The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-22
A DUEL At SUNRISE.
by j. NJ. Barron.
- ~ @
For The Constitution.

For The Constitution.
Hemp Harper calmly studied the note that
was lying on the table before him. 1t had just
been handed him by a small urchin who was
then waiting out in the hail for an answer.
Yawning YEARLY, and frowning slightly, he
picked up pen and wrote hastily the follow
ing answer:
Mr.. BANCROFT: Your challenge which Is fore
| me- is accepted. VIII be on hand at the appointed
| time. HAMP HARPER.
"I'hat fellow Bancroft is miserable fool"
unused Hamp, after the boy had departed with
the note. "The idea of his challenging me to
fight duel, and all on account Of Helene, too,
| when absolutely the girl would not give the
snap OF her finger for MIN. The most ridicu-
| lous part OF the proceeding, however, is my
accepting q challenge to fight duel with
! drunken yagabond, and on the ground, too, of
rivals il love!" And Hamp Harper laughed
| heartily as the real situation flashed through
! his mind.
81 should have ignored the whole business"
! he sad mcdtatyely. However, suppose
that he has his heart set upon it, and our
! rivalry must be settled on the field, or more
! properly speaking, mountain Of honor for he
has selected l See" referring to the challenge,
"at sunrise on the crest Of Lone mountain"
Hamp Harper was summering at the pop
ular and romantic little summer resort of
! l., in the state OF Virginia, and had formed
the acquaintance and fallen deeply in love
| with Helene Moncref a charming little
| brunette Of probably eighteen summers, per-
| haps less, surely not more, who had been
placed under the protecting care of Mrs. Ia
throp, middle-aged widow lady, who was at
the time Helene was placed under her charge,
| engaged as assistant principal in the flourish
| ing village school at l..
1t seemed to be 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 impotence and unspeakable
pleasure to the day that should make them
| one.
| by some unavoidable circumstance, James
Bancroft had become acquainted with Helene,
and, as she had told Hamp, it was a fatal mis-
take of Mrs. Lathrop in asking him to come to
see her, as he had made her life almost a
burden since. To her surprise, when she
| appealed to that individual to use her influence
i'll putting stop to hisvisits, she fatty refused,
and upbraded her for Directing to what she
| characterized the attentions of $50 perfect a
gentleman"
"But, guardie," Helene would say, set isn't
right, and besides, papa wouldn't like it. am
sure, did he know that young man was forcing
his attentions on me! So if you do not tell
him to cease his visits am sure 1 will, and
ask papa to take me away besides
This threat had the desired effect finally, as
Mrs. Lathrop had promised to comply with
lielene's request the next time Bancroft came
which she did only few days prior to the one
upon which Hamp Harper had received the
challenge.
Dear, good guardie," Helene said, as she
placed her arms around Mrs. Lathrop s. neck
and kissed her, II knew that you would tel
him when you found that l was so bitterly
opposed to his visits. / can't bear the sight OF
that fellow"
81 am fearful thai you will live to regret it
Helene, answered Mrs. Lathrop, with sigh
"James Bancroft is, in my estimat on, a noble
young man, even if he does drink to excess
sometimes"
II fail to see anything enrolling in him,
replied Helene, frankly.
ayes, suppose So but could you hear hi.
story, rs he told it to me, you would be more
charitable in your opinion of him, think"
Despite her efforts to the contrary, Helene
eYinced some sign Of becoming interested anC
asked, somewhat eagerly, though apparently
very indifferently:
us ii so interesting guarde?"
off you do not mind listening, L will tel
you, Helene" said Mrs. Lathrop, slowly.
Il don't mind-tell me-"
Fifteen years ago" he said, che and hi
father had falling out and he left home. HI
was just fifteen then, and left with the deter
mination never to return. But two years agC
a longing to see his old home again seized hin
and he started back He had been in Devon
shire, England. and had never had any new!
from his home since he left it.
There were only three in the family-hi
father, himself and a little sister, whowas only
two and half years old
ARRIVING at the old homestead, he foun(
that they had moved away-gone, no one knew
where a few months after he left and from
that day to this he has wandered far and near
aimlessly roammg-huntng for all that III
held dear, but his search had proved fruitless
not the least trace could be found of either hi
father or sister.
"After searching for year he became de
spondent and took to drink. Never up to ,
year ago had he drank anything, but tn
thought that he separated from his father il
anger, and now perhaps ho was dead, preyeC
upon his mind to such an extent that he sough
solaCo in drink.
"Since meeting you, however, he said tina
his better nature had prevailed, and that h,
had resolved to give up the cup, and asked M
to please allow him to visit MS, rs he felt tina
he needed the good influences that your societ,
seemed to throw around him.
"Itwas the sympathy that this story awaken
cd in me that 1 allowed him to come at all
Helene, and If / have done wrong in so doin
| hope that you will forgive me-
probably l was wrong, after all, guardie,
said Helene, arising and extending her hand
land ii, rs you say, my society will have an
influence over his passion for drink WHY Vol
can let him continue TO visit us; but remem
Der, / can be only sister to him. for my hear
is another's." And before Mrs. Lathrop ha
time to reply, Helene had left the room.
$ Day was just dawning when Hamp Harpe
Q and Adolph Cumming took their seats ON a
overhanging craig ON the top Of Lone mouI
hmm md Liz snnn..l Ln.I ..A.... 1880.