Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-06-10
lenge, take place at once. The wea'


shook little, in spite of my efforts to
control it; Il consent to your PROPOSE
ton"
cit is not the first time that matters
of this sort have been settled here in
the club upon the evening of theil
occurrence, Erskine went on. $50
far I am glad to state that nothing
more serious than flesh wounds have
been the result. Will you remain
here while Holmes and / measure the
PAGES III another portion of the room
All will be prepared in very few
moments
i With these words, Erskine left me
among the crowd of gentlemen by
whom I was surrounded. I had not
long to wait He returned presently,
saying:
"Eyerything is in readiness. The
distance is to be twelve PAGES. Will
you follow me, if you please :? Rivers
is already waiting for you to appear.
We passed arm in arm to the lower
end of the large apartment. Rivers,
as he had said, was there waiting my
appearance. I confess to very miser'
able feeling when the pistol was put in
my hand by Erskine. The suddenuess
Of the whole matter had scarcely left
me room for thought until now. Vis~
ions of face that / loved better than
all else in the world haunted me in a
hundred pleading ways during the
next three minutes that followed. |
thought of the agony, too, that my
family would feel on the morrow, If
the news of my death were to reach
them in their quiet country home. My
death Great God! was [ to die like
this ?-shot down for the mere
obedience to a tyrrannous social code
that in my heart l had always despised
and hated
Well, hope of life was strong within
me to the last. God help me, God
help her, if
"One."
Erskine's voice had spoken the first
word of signal. And somehow that
monosyllable wrought change in my
feelings-added force to my arm and
a courage to my heart, that | had
wholly despaired of experiencing.
, Two"
| wheeled half round toward my OPP
ponent. The pistol was clutched in
my hand, now, with grasp OF steel.
I was no inferior marksman at ordinary
times. felt that my aim would be
deadly now.
"Three!"
I stood face to face with my op'
ponent.
"Fire!"
Both pistols, discharged sim
ultancously, made one sharp report.
Was l unhurt? I moved my limbs
slightly feeling no pain in any OF
| them.
My opponent, seen family through a
cloud of smoke, was standing erect
uninjured, perhaps, like myself. And
yet my aim had been sure, oF at least
| fancied so.
Suddenly George Erskine's voice
sounded at my side, raised to tone
of the most extraordinary loud
ness:
"Three cheers for Ned Stems
forth! He has stood the test
bravely."
I looked about me i'll utter be
wilderment while the cheers were
given elamoseusly from every side.
"For heavens sake" l said, turn
ing toward Erskine, what does this
singular behavior mean Oh the part OF
Yourself and the other members
What have I done TO deserve this
enthusiasma Oblige me by explains
ing"
s.That task is NINE said the voice
of Rivers. as he approached to where [
stood. 81 have been acting a part to
nisht. Mr. Sterntorth, which I assure
YOU was most disagreeable one.
This evenings entire performance may
be summed up in two words-your
initiation. Perhaps you can now under
stand why 1t is that the L Club is
so difficult to enter. The men who
fail to stand the test put upon YOU this
evening fail in becoming members.
The secresy of our initiation system is
nothing remarkable. Those who have
| experienced it without afterward be-
coming members are not the ones to
inform society of their inability to
"stand fire." Modification usually
keeps them silent. And now,' con-
| tinued Rivers. extending his hand, 81
trust that an apology for the ridiculous
insults ! hurled at you this evening
will be fully accepted. Let the whole
matter, like the charge of those bullet
less pistols we fought with, end in
smoke