National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-01
nly served to keep him clothed Inc sort Thread.

Now that he had made the firm resolution to be-
come q man he was resolved to give mp this petty
ofhce and seek for something moro lucrative
abroad.
engagement held him until another clerk could
be procured to oil his place and, ever alive to 4
sense Of honor. TonIwould not leave his present
But much TO Toms disappointment, the oficeu
of the bank, who were 10th TO let him 60 did NOT
Immediately find one 10 succeed him. and he was
detained longer than was consistent with his
wishes.
Meanwhile, Hartley Brandon, eha6ng under
| lentiuu, paid the beautiful Minnie Stoclwel by
| his rival, Tom Hathaway, for Brandon was among
| the unfortunate ones who had sought the beautyi
hand, was not idle In his schemes Of vengeance.
He was fully resolved to wreak revenge upon
his foe and that at any cost Dark and mutder;
Gus was the hatred he bore him, and he would
| pause at no light scripes In his undertaking.
Al first he had thought of bringing Tom 70
in the bank. As his father was president thia
would not have been difficult matter, put nc
was somewhat surprised 10 find that Tom had
| already sent in his resignation.
| AT this he was not a little surprised and mysi-
ned He knew very VEL Toms clTeumIstsnG,eie ,l ,,ei
| situation for support.
What would Ge. do nowH What was his idea in
Perhaps he thought II better" he finally told
blmseli, with characteristic arrogance Hf
before long, ana thought 1t would be better TO re-
| lie now looked forward 10 the coming duel Ia
| square accounts with his enemy and II was With
| u feeling OF certain triumph and exaltation that
| he daily examined and made practice with his
| case of Milaneso rapiers
| For raplers were the weapons he had chosen, In
| the use Of which few were more expert
| He had when in Italy taken course Of fencing
| lessons from the best sword master in Florence,
and felt himself able to meet any one at the art.
Tom, he knew, did not know anything about
fencing, and this knowledge gave him wonderful
assurance and courage.
ii will show him he muttered, =" If he did beat
me in the boat race there's a game he cannot beat
mo mt and The laws such that II XIII him IN
n contest Of honor such rs this will be, will not
be murder. All, Tom Hathaway, you shall rue
The whole village knew that Brandon and
Hathaway were to fight a duel, but where or whom
It was TO trnnspire was known only TO the seconda
Edward Sinclair was Tom second and Brandon
had secured as his one Howard Benson, agenteel
ruiiian and a man whom the bankers son knew.
He could rely upon him in any case of villainy
The day finally arrived, or rather the evening" for
Il was decided 20 fight by moonlight, and from the
Globe" a fashionable clubhouse on Fairviewa
principal street. there drove away carly in tha
evening close carriage, In which were seated two
men-BrandOn aud his second.
The place appointed for the meeting was In .
little forest glade, two miles from the town, and
when BraidQn arrived there he found his ad-
versary awaiting him.
Throwing aside his heavy cloak, Brandon ad-
vanced into the clearing, raPier IN hand ,,,
In It's centre stood tall, dark clad person, with
q slouch- brim hat, and also holding in his rgh7
hand long, keen. pointed sword.
IL was Tom HathawRy-dare-d devil Tom, who Q
moment ago would have enjoyed the situation for
its very daredevil nature, but who was now
| strangely pale ana Ill at ease.
"Ah, you nre here" said Brandon. IN his mosl
insolent tone Indeed, 1t gives me pleasure 70
meet you"
For a moment Tom did not speak then, in
husky voice, he exclaimed:
This is you Hartley Brrandonr
"You are here to meet me in mortal combat"
"Yes"
"ln accordance with an agreement made be-
Certainly" said Brandon, in surprise
Hartley Brandon, have you considered the step
we are about 10 take, both of usW
"This; Have you considered the fearfully fatal
Ceedingy trivial cause might engenderY
81 have considered nothing pauperl haya
come here this evening to fight you as agreed. No
further paTley Are you ready? lfso, stand upon
HSip, Hartley Brandonr p and there was a tone
The other in spite Of himself Stop where you
are; you have no right to begin this contest until
am ready. Iwould speak few words with you
Speak them" grunted Brandon.
81 have considered the consequences of tha
must die, aud the other be banished from home
for many years or stand before IT tribunal M Of jus.
few hnsty words a few angry feelings"
shall we allow such trivial dispute to per-
haps take our lives, and IL not forever blast our
alter careersH'
Brandon, mystincd, did not reply.
| 81, for one say no." said Tom, in firm voice,
| speaking am sorry for my part in It, and offer Z
our weapons, ana il we % cannot be fronds in a the
future at least feel assured that all past grievances
| are settled"
brandon was completely taken aback. Was this
daredevil Tom Hathaway He could not under
stand it.
defeat? This was the way the thing looked, but
Hartley Brandon, from old acquaintance. knew
that II was not the truth.
What then, did 1t mean? All, with the shrewd-
ness of the born villain he guessed at once tho
truth. Tom was not actuated by motives OF fear,
but dread of disgrace not only in the eyes Of the
world, but pretty Minnie stockwell as well. This
realization sent a keen pang OF Jealousy and rage
through the soul Of the villain. and neryed him 10
desperation. He would never throw aside his
coveted revenge which he had SO long waited for,
No. Tom Hathaway should fight him, and he
would teach him lesson which would serve "a
warn him in the future from crossing Hartley
"Tom Hathaway" he said, in a sneering, inso-
lent tone, the consequences OF this question OF
honor no gentleman would pause to consider, and
this is late hour TO back out lfyou were afraid
TO fight you should have said so in the first place
! AS u is, put you upon your honor 70 meet me-"
You will notaccept my apologyT
al accept no apology except at the point Of my
sword
y" Liar and coward |" cried the infuriated villain,
. You nre afraid. You shall fight me, by all tho
= powers of evil Stand upon your guard or will
| Kill your
,, Brandon made savage lunge, but Tom caught
lut punt Ol MS ThpltT anu NHlTleu IL dblO0
whip with his own trusty weapon.
Beware Hartley Brandon |" he cried. 81 bid
you stand back r.
"And bid you come ON r cried the mad4sasd
, ruiiian " If you are not n coward, come onr
Tom drew back and evaded dexterousy the saw
age thrusts made at him. standing on the defense.
The truth was he was an expert swordsman su-
! perior even to Brandon, having been trained from
l infancy by his father, who had once taught the
craft.
.. Bright glistened the steel blades in the moon
light, until at length, with magnificent counter
play, Tom, who had been cool headed all the
WHILE ran the point of his sword down the others
blade, locking II in the scroll-work at the hilt.
and, with dexterous fling, sending 1t many yards
!, away into the bushes.
Astounded, enagcd beyond measure, Brandon
stood before his rival, whipped, and wholly at his
mercy.
But Tom was not the one to take advantage Of
, this.
I Hartley Brandon" he said, calmly II have
! fought YOU contrary TO my vow; but VIII not
4 take your worthless life Go"
And the villain, thoroughly cowed and mas
:, tered skunk away 10 his carriage, and was driven
home.
r From that hour naught but murder seethed in
. his black heart.
/ The continuation Of "DONALD DARRE, THE
BALTIMORE DETECTIVE" from where 1t stops
; here will be found in No. % Of THE NEw ioRk
, WEEKLY, now ready and for sale by every newl
! agent In the United States
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