The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-04-25

country, in order that my presence
might not cause YOU unhappiness.
Could | do more than this
But how did Mark act? Twill tell
YOU. He hated me because you loved
me; and one night he met me in Il
lonely place, and, as he thought, drove
a dagger to my heart"
ooh, heaven -
believing that he had murdered
me, he left the country for fear of de-
lection. That is the reason he brought
you here"
ooh, this is terrible"
For a long time after receiving the
wound, | fingered on the verge Of the
grave. But | recovered at last. and
then set about looking for you. [
have found you"
And now that you have found her.
what do you intend dOing?" said
Mark, in a surly manner.
Il will tell you. Nancy became my
wife, and | loved her. But | would
not see her dishOnOred. | resigned
her because | thought You would be a
generous and true husband to her. But
you became at ouce a murderer and
deceiver So came to ask my wife
for | am the true husband now-if she
will 90 with me p
well, ask her"
"She hears my question. VIII you
answer it, Nancy ?7
Mark" said the woman, turning
her pale face toward him, speak, and
deny this terrible accusation.7
Il won't do it
Can YOU 90 it ~
"Of course. if | could I would"
But has Philip spoken truly :"
EVERY word of TRUTH
"Oh. uarl Is it possible ."
"It is true, tell You DO yOu
think III Let a second husband Of yours
live in the same world with me ?
And that, especially after you have
declared that you loved him No
You must think that am 4 fool, in
deed
'.But he does live"
Il know it. But he and myselfcan't
live long"
"You sarely would not a second
time TO take his iite!1
Il tell you, he and ! can't both
live. OF course, You would decide for
him -
4 shall never, knowingly, be the
willing wife Of one who has murder ii
his heart"
Il thought so. Now, Philip Dark,
how do You propose to die -
What do You mean ~ asked Dark
Il mean that we must fight. Oh,
| won't stab YOU in the dark But
We must fight in such a manner that
it viii be certain death to one of rs
ana most likely to both. VIII YOU
,glC me rs | propose, provided the
chances are equal ~
no; | won't fight you at ALL
Are YOU coward ~
"No?"
Then why will Won not fight ~
"Because Nancy needs the protec-
ton Of some better man than a muir
derer. \ duel is q game of chance,
and | might he the loser. In that
event. she would still he left to YOU"
''She W II have nothing to do with
me, anyway. Is not that the case,
Nancy =
at is.'
And YOU vii. be his wife ?"
'If he claims me as such.n
"And YOU, Philip Dark, will not
fight me 2"
'HNot so long as another claims my
protection"
In an instant after arific shot echoed
through the room, and, throwing up
her arms with a shrek, Nancy fell
back upon the floor, bleeding and
struggling in the last gasp of death.
Dark was SO horror-stricken by this
dreadful act that for an instant he
stood speechless. Then he bent over
the dying woman, never for an instant
thinking of his own safety. He closed
her eyes and pressed his lips to her
brow he listened to the last family
drawn breath, and then, for the first
time, thought of himself Turning
he saw Mark stand near, gloating like
a fiend upon him. Observing that
the william did not even retain his rife
in his grasp, he asked:
"Whv did you not kill me, Mark
Webb ?'
Are yOu anxious to die :: was the
sneering response.
Il care not to live after witnessing
such a deed"
Then l will give You a chance for
death. 1t will be a double death foI
YOU"
'.What do YOU mean ?"
"You died in effect five years ago.
You shall die again to-day"
Glow do you propose to kill me ?'
Il propose to fight, now that she
no longer lives to claim your affection.
VIII you fight me :"
Yes
Enough. You have knife in your
belt-that is all You want, | have the
same. Cone follow me to death"
"Wherc do YOU go ~
.,