Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

MIS-. IlenIy NlUuCltN, Us was now Def GUS |
tom, very early. We had set ourselves of !
late to pass the evening with a 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 word TO seek the |
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
sbhge another; yet from the influence of
custom aud as 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 his custom, IL was already gone
some time upon the clock, and the servants
long ago in bed. 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 it not, triae heated.
Anyway, he now practced one Of his tran
sitions, and so soon as the door closed behind
my lord, and without the smallest change Of
voice, shifted from ordinary civil talk into q
stream Of insult
My dear Henry, it is yours to play" he
had been saying, and now continued at is a
very strange thing how, even in so small a
matter as game Of cards, you display your
rusticity. You play, Jacob, like a bonnet
LAIRD or a sailor in Il tavern. The same dull
ness, the same petty greed, cette lenteur
dhebete qui me fait RACER; it is strange l
should have such a brother. Even Square
toes has certain vivacity when his stake is
imperiled; but the drearness of game
with you, l positively lack language to de-
pict."
Alr. Henry continued to look at his cards,
NJ tIot1Ol coneijarip,r
play; but his mind was elsewhere
dear God, will this never be donen cries
the master. "Quel lourdeau! But why do l
trouble you with French expressions, which
are lost on such an ignoramuss A lourdeau,
my dear brother, is as we might say bump
kin, clown, a clodpole: fellow without
grace, lightness, quickneSs; any gift Of pleas
ing, any natural brilliancy; such q one as
you shall see, when you desire, by looking in
the mirror. 1 tell you these things for your
good, / assure you; and besides, Squaretoes'
docking at me and sitting yawn), lit is one
of my diversions in this very dreary spot, to
toast you and your master at the fire like
chestnuts. have great pleasure in your case,
for | observe the nickname rustic as it Isl
has always the power to make you writhe
But sometimes | have more trouble with this
dear fellow here, who seems to have gone to
plicability of the epithet have just explained,
dear Henry1 Let me show you. For in
stance, with all those solid qualities which |
delight to recognize in you, never knew
woman who did not prefer me-nOr, l think
he continued, with the most silken deliber-
alton, Il thnk-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 person in deep thought. you cow
ardn' 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
TRANSPORTED. l had never seen the man 50
beautiful. "a blow!" he cried. ~ would
not take blow from God Almighty
Lower your voice." said Mr. Henry. do
you wish my father to interfere for you
againp
Gentlemen, gentlemen" I cried. and
sought to come between them
The master caught me by the shoulder
held me at arms length, and still addressing
his brother: do you know what this meansin
said he.
at was the most deliberate act of my life"
says Mr.. Henry.
II must have blood, 1 must have blood for
this says the master
Please God it shall DO yours" said Mr.
Henry and he went to the wall and took
down pair of swords that hung there with
Others naked. These he presented to the
master by the points. "Mackellar shall see
us play fair" said Mr.. Henry. Il think it
very needful"
You need insult me no more said the
master, taking one Of the swords at random.
81 have hated you all my life"
MY father is but newly gone to bed, )" said
Mr.. Henry. 1--WE must go somewhere forth
of the house."
"There is an excellent place in the long
shrubbery," said the master.
"Gentlemen," said |, shame upon you
both! Sons of the same mother, would you
turn against the life she gave your"
Even so, Mackellar,' said Mr.. Henry, with
the same perfect quietude OF manner he had
shown throughout
1T is what | will prevent" said l.
And now here is a blot upon my life. At
these words of mine the master turned his
blade against my BOSOM | saw the light run
along the steel, and threw up my arms and
fell to my knees before him on the floor.
mo no." l cried, like baby.
1--WE shall have no moro trouble with him"
said the master. at is Il good thing to have
a coward In the house"
I'VE must have hight sad MI. Henry, as
though there had been no interruption.
"Ihis trembler can bring pair of can
dies said the master.
To my shame, be it said, was so blinded
with the flashing Of that bare sword that
volunteered to bring lantern.
1--WE do not need a l-l-lantern,n said the
master, hooking me- There is no breath of
air. Come, get to your feet, take pair Of
lights and go before | am close behind with
this making the blade glitter as he spoke.
took up the candlestcks and went before
them, steps that would give my hand 10
recall; but coward is q slave at the best
and even as l went, my teeth smote each
other in my mouth. 1t was as he had said, there
was no breath stirring; MINDLESS structure
of frost had bound the air; and as we went
forth in the shine Of the candles the black
ness was like roof over our heads Never a
word was said, there was never sound but
the creaking of our steps along the frozen
path. The cold of the night fell about me
like bucket Of water; l shook as l went with
more than terror; but my companions bare
al ~.