The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-11-08

persuaded Miss Upton to be his advocate;
she eau do what she will with her father,
and she has now the best prospect Of sue
cess.
felt as if a thunderbolt had fallen at
my feet. To blank anna cement succeeded
rage at myself aud my jealous folly aud
blindness. If | could only throw myself
at the feet Of the General, his daughter,
and Colonel Bell, and beg their forgiveness !
But had provoked aud accepted chal-
lenge; and what would now be thought Of
such submission? They would believe me
coward. No, no insulted the Gen
eral, and he, at least, must have satisiae-
ton.
In the morning l dressed myself with
unwonted care. Once more the blood
coursed in free and lively tide through
my veins, and | went forth cheerfully.
We alightcd from the carriage upon the
ground. General Upton, who was already
there, saluted us with naughty bow.
Colonel Bell came toward US, and hoped
we should be satisfied with his choice of
pistols. | noticed in his manner, as well
as that of his principal, lofty GOODNESS
not usual even in such encounters 1t was
plain they regarded me as senseless ruff
fan determined to force a quarrel on an
officer. / dared not then disclose the
truth, and simply acquiesced in all that
was done. Waving my own privilege, |
insisted on tho General having the first
shot
The General raised his weapon, took
aim and fired. | felt a sharp pain and
had hot gushing in my right arm, above
the elbow. Colonel Bell began to count
for my shot. | motioned him to stop and
advanced toward General Upton.
"I have something important to say to
you, sir" | said.
He replied, coldly, II know not what
you can have to say to me in other Ian.
guage than of the kind in which l have
just spoken to you"
The bystanders looked amazed.
General Upton" / cried, impetuously,
81 love your daughter, | implore your
consent to address her"
The old officers surprise was so great
that his pistol dropped from his hand.
As soon as he recovered power to speak
he said ado you wish, sir, to add fresh
insult to those we are here to settle, o"
(his look finished the sentence) "are you
mad ?"
| begged permission TO explain my un.
accountable behavior. | told him how
deeply | had loved his daughter from oul
first meeting; how my passion had in.
creased till it had engrossed my whole
being; how | had overheard at the bal
words that caused me to look on Colonel
Bell as my successful rival, how madden.
ed by despair, had rushed into quarrel
with him; and how, too late, | had diseov
ed my mistake.
"fou will appreciate, sir" concluded
"the situation Ia which | found myself
| had behaved like fool aud a ruffiau
but | could not confess it and ask you
pardon without incurring the suspicion o
eowardice. You would not have giyeI
your daughter to coward. Now, Gener
al, you have had satisfaction for the affron
SO wantonlY offered YOU. | acknowledc,
my folly and throw myself upon your gen
erosity."
Turning to Colonel Bell, | repeated m,
apology to him.
The cloud of resentment gradually
cleared away from the Generals nobll
countenance. At last he remarked, will
a good -humored smile, that since the world
began it had been necessary to pardon
something to the impetuousity of lovers
Yet he censured the folly that had pre-
vented me from dealing frankly with him
Instead of standing to receive his fire. HI
added that if | succeeded in winning his
daughters consent should meet with nc
opposition from him.
| could not extend my right hand t
thank my adversary, for my sleeve wa,
full of clotted blood. Luckily, Colonel
Bell had brought doctor, who drew Of
my coat aud examined my arm. III
bound up the wound, which was slight
and made sling for my arm. The Gen
eral then invited me to go home with hin
to breakfast We drove to his house.
Agnes Upton was very much surprised
to see me, as she had been at her fathers
early excursion. When she saw me pale
and trembling, with my arm in sling
the lovely girl grew pale herself, and theI
the blood rushed back into her transparent
cheeks Her father told her / had me-
with slight accident, adding that We
would all breakfast with him.
Then he went out with the other gen.
tlemen to show them some new improve
ments in his garden. was left alone
with my charmer who came close to me
and asked me to tell her the truth.
al have fought duel with your faith
er, replied, "and have been wounded
in the arm"
The fair girl grew pale as a lily. Hel
large violet eyes were fixed strangely upon
me. At length she asked, in quivering
voice, what | and her father had fought
about.
IL had insulted him." was my answer
1t seemed to increase her amazement
With some impatience, she bade me speak
intelligibly.
Then | made her sit down, drew a chair
near her, told her everything. As | de.
scribed my jealous fears, despair, AID
madness her changing color showed her
emotion; and when repeated my petition
to her father for permission to declare my
love, | saw two pearly tears slide down
her checks, while her eyes were fixed on
the ground. When expressed the wild
worship that filled my heart, and implored