Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-01

reauing IL.
"Your friend sails under new name
since knew him, but / would Just as
soon let him feel the point of my sword
under the alias OF Capt. Grant as the
Count Romanoff. You can say to him,
sir, from me, that he will hear from
Roger Darrell In the course of day o.
two, and tia / conjrre him to abstain
from liquor in the meantime. lest he fail
to give me the sport expect.
The officers eyes sparkIed.
"You have my best wishes, Mr.. Darrell.
The captain and I are acquaintance.
nothing more, while in you l recognize a
fellow Virginian. Still J. shall do my duty
as his second"
/ A few more words, and Lieut.. Car
son walked away. He did not note
the trembling OF the bushes close by, or
see the white face that was thrust out
after his departure. There had been an
eaves-dropper to the interview, and from
that fact much was to come, as will be
presently seen.
That very evening Capt. Grant was
made the recipient of letter purporting
to come from Roger Darrell, in which the
time, place aud weapons were named.
He received 1t with every demonstration
of delight, and there was no reason to
believe that he was was otherwise than
sincere.
His preparations were simple and soon
completed. When the early dawn came,
his second was with him, and together
they set out for the place appointed as a
rendezvous.
At some time in the dim past il had
been ground consecrated to burial pur-
poses, and the weeping willows still
swayed their long slender branches over
q few stones that were half hidden in the
tall, rank grass.
Hardly had they come to a pause, how
ever, when a couple OF forms appeared
among the trees and advanced TO where
they we're standing.
To the surprise Of the captain, neither
of these was Roger Darrell. Before he
could comment on this fact, however, the
strangers had arrived close to them.
One was handsome man, the other
tall, willowy youth, with small, dark
mustache. The latters hat was so ar
ranged as to hide part OF his face, but the
flashing eyes seemed to pierce the captain
through and through. and somehow he
shivered as though seized with the ague.
"You are in time, gentlemen said the
handsome man, In a musical voice.
1--WE are we'll aware Of that, sir, but |
how is this? / do not see your princi- |
pal, returned Lieut.. Carson.
HE is here" said the youth quietly.
L.
and Lieut.. Carson laughed.
There is some mistake, he said '.we
came out to meet another"
THAT other will not be here. and In |
order that the gentleman should not be
IN meeting Virginian, my |
friend here is willing to cross blades with
you" and the handsome man indicated
with his hand his comrade
Capt. Grant laughe aloud.
Il have passed through some strange
scenes in my life. but assure you, gem
tlemen, this beats them all. What do
you take me forY My life Is certainly
to me at least; therefore, you
will pardon me II l decline to risk il In an
with one with whom / have
40 quarrel, and whom cannot even rec
,llect having met before. It is too ab-
,urd"
The face Of the youth Redeemed tribe.
IS though the voice of the captain, more
han the words he uttered, touched some
hidden chord deep In his heart, and
brought up from the grave Of time mem
'ries that were far from pleasant.
Though the duelist knew him not, these
wo had met before, and ere they sepa-
ated now the truth was brought home to
lin.
Are we TO understand that you refuse
o fight, thenf" inquired the handsome I
stranger
Exactly. am always very particular l
V to whom meet on the field OF honorand
would not like to sully my sword In an ,
with an unknown party. II !
ny foeman has been cowardly enough to I
end some one in his place because he !
acked the courage to face the man he in i
ulted, then you may go back to him, and
ell him Capt. Grant brands him as an in {
amous -" ,
"Hold L cried the youth, In a strangely i
tern voice; ''say no more. The gentle !
lan never sent an answer 10 your chal- +
,nge. Probably there will one come to- !
ay, but mean to place you in
ondition where accepting it will be out :
the question. 1t was my friend wrote :
on, and / am here to keep my agree !,
lent. You are coward II you do not !,
ght me" and he whispered a name I
! the duelist's ear.
"Your object is fully accomplished. my :
lend Who you are, and what the cause
your enmity may be. know not; but :.
ais is now a small matter with me. / y
ee your friend has swords with him. We !,
i'll test their temper. :,
He took one of the blades offered to :.
Inn almost without thought, and tried '
over his knee. They were of the finest :.
lateral, and the eyes of the duelist !,
GIFTED up with satisfaction when he dis +
overed this fact. for he loved good :.
word above all things.
At a given signal the long swords i
'ossed, and the duel had begun.