Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-01-04


posing interests. the fraternal duel in the
shrubbery, 1t was reserved for some poor
devil in Grub street, scribbling for his dinner
and not caring what he scribbled, to cast a
spell across four thousand miles Of the salt
sea, and send forth both these brothers into
savage and wintery deserts, there to die. But
such a thought was distant from my mind; and
while all tho provincials were futtered about
me by the unusual animation of their port,
passed through their midst on my return
homeward, quite absorbed in the recollection
Of my visit and the masters speech.
The same night there was brought to us
from the ship little packet Of pamphlets.
The next day my lord was under engagement
to 60 with the governor upon some party Of
pleasure; the time was nearly due, and left
him for moment alone In his room and
skimming through the pamphlets. When 1
returned his head had fallen upon the table,
his arms lying abroad among the crumpled
papers
ward, for supposed he was In some At.
He sprang up like figure upon wires, his
ccuntenauce deformed with fury, SO that in
a strange place should scarce have known
him. His hand at the same time few above
his head as though to strike me down.
"Leave me alonel" he screeched; and fed,
as fast as my shaking legs would bear me,
. for my lady. She too lost no time; but when
we returned he had tho door locked within,
and only cried to us from the other side to
leave him be. We looked in each others
faces, very white, each supposing the blow
had come at last.
II will write to the governor to excuse
him." says she. 1--WE must keep our strong
friends" But when she took up the pen it
few out Of her fingers. al cannot write."
said she "Can youl"
''I will make shift, my lady," said ].
She looked over me as l wrote. THAT will
do" she said, when l had done. "Thank
God, Mackellar, ! have you to lean upon!
But what can it be now1 what, what can it
bef'
In my own mind believed there was no
explanation possible and none required; it
was my fear that the mans madness had now
simply burst forth its way, like the long
smothered flames of volcano; but to this dn
mere mercy to my LADY, burst not give ex-
preston.
"It is more to the purpose to consider our
own behavior" said L "Must we leave him
there alonef'
II do not dare disturb him." she replied.
Mature may know best; it may be nature
that cries to be alone; and we grope in the
dark. Oh, yes, would leave him as he is"
81 will then dispatch this letter, my lady,
and return here, if you please, to sit with
you," said L
"Pray do," cries my lady.
All afternoon we sat together, mostly in
silence, watching my lords door. My own
mind was busy with the scene that had just
passed, and its singular resemblance to my
vision. | must say q word upon this, for the
story has gone abroad with great exaggera-
ton, aud have even seen 1t printed and my
own name referred to for particulars. So
much was the same; here was my lord in q
room, with his head upon the table, and when
he raised his face it wore lnch an expression
as distressed me to the soul. But the room
was different, my lords attitude at the table
not at all the same, and his face, when he
disclosed 1t, expressed a painful degree Of
fury instead Of that haunting despair which
had always except once, already referred to-
characterized 1t in the vision. There is the
whole truth at last before the public; and II
the differences be great, the coincidence was
vet enough to fill me with uneasiness. All
afternoon, as say, sat and pondered upon
this quite to myself; for my lady had trouble
of her own, and it was my last thought to
vex her with fancies. About the midst Of
our time of waiting, she conceived an in
genious scheme, had Mr.. Alexander fetched
and bade him knock at his fathers door. Ny
lord sent the boy about his business, but with
out the least violence whether Of manner or
expression; so that began to entertain a
hope the fit was over.
At last, as the night fell and was light
ing lamp that stood there trimmed, the
door was opened and my lord stood within
upon the threshold The light was not SC
strong that we could read his countenance
When he spoke methought his voice little
altered, but yet perfectly steady.
"Mackellar," said he, "carry this note to it.
= -. n . al I,.llx
private. Find the person alone when you de
liver it,"
"Henry," says my lady, "you are not ill
"No, no." says he, querulously; ~ am oc
cupied. Not at all; i am only occupied. L
b q singular thing a man must be supposed t
be i'll when he has any businessl Send M
supper to this room, and a basket Of wine.
expect the visit of friend. Otherwise an
not to be disturbed"
And with that he once more shut himself in
The note was addressed TO one Capt Har
ris, at a tavern on the port side. l knew Har
ris (by reputation for dangerous adventur
er, highly suspected Of piracy in the past
and now following the rude business Of a
Indian trader What my lord should hav
10 say 10 him, or he TO my lord, it passed m
Imagination to conceive; or yet how my lor
had heard Of him, unless by disgracefu
trial from which the man was recently c:
= capped Altogether l went upon the erran
with reluctance, and from the little i say
of the captain returned from it with sorrow
l found him in foul smelling chamber, si
ting by a guttering candle and an empt
hottie, he had the remains of military esI