The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-22
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
,cHAPTER XXI.
MAKING Proud KNEES BEND.

Provided he is not a French journalist
whose drooping hohor is cured by a scratch
a man about to fight duel has generally
preparations to make. Maurice Hervey's
approaching duel being of peculiar nature,
the preparations he made were also peculiar.
They consisted of inducing the room he oc-
cupied-which in an unmolested state, wss
nice, tidy apartment-to look as disrepu.
table aud disApated as, with the resources at
his command, it was possible. He gave no
orders FOR his breakfast things to be cleared
away, but added to the relics of the meal a
bottle Of whisky and glass. lie also laid a
shot pipe and u tobacco pouch on the table
With great satisfaction he found in "A draw
or dirty pack Of cards; these were also
placed in position to carry effect. He told
the servant not to attend to his bedroom
Just yet; so that by his leaving the door OF
communication between the two rooms open
visitor might have the privilege Of gazing
on a disheseled sleeping apartment. Given
the materials at his disposal, he ma lie very
fair effect with them. ,
He Kept bis own appearance in sympathy
with the surroundings. He wore slippers
which be trod down ut the heel. Ills clothes
were too new to look shabby but by putting
ON a soiled shirt, discarding bis waistcoat and
ETdNdb ne lhuhSed 10 tsseJ NIulIu IttoOIdJic
distance Of his requirements. pia
All these preparations were inspired by
an exquisite refinement of malice. Meta
phorically he meant TO bring Beatice down
on her knees and his cruelty told him that
to one Of her type, the process would be
doubly disagreeable when it took place in
such q scene.
''Gad!" he SAID. as he gazed round and
~ hi.,i lrny t.si-h 4 hub
my prison suit here. I'd don it once more
for your benefit my lady"
He gave orders that if a Indy called she
was to be shown up at once; then he lit
cigar and lounged in the easy chair At five
minutes toitwelve, just us rhe man was won
dering whether she would come Or not, and
If, in the event Of her not coming, it would
be well for his own interests to seek her at
lakewood House. the door opened and Bea-
tricc stood before him. He laughed low,
mockins laugh, and without changing his
loungps attitude looked up at her.
She took all in, the disreputable look of
the place and Of its tenant; b. could see that
by tho culver Of her nOstIil, and the look of
deepening scorn on her firm mouth. His eyes
cleaned with triumph
And she, as she looked at him, the thought |
ran THROUGH her, how could she ever in her
mpst foolish girhoods days have loved this
ainfiI have loved him even for an hburi His
features were the features she had once
thought Sc Herfect-now no hunnuI creature
on tht earth could have INSPIRED her with |
such loathing. She did not fear him, simplyll
because sbs knew the worst he could do--thelI
Leavisst penalty she could 'bc called upon to
pay Or she thought she knew
}.fWeH, raya atfeetionate wife,, he said, |
Knocking tlre' ash of his cigar, ard looking
Der up and down; you've grown into quite |
afne'picce of goods, quite q tib-topper, no
IND of swcll YOU haven't pined much for
me, guess
nm shiyered as sne neArd his voice and
ro,rne, mocki1g compliments, but she kept
her proud eyes upon him. "You have some
, ,tS'Tiy 2, Ay 70 me-s'y ~ She SpoA'
SAY! ] should think it was for you to
taN rari u hg' You wHo sent pe tn herd |
kifh taiors Tor i've Years. You who would
net atreJcA out hand to save me. What
have,yopto say" lie spoke with vicious,
bittersntonation.
She said nothing. She might have told
hid, oe imiAry which She had Undergone
mis,ly wlich she had TO undergo to which,
his web Inherited punishment was as, nothing.
( {sNeaFly, five years, be went on, "think OF
that - dull, deqd drudgery. Week after
wen, month after month, year after year
;hd same. All thrpugh youg-through youl
And now, my sweet wife, which do you
eXitct me 70 do, to strike You or tp kiss
1ytnttn 81. iyt 49,
He changed his tone to that of railery,
tone more oathsome 10, Beatrice than that
which showed his n'eal nature He took
step towards her as he said the last words
"You have done both TO me- she said,
slowly and bitterly. "The memory of the
kiss is to-day more degrading to me than
that of the blow" He eowlelas Der scorn
stuhg hinl-scowed and took another step
towards her
,JheHi was a.sharB pointed Bnift ly6ig on
the table. Bearce's fingers mechanically
rested shemse,ycs ON the handle. II you
resce 're.S she said, quietly ''ithihk i shall
k.llyou'
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