The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-02
A PASSIVE CRIME.
BY THF DUCHESS.
CHAPTER VI

The table is strewn with papers,
A cTumpled, faded flower and little six
buttoned black-kid glove are on the desk
close beside him; how procured, he alone
knows.
Certainly, they were never given to him
by their rightful owner.
The lamps are lowered, until a half-gloom,
ment
CHASTITY shadows creep here and there, un-
checked, unnOticed by the man who sits 80
silently in the armchair beneath the center
lamp.
lie is lost in thought, in vain regrets, that
belong to the present and the near past, but
have no connection with the morrow, that
may bring death in its train.
But not TO him.
No fear of being 'dOne TO death" in open
fight, need harass him.
He is too expert a shot has too often earn
ed his reputation as a skilled duelist to feel
nervous at the prospect of an encounter with
an amateur-a raw schoOlboy in the art of
dueling, as he rightly terms PenTuddock.
He has killed his man before this; and
having made up his mind to shoot this pres
ent rival as he would dog, has dismissed
the subject from his Thoughts
Other considerations crowd upon him-oth-
eT reInembrances, sweet and bitter; and so
absorbed is he in his inward musings that
he does not hear the door open, nor the
sound of the light feet that advance across
the floor, until the owner of them is almost
at his side.
He Iaises his head then, and looking up,
starts to his feet with an exclamation that is
caused by a surprise which for the moment
completely overpowers him.
1t Is Maud Neville who stands before him,
pale as the snowy lily pressed with heavy
rain"
Her eyes are large, half frightened, and
full Of grief. Beneath them dark circles
adoTns her cheeks. Her hair, under her
swans down hood, has IoOsened and strays
across her low, smooth forehead at its own
good will.
She is pale, nervous, thoroughly unhinged
yet never perhaps has she looked so lovely.
To Gilbert Saumarez, gazing at her, some
Old lines occur that seem to apply 70 her as
to none other
TO see her is to love her
And love but her forever,
For nature made her what she Is
And ne'eT made sic auithern'
"YOu here, and aloneW he stammers, NOV
ing from her rather than toward her
~ Is, here" returns she, in low tone
uemulouS with emotion. Esther waits for
me outside. have 50 far forgotten my own
dignity and Sclt-reSpect as to come here TO
you at midnight, compelled by a sudden
necessity. The more reason, sir, with an
upward glance OF mingled entreaty and
pride, that you should respect bOth~
Speak :. returns he, cOldly.
She throws back her hood and cloak as
though half stitled, and stands before him in
all the bravery of her satin ball-dreSs, on
which pearls gleam with a soft, subdued
light.
Il have come to ask you to forego this duel
u = ~.
aged by this manner, yet not wholly dismay
ed. Il eHtreat you to hear me, to listen to
what l have to say, not to turn deaf ear to
Yet to my prayer not an hour since you
were deaf, retOrts he, quietly.
She IS silent.
You would ask me to spare your lover
that boy, PenTuddOck,' says he, with mock
Ing smile, and 50 proclaim myself a coward,
as he called me? Impossible! Why, he
struck me across the face with his open hand
-hereP
He raises his hand to the cheek that still
bears the mark Of the blow, but was paled as
the remembrance of the deadly Insult returns
to him.
His eyes blaze with wrath Involuntarily
he clinches his hand. To the girl watching
him there seems indeed but small hope OF
mercy.
She draws nearer, and by a sudden impulse
lays her hand upon his.
AT least, do not kill himP' she says, de-
spair in her tone, an awful look in her great
cleaning eyes. DO not murder him! lie
is young, and youth is precious. You will
have mercy on him, will you nOt?'
Overcome by fear, and utterly unnerved,
she sinks at his feet and gaZes up at him,
speechless, but still with imploring look and
gesture.
There is a childish grief and anxietyin her
lovely face that touches the wOrld-wOrn and
almost utterly callous heart OF the man be-
fore her.
How you must love him." he says, bitter
ly, almost scOTnfully, Ito bring yourself TO
do what you have done tonight That you
you proud child-shOuld come here where
no woman could be seen without injury to
herself, cOnvinces me Of But no! lie
interrupts himself, and his voice grows sud
denly tender Il viii take care that no evil
shall be spoken OF you; you need not be afraid
Of that?"
He stoops and raises her gently from the
ground. :.
whisper, ito spare him? l know how skill
full YOU are-What an easy matter 1t would be
10 you to place bullet in his heart But
you will spare him? And who can say but
this one deed Of mercy may save your soul
Nv souIr' says he, with a haunting laugh
And supposing that at your earnest instlga-
ton do consent to spare your loyer-"fat
then, pray?'
Il have no lover" says the girl, simply.
81 never shall have one. You should know
that-you, who told me in plain language not
an hour since of my low birth and breeding"
Pardon me-" says he, lowering his eyes.
shame covering his brow with crimson II
[ could recall that last hour L would. LIED
when | spoke Of disgrace"
you DO not deceive me nOE-you tell me
truth?' asks she, with agitation. let you
said that you knew Of my bith-that was
"TRis is no time for such discussion" says
he eyasiyely; but il ever you want witness
To prove your birth, send for me. And now,
am 1 forgiven my offense?"
Il have forgotten everything" says she'
eagerly, 'Only this-that want your prom
ise7 Swear to me Dick Peuruddock's death
will not lie at your door,
"A nd if / give this pTomiSe-if tell you
sb,iI tir,. over his head instead Of straight
into the center OF his heart, what shall be
my .IS5d reward 4 =, s,,-s she tbougbtIessIy.
at is a simple request. / ask but one KISS
and nv oath shall be given
She Starts, and shrinks from hlm perceptl-
bly,; 80 man 70 ask me tbatr, she
N irs 9pnIn and With her
small hands tightly cilncned-
Vet that is my bargain-the only one L
will maker returns he doggedIy.
Within her breast fierce Datt4e reigns,
XII a woman's modesty fights with loves
The struggle is severe, but lasts not very
long. Love cOnqueTS.
And then she goes up to Saumarez, and
stands before him, her face Ike marble.
s.You shall have your Teward!' she says,
lie laws both his hands upon her shoulders,
and regards her earnestly.
Tben he pushes her somewhat roughly
from him, and laughs aloud-a very unpleas-
ant laugh and one by no means good to
Fl ,ook here, he says; II can be generous,
tool Keep your kisses !-keep, tDltterly)
s.,nur Iips uuSullied for him. ana keep my
,To,nise too: / give IL freely, without re
ward, Just for love OF you Ferhaps IN the
fufnrp Won will confess that L loved you at
least aS well as ne does, OF any Htdn couIu.
Do not prove it? For your sake--to please
VolII spare the lie coll ot 5lf Hbf oT b man. %m9m
aST cbirld Il tiogr'
d. .iNoT, are generous, indeed!' she says, be
low her breath. Il can not thank you as
81 want no thanks!' he says, shortly.
..yrl,i, IL our last meeting-unessn with
Ii,an n..vfT be cursed by the sight of me
again. This country has grown hateful to
a.. And your fair face has been my ruin
IL t,at tb1t counts nowadays; lie more
nOt tII.t. - tittln rnnrnnnf Ny y with an