Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-08-28
CHAPTER XXI,

MAKING PROUD KNEES BEND.
Provided he is not French journalist,
whose dropping honor is cured by scratch,
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, was
a nice, tidy apartment-to look as disrepu-
table and dissipated 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
bottle of whisky and glass. He also laid
short pipe and tobacco pouch on the table,
With great satisfaction he found in a draw
er dirty pack of cards; these We're 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 disheveled sleeping apartment Given
the materials at his disposal, he made very
fair effect with them. s.eA -
He kept his own appearance in sympathy
with the surroundings. He wore slippers
which he trod down at the heel His clothes
were too new to look shabby, but by putting
on soiled shirt, discarding his waistcoat and
cravat he managed to get within reasonable
distance of his requirements. .,..-
All these preparations were inspired by
an exquisite refinement of malice Meta
phorically he meant to bring Beatrice 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 scene .--e.---. e.s,f --.- .s-
"Gad!' he said, as he gazed round and
approved of his handiwork. II wish had
my prison suit here. I'd don it once more
for your benefit, my lady" les lsss u 4.
He gave orders that if a lady called she
was to be shown up at once; then he lit a
cigar and lounged in the easy chair. Atfive
minutes to twelve, just as the man was won
dering whether she would come OF not, and
if, in the event of her not coming, it would
be well for his own interests to seek her at
Hazlewood House, the door opened and Bea-
trice stood before him, He laughed a low,
hooking laugh, and without changing his
lounging attitude, looked up at her
She took it all in, the disreputable look of
the place and of its TENANT he could see that
by the culver of her nostril, and the look of
deepening scorn on her firm mouth His ewes
cleaned with triumph p zzsA ,iA.T .eta
And she, as she looked at him, the thought
ran through her, how could she ever in her
most foolish girlhood's days have loved this
man-have loved him even for an hour? His
features were the features she had, once
thought so perfect-now no human creature
on the earth could have inspired her with
such loathing. She did not fear him, simply
because she knew the worst he could do-the
heaviest penalty she could be called upon to
pay. Or she thought she knew. f.,{ hrs 10
"Well, my affectionate wife,. he said.
1zr,po %bo lofFI -. +
her up and down; 'syou've grown into quite
tine piece OF goods, quite a tip-topper, no
end OF a swell You haven't pinned much for
me, guess" ,ie 'r" ~'sS9s'+e
She shivered as she heard his voice anc.
coarse, hooking compliments, but she kept z
unlng u say - =, : =
sternly. - t'| sss'@s 81 $50 IS
'Say! I should think it was for you to
say something. You who sent me to herd
with felons for five years, You who would
not stretch out hand to save me, What
bitter information. sare e..f ss rs Ess.5 o.
She said nothing. She might have told
him of misery which she had undergone
misery which she had to undergo to which
his well-merited punishment was as nothing.
''Nearly five years." he went on, sthink Of
that dull, dead drudgery, Week after
week, month after month, year after year
the same All through you-through you'll.
And now, my sweet wife, which do you
expect me to do, to strike you OF to kiss
you?' 10 "a ~
He changed his tone to that of raillery, a
tone more loathsome to Beatrice than that
which showed his real nature. He took a
step towards her as he said the last words.
"You have done both to me, "she said, (
slowly and bitterly. 'sThe memory of the
kiss is to-day more degrading to me than
that of the blow He scowled as her scorn
stung him-scowled and took another step
towards her S4G goo. fH- g
There was a sharp pointed knife lying on
the table. Beatrice's fingers mechanically
rested themselves on the handle eff you
touch me, she said, quietly, 81 think shall
kill you" y. 2f r.. 4.s- ssass zs wis.