Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-14

hS dlt We was tOuc III iShciohSSt eAhN
should be so judged. shall so nnrrate these
passages as they appeared to us in the mo-
ment of their birth, and reserve all that
since discovered for the time of its discovery.
For | have now come to one of the dark
parts of my narrative, and must engage tho
readers indulgence for my patron.
All tho 21th, that rigorous weather en-
dured-a sitting cold; the folk passing about
like smoking chmneys; the wide hearth in
the hall piled high with fuel; some OF the
spring birds that had already blundered north
into our neighborhood bcsieging the windows
of the house or trotting on the frozen turf
like things distracted. About noon there
came blink of sunshine. showing a very
pretty, wintery, frosty landscape of white
hills and woods, with Crail's luggcr waiting
for wind under the Craig Head, and the
smoke mounting straight into the air fruGN
every farm and cottage. With the coming
OF night the haze closed in overhead, it fell
dark and still and starless and exceeding cold.
night the most unreasonable, fit for strange
events.
Mrs. Henry withdrew, as was now her Gus
tom, very early. We had set ourselves OF
late to pass the evening with game of
cards; another mark that our visitor was
wearying nightly Of the life of Durrisdeer,
and we had not been long at this, when my
old lord slipped from his place beside the fire,
and was Off without a word to seek -
warmth OF bed. The three thus left together
had neither love nor courtesy to share; not
one of us would have sat up one instant to
oblge another; yet from the influence OF
custom and rs the cards had just been dealt,
We continued the form of playing out the
round. | should say we were late sitters,
and though my lord had departed earlier
than was dis custom, II was already gone
some time upon the clock, and the servants
long ago in bed Another thing | should
say, that, although | never saw the master
any way affected with liquor, he had been
drinking freely, and was, perhaps although
he showed it not, trifie heated
Anyway, he now practiced one of his tran
sitions, and so soon as the door closed behind
my lloyd, and without the smallest change of
voice, shifted from ordinary civil talk into
stream of insult.
"My dear Henry, it is yours to play" he
had been saying, and now continued: ut is a
very strange thing how, even in SO small
matter as a game of cards, you display your
rusticity. You play, Jacob, like bonnet
laird, or a sailor in tavern. The same dull
ness, the same petty greed, cctte lenteur
dhebete qu me fait rager; it is strange
should have such brother. Even Square
toes has certain vivacity when his stake is
imperied; but the dreariness of game
with you. | positively lack language to de-
pict.n
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 doneH cries
the master "Quel lourdeaul But why do
trouble you with French expressions, which
are lost on such an isnoramusf A lourdeau,
my dear brother, is us we might say bump
kin, clown, a clodpole a fellow without
grace, lightness, quickness; any gift of pleas
ing, any natural brilliancy; such a one as
you shall see, when you DESIRE by looking in
tho mirror. tell you these things for your
good | assure you; and be L., luaretoes'
docking at me and stilliug yg'". 'it is one
of'my diversions in this very ,..uIIy spot, TO
toast you and your master ut the fire like
chestnuts. have great pleasure in your case
for l observe the nickname Gustic as it is
has always tho power to 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 APP
plicability of the epithet have just explained,
dear Henryi Let me show you. For in-
stance, with all those solid qualities which
delight to recognize in you, never knew a
woman who did not prefer me-nor, think, 1"
no continued, with the most silken deliber-
alton, 81 think-who did not continue to pre-
fer me-"
Mr., Henry laid down his cards He rose to
his feet very softly, and seemed all the while
like a person in deep thought. "You cow
ardl" he said, gently, as if to himself And
then, with neither hurry nor any particular
violence, he struck the master in the mouth.
The master sprung to his feet like one
transtigured. l had never seen the man 50
beautiful. "a blowi" he cried ~ would
not take blow from God Almighty"
"Lower your voice." said Mr. Henry. "Do
you wish my father to- interfere for you
againr
Gentlemen, gentlemen" l cried, and
sought TO come between them.
The master caught me by the shoulder,
held me at arms length, and still addressing
his brother; "Doyou know what this meansP
raid he.
at was the most deliberate act of my life,n
says Mr.. Henry.
II must have blood, must have blood for
this says the master.
"Please God it shall be yours" said Mr..
Henry; and he went to the wall and took
down a pair of swords that hung there with
others, naked. These he presented TO the
master by the points, 'Mackellar shall SEQ
us play fair" said Mr.. Henry. II think it
very needftll."
"You need insult me no more" said the
master, ta,ing one Of the swords at random
II have hated you all my lfe.n
my father is but newly gone TO bed, y said
Mr.. Henry. 1--WE must so somewhere forth
Of the house,
''There is an excellent place il the long