The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-09

uOu EttiulIb any DtEEhIiJ llSubtftHHU8 w
usurp my privilegcsr'
OF course It was out Of the question TO
cause q scene In my hosts drawing-roOUl,
otherwise could have given that man what
he deserved-yz: sound thrashing with
the greatest pleasure In life.
Accordingly bit my lips TO restrain my
feelings, and stepped back.
Nevertheless, expect my sentiments were
pretty strongly expressed upon my couhte-
nance, for, as everybody was leaving the room,
Reginald came up and said
What on earth is the matter. Iomf you
look as though somebody had stamped on
your pet corn"
Just what has been DONE Regy,," replied ;
upon mental corn" and then informed
him Of what had occurred"
In an instant his manner changed from
gentle badinnge TO nm earnest air OF concern,
"Take no notice of him whatever, Ton"
answered he; 1--WE will have weed after din
ner and will explain matters TO you.
Not little mystilied, entered the dining
room, where / was seated nearly opposite
Bessie Thornton, who was sitting next 10
Capt. Wyndham.
Without appearing rude, / continued 10
keep my attention liked pretty well upon them
all dinner. time, and what l saw gave me the
greatest concern.
One thing was quickly assured of Bessie
was In positive fear of her dangerous looking
companion.
There was nervous start whenever he adj
ner when answering his queries, and the
watchful glance OF the eye, all betokening Ill
concealed apprehension.
During the evening Reginald and had no
opportunity for conversation, as we were &C
eompanied by q number OF young fellows
into the billlard-room, which entirely pre-
Guided anything approaching TO privacy.
At length the hour for retiring to rest ar
rived, and al / was proceeding along the
passage To my room Reginald touched me
"Come along, old man; this 10 my room,
and we shall be alone now"
Following him, found myself In what /
recognized ut once as my friends private
snuggery.
Paintings and photographs Indifferent ships
| covered the walls, while racks full Of we'll
covered pipes ornamented the mantel-piece.
"Sit down, Tom. and have pipe" said
| Thornton; and. obeying him, l took my seat
| In an arm chair just behind the door, and was
soon In the enjoyment Of my "'bacca."
Something seemed wrong. however, with
| Reginald. First Of ALL his pipe was stopped
up, and then he put La too much Of the weed
and then he could not get 1t to light; and,
when 1t was ignited, he could not keep It so.
| At length, when 1t had gone out and been
| relighted about half dozen times, said:
"Iexpect your 'baeca's damp, Regy. Try
some OF mine"
maid, putting the pipe on one side: tits what
| | have asked you In here TO talk about that
worries me, for / don't know how TO begin"
i knew not what 70 say, so held my tongue
After short silence he continued, talking
| quickly, as II he had something to say that he
did not like and wanted to get rid Of 1t us
soon as possible:
"The truth of II Is, Tom. old man, that fol.
low Wyndham 10 engaged to marry Bessie
and, besides her hating him like steam, he
isn't right"
The first announcement knocked me over
completely, but managed to gasp out:
Not rightp What do you mean y
why, he's mad, Tom-mad as q March
hare! Most OF his relations are mad or have
died In lunatic asylums."
"Gracious heavensl' exclaimed T. indg-
nantly. Then why do you permit such an
Ubiquitous thing TO continued
That's just It, Tom. have no voice In
the matter. The compact was made between
mans father, who was school-fellow Of the
pater. and who broke bis neck out hunting.
We have oil spoken TO him on the subject, but
he has made ny. his mind that Bessie shall
marry that mailman, and nothing will alter
him He has given his promise, he says, and
But can nothing be done for the poor girl
to save her from such an awful fate r asked.
THAT Is just what wanted to talk to you
about, Tom." replied Reginald, Ito see Il we
Anything that can be done by man will
promise at once to do" observed, "and
sooner than that lovely girl should be 80
sacrificed, I'd blow the lunatic's brains out
myself" !, ,,o,o, =. 49,.
surprised and half-comical manner, and then
once more applied himself to his meer-
5chaum.
We were smoking away In silence, engaged
In thinking out remedy for the horrible
fate OF Miss Thornton when the door was
suddenly opened and then as quickly closed !;
and, before / could make movement or
know what had occurred, Bessie threw her
arms around her brothers. neck and, hiding
her face In his waistcoat, sobbed out:
''Oh, Regy, dear, you must help me, for l
can never marry that awful man. would
rather die, or be nun, or anything. | always
hated the idea; but since this evening | find
that 1t is impossible that can ever consent
to be united to him."
This was all brought out amid burst Of
sobs and tears. AS soon as she had recovered
herself little, Reginald, smoothing her hair
with his hand, said:
"All right, darling; don't distress yourself.
We were just now thinking what we could do
"We?" suddenly exclaimed Bessie spring
ing to her feet. And then, becoming aware
that I was in the room. she became crimson,
saying, '.Oh Mr.. Drake, / thought my
brother was alone; and, as l have always
been accustomed to come to him for advice
and assistance, +"
Cali right, sis; don't worry" interrupted
Thornton; II have been telling Tom all about
the matter, and he has offered to do all he can
to assist us; even," he added, with roguish
look at his sister, ''even to blowing out the
captains brains"
From red Bessie now becamely deadly pale,
and, with a look toward me that dreamed OF
for nights after, exclaimed:
"Oh, / trust that Mr.. Drake will not en-
danger himself on my account. Capt. Wynd-
ham is already so jeal-so badly disposed to-
ward him; and when out OF temper there Is
no knowing what he may do. Remember poor
Benz
"Oh, I'll back Tom against any mailman
going" replied Reginald, with a strange
CLEAN OF pleasure in his eyes. "And think,
sis, that with your assistance we shall be able
to dlsappoint this one without having re-
course to any particular violence"
What was the affair Of Ben that your sister
alluded to- Regy?" l inquired
"Oh, Ben was stable helper, and one day
he had left a spot OF rust on Wyndham's STIR
rup; so, without a word of warning, the Cap
tain unbuckles the leather from the saddle,
and, whirling 1t round his head, struck the