The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-07-23
Vol, TX.

up SlaifS.
He came into the chamber and
threw himself heavily down in an
easy chair, stretching his legs on
upon the carpet in front Of him
and resting his hands by the
thumb in the armholcs of his
waistcoat.
1 was shaving, and us | turned
round, razor in hand, | saw that
Mr.. Duff WAS flushed in the face,
and had evidently been drinking
Somewhat deeply. was aston
ished, for | knew that he too had
bcen invited to the hall.
"SimpSon," said Duff, in thick
tones, ''becn to dinner party and
miscaIculated capacity. Can't 60
to ball, and so come to pair off
with you."
Duff" said I, advancing half
way into the intervening space
between US, "my good fellow you
are out Of your senses! Do you
think that wo arc members OF
Congress or United States Sena.
tors 2"
II don't think anything Of the
kind" he replied, with q drunken
laugh, "but l want to pair off with
you.'
At first | was rather amused ut
the situation, and talked soothing
ly to the man, but ut length, my
stock ofpaticnce growing exhaust
cd, l became slightly angry; and
turning from my visitor, l abruptly
continued my preparations for de-
parture. When I was ready TO 60,
said to Duff: .
"Ifyou have been fool, I can't
help 1t; and if by pairing off you
mean that you want me TO stay
away from Dithmar's tonight be-
cause you have made an ass Of
Yourself, I tell you frankly that |
DO not mean to gratify YOU"
/ held the door open is | spoke,
and hat in hand waited for him to
get up. .:,...: -.
lie did not move.
duff" said I, "don't you sec
I'm waiting for you.
But the heat of the chamber
had been too much for him, and,
even as 1 spoke, DuA's head sank
forward upon his breast, he was
asleep. | left him, where he was,
and, telling the servant not to dis
turb him. went 10 tho ball.
The sisters never looked more
beautiful or appeared to greater
advantage than on that right,
and Mary especially shonc 4 bril-
liant stGr,
At length suppcr was over. /
had accompanied Mary to the
room and from it, and was stand
ing with her again in the ballroom
apart from the rest. We were con-
versing in whispers. What we
said I will not repeat; it is enough
to ssy that played Romeo; and
that d kind Juiiet was not want
ing.
Suddenly at the upper end OF
the room there was a struggle and
some confusion, and in the midst
oft all 6 stout, shaggy-hcaded,
elderly man, pushing aside the
hands that sought to stay him,
strobe into the place, and stood
like rock in the center Of the
apartment, gaping from side to
side with a harsh, disagreeab]e
Ieer. The ladies screamed, and
several Of them tainted. Mary
Dithmar shrank back and clung to
me in shcor terror.
"lNho is it?" | asked, when I re-
covered from my temporary aston
ishmcnt.
But Mary could not reply.
Specifies and pale as a ghost, she
gazed at the intruder like one
turned to stone. The whole Dith-
mar family stood as if transtixed.
bah !" cried the man sternly,
$50 this is what you do while you
think me dead. !;h. Joseph Dith-
mar? Butyo see l am G!ivs get:
and come At last to denouncc your
crimes and those Of your ticndish
fawiIy. You thought you had mur-
dcred PIG, ell? Well, it wasn't
your fault ti?&t I aln alive. Your
hired assassins betrayed you.
Why don't you welcome me ?
Where's your hospitaIity?"
The guests stared at one an,
other and at their host at this
speech in stupid amazement. At
length Dithmar grew in q meas
sure calm, &p4, addressing his
friends, said, in an unsteady voice.
sGentlemen, ladies, friends, this
is an unfortunate scene; try to for
get it. | vii! explain at ¬her
time. Now please leave us"
Still the intruder stood undis
turbed and frowning in his posi-
ton, and Arthur who had sprung
forward toward him as to eject
him or administer personal chas-
tisemcnt, was caught and held BY
his father. It w2s ? strange and
incomprehensible affair, ana The
guests evidently did not know
what TO make Of it. as by ones and
Il l.,