The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-04-06
OLD STYLE ROMANCE.
1t Iaciudcs n Durl. Two Engagements
aud Two Deaths.

aud Two Deaths.
From the New York Mall
There is an odd little story connected
with the New York library which is fully
as interesting as tho personality OF its
patrons.
The charter OF the institution was
granted in l712 by George ILL.,. and In
those DAYS Il was place OF resort by tho
fashionable people Of the town. Some
time after the war had ended. young
Englishman who had been an officer IA the
British army aud attached 10 Gen. llowc's
staff, visited The library TO while away an
idle hour. lie became absorbed in his
book and did not know that he was being
closely watched by a man who sat near
him. When he arose to GO he was followed
10 the door and touched on the shoulder.
Pardon me-" said tho stranger, "but
were you not a soldier in his majcsty's
army some years ago. and wero you not
engaged IN "a haud-io-hand encounter with
an American whom you left for dead on
the field of honor?'
IL remember tho circumstance per-
fcctly," was the reply. "What do you
know Of it?'
IL am the man with whom you fought,
and have to thank you for this,' point
ing to an empty sleeve.
"0ne Of US had TO suffer-" was the re-
ply.
II am aware Of that" answered the
other. "and can forgive il, but cann,t
forgive or forget that you took from mo
something more precious than my arm.
You robbed me of my aillanccd WIFE"
The story may be told briefly. Tho
American was engaged to be married to n
beautiful girl. tho daughter Of ono of New
York most prosperous merchants. She
was good and true and tho day for the
marriage had been set. One day her lover
quarreled with the Englishmnn in a place
of pubic resort. The men were strangers
to each other. A challenge followed. and
IL was agreed to meet next morning at day
break on the Jersey shore and fight with
rapiers. The American went home TO ar
range his affairs. and In the evening called
on his intended bride. His unusual serious
ness aroused her fears, and she begged TO
know the cause. The youn: man, after
much entreaty, told what he was
young woman swooncd, and
when she recovered found that her lover,
fearing he might be dissuadcd, had left
her. She AT once dispatched trusiy
servant to visit tho various public houses
for therc weren't many OF thcm-and
learn. II possible, the place Of rendezvous.
The quest was successful, and at tho
next morning. after slcepless night, tho
girl was at the meeting place, bu, too late
to interfere. The duel had already taken
place. and her lover lay wounded nigh
unto death. The Englshman and his
| friends were gone, and Sue could not
| learn his identity. lie was taken home
and nurscd back to life and strength.
Some months later the youn.
woman met the Englshman at
u social gathering. She did not
/ known him. nor did be know her
The young man fell desperately in love.
| In less than month the maiden's heart
| had changed. and her affections werc
transferred. When she gave up her en-.
| VuGemcnt ring aud told tho old lover the
name OF the new one, be shocked ber by
| this statement that the Englishman was
tho man who had so nearly killed him
There was great reyulsion of feeling
| The girl became III, brain fever ensued
/ and she died.
This was what the American referred &c
when lie met the Englishman in tue old
library building. In his excitement he haG
carried book, which he had picked up un
| Willingly. TO the door with him. and, over
come by tue remembrance of his wrongs
dashed 1t into tbs face OF his enemy. The
assault was so sudden that the English
mau lost his balance and fell. His hea,
struck the wall and hc became uncon
scious. The coustables came and tool
him away. When the attendants rushe,
out TO sec what was the matter the!
picked up the book. one OF them locke,
AZ the title page and saw that II was calle,
The Fate OF the lnconstant," and il
author, whose name was not unknown
was the mother OF tho girl who had jiltet
the American. The English officer wa
so seriously injured 10y the fall that hi
mind became impaired, and he died som
years after in private retreat for the IN
sane.