The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-01-17
81 TONE
)! l!aaAFpvNU ~ uTIIME.
BY THE MAJOR"
CHAPTER XVI Cox-,,,,


A blue feather of smoke floating n
from. behind tree told him of the Mac
where the would.be assassin MIGHT Il
found. Without an instants 6esita
ton, unarmed as he was, he dashed TO
ward it.
lie was within three steps of th
%grsat oak when Edgar Van Wycl
Ytepped out from behind it and con
~onted him.
~ Inc lace OF the youth was white, bu
" ..here was fierce CLEAN in his eye. He
bless scented the still-smo oking pistol a.
Lthe ialPs breast. The young man
Were sses is an" anotSas';s sis sssusiri7 s,&a
90 j Belmont! Fray to G oi to par,
efSur sins, for your last moment has
hlhe words were spoken without ihe
Esl1ghtest tone of bravado or affectation.
and Belmont, taking in the whole an
pearance and demeanor of his assail
ant at glance, saw that the youth was
desperately in earnest. Yet, perfectly
cool and self-possessed himself, he be.
gan to parley with him, SO as to gain
time to seize some plan of action.
Hold" he said, putting up h s hand.
lou would not shoot an unarmed
man?"
l would shoot you-and as certain
Who God is over us, | will Pray, | say
tru. can have but n minute!"
him, 5ow have injured you ?" Belmont
% notl, as quietly as though he weGe in
must f3gas the s31iisi, ,Tis ~ en..
yhI ,.s, VIC. -or Edgar Van
Wyck shook with powerful emotion as !
he heard the question. and thu keen
eve Of his adversary observed that the
pistol hand wavered the arm trembled.
"You monster-do you ask me mat
the youth screamed. "YoI have robbed
me of nv love; you have crept in like
serpent, and destroyed my happiness
Life is worth nothing to me, after what
! have Just seen and heard over yon.
der. at Bryson's There is only one
thing left me to do. and that is to Kill!
you. I'll do it now"
"You dare not!" was the cool taunt
that answered him.
Another sharp report quickly fo!-
lowed the defiance. The finger of tho
youth was uu ok upon the trigger, but
not 80 quick "a the movement of Bel
mont. IS the words left his mouth
his broad shoulders stopped low and
the bullet whistled harmlessly over his
head.
As the smoke cleared away Edgar
saw him standing unhurt, with COM
passionate smile upon his face.
TIE sight and the look drove the
youth to new frenzy. Graspipg tho
heavy pistol by tho barrels he uttered
q cry OF rage and disappointment, and
sAringing forward, aimed blow at
Bielmonts head. Before he could
st4'ke he was seized by strong hands
IN tA8lurled to the ground. His head
y the protruding root of the great
5rd he lay stunned and senseless.
IN he came back to life and mis-
generous rival was sitting by
Srinkling water in his face, which
adj brought in his cap from a poo
.Ru III mew moaned Edgar.
"H Happy boy| Belmont exclaimed
VAIN misery is all of your own max
bn pity you TOO much to harm you
ann} !s as foolish in your pursuit o
tEIo e.yson as the boy who chases th'
~ 'o She is not for you; she never
%an was his only answer.
Nor fool! Of what use would
have been for you to murder me-? Sh
would thus be farther than ever be
yodd your reach. She could never b
YOUR wife, except in name; with m
bIo)od on your hands she would not
ev4n tha'."
Suffering from the pain of the con
tu4ion. and with every object whirlin
bdfore his eyes, llnconquerable hatre
ofIthe man who was by him prevailed
f"You are q liar as well rs n robber,
h4 family said \ spasm OF pain az
tSted his face.
Randall Belmont looked at him, an
if there had been a spark OF resen
ment in his breast against tins po'
weaklDg, it died at once. lie bel
over him pityingly.
"You must go home, he SAID. 1'
arc sick and nervous. l doubt II W
are responsible for what you have be'
doing. Let me help you. =
uo r""-ol /: 2!:G::rs ar:.! un!er hii
and raised him up. Half snpporti
and half carrying him, he took I
road toward Mrs. Van Wyck's cottae
AS they proceeded, Edgar's streng
par TALLY returned Ho shook off
companions arm, and without wo
of thanks or adieu he quickened
pace.
Belmont stood still and watched I'M
His gait was slow, and he walked WI
difficulty, but he seemed ablo 10 res
home alone
Still half inclined 10 ovcrtake i
and compel him to he assisted,
young man looked until his NOV
figure was only n speck, and until
saw him turn into the highway.
Then Belmont walked on toward
b village, pondering deeply upon