Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-05-29

cN''S''N-
should have introduced them this even
ing"
was on my feet now with clinGhec
hands, and a face that must have been
white and ghastly with half-smothered
rage.
do you dare to assert--" l began
but passion choked me, and the cold
sneering tones of Rivers continued
81 dare to assert, Edward Sternforth.
that you are swindling card-sharper
answered him with y blow this time
not n damaging blow, however, for the
quick hand of Erskine thrust mine
aside before it had time to more than
Craze the cheek Of my insulter. Then there
was great noise Of rushing feet. and.
before l could well realize my position,
fully fifty men stood between Rivers and
myself
"It was an outrageous insult" said the
voice of Erskine, who stood close Mt my
side amid the throng "and you returned
it br,vely, or would have done so, had
not prevented you"
Which | greatly regret. Erskine."
My coolness waa beginning to return
now.
"Why regret it 2" continued Erskine.
"Gentlcmen should find other weapons than
their fists, Stcrnforth. A blow is IL blow,
however, no matter how lightly dealt. l
suppose Rivers will challenge you"
He had hardly finished speaking before
Holmes, the gentleman who had been Riv-
er's partner at whist, made his way toward
the throug.
Il am requested by Mr.. Rivers" he SAID.
"to demand immediate satisfaction from
you for the insult you have inflicted"
"Inmcdiatc satisfaction" said, coolly.
"How is that possible. Although the age
of duelling is past--'
"Ah, ah! you hesitate" exclaimed twen-
ty voices.
looked about ne. II seemed rs if the
eyes of every man present were fixed in
tently upon my face.
ou uit 'iiiol'hEii, ititAaiCii, L Sstltt,
with the greatest calmncss of manner |
could assume. 81 do not hesitate | mere
ly desire to know what is expected of me in
this natter
TO fight, answered the twenty voices.
81 then do not refuse Mr.. Rivers chal-
lenge. am ski.lful at no weapon but the
pistol: and as | have, believe, the choice
of weapons '-addressin!; myself now cxclu-
sively to Holmes-"I shall of course choose
that. Any further charge, in the matter
of time and place. Will, | trust, be assumed
by my friend, Mr., Erskue.'
Erskinc bowed asscntingly. A few mo-
mcnts Of conversation took place between
himself and Holmes, when, turning to me,
he at length said:
q have decided upon 10th place and time
here and now. Does the arrangement
meet with your approval? There is no ne
ccsSity of making this at1air-providcd it
docs not result in rery SERIOUS consequences
-unduly public, Hiyers has expressed
wish that the duel, if you accept his chal-
lengc, take place ut onc'. The weapons,
also, are in The building
"Very WELL" l said. with u voice that
shook q little. in spite of my efforts to con-
troll it; II consent to your proposition"
at is not the first time that matters of
this sort have bsen settlGd here in the club
upon the evening of their occurrence"
I. s.S, g.. T u
state that nothing more serious than flesh
wounds have been the result. Will you
remain here while Holmes and | measure
the PAGES in another portion of the room?
All will be prepared in a very few mo-
ments.'
With these words, Erainine left me among
the crowd of gentlemen by whom l was sur
rounded. had not Long to wait. He re-
turned presently. saying:
Everything is in readiness. The dis
tanee is to be twelve PAGES. VIII you fol-
low me, if you please? Rivers is already
waiting for you to appeal"
We passed arm-in-arm to the lower end
OF the large apartment. Rivers. as he had
said, was there waiting my appearance. l
confess to very mi9crlble feeling wien
the pistol was put in my hand by Erskine.
The suddenness of the whole matter had
scarcely left me room for thought until
now. Visions of face that 1 loved botter
than all else in the world haunted me in u
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 ,oas to die
like this?- shot down for the mere obedi-
ence to a tyrannous social code that in my
heart had always despised and hated?
Well, hope of life was strong within
me to the last. God help me, Col help her,
if
"C1e."
Erskine's voice had spoken the first word
of signal. And somehow that monosyllable
wrought a change in my fcclngs--added a
force to my arm and courage to my heart,
that l had wholly dcspaired of experience
ing.
"Tuo."
/ wheeled half rouGd toward my oppo-
poot Tho ~ ,,,,,, ri, t,b,l -, M ~ b,pJ