Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-26

about the face. 1t was so open and
candid, and there was such q good ma
tured smile on Che manly brow. The
verdict Of one capable, Of reading the
heart iii the face would undoubtedly be
good, and even a casual observer would
be struck with the gentlemanly appear.
ance Of the young man. & H
Just now the countenanee was bright
with hope. Would not Minerva Lam
bert sooa be in his arms telling him
how much she loved him? 49,.
This, he thought. was the reason
why he had been requested to meet he1
there, preferring that romantic spot in
which to tell him of her love. 81.
He heard footstep behind him.
turning hastily, he beheld the hand
some Apollo, Leroy Beau mont, walk
ing briskly along toward him. =
He was much surprised to see him ap:
preaching, and so was Leroy to find
Mark there, for he stopped short and
held up both hands, exclaiming
Mark Spencer!" ,@@E@
"Mr. Beaumont, returned the other,
with a slight nod. zssts
why are you here?" cried Beau.
| mont. - . ..aE&
|. What right have you to ask Z" calmly
retorted the young man. -.
His rival colored. +
"Sir, you are impudent," said he, an.
grily.
II deny the charge, Mr.. Beaumont,
and you have no cause to speak Tins"
'Again l ask you why you are here ?"
Again I tell you that it does not
concern you, and YOU have no right to
ask" a
"Then, sir, will you please leave this
place, as it is here / am to meet cer~
tain person. r.
And with naughty look the osten.
tatious fellow consulted his heavy gold
| watch.
Minerva should have been here ere
this" he muttered as if to him self, but
with furtive glance at Mark Spencer
to see what effect his words produced
| on him.
Mark was surprised; but, pretending
that he did not hear the words, he said
"No, sir; I will not leave this place,
for [, too, all waiting for friend"
"Do you mean Miss Lambert?"
II do"
"Then, sir, you speak falsely!" cried
Leroy, fercely "She did not ask you
to meet her here"
Il beg your pardon, but"
Cease! Hold your tonguep' tbun-
dered the handsome man. "Audacious
scoundrel! know you not that Minerva
Lambert is soon to become my wife :?
She cares naught for you. Your jeal-
ouey prompted You to come here and
witness our meeting, eh?"
"'Tis false!" replied Mark, quietly.
Il knew not that such meeting was
in contemplation. But, sir, I have no
desire to handy words with you; there
fore wish you good evening""
He bowed and WAS about to withdraw
from the spot when Leroy produced
pistol and pointed it at him.
Mark was no coward. He folded his
arms and looked calmly into the dark
muzzle Of the weapon.
"Shoot," said he; "shoot, Leroy
Beaumont. I am unarmed.'
"Peace. gentlemen!'' cried a silvery
voice.
They looked simultaneously and be.
held Minerva Lambert standing there
in the moonlight, her tall, queenly
form clad in spotless white.
Mark lifted his bat politely: while
his rival stood stock-still, staring at
her.
Miner stepped proudly forward.
Mr. Beaumont" said she, confront
ing that gentleman, II have witnessed
your proceedings since you came here,
and have overheard the conversation
carried on between you and Mr.. Spen-
Ger. Sir, you have proved yourself S
| william and a coward. You reviled Mr..
Spencer without cause. You were going
to shoot him even after he told you that
he was unarmed. And, besides, you
told him that I was your promised
wife, which you know is false.
"You asked me this day for my heart
and hand, as also did MIR. Spencer. !
gave neither of you an answer, be-
cause I wished to carry out little plan.
I knew nothing of your past life, sir,
nor whether you at. present had the
reputation Of being good or bad. /
could not think Of joining my life to
that Of one who, comparatively speak
| ing, is unknown to me.
II planned this meeting with the
hope that it might give me an insight in
to your true character, and I hoped not
in vain. I desired to see your. actions
on confronting your rival here. have
seen. I AM satisfied. Go, sir never
speak to me again nor allow your foot"
steps to wander toward my home,
which you have so often visited as q
wolf in sleeps clothing"
Pale and trembling, LEROY Beaumont,
listened to this speech, covering before
the accusing gaze of those flashing eyes
like criminal receiving his sentence.
! When she had finished he stood erect,
! and for moment bitter retort seemed
to tremble On his lips. Itremained un'
spoken. =
He said not word, but turned alb
ruptly on his heel, with q contsmptu'
Gus toss Of his head, and walked proud.
ly away. .: "".>.~ - -. .s. AZ.
When he was lost to view in the dark
| ness, Minerva turned to Mark, who had
been q silent spectator of the little
drama that had just been performed,
and said, in a trembling voices, A.
"Mr. Spencer, I hope You will for
give my making a tool of you for the
execution Of my stratage EN-, and subject
! ing you to the insults Of that man."
| +. As to that, Miss Lambert" he re.
piled with respectful bow, "'There is
nothing to forgive" ~. + .fGr
"Thank you, sir. But I cannot stay
longer. My sole purpose for request.
ing you to meet me here is accomplish.
| cd. Good evening, sir" - T.. II.
| "Stay, Miss Lambert. Shall I call