce turned back
among the bushes and lay down and cried.
He had made up his mind, it is true
but it was hard, harder than he had thought.
He rebelled against the making of the
world; that all the rest should be nothing
and this one girl all, and that out Of all she
was the one he's must not come near
When he looked at it, it seemed incredible,
and yet it was true.
What was the use of going away2 There
was nothing else to 90 for. Country aud
home lost their meaning to him. Honor
and courage were words, and no more.
Oh he could not 60 away without seeing
her, hearing her speak. Why should he
not2 He would only be saying goodbye.
| A nd he would nruisa Morris IN her tell how