Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-06-29
ABUlAT SUNRISE.
= . .Allaata Coastlsusloa.

A-e9 e--laS was ~ ing on IAo gdlO-5 De-
fore him. It had just been handed
him by a small urchin who was then
waiting out in the hall for an answer.
XaWning YEARLY, and frOWning slight
iy, be picked up a pen and wrote
hastily the following answer:
Mr.. Bancroft. Your challenee. which q
before me. Sc accepted. WIN be on hand
ct the appointed time.
HAALP HAEPER.
THAT fellow Bancroft is a miser-
able tool" unused Hamp, after the
boy had departed with the note.
''The idea of his challenging me to
6ght a duel, and all on account of
Helene, too, when absolutely the girl
would not give the snap of her finger
for him. the most ridiculous part
of the pr oceeding, however, is my ac-
cepting a challenge to fight a duel
with a drunken vagabond, and on
the ground, too, OF rivals IN loVel''
and Hamp Harper laughed heartily
as the real situation flashed through
his mind
81 should have ignored the whole
business" he said, meditatively.
However, / suppose that he mas his
heart set upon it, and our rivalry
must be settled on the field, or, more
properly speaking, mountain of hon
or; for he has selected, 1 see, " referring
to the challenge, cat sunrise on the
crest of Lone mountainl"
Hamp Harper was summering at
the popular and romantic little sum.
mer resort of L., in the state of
Virginia, and had formed the ac-
quaintance and fallen deeply in love
with Helene MOncrief, q charming lit
tie brunette of probably eighteen sum-
mers. perhaps less, surely not more,
who had been placed under the pro-
tecting care of Mrs. LathrOp, q mid
dle-aged widow lady, who was at the
time Helene was placed under her
charge engaged as assistant principal
In the hOurishlng village school at L.
1t seemed TO be a genuine case of
love at first sight, for Hamp had only
known Helene three weeks, yet they
had vowed eternal love and devotion,
and looked forward with the utmost
tmpatienCe and unspeakable pleasure
20 the day that should make them
one.
By some unavoidable circumstance,
JamesBancrOft had become acouaint-
ed with Helene, and. as she had told
Hamp, 1t was q fatal mistake of Mrs.
LathrOp asking him to come TO see
her, as hehad made her life almost g
burden since. To her surprise, when
she appealed to that individual to use
her influence IN putting a stop to his
visits, she fatty refused, and upbraid-
cd her for Directing to what she char
acterized the attentions of $50 perfect
. gentleman"
''But,guardie, Helene would say, cit
Isn't right, and besides, papa wouldn't
like it, am sure, did he know that a
young man was forcing his attentions
on mel SO If you do not tell him to
cease his visits, 1 am sure I will, and
ask papa to take me away besides"
This threat had the desired effect
finally. as Mrs. Lathrop had promised
to comply with Helene's request the
next time Bancroft came, which she
did only few days prior to the one
upon which Hamp Harper had receiv-
ed the challenge.
Dear. good guardie," Helene said,
as she placed her arms around Mrs.
LathrOp's neck and kissed her, 81
knew that you would tell him when
you found that ] was so bitterly Op-
posed to his visits. / can't bear the
sight of that fellow!"
81 am fearful that you will live to
regret 1t. Helene" answered Mrs.
LathrOp, with a sigh. james Ban
croft is, In my estimation, a noble
young man. even if he does drink to
excess sometimes"
II fail to see anything ennobling in
him, - replied Helene. frankly.
Eyes, suppose so, but could you
hear his story. as he told it to me,
you would be more charitable in your
opinion OF him / think 3"
Despite ner efforts to the contrary,
Helene evlnCed some sign of becoming
interested, and asked, somewhat
eagerly though apparently very in
differently.
els it so interesting, guardie?"
eff you do not mind listening, I will
tell you, Helene" said Mrs. LathrOp,
slowly.
81 don't mind-tell me-"
Fifteen years ago." he said, che
and his father had falling out, and he
left home. He was Just fifteen then,
and left with the determination never
TO return. But two years ago a long
ing TO see his old home again seized
Him and he started back. He had
been In DevOnshire, England, and had
never had any news from his home
since ne LETT it.
''There were only three in the family
Ibis father, himself and a little sister. !
who was only two and half years
old.
ARRIVING at the old homestead, he |
found that they had moved away
gone, no one knew where-a few
months alter he left, and from that /
day to this he has wandered far and /
near-aimlessly rOaming-hunting for /
al that he held dear, but his search /
had proved Ruthless; not the least /
trace could be found of either MS |
father or sister.