The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-22

1 rOIn1- NIOllI NJ We 81 U'
and though my lord had departed earlier
than was his custom, II was already gone
some time upon the clock, and the servants
long ago in bel. Another thing l should
say. that. although never saw the master
any way affected with liquor, he had been
drinking freely, and was, perhaps although
he showed II not, a tribe heated.
Anyway, he now practiced one OF ms tran.
sitions. and so soon as tho door closed behind
nv lord. and without the smallest change OF
voice. shifted from ordinary civil talk into a
stream Of insult.
"My dear Henry, II is yours to play he
mad been saving, and now continues; 1T
very strange thing how, even In 50 small "A
matter as a game OF cards, you display your
rusticity. Nou play, jacob, like a bonnet
laird. or a sailor in a tavern. The same duii-
ness. the same petty greed. cett, lenieur
| dhelete qui me fat RACER; it is strange
sbould have such a brother Even Square
toes has a certain v~iyacity when his stake i
i,nperiled; but the dreariness OF a game
with You. I positively lack language to de
pict."
Mr.. Henry continued to look at his cards.
as though very maturely considering some
play: but his mind was elsewhere.
"Dear God, will this never be donef cries
| the master. "Quel lourdcaul But why do ]
| trouble YOU with French expressions which
are lost on such an ignoramus' A. iourdeau'
my dear brother. is Is We might say "A bump
kin. a clown, a cl0dpole; 2 fellow without
grace, lightnes', %quichness; any gift OF pleas
ing. any natural brilliancy; such a one as
Won shall see. when you desire, by looking ID
the mirror. | tell you these things for your
GOOD. | assure YOU; and besides. Squaretoe'
docking at me and sitting n yawm, 1T Is one
| of my diversions i. this very dreary spot, to
toast YOU and your master at the IRE IKE
chestnuts. | have great pleasure in your case
for | observe the nickname rustic as u Isl
has always the power 10 make you writhe
But sometimes | have more trouble with this
dear fellow here. who seems TO have gone to
sleep upon his cards. Do you not see the ap
plicabilityo of the epithet have just explained,
lear Henryf let me show You. For IN
stance, with all those solid qualities which }
delight 70 recognize in YOU, | never knew a
woman vino did not prefer me-nor, THINK
he continued. with the most silsen deliber'
| alton. 81 think-who did not continue TO pre-
fer me-"
Mr. Henry laid down his cards. He rose 10
his feet very softly, and seemed all the while
like a person i'm deep thought. You COW
ardr' be said. gently, as II 10 himself. And
then. with neither hurry nor any particular
violence. ne struck the master in the mouth.
The master sprung - his feet like ono
t~raniigurcl. had never seen the man 50
beautiful. - blown he cried. Il would
not take a blow from God Almighty"
Lower your voice said Mr. Henry. "Do
you wish my father to interfere Tor you
againr
'Gentlemon, gentlemen" | cried, and
sought 20 come between them.
The master caught ms by the shoulder,
held me nj arms length, and still addressing
his brother: "DoyOu know what this means
said he.
at was the most deliberate act Of my life.
says Mr.. Henry.
81 must have blood, | must have blood for
this. SAYS the master.
please God it shall be yours" said Mr.
Henry; aud he went TO the wall and took
| down q pair OF swords that hung there with
Others, naked. These lie presented to the
master by the points. "Mackellar shall see
Us play fair" SAID MIR. Henry 81 think 1t
very needlul."
"You need insult me no more said the
master. taking one Of the swords al random
IL have hated YOU al my life"
My father is but newly gone to bed, " sam
Mr. Henry. 1--WE must 90 somewhere forth
OF the house
There is an excellent place in the long
| %shrubbery, 60 said the master.
"Gentiemen.n said I, shame upon YOU
hothl Sons OF the same mother, would You
turr against the liieshe gave youi'
Even 50, Mackellar, p said Mr.. Henry, with
the.same perfect quietude Of manner he had
shown throughout.
1T is what / will prevent, said /.
And now here is a b.ot upon my life. At
these words of mine the master turned his
blade against my bosom. ! saw the light run
along tive steel. and / threw up my arms and
fell b. my knees before him Oh the floor
"No, no. ! cried. hike a baby.
"Weshali have nomore tronble with him,
said the master. at &, a good thing to have
a coward in the house,
I'VE must have light" said Mr.. Henry, Is
tho,s there had been no interruption.
"This trcmbier can bring a pair Of can
dies said tine master.
70 my shame, be s., said, | was so blinded
with tho flashing Of that bare sw0sd that J
volunteered 10 bring q loniein
'kYo do not need a il-lautcrn,n said the
master, mocking ra. There is no breath 81
air. Come, get O. Your feet, take a pair of
light. and go before. | am close behind with
this making the Blade glitter rs Ac spoke.
took up tic clnllcslicks and went before
them. steps that ] woall give my hand 10
recall; hut "a coward is a slave 40 the best.
and even as | went, my teeth smote each
other ilmy mouth II wasash be had said, there
was no breath stirring; a windiess structure
OF frost had bound the air, and as we went
forth in thc shine OF the candles, the black
ncss was like a roof over oar heads. Never a
word was said. tlare was never "a s,und bat
the c~rcaking of our steps along tAe frozen
path. Tho cold Of tAe night fell about ne
like q buckr; a water, / shook IS | went with
more than terror, but nay companions, bare
headed like mys.i!, and fresh f-om the warm
ball, appeared lot even conscious Of ,he
change.
"Ilcre is the place, saii the master "Sct
down the candles"
| dill as be bads mc, and presently the
flames went u1 a, steady a, in q chamber ia
the midst OF the frosted Trees, and | beheii
these two brothers take tieir place.
The light is something in nay eyes" said
the master.
IL win give yon every advantage, replied
Mr.. Henry, shifting his grolnd, FOR | think
you are about to die" lie spoke rather sad
ly than otherwise, yet there was a ring in hi.
voice.
"llcnry Durie,7 said tho mister, 1.-TWO
words belore | begin. Nog are a fenccr, you
can holds foil; YOU little know VIVA; a chang,
i; makes 10 hold u sword. And by that
know You are TO fall. But SOC how strong Is
my sitlationl Ii you fall, | shift out OF tl.is
| country 10 whore my money is before me. IL
| / fall. whore are youi Ny father, your vile
| who is in love with meas you very Wei
| know-your child even VINO prefers me TO
| yourself: how viii these nvenge mel Had
you thoughto # that, dear Lcnryf' Helookel
at his brother with a smile; then made a.
fencing room salute.
Never a word said Mr.. Henry, but salatel
60 OIL HI. 80 49,. -