Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-10-03

| Your downfall is near at mana, Wretcn
and all the powers of Satan, whom yo'
serve, cannot save you. Angels will re
ioice in your fall. and the spirits OF yoE
poor victims exult, while the iiends o
Tophet will welcome you with open arms.
"Cease, or YOU will goad me TO ces
peration," cried the other, his han'
trembling, and his face changing t
Il marble Wilderness as the intensity o
his emotions drove the blood back TO his
heart. II hate you as man never hated
man before. You have stood in my way
all my life in everything | desired. Whai
is to keep my finger from pressing the
trigger now, and sending you to your
long account? By all the powers OF
Hades, the impulse to do this thing Is
strong within me. Are you prepared to
die, Roger DARRELL
He meant every word he uttered, but
the other only laughed carelessly.
Put up your pistol, man; you would
not dare to use il. Shall tell you why?
Because your hand trembles, and you
would fail to accomplish your end. Then
| would spring upon you and with these
hands rend you in pieces. You realize
that / speak the truth your arm falls at
your side. Ha you have met your mas
ter. Now, fire if you dare, sir"
The Captain could not have done so,
Try as as he would. 1t seemed as though
mis- arms were shackled with bands of
iron, and try as he might, he was snable
to break loose from them.
As Roger had truly said, he was in the
presence of his master.
In the days gone by Roger had not
known that he possessed this mesmeriz-
ing power, and it had been long since he
and his scapegrace cousin had met face
10 face, so that he had been unaware of
tho power he would have over him.
His excitement had increased his usual
strength of mesmerism, while the con-
sciousness on the part of the Captain as
10 his own weakness and inability to
combat against Roger, even though he
held the winning power in the shape of
the revolver, had gone far toward van
gushing him.
They stood thus like two statues for a
full minute, the one proud, commanding,
and noble, the other bringing like a
whipped eur, his hand trembling still as
II clutchcd the weapon that might have
been used with such deadly effect upon
his enemy but for the eowardiee that
seized upon his soul.
At last the spell was broken.
Raising his hand, Roger pointed to the
forest on the left.
$50 your way, foul wretch, and have a
care how you cross my path again, for if
we meet once more and | find that you
are still prosecuting those whom would
protect. then all the powers OF the mas
ter you servo so well can not save you
from my vengeance. will say no more,
but CO."
His manner emphasized his words. and
here was something about him that
seemed to impress the doughty Cap
tain with the idea that it would be better
TO show discretion than valor.
At any rate, with muttered oath, he
stepped back pace.
"Never fear we shall meet again, cousin
mine, when the advantage will not be
upon your side. You say that my hand
trembles, and you say well, for | have
not yet recovered from wound received
in a duel go not because you desire it,
but simply that may do something rash
Il l remain here Until we meet again,
adicu."
Turning. he strobe among the trees,
without once looking back, and Roger
Drew in a long breath as though free from
The presence of serpent that poisoned
the atmosphere.
His face was a perfect picture Of UNI
governable fury, fire flashing from his
eyes, and his white teeth cleaning
cruelty.
Courses upon your head, Roger Darrell,
for this last insult. All my life you have
stood ahead Of me, the favorite of for
tune, while I had to be content with
groveling In the shadow cast by your high
mightiness. The time has come when
1 can bend no longer. Something is
going to break. Il may be you, it may
be me; but this world is not big enough
for us both. You have found me out,
but it will be a bad thing for you.
Things are getting mixed here, and I
must force a way through"
To tell the honest truth. things we're
getting a trihe mixed so far as his per-
sonal safety was concerned. He had upon
his track, first Of all. the gypsy girl.
the very thought of whom sent cold
chill through his veins. aud whom he half
expected to see behind every tree and
bush that he passed.
Besides, the ghost of the man whom
he thought he murdered. and whose
body he had hidden away in the chimney
fue Of the old mill, seemed to rise up
and haunt him, pointing a bony finger at
him. and laughing in sepulchral mock
cry. Although not given to superstition.
the doughty Captain had often shivered
at the bare contemplation Of such a
meeting
Besides this, he secretly feared lest the
woman he had so fearfully wronged. and
who was even then secured in the private
insane asylum Of DR.. Grim, might again
escape, as she had done once before. and /
finish tAe work commenced upon that
dueling field in the graveyard.
A man with such matters as these
upon his mind, and the furious
anmity of a man like Roger Darrell added |
TO them all, must in truth, be possessed |