Connecticut western news., 1873-06-27

Doeu growing more ana moro angry
 ever since. It is penalty of nature
 that the warmer and closer the friend
 ship, the more bitter becomes the break.
 ing. We will bear from the compara
 tive stranger what we cannot bear from
 those we love. The sundering of the
 love-bound ties gives pain, and pain
 topples the reason.
 Fernleigh retorted upon Bishop with
 hot words, and Bishop replied in kind.
 Bishop had been to St. Louis, and had
 been drinking freely with his legal as-
 sociates of the thronging city. Fern
 leigh had been left alone in his home
 for week, and he, too, had been drink
 ing more than usual. So, on this even-
 ing, both men had resorted to the de- canter oftener than they might other wise have done, and Edgar Bishop had been drinking most.
 Word followed word, high-keyed and severe. The men came nigh together, and Fernleigh hissed out mad impre- cation, and called the other coward. In his blind rage Bishop struck the merchant in the face, and dared him to resent it.
 At this point friends interfered, and Bishop was drawn back into the seat, while Fernleigh turned and left the place.
 nthe following morning Lucius Fern leigh received another telegram. His wife bade him not to be uneasy. She was safe and well, but she had stopped to care for poor woman who had been badly hurt, and who had no other help CT. Fernleigh was glad of this, for he had 8 business on his hands which he would rather finish before his wife re- turned. He had resolved that he must demand of Edgar Bishop such satisfac- tion as was due for the blow which had been given. He knew that most of those who had witnessed the affair ex- pected this kind of settlement. The affray had already become known on the street. Leaders of the new political party were interested. They regarded Fernleigh as their captain, and his dis grace would be their disgrace. Major Loftus, man we'll versed in such mat ters, offered his services, which were accepted.
 "Of course," said he, "we know that Bishop will not offer an apology. Not only is he chivalrous and high-spirited, but his party will not see him back down."
 "I do not expect him to apologize, returned Fernleigh, "for though he struck the blow, yet had taunted him beyond measure. I observe that he is lame and bruised. He may claim what privilege he pleases on that score."
 The major departed on his mission, and Bishop received him as one who had been expected, and referred him to a mutual friend who had authority to make all necessary arrangements.
 "But," suggested the major, "Mr. Fernleigh is aware that you are lame in limb. He would have you demand such concession on that account as you deem just and proper"
 "Only my left arm is injured" said Bishop, with smile. "The smaller bone is broken-that is all. We shall fight with pistols, so it doesn't mat ter"
 Arrangements were made without de- lay, and it was decided that the duel should be fought at sunset of that very day, in the valley beyond the town, to- ward the mountains.
 During the afternoon Edgar Bishop was in his office busily engaged in ar ranging his business. He was sober and pale. A thoughtful, fair-minded friend called upon him, and sought to dissuade him from the unholy work~he had in hand. But the lawyer would not listen. He was sincerely sorry for what had happened, but it could not now be helped.
 and will you be so foolish as to appeal to such fatal arbitrament for what bran dy did?"
 "No, mo-" said Bishop, with shake of the head; i've cannot lay that flat tering unction to our souls. The man who toys with edged tools must not blame them when they cut him. What ever influence liquor may have had in this business, I am wholly responsible for my share in it. I drank the brandy of my own free will, and must abide the I am busy, and would be alone"
 This same friend next called upon Lucius Fernleigh, whom he found alone in his counting-room, and to whom he spoke as he had spoken to Bishop.
 The merchant shook his head sad ly, but decisively. With 8 beseeching motion of the hand he said,--
 "It is too late. No power on earth can possibly avert the meeting. We must fight; Every principle of honor demands it.
 "And in your heart you desire to fight this duel with the man who has been your friend ?"
 "In my heart?-No! I don't look down into my heart. We shut the heart up on such occasions. The affairs of this busy world won't letth heartspeak always. I cannot be called a coward I cannot live, and have the finger of scorn pointed at me by those whom I have professed to lead in political mat ters. As you see, sir, I am busy. I have no time to waste"
 An hour later Lucius Fernleigh went to his home. It lacked an hour of sum- down. He thought that in the solitude of his home he would write a letter to his wife but when he reached his home he found his wife there-his wife and his little golden-haired cherub of 8 daughter-ius arrived, and eager to greet him. His wife hung upon his neck in her ecstacy of gratitude, and his child claimed nestling place upon his bosom.
 "Safe safe Thank God !" mur- mured Fernleigh. "Were you not in- jured at all ?"
 "Only slightly. But-O!-I grew old in the horror of the time till our preserver came Shut up in that prison of fre-no possible way of escape-the dead and the dying all around me-the broken fragments of two or three cars piled above us, and all in flames ! o, my soul it was dreadful p
 "And your preserve1, Mary-who was he ?''
 The wife looked up in surprise-and then shadow of terror fell upon her face.
 "Has he not reached home? Have you not seen Edgar Bishop ?"
 Edgar Bishopl What of him P
 {" It was he who saved us. He knew