The Monitor., 1885-01-09
Written for The MONITOR.
HIS NOBLE REVENGE.


institution of learning III Charleston, had
graduated at the same time and had gone
out into the world to seek their respective
fortunes, taking paths which led them
widely apart from each other, but in the
firm belief that nothing whatever could
ever make them any the less friends.
Howard Branson was the sou of a
wealthy lawyer who resided in Charleston,
and, being the only child, nothing was
spared which would in any way be con-
ducive to his benefit and happiness
Arthur Wells was the eldest of two
children who lived with their mother at
/ Rosevale, large and commodious resi-
dence not far from the city of Baltimore.
When sixteen years of age he had en-
| tered the college at Charleston, which, for
convenience, we shall call Bradmore He
had gone so far away from home to pro-
cure his education because, being of deli
cate health, his physician had urged it as
beneficial. This being the case, that ele
ment Of the college boys" which infests
nearly every such institution generally
known as ''bullies, +" Immediately adopted
young Wells as the butt for every practical
joke Cor more properly barbarism) of which
| their inventive brains were capable.
One day while walking along the path
that led to the hedge fence which bounded
Bradmore, Arthur was suddenly brought
into contact with the ground by a small
twine stretched across the path from tree
to tree and had the consolation of hearing
a loud gulfaw of Tom Armitage, the leader
of the ''bully" crowd, as that gentleman
held his sides while he laughed at the vic
tim of his prank.
He had scarcely picked himself up be-
fore stalwart, manly looking fellow ap-
peared on the scene, and unceremoniously
knocked Armitage to the ground
Then, turning to Arthur he inquired in
tones of the deepest concern:
''Are you hurt sir?'
''Yery slightly, thank you, replied Ar
thur. ''You were kind in championing
my cause and you have my gratitude
''Not at all, Mr.. II believe I don't
know your name ?"
"Wels-Arthur Wells. May I know
yours ?"
81 am Howard Branson, class c. That
fellow have just been obliged to advise
little is one who delights to terrorize the
youngsters and play mean tricks on such
of the older ones as he dare not lord it
over in more outward fashion What
class are you in %
II am in d for the balance of the term,
but l expect to reach c at the next exami-
nation
Good I shall not leave c next term
and | am going to apply to the Professor
for you for room-matea, nd We'll have some
jolly times, agreed?"
'With all my heart, /" returned Arthur,
warmly. ''You have already made me
your debtor and am not one to soon for
get favor. Henceforth we are friends.
This was the manner in which started
the friendship between the two boys, which
ripened and strengthened more and more
as they left boyhood for the cares of man
hood
Howard left college to take up the pro
fesson of his father, while Arthur, now
fully recovered in health, chose the calling
of medicine.
More than year had passed since the
two friends had parted at the depot in
Charleston, and Arthur had written to the
hero of his boyhood's exploits, asking for
visit from him, to which Howard had sent
an acceptance, and all was in preparation
for few weeks good time at Rosevale
At the appointed time the southern
gentleman, ''Arthur's friend, ''Mr
Branson, " or 'IIoward which ever of the
appellations in vogue at Rosevale you pre-
fer-arrived, and was welcomed warmly
by Arthur and his mother Alice, Arthur's
sister. would return from Baltimore on the
evening train, accompanied by Miss De-
walt. her bosom friend and eonfddate who
had Just returned from three years tour
of the continent.
The two colleagues spent the day in
strolling over the grounds, talking Of their
pleasant school days and discussing their
respective outlooks and plans for the flu
ture.
In the twilight they drove together to
the depot, for the young ladies, and soon
merry company were seated in the cosy
parlor at Rosevale-Alice happy at the re-
turn of her prodigal friend. and Howard
and Arthur similarly inclined towards each
other, the evening passed pleasantly and
quickly.
Nellie Dewalt was lady of more than
ordinary beauty and her extended travels,
as we'll as her thorough home education,
made her with her natural grace and re-
fnement lady who might hold at bay
the heart of any knight.
With Arthur, it was simply "love at
first sight Still, at first, he treated her
with all the kind Difference and courtesy
due lady and his sisters friend, and that
was all. But after u time, he began taking
long strolls with her, when Howard was
taking an afternoon nap or engaged with
his papers and correspondence in the Ii
brary: never however, during that gentle
mans stay, did he see him in company