The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-05

ue coward"
ri advise you not to repeat that said
Vetsky.
t,SMySfeol of brother knew not what he
said or did.
''I'll not only repeat it., said he, putting
his arms akimbo, ''but will tell it to the
Countess M the lady that both were
paying their court to]. twill say'to her,
Your adorer, is aicorwardl {, What will you
bot that will not tell herr"
Vetsky, in spite of all his sang froid,
could no longer contain himself. lie
caught my brother by the throat.
''You fooli" he cried, eff you dare"
A blow on the face was the only reply.
What remained to be done2 Tor mo-
mcnt L thought Of reconciling the adver-
saries, but how to accomplish it2 To force
my brother to apologize was impossible;
for his officers uniform had brought with
1t the most exalted idea of personal dignity.
lie felt that he was wrong, but to COM
lnence his military career with what might
bo called an act Of cowardice, to rccede
from his positiOn--no powder under heaven
could have made him consent to it. AS to
me, had not the courage to face such an
idea; and my only chance was .to. attack
SVetsky, whose prudent timidity, instruc-
tive moderation, and general good sense
gave metsomeF hope, In my solfshnts, I
sthoughttthat, III. order. to save my brother,
this man would, as l would. rccoil from
nothing, not even public contempt. Sitting
my pride, I proceeded to Vetsky's house.
When entered the room, found him
seated at q writing table, TRANQUILITY smok-
ing cigar. His calmncss disturbed INC.
wished" said /, "to have an inter-
view with you rather than your second.
You are man, and certainly must look
upon my brothers conduct as nothing but
the rudeness of a boy, entirely unworthy
Of your attention."
Vctsly looked surprised, and smiled.
"Sir." he said, you do not think what
you say. BE frank with me. What is the
mattcr2"
Those few words gave me a new idea.
l would endeavor to touch his feelings.
pictured our situation, my mothers feeble
state of health, her farewell to us, and the
promise she had exacted Of ME. l cid not
spare poor Vetchcslaif. j called him fool
and u sea up. II believe that l even NUT
tered the " ord ''pardon.' -,
"a moment" said Vetsl1y, with the
cold smile that had never, for an instant
quilted his face. els it on your brothers
behalf, Or on: your 3.own, that you apollo
gizc2"
knew not what to answer. lie fixed q
penetrating look upon me, and continued:
81 understand your position perfectly.
understand that your brother will never
apologizc-hc can not. pity you rs much
as him. I am not tirc-eatcr, and ducls
are not in my line. have always laid
down as rule for myself to avoid every
thing that might conduct to one; but" he
added earnestly, "not to recede a step when
a rcncounter became inevitable. Put your
self in my place. How many times have
not been forced to turn off in joke words
that, if addressed to another, would have
provoked twenty duels with your brothcr5
took pity on his youth, aud, acknowl
edge, pity on myself also. Life is already
sad and short enough, without sacrificing it
still further for folly. But this affair is
most serious. What would the world
which already finds me TO prudent-say
Of me if / were to let this affair pass rs
something not meritlng attentlon2 You
know what Aprcjudiccs exist. l would not
know where to hide my head. Every fin
ger would be pointed at mel would have
nothing left but to blow my brains out;
and that, you know, would not be prudent
in man of so much prudence"
These words were delivered coldly and
disdainfully, but l felt that could not re-
ply: ,...-,..,...,,... ,
'"' 'Tf it Is to be So" 1 cried, angrily, cit
is with me, sir, that you will have to set
tle."
'Tf 1t is agrccblc to- yo,l,' sald Vetsky,
shaking the ashes from his cigar; but not
before your brother and myself have finish
ed. Besides, am certain that your
brother would not listen to any other ar
rangement l have now to apologize to
you-but have some letters to write"
''He bowed coldly, and lett tho house
with despairing heart. ia $%
81 One hope remainedSt to me-. 4 Vetsky was
"a bad shot. T. woulds natrrallyhbe my
brothers secOnd-it was natural duty
that / owed him. Wishing, therefore, to
give my brother all the advantages possible,
proposed that they should Dc placed at
twenty PAGES, each advancing ten paces
after the word was given, and firing at dis
creton. counted OH Vctcheslatf's quick
ness and correctness of eye. Vetsky's
second accepted these terms.
We had scarcely finished this bloody
compact when Vetchesatf entered. Books
bounded before him, barking with joy.
My brother tried to put brave face on the
matter, and played with the dog but one
could sec that ho could scarcely restrain the
interior emotion that agitatcd him. Poor
young fcllow Life was perhaps, never
so attractive to him as at that moment.
who would blame him if he gricvcd at tho
chance Of quitting it2 When 1 saw his
fair young face, my heart blcd. In the few
hours that preceded the duel grew twenty
years older. ........
In n few minutes after this we were on
the ground. The thought that it was
who led my brother to take his stand be-
fore pistol, deprived me Of tic faculty Of
either thinking or acting. In vain forced
myself to exhibit the sang .troid necessary
under such circumstances; but / was no
longer myself. Vetsky's second had to
fulfil my duties. The fatal moment had
arrived. gathered all my strength, and
examined my brothor's pistols they were
In excellent order. Vetsky was cold as
ice. An almost imperceptiblo smile wan
dered over his compressed lips. One would