The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-10-16

with nope. would not Minerva Lam
bert soon be in his arms telling him
how much she loved him?
This, he thought, was the reason
why he had been requested to meet her
there, preferring that romantic spot in
which to tell him of her love
He heard footstep benin d him.
turning hastily, he beheld the hand
some Apollo, Leroy Beaumont, 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"
"Mr. Beaumont" returned the other,
with slight nod.
"Why are you here?" cried Beau
mont.
"What right have you to ask ?" calmly
retorted the young man.
His rival colored.
-~Sir, you are impudent," said he, an
grily.
'<'I deny the charge, Mr.. Beaumont,
and you have no cause to speak thus"
again [ ask you why you are here ?"
Again I tell you that it does not
concern you, and you have no right to
ask"
"Then, sir, will you please leave this
place, as it is here an to meet a cer-
tain person"
And with naughty look the osten-
iatious fellow consulted his heavy gold
watch.
Minerva should have been here ere
This, he muttered, as if to him self, but
with furtive glance ct 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; [ will not leave this place,
for [, too, am waiting for friend"
"Do you mean Miss Lambert?"
"I do"
"Then, sir, you speak fa1se1y!" cried
Leroy, fiercely. 'NShe did not ask YOU
TO meet her here"
II beg your pardon, but"
Cease! Hold your tongue!" thun-
dered the handsome nan. "Audacious
scoundrel! know you not that Minerva
Lambert is soon te become my wife?
She cares naught for you. Your jeal
ousy prompted YOU to come here and
witness our meeting,e eh? ?"
"'Tis false!" replied Mark, quietly
I knew not that such a meeting was
in contemplation. But, sir, I have no
desire to handy words with you; there
fore I wish you good evening""
He bowed and wnssabout to withdraw
from the spot when Leroy produced a
T istol and pointed itaat him.
Mark was no coward. He folded mis-
oDl 1ooEaI ,oolro1x, into tho Io-lz
muzzle of the weapon
Shoot" said he, "shoot, Leroy
Beaumont. [ am unarmed."
Peace, gentlemen'" cried silvery
woice.
! They looked simultaneously and be-
held Minerva Lanbert standing there
i'm the moonlight, her tall, queenly
form clad in spotess shhite.
Mark lifted hEs :bat politely. while
his rival stood stecksstiIl, staring ait
her
Mirerve stepped prodaly forward.
'tRlr. Beaumont" said she,. confront
ingGhat gentleman, ''tI have witnessed
your proc .eedings sinceggeu came here,
and have overhe&nd tthe conversation
carried on between you aand Mr.. Spen-
Ger. Sir, you have proved yourself a
viiliasl ant coward. You reviled Mr.
Spencer W ithout cause. You were going
to shaot hi m even after he told you that
he was III harmed And, lbesides, you
told him that 1 was No1r promised
wife. which you know iisffalse.
"Yor. ask ed me This Ilayfder my heart
and haad, Tvs also dia NlT Spencer. I
gave neithtr of you AN answer, be-
cause Ezshe d to ca1ry@nt,a little plan.
[ knew moth ing OF yorn: spaas life, sir,
nor whss1er you at present had the
reputation of being ,gaodoor bad. I
could nai thi. TX of Joining na7 life to
hat OF one wi 20, comparatively speak
ng, is unknown to me-
II planned his meeting with the
nope that Ksnigh t give nae an insight in
10 your true char acter, and I hoped not
n vain. L desire ID to see your; actions
IN confronting 20 ur rival hose. Il have
zen. I am ssatis1 led. Gro, sir Eever
peak to me again nor allow your foot |
teps to wander toward nay heme, |
which you have so often vlated rs |
yoM in sleeps cloth ug."
Pale and treGlbling, Leroy Beaumont,
istened to this speech covering before
he accusing gaze of til ose fashagg eyes
ike acriminal reeeiviney his sent ence.
When she had finished he stood erect,
md for moment bite retort Saemedh
o tremble on his Lips Itremained un-
poken.
He said not word. but turned alb
uptly on his heel, with a contemptu-
'us toss Of his head, and walked PROUD
D away.
When he was lost to view in the dark
less, Minerva turned to Mark. who had |
,een silent spectator of the little
irama that kad just been performed.
md said, in trembling voice:
Mr. Spencer, hope you will for
ave my making tool of you for the
xecution of my stratagem. and subject
ng you to the insults of that man.
As to that, Miss Lambert" he re-
lied with respectful bow, ''There is
othing to forgive"
"Ihank you, sir. But 1 cannot stay
niger Ny sole purpose for request !