Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-02-13

y
not your puppet yonder."
Albert turned and went back I
Dick. and said:
"Thsy do not need me yonder; lea
upon my arm. Dick, and let US return.
Albert assisted Dick to the earring
which was waiting for them /; wheI
they entered the driver received order
to drive back to the city, as they wer
crossing the river. Dick inquired wha
he had best do now:
"Go to the hotel for tonight"
This they soon reached. Alber
procured a room, assisted Dick to j
and placed him comfortably in bed
he then gave him a powder to quie
him. Dick soon fell into SOUND
sleep, and Albert sat down to thinl
the matter over. He determined tt
read the letter Dick had written tt
himself, and ascertain the cause o
the duel. He read it carefully, got uE
and walked the floor, sat down and
read it again. He looked at his friend
as he lay sleeping and said:
God only knows I love you Dick,
myfriend. my brother; had known this
Iwould have broken every bone in
Nelson's body. My more than broth
er, to have exposed your own precious
life rather than should know that the
insult was offered to me, and through
one love more than life"
The night passed in quiet sleep to
Dick. Albert sat by him all night.
Next morning he went down into the
Office of the hotel where he met Nell
sons surgeon, from whom he learned
that Nelson had beenshot through the
chest. but by careful nursing, would
soon be well.
No one had yet heard of the duel,
and they determined to keep it a
secret.
When Albert returned to the room
he found Dick awake.
How do you feel this morning.
Dick?"
"Oh, very we'll, my shoulder is pain
ing me some"
"Dick I have ordered your breakfast,
| want you to eat"
'I can do that without any persuad-
ing"
Il took the liberty of Opening your
letter to me, could not wait for an
explanation from you. Dick, You are
right, Howard Nelson is mean and
contemplate. Idon't thank you much
for taking that job off my hands"
well, you see Albert, I had no
hand in bringing the matter about, it
was rather forced upon me. How
badly is he hurt?"
Il learned from his surgeon that his
wound is not dangerous"
II am very glad of that. 1 did not
intend firing at him at all. but after we
got on the ground, and he said what he
did, could not help it, / thought /
would hurt him just little"
Now am!going.to uncles. l know
they are already wondering what has
become of us. !"
Hurry back and tell me what the
Mai. thinks of the affair"
u will, but you may be sure that
when he finds how it came about, he
will think the more of you"
Goodbye, for awhile. I will send
upa servant to attend you while l am
gone"
When Albert arrived at Maj. Lynn's
he found them in a state of great ex-
citemeut at their long absence. He
asked his uncle to go with him to the
library, where he told him all that had
occurred.
The Maj. listened with much inter
est, interrupting him by an occasional
word which sounded very much like
an expletive.
$50 the boy is lying wounded at the
hotel. Why didn't you bring him
right here? This is his home. To
think that Nelson, dirty dog. should
have treated Virginia so. Go bring
him right here; stop, l am going my
self. That boy is man. 1t does my
old heart good to know that he is not
worse hurt"
''Pa can I do anything while you are
gomez" asked Este, who had entered
the room unperceived, and had heard
all that had been said.
What can you do? you little bag
gage"
II can do everything for him papa"
"Ha! you can-what is he to you, /
would like to know ?"
'He is everything. next to you and
mother, Oh! papa, be careful with
him."
1.-The Maj, stopped and kissed her,
and said"
"Estie, my child. go to to your room
he shall have every attention"
Albert left the Maj. to go and look
for Virgin; he found her in the parlor
she arose as he entered, and a flush of
pleasure mantled her cheek, as she
said;
"Dr. Leigh, l have been quite un-
easy about you, and you are looking
erious. Where is Mr.. LeMays ?"
"He will be here directly"
Albert then related what had hap
pened since they left.
"You know, Virgin, the cause of the
duel. Dick has told me of the inter-
view between yourself and Nelson,
which be interrupted"
II am SO glad be is not seriously
hurt, | would have been miserable if
l had known what they were going to
do. Oh DIR. how could you permit
t?"
Il was in perfect ignorance as to
the cause until it was all over, l tried
to stop it on the field but could not.
Virgin, can l have the pleasure of