The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-08

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In making sport of me- he might spit on
| me. treat me like dog, and could give
| nothing In return but the crouching sub
serviency which dog owes TO it's master.
Isprang to my feet and began to pace the
room in tumuit Of revolt aud Indignation.
No, by heaven, it should never bel Never
| as long as he drew breath would Peter
| Clephane call me slave. To be snubbed,
contemned, jeered at, treated ASA creature
ofthe mire, every time the humor seized him
was prospect to be Cancelled at once. He
must be aware of our condition. Already
he had flung at me the gibe that was a
pauper and given me q foretaste or the
treatment might expect at his hands. Ny
father could have no knowledge of what
his proposal meant. He would not willing
ly deliver me bound into the hands of my
worst enemy.
And then, with subduing and sobering
effect, ii struck home to my heart that all
this was but the rebellion of selfish pride.
The individual has his rights, private feel
inRs have their place and value, but to
weigh them against the claims of duty ia
impious. Could be guilty Of such i'm
pietyf Could turn needless ear to the
call for help that had reached mei No,
Thousand times mol Better suffer any hu-
initiation; better sacrifice freedom and lik-
ing forever than turn traitor to those
loved. Help' Yes, would help. If neces-
sary would go to Dundee and be deaf and
dumb under Peters persecution. He could
lay Oh, and would never SO much as pro-
test.
The cleaning came, and my landlay en-
tered with light The cheerful glow Of
lamp and fire strengthened my resolution.
My writing materials were on the table,
II cat haxrsr. .1rx 81 kI.xA 7
would do in all particulars according tony
fathers wishes. As wrote my paltry OBJ
jections grew less and less till they were no
more than a vague shadow at the back Of
my mind. My spirits rose, the prospect
frightened. l was almost glad of the op.
portunity that had arisen to do something
practical. would throw myself into my
new studies with all my soul and-who |
knewf I might yet realize my fathers
dream and be legal luminary and restore
the fortunes of my family. / had read of |
such things; would make my life ro- |
nance.
My sheet was perhaps half full when all |
at once there arose great shouting under |
my window. stopped to hearken, but un-
able to distinguish what was said raised |
the sash and thrust out my head. The |
moon, which was near the full, shone in an |
unclouded sky, so that the light was good.
Below saw half dozen familiar figures,
and in their midst, with leer on his face,
was Peter Clephane He broke into IT,
rade of reviling and mookery as soon as he
saw me. asking me how liked my drub-
bing and whether wouldn't come down
and get more. 1 closed the window, firmly
resolved to make no response. Words are
but wind, and they would not turn me
from my purpose. But the clamor waxing
louder and more aggressive, so that could
not write with any degree of self posses
sion, put out my head again to beg them
to go peaceably away. / was received with
volley Of very ill smelling slime and a
shout Of derisive laughter.
'That's a slight expression Of our respect
and esteem for scabby highland man,
cried Peter. How does it tastea'
shook off the filth with dizzy head
and sharp construction of the throat that
made me gasp. / did not speak, could
not, but there was fascination that held
my eyes fast on my enemy. As did not
withdraw, was bespattereda second time.
They shouted in their glee louder than
ever, Peters voice being high over all. The
rising tumult within drowned the noise
without. l did not hear what was said.
Lights began to leap in fantastic maze be-
fore my sight, and there was sound in my
ears like the vicious song of million bull
lets. cleaned myself again as well as pos
sible, my assailants screaming in an ecstasy
of joy at my plight, then turning backward
/ clapped on my bonnet and descended the
stairs.
My appearance outside was the signal for
another and fiercer storm of ridcule.
But my passion was already running high
and needed no fresh tempest of derision to
mako 1t surge. Walking straight up to
Peter and looking him In the two eyes so
that he fiinched and fell back, said in q
voice that was strange even to myself:
''The time has come for you and me to set
tie some points Come this way and bring
your frlenda"
At the back of the house there was an un-
used plot Of ground covered by soft
sward. Tt offered a desirable seclusion,
and thither l led them. They took the
thing as a fresh Jest, making boisterously
merry over it, little aware of the madden
Ing electricity that tinged along my veins
Or the deadly intent that had brought me
there.
Immediately upon entering the inclosure
threw off coat and waistcoat, slipped the
braces from my shoulders to nave freer
play and tightened the belt about my
waist. Peter stood regarding me with a
look partly of curiosity, partly of con-
Tempt.
81 think you had better strip" said
quietly. ~ want no advantage" There
was no longer any thought of the crippled
arm.
"Your words are brave to come from so
white face, " he laughed. "You look as if
you had just seen your grandfather's
ghost"
"Get ready" said, biting my lip in my
l,At 4 tnl Ia Ii 10
"Welli'' he cried. II declare I have 1
never seen better performance at circus,
though must say it seems an odd taste to
want two thrashings in one day"
"Get ready" repeated, "for fear 1 kill
You before you have a chance of defending
Rourself"
He stripped leisurely, taking time to fold
each article daintily as he took it off, and
10 keep my purpose hot his tongue was
busy with sarcastic compliments to my
Talor. At length he bowed elaborately,
saying he was ready to receive any atten-
iention I cared to bestow upon him The :
words had scarcely left his lips when
1e was reeling from the attack. But it
was not fight such as we used to have.
It was furious onset and feeble defense. =
can liken it to nothing but a cur strug-
fling impotently in the claws Of an infurf-
tied tiger He was stupefled and windless
before the smile of disdain had time to
cave his face. WAS not conscious of his
y ..s,,s 10