The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02
THE RERIBurrvE MARKsMAN.
CHAPTER !.

On great and picturesque hill, hold ing its rocky foot in the Arkansaw river, stands the Bruxell mansion. Many years have elapsed since its railways rang with the music of mirth; many sea- sons have passed since the fragrance of roasting bear meat floated from the win- dows of the spacious kitchen.
 The house was built in I7oI, by Louis Bruxell, who came from London and plunged at once into the wilds of an un- explored country. He brought with him his family, a wife and two sons. It was said that Bruxell had left England on account of political disgrace. It is not probable that any of his former associa- ton knew of his place of seclusion, for the sons grew up in ignorance of having any relatives on the other side of the Atlantic.
 The house fingered through many years in its course of construction. The old gentleman sought relief from oppressive recollection in the supervision of the work. Spaniards, Indians and negroes were employed in cutting the stone, and rude work it was, but its very roughness gave to the walls an air ofinterest not to be inspired by smooth surface and carved cornice. Just as the house was completed and furniture from abroad placed in it's great rooms, Mrs Bruxell died. She was soon followed by the old gentleman. The two boys, now young men, lived alone in the great house. They were much attached to each other, and even after they married French girls, daugh- ters of post trader, they continued to live, holding the estate in common.
 Several years ago. the grand-sons of those peaceful fathers-George and William Bruxell, became involved in a lawsuit involving the owner ship of the great house. They were cousins. As no will had ever been made by former owners, the law found diff culty in settling the dispute. Equal di- vision was suggested by friends of both parties.
 No,' said George, " my grandfather and father were the first born and by law the estate is mine."
 "By the old common law, yes," re- peated William, "but you must remem- Der that the old English law, except where it has general bearing, is not taken into account in this country. Our ancestors lived together in the house why cannot wei"
 Because we are different from those apathetic gentlemen" said George. If we believe scripture, numerous animals lived together in the ark, but if they were to be shut up together now, quite an amount of fur and hair and evidences of miscellaneous laceration would be waited on the breeze. No, my dear cousin, the days of the happy family are over."
 "And it would seem that the days of honesty are likewise over."
 :"Look here, William, no aspersions oh my character, if ycu please. Friend ship, nor even relationship, gives you such privilege"
 Honesty gives a man many privileges, sir, not enjoyed by those who cannot claim such distinction"
 "Do you mean that you are honest and that l am not ?" Georges face grew dark with anger.
 "There isno need of misunderstanding me-" quietly replied William. "You can not deny that my great grandfather built the house. Knowing this, nothing but dishonesty of purpose could prompt within you a desire to own the entire estate. To be very plain, George, not only regard you dishonest, but believe you to be little better than"
 Than what, sir P
 Perhaps I am allowing myself to be- come impetuous."
 "Never mind. Finish your sentence that l may know what course to pursue"
 |" do not seek trouble with you."
 Finish the sentence if you are not a coward"
 "Iou know well enough that am not a coward. You doubtless remember when l saved your life when others stood back waiting to see you hurled to de- struction."
 "That has nothing to do with the pres ent issue. You started to say that you believed | was something. What was ita an
 "You must know?"
 "l must and will.n
 Then you shall. believe you are thief"
 The several persons who were pTessn, expected to zee Ceorre strike William