The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-06-08

caused him some painful emotions.
He bid adieu to Constance, promising
to write her constantly, and saying he
would soon return to her side. Alas
he little knew the news that was soon to
fall upon his ears.
Constance had brother older than
herself who was absent at college. Gulian
also had brother in the same institution.
Edmund Woodham was hot-headed fell
low, good hearted in the main, but as he
was addicted to fast living, bis impulsive
character made i. unsafe for even friends
to interfere with him at all times. Leon
ard Langford partook somewhat cf the
character Of his sister He was amiable,
studious, and Of an even temper. Be-
tween Langford and Woodham there new.
er had been an angry word, and they
were considered good friends, though new
er intimate. One evening the students
were at public house, when a difficulty
occurred between Woodham and class.
mate named Terry. The latter was OF
northern birth, and Woodham, who was
abusing the North, was clearly 10 the
wrong in his attack upon Terry. Most
of these students sided with Woodham,
and those who did not agree with him
held their peace on account Of his violent
temper, all save Leonard Langford, who
rebuked Woodham for his treatment OF
one who was guiltless Of offence. Instant
ly Woodlands wrath was transferred to
Langford.
"Oh ~ he sneered ~ GU are consttu-
ting yourself the champion of Yankees.
BY what authority, pray, do you meddle
10 my affairs -
Il claim no authority at ALL replied
Langford; ii simply saw that Terry
was not to blame, and you were, and see-
ing it, express my conviction"
Your conviction laughed Woodham
iu an insulting manner. What do you
suppose care about your convictions p
Hold" cried Terry, approaching
Langford, aud laying his hand upon his
arm. This is my quarrel, Leonard, and
| am able to take care of myself. | don't
desire 10 involve my friends in my trou.
Bile"
Though Leonard Lapgiord had quiet
disposition. he was not one who would
submit to imposition.
Very true" he replied but Wood.
ham has insulted me as well as yourself,
and he owes me reparation as much as he
does you
Take it. then" cried Woodham, at
the same time siapping Langford in the
face, and splitting in that of Terrys.
Leonard LaDgtord was a powerfully
built young man, so he promptly knocked
Woodham down. \ scene OF confusion
cnsucd, then all present adjourned to
their rooms in the college for consulta.
tion and the following day Langford
challenged Woodhan to q duel These
things were so common at that day. that
they scarcely excited comment.
The combatants met, and Woodham
fatally wounded Langford at the first fire.
When Terry saw that his friend Leonard
would be likely to die, he determined to
challenge Woodham himself. Twas a
sad mistake, for Woodham was the best
shot in the college. They met upon the
same ground. where the day previous
Langford had been shot,
81 shall kill that Yankee, said Wood
ham to his friends. He kept bis word,
and Terry was brought in corpse.
Before week had passed Langlord
died. Gulian had arrived home only in
time to see his brother expire. When he
knew that his brother had fallen by the
hand of Edmund Woodham, his aiiiiction
was of the deepest character. Woodham
had departed for parts unknown as soon
as he killed Terry, or else Gulian certain.
ly would have shot him. When, howev.
err he became tranquil, he wrote Con-
stance, giving her an account of what had
occurred, She was driven almost frantic
by the news. The recollection Of his ex.
piring brother racked the soul of Gulian,
and overwhelmed as he was by distress,
the image Of Constance was ever present
to his thoughts.
Gloomy presentiments now took posses
sion of the soul of Constance Woodham
and though endowed with superior
mind, she never afterwards could dislodgG
them. la her answers to Gulian, she
feigned tranquility she did not feel and
concealed from her lover the pangs which
rent her bosom.
The father Of Gulian sternly refused tt
hear the name of Constance Woodham
mentioned, and told his son that if h,
dared wed her. curse would follow the
act.
"Can you forget your murdered broth
er?" asked the elder Lapgford. "Ther'
never was coward among the Lang
fords. and. unless you make the first
there never will be-"
Stung to the quick By his father
words, Guian broOded gloomily, alter
nately making vow to kill Edmunr
Woodham, and to love Constance to th
end of his days.
One promise Gulian made his father
and which he sacredly kept. He woul
not visit Constance without first inform
ing him of the fact. In the meantim
the letters between them grew more rar,
though Constance abated none of her a
} fection for her lover.
Nearly year passed since Leonar
, Lsngford's death and Edmund Woodhal
} was still absent from his home.
/ 1t was almost the Christmas holiday
r when man with cold, gray eyes, an
hair slightly streaked with gray, crawle
under the shadow of the wooden bu;ldir
/, that answered for post.ofiice at F.
t Presently negro boy from j Judge Woo
S ham came for his masters letters. I'll
man watched the boy with eyes that eli
b. tered like serpent's, and when he hi
Q departed, he followed him until he was
side some bushes that grew thickly |
u the roadside, when he whistled, and Il
} negro looked back. Then the man bee
: oned, and the boy walked towards him.
}. BE quick, sah," cried the black. Il
q afeared devil see me-