, 1874-11-08

log riB,ble. that did not much matter. had
only to Keep on going up, unless the ascent led
me away from the principal summit, which was
visible nearly ali the way.
"At midday came to gap in the side Of the
mountain, tbs site Of long-dess1ted mine, as
was shown by shaft which had been sunk di-
rec.1y IN my path; and shnddeIed as I peered
into the unprotected abyss, and thought that, il
clouds had settled down uptm tue range, there
WAS nothing to have prevented my Walking right
into it.
II had taken light lunch with me. and this
eeeuled good place to rest aud eat it III. So
Eat under tle Hhados OF rock, aud refreshed
IL was interrupted in this pleasant euploy-
rncnt by a footstep, and. looking up, saw
lnau standing before mo with his arms folded on
his chest. aud regarding. me- ln threatening
manner. 1 need not descrbe hlin to you,
inaoam; 1t was your husband.
"'Your nalne is Petefs?' be observed.
'Yes,' eaid l; 'but, pardon me, you have the
advantage of me-
80 I s9ek none,' he replied. You desire my
death, and have followed you here to give you
. tatr and equal chance OF comprising it. 1aIso
".My dear SIR said 1, you are laboring un-
der very great mistake. + have no lll-feeiing
toward you- Why should wish the death OF 3
perfect stranger?'
80 Because sou could marry his widow
And then, madam, be mentioned you, aud
said that he had beeo watching me for mouth
past. And be put most extraordinary interpre-
tatlon upon our innocent aclualntauceship.
- When protested that lie WAS 10 error, and
that lad noe even kno"n ta4l that momeht you
we're = married woman, he said that such q
coward1y evaaion should avail me nothing, and,
producing . brace Of pistols, lie challenged me to
fight 11in-
~ explained to him that It he had any cause
Of complaint against me. which was absurd, ne
had MS semedy as law tnas Tue ptae.lGe o. ouslt ta
no ous bad fought With deadly weapons in tins
country for quarter of acentury that It re
now revived the cnstoua, the survivor would be
hung.
90, Saia your ~ n4spsao sa .a;t We are Al9ne 3
oao who falls might be here for months before
hls skeleton waa oleco9e1ea; ana "no "oulo
suspect how he came by his death2 But the
safety Of II survivor can be yet fnrther secured;
he h1s bur to drag Ills defeated enemy to the
brink OF yonder mine e-shaft; little force would
suffice to tumble it into the gulf; and then.
what trace would be possible: But l am hero
to fight, not to argue. Here is your pistol
loaded but not capped-.nd mere are caps. Stay
where you are aud will take up my position
near tue edge Of the shait~ Nhlch WILL saTe you
trouble il luck atlends you
.'Do not datter yourself that your precau-
t:ons Tlll avail. cried. in considerable treptda-
ton. 'hurder will out, and you WILL forfeit
your Life for mlno'
That makes no ODDS to me, ne replied
Fops like Jou nave maze my A1e an 1nsane1a-
bic burden to me-.
Poor man ! how he ioTes me !" sighed the
lady.
- could hardly oelieVe that ne WAS II ear
nest, contioued hs' Peters; but no retired to
the spot he had mentioned, near the mouth OF
the hole Is OF II yalds of. aud presently called
out:
"'Have ron capped your pistol?'
II had not. but dlu 60, mechanically. I do
Inv I h41 nm nj nj