The Van Buren press., 1877-05-29


elected
Did any one Of you take itl' que.
ried Edgar, scarcely concealing his anxi.
ETY.,
Il did, cried Lieutenant Falkstone.
You ? The promoted ofiicer2 The
coincidence is strange, indeed said Ed.
gar ironically.
What do you meanY' replied Falk
stone, frowning.
What did you do with the sketch p
gave 1t to some one
Did you give or send it3'
gave it personally
To whom 2
l cannot tell
In pnblic2 ?
Either in public OF in private
Lieutenant Falkstone, demand that
you tell me to whom you gave my
sketch =
! heed no demand, except from my
superiors, Lieut., Washburnr
Then you will receive this, coward =
and suiting the action to the werd, Wash
burn threw his wine glass at him.
Before any one could awaken from the
surprise eccasoned by this action, the
report of revolver was heard. and
Lieutenant Washburn tottcred and fell to
the floor.
CHATTER Nv ---RErESTASCE.
The deed was received with general
cry Of Indignation, but some moments
elapsed before the thought OF removing
Edgars body to the sofa, aud ascertain
ing the effects Of the shot. occurred to
any one. Fortunately a surgeon was in
the party, and he bestowed upon the
wounded man the utmost care The bull
let had passed through the lieutenant's
left arm, and had broken one of his ribs
The wound might become dangerous, but
for the moment presented no alarming
symptoms. The patients recovery prom
ised, however. 10 bc long and tedious and
arrangements were made to have him ~
moved to the hospital.
Lieutenant Falkstone was suffering no
less than Washburn. The feelings OF the
bystanders at first 80 adverse to him,
could but be softened at the sight OF his
grief. As soon as Edgar regained con
seriousness, he saw Falkstonc, and
stretched out his hand TO him
oh, Ea!' said the latter, brokenly.
Ae attempted to say more, but the words
seemed to choke him
If the police began Washhurn,
ncrvonsly, it was an accilent--do you
hear 2
No. replied Falkstone, earnestly, Let
the police come; my deed merits punish
ment, call, call the police!'
No, no. resumed Washburn, you all
don't forget it-twas an accident.-it
not for his sake and mine, for she hono,
Very few oc'ftReses men--mvu VIM ra,
faced all dangers calmly hundred times
were tear proof at these wors OF
Washhurn; but owing to his overexer.
ton, the Lieutenant fell again into a
swoon Falkstone stood as though par.
alyzed. Although efforts were made to
keep the whole affair secret, the police
soon learned what had occurred, and
Falkstone was arrested. Early the next
morning, the Coroner wus at the hospi-
tai to receive Washburn's statement. But
he only got one answer: 1t was an &C
cident.' An inquiry was held. and wit.
ncsses were heard but as they were all
faithful to Washburn's request, Falkstone
was shortly discharged.
1t would be superauous to say that the
old Commodore soon learned the truth
in all its details; and that, thinking him
self not bound to sccresy within the do
mestc circle, at the breakfast table he re
lated what had taken place, stating Wash
burns condition as very precarious. Du'
ring this recital, Blanche suffered agonies
After struggling sometime against hel
emotion, she rose and left the table. The
Wilderness Of her morning dress the pal
lor OF her conntenance, and the nncer-
tainiy of her step made her look more
like ghost than IA living being.
You should never relate such thing,
in her presence Mrs. HARDWOOD said t.
the Commodore. She is too sensItiv,
to stand it. The Commodore, of courss
acknowledged his wrong
Upon reaching her room, BLANCHE
threw herself upon her bed, with sob
and self reproaches. At last she aros
with determination, wiped away oil ira
ces Of agitation, put on street costume
wound a thick veil around her face, ant
then running, rather than walking. sh
made her way to the hospital. There sh
asked to see Lieut.. Washburn, but sh
refused admission The doctors order
were peremptory But partly by entreat
ing, partly by pushing. she managed Il
enter.
Mr.. Washburn,' she said, hay
come to see how you are, with my ow
eyes, to ask if can be of any use to 20
as nurse, and to beg your forgiveness
for very mischievous deed.
Edgar looked at his unexpected visit
or with amazement; then. as if he cangh
the meaning of her words, he said; al
you refer to the sketch z
Il sent it, she replied. with SCUM
like sob
Washburn looked at the wretched cir
with pity in his eyes
Mr.. Washburn forgive me- Blanch
continued with passionate despair,
Il forgive yeu,' he said
And now let me turn to somethin
more cheerful Rose Horton and he
mother have been in Norfolk, lately, an
were inquiring for you
Rose here!' and a smile brightene
, his pale countenance A silence ensueo
during which Washburn was seemingl
/ ~, B;p,, afF,,rta f,y N, g., nitivo in, m