The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-02-25

1act, he felOlned with something of
hateur. l insist on your meeting either
him or me-unless, indeed, prudential
motives should decide you to decline.'' :
:" l was already too much irritated to
be conciliatory.
every WE'LL 1 said; be it as you
will
" At that moment l saw gentleman
standing near with whom 1 had partial
acquaintance, and reckoning him to me,
explained what had occurred, requesting
him to represent me in the affair, which
he consented to do.
"a whispered consultation, held apart.
between this gentleman and one selected
by the challenger, resulted in an ar
rangement for an immediate meeting
with pistols. This was thought prefera-
BILE to deferring the affair till morning,
as the publicity of the alteration at the
card-table might lead to official. inter-
ruption; and in the clear moonlight of
that bright Southern night duel with
| firearms was as practicable as in the
open day. ~ ~" y.
"a surgeon, also, was secured; and
quiet by this time having been restored,
we withdrew separately to evade obser-
walton, and started for the rendezvous
agreed upon, my friend and walking a
little behind the others. AZ
| ''1f l fall heard my adversary say
| to his friend, i want you to write To-
| 81 fell back to avoid hearing what was
evidently not intended for other ears.
'1would gladly omit the recital of what
followed. Let me hasten over it as rapid
ly as possible. 5 .... ..ft..
''At a retired spot near the river we
took our places. The word was given
and we fired together. '7'l't.
ga quick, sharp, burning pain shot
like flash athwart my temple. raised
my hand Involuntary, and felt the
roughened ridge left on the abraided
skin by the bullet that had so nearly
pierced my brain.
"An. exclamation drew my attention
to my adversary. He lay stretched upon
aground, the surgeon and his second
bending over him.
INSTANTLY every feeling but that Of
s1icitude for his condition was banished
from my mind. hurried to his side. A.
deadly pallor had already overspread
his face, and the blood was slowly trick
ling from a wound in his uncovered
breast. -# .rH t.H-
" Forgive me- l said, STOPPING to take
his hand; i should have more firmly re-
sisted being drawn into a quarrel with
one against whom bore no grudge.'
g Il was wrong to force it on YOU he
replied, speaking slowly and with diff
Guilty. s., I- .
with a smile he feebly returned the
pressure of my hand. Then his fingers
stiffened, The upturned eyes became
CLASSY, and the pale features fixed and
rigid. knew had thenceforward to an
swer to my conscience for a fellow-crea-
lures life.
1T was with very different feelings
approached my home from those with
which had left it two months before.
Then | was looking forward, with buoy
ant hopes and spirits, to the end of the
brief period to elapse before my wedding
with Alice Lockwood. l was returning
now to claim the fulfillment of her prom
Use. ought to have felt supremely hap
| py-w0uid have done so but for the ever
haunting thought that the hand about to
clasp hers at the altar was stained with
blood.
+" resolved that Alice should be the
first to whom l would unburthen nv
troubled conscience. If any one could
soothe and bring it peace, it would be
| she.
"They told me she was lying ill-very
ill-when | reached the door,
| Tell her | have come | said-it
was all / could articulate.
"The messenger soon returned and
conducted me to her bedside, by which a
group OF anxious, weeping friends were
assembled. And, oh! how like were her
pallid features to those had looked up
on in the moonlight on that fatal night.
/ sShe looked up at my approach, smiled
sweetly and reached out her hand, which
took eagerly. .f,e. 57.. .. n, "a
g" must leave yog, Richard she
| SAID, family. Il must go to my poor,
dear brother.I They will tell you how
cruelty he was murdered. You never
saw him; but here is his picture that [
have kept by my pillow Take tit
will help remind you of me, for we were
very-very like. But hark.- he-calls
me!-I-I must go!' '-'.-"
'"And the gentlest, purest spirit that
ever animated mortal clay took its Heav-
onward flight!
From the dear face, still beautiful in
the repose of death my eyes wandered
to the picture in my hand. A half sup:
pressed cry rose to my lips. Itwas that
of the fair youth the voice of whose blood
crying from the ground was never more
to cease ringing in my ears!
THANK Godr rose the prayer from
my anguished soul, she died without
knowing whose was the cruel hand that
crushed her tender, loving hearth IN
Y. Ledger. .,...