Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-04-17
Am 0rigimal Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE BARSTOWS.
BY VICTOR VERNON.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE DUEL.

o., ASoSStS3 No-S
Mr.. Courtaine's Office, to transact a little bus
mess which that gentleman had written to re-
quest him to attend to; and, this done, find
ing that it was past twelve, he turned his
steps towards restaurant where he was IN
the habit of taking his lunch.
He had scarcely seated himself at one OF
the tables, when Ralph Barstow, accompanied
by very disagreeable looking young man,
entered and took possession of another, d.
rectly opposite. Wilfred, meeting his eye,
made slight gesture of recognition, such as
ordinary politeness would seem to demand.
Ralph looked full at him, but gave no ac-
Acknowledgement of the sign. His glance was
an insolent one; but as there was an unusual
air of recklessness about him, and rather
significant flush upon his cheek, Wilfred con-
cluded that he was not entirely himself, and
choosing, therefore, not to notice his conduct,
calmly took up newspaper and began to
read.
Ralph was in an evil mood that day. He
had suffered the demons ofjealousy and hatred,
which had been so long struggling with the
better principles in his heart, to gain more
complete mastery over him than usual. He
had heard, the evening before, conversation
between two of his friends concerning Daisy
Courtaine and her intended marriage, and all
night long he had been oppressed by feverish
thoughts which gave him no rest. The morn.
ing had found him restless, harrassed, una
BILE to fix his mind upon his work. Unfortu.
nately for him, the bank that day closed at
eleven o'clock, and the clerks were dismissed,
owing to the death Of one of the officers,
whose funeral was to take place at noon. He
fell in with one of his most unsteady asso-
ciates, who led him off to beguile the time in
a billiard room and wine, as we'll as bill.
lizards, had been freely partaken Of He was,
as rule, quite abstemious but he was in a
humor to-day for anything which would make
him forget his troubles, and Wilfred was not
deceived in his conjecture that he had been
drinking too much for his good.
He had not been long at table before he
and his companion began to exchange re-
marks, at frst in a low tone, but soon becom-
ing more audible, which Wilfred gradually
perceived to be aimed at himself Being most
unwilling to be drawn into quarrel, he pre-.
tended, for little while, not to notice them.
But suddenly the name of his betrothed struck
his ear.
"Miss Courtaine," Ralph was saying in dis
tinct tones, evidently intended for his benefit,
is certainly one of the most beautiful and at
tractive young ladies have the honor OF
knowing. But it is for that very reason that
so sincerely pity her fate"
"Come, now, Raj ph," said his friend, ban
teringly, care you sure that your interest in
her welfare is not dictated by personal mo-
tives?"
personal motives" said Ralph, still more
distinctly, and looking at Wilfred, who was
now gazing at him, "are not needed to inspire
any one with regret and amazement at seeing
girl, as popular and charming as Miss Cour-
taine, deliberately make such mis- step in
life. And that her father should sanction it,,
dSIOulSuGS tuc SIlil
"Sir," said Wilfred, laying down his knife
and fork, and bending forward that his words
might be the more plainly heard, 'your re-
marks upon the lady you have just alluded to
are not only inappropriate to this place, butex-
tremely distasteful to me, besides. beg you
will be careful not to repeat them, or utter
any more of similar nature"
"And pray, sir" haughtily asked Ralph,
what right have you to control my remarks !?
am at liberty to speak as 1 choose, on this
or any other subject"
"Excuse me-" said Wilfred, who had now
grown pale with restrained wrath. "On this
topic you shall not speak in my presence. |
will not have Miss Courtaine's name made the
subject of discussion in public place"
"By what right" asked Ralph, in sneer-
ing tone, edo you presume to interfere? You
have not yet answered me that"
"You we'll know what right have, where
that ladys name is concerned" rejoined Will
fred. at is in my guardianship, and I shall
see to it that it is handled with all due respect.
Besides" and he lowered his voice as he fixed
his gaze sternly on the other, "you made other
illusions, of which, be assured, 1 shall de-
mand an explanation"
Demand what you please" retorted Ralph
s'It is not likely that shall feel called upon
to explain anything to an Insignificant pre-
tender-a nobody"
Wilfred brought his hand down Oh the
table with an emphasis which made the glass-
es ring. "Take back those words, he said, in
clear, concentrated tones, while a dangerous
fire glittered in his eyes, cor, by Heaven, III
make you answer for them!'
Ralph leaned back in his chair, and laughed
with an insolence impossible to describe.
"Hear him." he said, scofingly, to his COM
panion, who, like him, appeared to enjoy the
joke. "Would any one believe that foreign
up start and puppy, like this, would presume
to speak to a gentleman in such tone?
The insult was too open, too pointed to be
endured Wilfred lost his selfcontrol, which
he had by great effort maintained until
then, and starting forward, knocked Ralph
down like a flash.
A general commotion of course ensued
The proprietor of the restaurant came running
up, and was joined by several other specta
tors in interfering between the combatants
Ralph, who had instantly sprung to his feet
again, was restrained from rushing at Will
froJ rvbo cnook;np in q low tona said tO