National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-06-20

mary expulsion, and he protested against
it, In the course of the discussion
which followed, and which was growing
warm, Edgar Bishop spoke. He trust.
ed his friend would have the manlipess
to withdraw at once, and not put them
to the disagreeable necessity OF expell.
ing him,
This fred Fernleigh to the highest
pitch OF endurance. He felt as Bishop
did not feel. He had seen the letter
which Bishop had written, and he had
been growing more md more angry
ever since. 1t is a penalty of nature
that the warmer and closer the friend.
ship, the more bitter becomes the break.
ing. We will bear from the compare.
tive stranger what we cannot bear from
those We love. The sundering of the
love e-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 a 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 Missed 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.
On the 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
er. Fernleigh was glad of this, for he
had n 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 |
aflray had already become known OF |
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
Lotus, a man well veised in such mat
tsrs, offered his services, which were
accepted.
"Of course" said he, 1--WE know that
Bishop will not offer an apology. Not
only is he chivalrous and igh-spirited,
but his party will not see him back
DOWN"
81 do not expect him to apologize,
returned Fernleigh, ''for though he
struck the blow, yet had taunted him
beyond measure. / observe that he is
anne and bruised He may claim what
privilege he pleases en that score"
The major departed on his mission,
md Bishop received him rs one who
lad been expected, and referred him to
mutual friend who had authority to
make all necessary arrangements.
But" suggested the major, "Mr.
'ernleigh is aware that you are lame in
lmb. He would have you demand such 1
oncession on that account as you deem '
ust and proper
"Only my left arm is injured" said :
Bishop, with smile. "The smaller
one is broken--that is all. We shall
ght with pistols, so it doesn't mat :.
er."
Arrangements were made without de-
", and it was decided that the duel /
hould he fought at sunset of that very !
ay, in the valley beyond the town, to- |
ard the mountains. = =
During the afternoon Edgar Bishop I
as in W Office busily engaged in ar n
lnging mis- business. He was sober n
I'D pale. A thoughtful, fair minded
iend called upon him, and sought to ,
ssuade him from the unholy work he /
nd in hand. But the lawyer would not h
stem. He was sincerely sorry for what o
I'd happened, but it could not now be n
elped. a
"Brandy did it - cried the friend /.
Id will you be so foolish as to appeal :,
such fatal arbitrament for what bran N
, did 2" n
"No, no." said Bishop, with shake r. r.
the head Eve cannot lay that fat II
ring JUNCTION to our souls. The man II
no toys with edged tools must not
anne them when they cut him. What n,
er influence liquor may have had in n,
is business, am wholly responsible fc
r my share in it. / drank the brandy 81
my own free will, and must abide the
nsequences. l am busy, and would d,
alone" h,
This same friend next called upon n,
lcius Fernleigh, whom he found alone w
his counting-room, and to whom he
oke as he had spoken to Bishop.
The merchant shook his head sad
but decisively. With a beseeching
'tlon of the hand he said,--
- 1t is too late. No power on earth AZ AZ
4 possibly avert the me, ting. We W VI
lst fight Every principle of honor We We
mands it. pa
. And in your heart you desire to fight Ii' fl.
S duel with the man who has been ,''' ,''
lr friend ?" or
In my heart?-No! 1 don't look an m
vn into my heart. We shut the heart =. y.
on such occasions. The affairs of az az
$ busy world won't let the heart speak ies ies
-ays. / cannot be called a coward. ;;e'
live, and have the finger of 20;
IN pointed at me by those whom / '.a .ol
'e professed to lead in political mat va. sls
!. As you see, sir, l am busy. l Of
e no time to waste" VI
N hour later Lucius Fernleigh went su. gu.
lis home. 1t lackedan hour of sun "s VIZ
Tn. He thought that in the solitude ~, =;
lis home he would write n letter to onn on,'
wife but when he reached his home s.a
found his wife there-his wife and gre
little golden-haired cherub of a
ghter-just arrived, and eager to ]
ct him. His wife hung upon his Plu