The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-11-15

with 1t. Haitian hour had scarcely elapsed
when Paul was ushered into the tent
whero lay his trusted but treacherous
friend, Charles Davenport. He unclosed
his eyes aud looked at Paul, who imme-
diately approached the bed "Why, Char
lie, old fellow, | am sorry to see you here,
trust it is nothing serious and we will
soon have you with us again" mo, Paul,
no, L shall never mount horse or draw u
sabre again. am done with all that and
have sent for you to make restitution as
far as possible and to beg your forgiveness
for the deep wrong once did you though
you are unconscious of it." Charlie,
your mind must be wandering; you have
done me no wrong. We have always been
the best Of friends" II told you, you
were unconscious of it and that makes the
confession all the more painful, as have,
while protesting to be your best friend,
stabbed you to the heart" He paused a
moment as if collecting himself for the
revelation and then abruptly asked, "Do
you remember Isabel Murray ?"
Paul started as if he had received pis-
tol shot, but quickly recovering himself
and still under the impression that Daven-
port was delirious said: "0f course |
remember her, but would rather not speak
Of her now besides she can have no posi-
bic connection with what your mind seems
to be running on.
"Ah, yes so you think now, but let
me explain and please don't interrupt ME
till l conclude. You remember that in
September 1S-you went to R to en-
ter into a partnership with Lawson d
Grubb and that it was shortly after your
engagement to Isabel, though | was not
aware at that time that an engagement ex-
listed between you. l loved Isabel myself,
(there, don't start and grow pale) and not
knowing Of her engagement thought she
encouraged me. When | first became
aware of the engagement, which | did
through Flora Rivers, was nearly frantic,
but upon cool reflection resolved still to
try to win her under the axiom that "all's
fair in love and wal" You remember
how gradually your letters from Isabel
grew fewer and colder and at last ceased
altogether, until you received one telling
you you were free. Listen / intercepted
your letters and hers. caused her 10
hear report that you were devoted to
Eustacia Grey, the niece of one of your
partners. And then her pride rose in u
mighty rebellion, and though she loved
you still, she discarded you. | saw how
she suffered but | never relented, for did
not love her insanely? Yes, that is the
only word that will properly describe it F;
and then when six months afterwards, l
asked her to be my wife, she gave a kind,
decided "no, from which there was no
appeal, | laughed in my savage Joy to
know if could not win her, there was an
insuperable barrier between you and her.
But, Paul, hear me further before you
judge me. | have repented it thousand
times; on the long weary march; by the
weird camp-fres; even amid the din and
crash of battle, have thought of the
treachery to my friend, and the wrong l
had done two noble hearts. And now
pronounce my sentence" He ceased
speaking, looking appealingly at Paul,
whose face was set and white with the
terrible effort to control his conflicting
emotions and to forgive the man whom he
had trusted so entirely, aud who had done
him so deadly a wrong. At last he con-
quered his emotion, knelt by the cot and
took Davenport's hand in his and in low,
tremulous voice spoke: "Charles Daven-
port you can never know how deep the
wrong is you have done me, but Hto err is
human; to forgive divine" and l thank
God in this hour that can find it in my
heart to forgive you, and may you find the
same forgiveness before higher tribunal -
A look Of joy passed over Charles face
and he hastened to say "you are the best,
most magnanimous of men and truest
friend man ever had. In my pocket-book
you will find a letter addressed to Isabel
that have carried with me in every bat
tie, that in the event of stray bullet
finding me, it might be sent to her Its
contents explains all and exeulpates you
entirely. Tell her, please, to think as
kindly Of me as she can, though | am SO
underserving of it"
As he paused, the surgeon approached
the bed and said he feared Lieut. Daven-
port was talking too much as he seemed
more feverish and excitable, so Paul arose
and bidding Charles an affeetionate good
night left the tent. An hour afterward
he grew rapidly worse and as the first
sunbeams came over the mountain and the
drums beat rereille, the spirit Of Lieut..
Charles Davenport went out to meet its
maker.
Did Col. Paul Clifford live through the
war; Did he meet Isabel Murray, and
did she forgive him? Let me see if can
answer these questions. Do You see that
beautiful villa, embowered in grand old
trees that seem of century's growth, on
the banks Of that sparkling river that
peau.,iu, 'aiey' the sloping lawn and
swec'iy pioohi'ng mowers ana al the eVl-
qehces OF wealth., taste ana refinement
upon ,he Veranda stands q tall, splendldly
1 formed man WITH serene hrnWn 0nH