The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-09-18
STORY OF A DUEL.


are no doubt the highest in America
The water makes three distinct leaps
from the summit of the ledge before
reaching the bed of the stream below
Not far from the head of these falls
and nearly concealed from fhe view
of tine passer-by on account of the
thick trees which grew around. it,
stood a cabin of logs at the time ol
which we write, ten years since.
1t was early one cold winters morn
ing that the master of this cabin, in
company with his dog, were return
ing from a hunt. They had been ab-
sent during the entire night, aud now,
were approaching home where they
felt sure of hearty welcome. The
man, as he broke through the thicket
in view of his cabin, paused and
gazed atteltively upon it for a mo-
ment. Then he threw the buck which
he carried upon his shoulder upon
the snow, and shaking his head he
muttered:
al don't know that anything is
wrong here, but 1 don't feel right"
At the same time the dog raIf to-
wards the dwelling, and returning to
his master, uttered growl. The man
appeared very uneasy, but he hasten
ed forward toward the cabin door.
Before he reached itla R0mala aPpaar-
ed. 1t was plain that she had been
weeping, and she was greatly agitated.
''My God, Nancy! what has hap
pened 2" he inquired, almost breath
lessly. Hs 6sii saoii sA-1e
"Be calm-Mark, pray be calml"
was the trembling response. ,.-s..,,o
"But tell me what has happened"
The question was scarcely asked
before second face appeared at the
cabin door. The instant Mark saw
this, he staggered back and gasped, 81
"The dead returned to life {"
"Ah, Mark Webb, the dead has re-
turned to life. But come in l wish
to talk with you." z.s 81 53a 9d
Webb, finding that he had merely
flesh and blood to deal with, entered
the cabin and throwing himself upon
q seat, eyed the intruder for some mo-
ments without speaking. Then he
asked, g Phillip Dark, how did you
find me out, and what do yon want
here 2" hi :, 'i =
al have. been searching for you,
Mark Webb, for five years. You
thought me dead. But you see that
you are mistaken. And do you ask
why sought you 2"
eyes, did ask it."
sit was to learn if the woman who
calls you husband sustainsL you in
your Villainies, and if she did not, or
was ignorant. of them, to let her know
the truth. L"
aEBe careful what you say, Phillip
Dark, !" exclaimed Mark, half raising
his rife. al 10 g-..s-1sfT aH3 10 5ud
The other observed this, and said,
ssMark, I should be sorry to do you
harm, but I know you. In your
presence / shall relate all to Nancy
will not call her your wife, for she
is equally mine-and she shall decide
between u.s." Yof} .Herytuej Sol 5jga
"She has already decided.nf h5esgaa
"Yes; but your acts, have rendered
dered q second decision necessary.
Now, Mark, heed well what say. As
at first, so will j abide by Nancy's de-
cision now. But 1 must tell her all,
and if l see you attempt to place
your hand upon that rife, in self
defense Pll send bullet through your
head the instant you do sos%I ss5 ~.
$50 on with your questions and
your lies" r.,-
Nancy" said Dark, fixing his eyes
upon her, g what reason did Mark
give for bringing you to thispart of
the country. 1850 a.Ihqr1
ooh, Phillip, you know that when |
made my decision five years ago I
told you that you possessed my love,
but that Mark had the claim of duty
from me" "'1fif .gsenaa fa sa
al remember well, and resigned
you SO that your duty might be per-
formed"
"YOu did"
eWell, answer my question"
l"Mark told me that he wished to be
far away from you because you pos
sessed my love. And SO l came here
with him."
''You thought me still alive in ST.
Louis?" ISL 1910 - 4oi .4 5.
"I did" as5.aa
"You never believed that Mark
would harm me ?"
81 certainly could not think so."
'"fhen listen while l repeat all the
past. Some portions you are familiar
with, and some you are not. But you
will have it al" . t.-
"I listen"
"Six years ago I formed your ac-
quaintance, Nancy. I believed you
to be a widow, and as sAch, loved,
won and married You. had right
to believe you a widow, for the proof
of the first husbands death appeared
positive. But, ina few months after
our weddingy Mark Webb, your first
husband, returned. There must now
be a decision made. You believed
that your duty bound you to Mark Z;
for that absence did not arise from his
own fault. But you confessed that l
held your love. thought, as you did,
that your first marriage was the bind
ing one, and at once | consented to