Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-23
DUNoal
SET Tn A SILV Err SEA !!
ROMANCE BY B. L. FARJEON
AurEs OF
KING
A ROMANCE By B. L. FARJEoN.
CHAPTER XII.
TIKI DTTET NY rrIre sror-N--r

anee OF sharp peak but in reality its
surface was. "a level piece of table land Of
about twenty yards in circumference. The
area was small, but sufficient for the pur.
pose of the eombatants, who were aware
that for one Of them at least lifes minutes
were numbered. TIE eastern edge Of this
plot of land defined the boundary line be.
tween earth and air eternity lay hairs
breadth beyond it. The outer rocks which
faced the sea were there, and false step
would be fatal to him who took it. Rant
pointed out the danger, to which neither
Mauvain nor Harold attended. Face to
face they stood, holding their naked ra-
piers, at the points of which death was
waiting. But few words passed between
these enemies. who once were friends.
Z" This must be, Harold?" asked Mau-
vain.
1t must be, replied Harold.
With the full consciousness that only
one of the two would depart from that
spot alive, Mauvain simply acted on the
defensive. The blades crossed and clashed
but Mauvain contented himself with par
rying HaroId's thrpsts Thus, the combat
was one-sided, and in the natural order of
Things Harold being a skillful swordsman
could have but one result 1t was not
long in declaring itself. Harolds rapier
found its way almost to Mauvain's heart,
and Mauyain staggered and fell to the
earth. Harold was instantly by his side,
striving to stop the blood which was gush-
ing from the wound.
1t is useless, Harold, said Mapvain,
with tender smile. = Yoa have killed
me. thank God that die by the hand
Of gentleman -
The mists had rolled away from the
mountain, and the Silver Isle lay in radiant
beauty beneath them. Mauvain beckoned
to Rant.
" I am not acquainted, he eaid, press
ing his hand to his side, " with the laws
of the isle respecting encounters such as
this. It may be that Harold will be called
upon to answer for my death, if the par
ticulars of the duel come to the knowledge
of the islanders. There is no need to en-
tighten them. You are clever knave;
invent some story which viii divert sus-
picion from my friend, who, out OF SIN
gular quixotism, has brought me to this
pass.
Have You any message. asked Ranf,
glancing to the Valley OF Lilies, " for
Clarice ?"
For Clarice exclaimed Mauyain, /
family. His voice cane and went. and it
was with difficulty he spoke. You
jest!7
Or for your ehild:"
My child !" Surprise gave Mauvain
strength, and ne partially raised himself,
and gazed in bewildernent at the bunch.
back. There is no child. She is dead.
"she lives, said Rant. "as Clarice
does"
"Clarice's child +" gasped Mauvain |
is this man mocking me, Harold ?"
"He speaks heavens truth, Mauvain,
as I solemniy believe. But what he
knows of Clarice is beyond nay comprehen-
sion"
Look below" said Rant to Harold,
pointing to the Valley of Lilies elf your
sight Is good, you can distinguish the out
lines of my house-no longer mine, but
Evangehnes. had it so built that from
this hight it should be within view. See
every window OF the house is lighted up,
as | directed st this moment two sisters
are meeting, each of whom believed the
other dead-two sisters cruelty torn from
each others arms in their youth. Clarice
and Margaret are reunited, neyermore, /
trust, to be separated on earth. Do you
understand me. Mauvain -
81 understand you, dimly-go on-I
have still a few moments life IN me Is
this reunion your work :"
1T is my work. When first by your
help, i brought your daughter, Eyangeline,
to the Silver Isle-p
"My daughter !-Evangeline You have
fine sense of humor, hunchbaek but
you cannot fasten upon me, by any art OF
yours, a child so hideous. 1 see your
marble image of her now, Harold, and
that Of this deformed villain, bending over
the water in the basin 1t viii not do,
hunchback. Hold me moment, Harold
am fainting want to live to hear the
end of this clever knave's monstrous in
vention.
From flask which Ranf handed to him
Harold touched the lips of Mauvain and
bathed his forehead, and presently the
dying man opened his eyes.
remember what has passed, Harold
let me hear the rest quickly"
Il deceived you, Mauva;n, said
Harold Eyangeline is the most beauti-
fal maiden on the Silver Isle. It was
chiefly for this reason that I wished to de-
stroy the group cut for you.
Why did you deceive me
81 loved Clarice, and, suspecting the
truth when l first beheld the child you
believed to be Rants, welcomed the
opportunity you unconseiously offered to
her OF growing to womanhood surrounded
by more innocent and peaceful Influences
than those among which we moved.
So-we are quits, then-you deceived
me, as deceived you. And the child
lives and is beautiful thank you.
friend. See how easily / forgive you for
your deceit, Harold forgive me for mine y
no longer bear resentment, Mauyain !;
forgive you"
You remove cloud from my heart,
Harold. Hunchback, if you are not speedy
with your tale | shall have to learn it for
myself in the world of spirits.
aVban by vour helm" said Rant. tsI