Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-16
CHAPTER. xxx.
THE CHALLENGE

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not have been more opportune. l never
hoped for the honor of receiving Mauvain
beneath roof of mine this is night in
my life not to be forgotten"
Mauvain did not Immediately speak
the presence of Harold surprised him, and
he looked from one to the other in irresolu-
ton and doubt. Harold said no word,
but kept his eyes fixed upon Mauvain' s
face, with stern and thoughtful meaning
Ranf continued: Have you come to
bring me news from the old world? left
SO many friends there, who are doubtless
anxious for my welfare 1t is long since
we met, Mauvain. You have aged miss
certain brightness in you. Hearing foot
steps ON the mount, observed that they
lacked elasticity and Gghtness, and indeed
your whole manner is wanting in gaiety.
Without doubt your journey must have
fatigued you, but you have certainly aged !;
your time is coming Mauvain, there is
wine have drank at your expense, drink
now at mine. No. Well, l confess it is
presumptuous in me to expect the con-
descension. To business, then. What brings
you here?"
81 am here" said Mauvain, deliberately,
"to punish knave for presumption, and
to teach him that it is dangerous to use the
name of his betters as freely as have rea-
son to suppose you have used mine"
"There are more ways than one of
using names, retorted Rant, sc as you may
presently learn"
"Were you what you once were" said
Mauvain, ga serf and dependent of mine,
l would have you whipped. l."
GAS you have had Others, standing by
the while to enjoy the torture and the
degradation of what was likely a higher
nature than your own. Such enjoyment
cannot now be yours we are in free land.
How, then, do you propose to punish my
presumption? By physical or moral force
In either case, Mauvain, you will find
yourself at disadvantage"
&c cannot lift you to my level; l
descend to yours. You have rapiers on
the table, / commence my lesson thus. :"
He raised his jeweled cane and was ad-
vancing towards Rant when Harold inter.
posed.
'tThis quarrel is mine, Mauvain /; you
must first give me satisfaction" Mauvain
recoiled, and his cane dropped to the
ground.
81 thought, Harold, we had settled our
affairs"
$50 thought l but within this last
hour have had cause to believe you had
fixed deeper wrong upon me than any l
have endured"
"Within this last hour Then you have
heard it from the lips of that slave 7"
cit is through Rant 1 have learnt it.
"And you would set his word against
mine, Harold?"
"No. Am l free to speak, Rant ?"
Entirely free. 1t is your honor that is
at stake, not mine"
eff find you have deceived me, your
life shall answer for it."
"This is no time for threat or boast.
Settle first with him. He will neither lie
nor eauivocate. If he does either, have
a witness in the valley below he looked
out of the door, which was open; the
mists were rolling away, and the moon
light shone over the lovely plains-''I have
a witness in the valley below who will
bring his shame and his guilt home to
him."
"You are in league, perceive" said
Mauvain, haughtily. What deeper
done your"
eff what 1 suspect is true, you have
used my name for base and shameful
purpose. Once more recall the name OF
Clarice. You know in what esteem l held
her. You know / loved her, and how
through her, by means of your own
calumnious words with respect to her, l
lost my faith in woman's purity. Was it
necessary that you should be guilty OF a
double betrayal? Was it necessary to
your purpose that you should woo an
innocent, trusting, helpless girl, and bring
her to shame, in the name of friend, con-
cealing your own because you were fear
full of using it p
| A deadly pallor crept over Mauvain's
face.
Learn something more" said Rant to
Harold. In that friends name cere-
mony was performed which Clarice be-
lieved was an honorable marriage. 1t
was trick worthy of what had gone be-
fore"
Harold's lips quivered at this new testi-
mony, and his face grew as white as
Mauvain's.
81 await your answer" he said. Did
you thus use my name and conceal your
own? You will not speak? By heaven,
you shall! +"
Mauvain raised his hand gently.
"There is no need for violent words,
I. Harold" he said, in a low, soft voice.
" What 1 did was done with no intent to
injure YOU
Jesuit !" cried Harold. 81 will have
an answer, straight to the point ! Did you
woo Clarice, and go through false mar
riage with her, in my name? Answer, as
you are gentleman-yes or no =
| "Yes"
| Harold covered his face with his hands,
as though to shut out the consciousness OF
yilIainy so base For minute OF two
there was silence Then Harold rose, and
saying sternly, "There remains but this, ,
took one of the rapiers from the table, and
pointed outside. "Ranf, you will conduct
us to your plot of level ground-your altar
of Justice. Come" he said to Mauvaln,
there is no question of inequality be,
tween us. We are both gentlemen, GOD
help us p
But Mauvain did not stir.
81 cannot fight with you, Harold, ne
said, tenderly. -
"You must There is no escape tor
you or me. It is the last night on earth
for one" -,
Mauvain looked at him with wistful,
inploring eyes.
"Harold I"