Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-09-30

the circle, and at given signal advance
upon each OTTER. Thai, IL give your
dnel the additional charm OF the chase.
What say you?"
"You forget" said Mortimer; "Mr.
Margrave does not know the ground"
that point" replied Augustus Horton.
"for Bowen will tell you that l never
set foot here until tonight"
Come, gentlemen" cried Bill. i'm
patiently, is it agreed"
at isl" answered Gilbert Margrave
and Mortimer Percy.
"Then choose your weapon" said
Bowen, handing Mortimer the two car
bines.
The vnnng man carefully measured
the Instruments of death, and returned
one to his cousin second.
Are they loaded?" he asked.
NO." answered Bowen. handing him
powder and bali. will YOU remain on
this side OF the ground?"
yes"
Good! then it is for you to cross
over to the other side Of yonder dell, I
guess Mr.. Horton, come"
'But the signal?" exclaimed Morti-
mer.
shall be a shout from me-" an
swered Bowen; well give you ten
minutes to load your weapon and bid
your friend good-by, for if Mr.. Hor-
MN Tor. there amt much cnance OF
your seeing the Britisher again"
The two men disappeared amongst
the foliage, and the friends were alone.
Miss Leslie knows nothing of this
duel. | SUPPOSE" said Mortimer, busy
loading the carbine.
"Nothing!" answered Gilbert. "PoOr
girl, l allowed her to believe that, for
her sake, had renounced all thought IF
vengeance upon the man who had in
suited her"
perhaps that's the wisest thing you
could have done; for however this af-
fair may terminate, | fear it will be
troublesome business for you. Mems
minds are strangely excited just now;
the Southern blood is up. and should
you escape safe and sound from this
duel, | doubt but yOu will have to Sc
cure the protection OF the British con-
sui to save you from the fury Of the
populace. Once sheltered by the dread
ed flag Of old England, neither North
or South dare touch a hair of your
head; for if they should assail you, It
would be the kindling of such a storm
as would blot the stars and stripes of
America from the universe"
when a man sees Il woman he loves
insulted by Il coward. he does not stop
to reason" answered Gilbert; the on
ly thing that diStreSSeS me in this mat
ter, is the thought that, instead OF pro-
tecting my adored Cora, | have only
brought upon her new dangers. You
are the only man III America whom |
call my friend. You have already
given me such powerful proofs OF your
friendship, that think | may venture
to demand OF YOU one last service"
speak, gilbert, speak. we nave IN
deed been fast and faithful friends; to-
night, above all other nights, | can re-
fuse you nothing"
Listen then. My first care on leav-
ing tine Selma, was to engage a boat,
winch IS to carry us back 10 Lake POnt-
chartraim this very night. Promise me,
that ii | fail, you Will yourself protect
Cora, and restore her to her father
armS?"
q PROMISE" answered Mortimer, fer
vently.
Thanks, thanks."
The two men shook hands, both too
much affected for many words.
But tell me, Gilbert" said Mortimer
Percy. after pause what was Miss
1esl!e7S motive tor coming to der
ville?"
"IIer mother died here. She comes
to pay her first visit to the lonely grave
OF Fralicllla, the quadrOOn."
"Ah! understand. Poor girl, poor
grill"
Il left her with the mulatto, Toby,
who was to conduct her to the spot. At
ten O'Clock she Will return to the land
ing place on the river, where the boat
will wait for us"
Enough" said Mortimer. in voice
broken by emotion, whatever happens
L will be there to protect her"
AT this moment loud shout re-
sounded through the stiffness of the
forest scene.
1t was the signal.
"Take your weapon, Gilbert" said
Mortimer. placing the carbine i'll Mar
graves hand. Augustus Horton is my
cousin-you are my friend. l dare not
pray for the safety of either. at the cost
of the others death. The moonlit
heavens are shining down upon us, and
the eye of Providence watches the
struggle. FAREWELL"
They clasped each others hands once
more in silence. Then Gilbert Mar
grave dashed forward through the
bruShwood, and disappeared III the dell
below.
Mortimer Percy paced up and down
the dewy turf, listening for the report
of their guns
What is this?" he exclaimed as he
laid his hand upon his beating heart.
For which Of these two men do | trem-
bic? This then is America. of whose
freedom her citizens so proudly boast.
Here are two men met together to shed
each others blood, because one of them
has dared to uphold the cause Of a
daughter of the despised race. Hank"
1t was for the report of the fire arms
that he listened, but the sound which
met his ear was of altogether differ
ent nature. 1t was the evening chorus
Of the negroes, floating upon the tran
quill air. a sweet harmonious strain of
melody, which breathed OF peace and
rep0Se:-
Day is diving, day is gore,
Weary ni%gers. rest;
Work all Gay, and toll and moan,
Quiet night is best.
"Poor fellows" said Mortimer, they
are Craig>s negroes, returning to their
cabins after the day S labor. They
sing. poor simple creatures. The over
Seer's lash carrot destroy the quiet
content of their honest hearts. How
easily might good master make them
happy"
Again the voices rise upon the balmy
air
Far from home. and child, and wife,
Weary niggers, weep,
Days GO by in toll and strife.
Night brings peace and Sleep"
The voices died away in the distance,
echoing mournfully through the wood
land glades, as the negroes passed out