Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-01-21
CHAPTER XIV.
UNwINpIEG THE sKEIN.

Archer took the train at Niagara for
Hamilton, after sending Rivers back to
New York, saying he no longer needed his
services. He tslegrsphed Goodwin of
his safety, and told him to come to him at
Hamilton, il Christina were contented and
comfortable. He had learned, meanwhile,
that Royden's hurt was very serious, per-
hsps dangerous, though probably not NOR
tai. The bah had entered his right
shoulder, and could not be found by the
surgeons, who, on the whole, were hopeful
of his recovery.
Goodwin arrived, and the meeting of the
two friends was as warm as it could be,
considering they were of the same gender
and that masculine. The younger declared
that he had had the gravest apprehensions
for the elder, knowing the generous
character of one of the cembatants
and the dense seIfshness of the
other. He added that Christina had
no idea that Archer had had any trouble
with her betrayer, and that she believed
that whatever the good doctor did was en-
tirely right. Goodwin said, furthermore,
that he had finally got something like
clue to Barigues, which he believed would
lead to decided results but he would not
mention its character until he had made
further investigation. Now that he had
seen his friend out of danger, he wished to
get back to New York to continue his
search into the Counts aHtecedents.
Archer, questioned as to his course, an
swered that he had not quite decided He
was rather of the opinion, however, that
he should go over to Europe, sailing from
Montreal, because if he should return
home he would probably be arrested for
violating the anti-dueling laws of the State
of New York. He did not wish to be
tried, and to have the whole story of the
trouble between Royden and himself pub
lished. He assumed that his late antag-
onist would not die If he should, the mat
ter would take another phase but in any
event, he would become notorious to
very unpleasant degree, and any and all
notoriety he wanted to avoid,
He had thought Of sending for Christina,
taking her with him, and leaving her with
her kindred, who resided in or near Mann
helm tBadepl. But a little reflection had
shown him the imprudence of this. The
inference which would be drawn touching
his relation to the girl would be as harsh
as it was unjust. He would go alone, hunt
up her relatives, and arrange for Christina
TO visit them. if the thing could be brought
about.
He hardly knew, as ne confessed, what
disposition to make of her, adding, It is
very difficult for a man still young to de,
termine what is best to do with a pretty,
ardent, artless girl of eighteen, who leaves
everything to him. In an ideal sphere she
might be easily managed but in this con-
ventional. censorious world, she presents
every feature OF a perplexing problem"
Oscar laughed as he said, Christina is
a very attractive, innocent creature ; TO-
body, unless he has seen her, would i'm !
agine just what she is; and yet this poor,
shadowed lamb frequently takes the shape /
of a white elephant"
Poor Christina" soliloquized Archer,
" it is harder to tell what not to do than
what to do with her." /
Goodwin returned to New York Roy |
den, who had been removed to the Clifton
House. continued to mend. He was much /,
chagrined that lie had clean missed Archer I
but he was greatly srati6ed at being the
center of fashionable sensation. He had
no sooner been told that he would, in all .
probability, recover, than be managed |
through some of his club chums to have I
reporter of the Harbiager sent up from
New York-Frederic Comstock accompany.
ing him-in order to get full particulars of
the duel.
The man of the note book, who was most !
literally entertained at Royden's expense,
sent home long dispatch in lmping, poly
syllable English, which the HarBager
printed with large display of headlines. I
1t declared that it had a dozen reporters in I
pursuit of the combatants for fortnight, +
and that one of them had by indefatgable !
energy succeeded in witnessing the hostile :
meeting, and secured every interesting de- /
tail, in advance Of all its contemporaries.
Royden was, it is needless to say, por-
trayed as a magnificent hero. On his return
to New York, after he had learned that
legal proceedings would not be instituted
against him, he was given dinner by his
fellow-snobs at the Rensselaer,. He then !
made an extraordinary "speech about
& Honor, " in response to the toast. "The
Type of Modern Chivalry, and sat down, ,
fuller than usual of eonoeit and champagne.
Archer sailed from Montreal, as he had
expected, after writing at length to Chris ,
tina, aud in good season reached Mann
helm, where he found that the girl had
married cousin, the son of her mothers
sister, in comfo!table circumstances, and
bachelor uncle, living on a farm near the
city. Ihey had not heard anything OF the
girl for years, and were pleased to learn
that she had grown to be handsome and
intelligent young woman, and more than
pleased to learn that she had friends in
prosperous circumstances. They seemed to
be fond of her in their way, and none the
less SO when assured, if she should make
them long visit that she would not in.
crease their expenditure.
Her kindred, who were educated and
quite agreeable in manners, though natur-
ally enough, in that country, very careful
of money, aided to explain Christmas per-
sonal and mental superiority to most girls
in her situation. They formed positive
liking to the doctor, who spoke German /