The morning call., 1894-05-03
LIBRARY LOVE STORY.
The FaithIess Maiden and the Quar-
rel of Her Lovers.

There is an odd little story connected with
the New York Society Library. which is fully
as interesting as the personality or its patrons.
The charter OF the Institution was granted in
1872 by George Ill and in those days it was a
place OF resort by the fashionable people of the
town. Some time after the war had ended a
young Engishman, who had been an officer In
the British army and attached 10 General
Howe's staff, visited the library to while away
an idle hour. He became absorbed in his book
and did not notice that he was being closely
watched by a man who sat near HIM. When he
arose to go he was followed TO The door and
tapped on the shoulder.
Pardon me-" said the stranger, "but were
YOU not a soldier in his Majesty'S army some
years ago. and were you not engaged in hand
iO-hand encounter with an American whom you
left for dead on the field OF hOnor?
Il remember the circumstance perfectly"
was tile reply. "What DO you know OF it?"
81 am the man with whom you fought, and /
have 10 thank you for this" pointing to an
One OF US mad to suffer-" was the reply.
al am aware of that" answered the other,
sand l can forget il. but cannot forgive or
forget that you took from me something more
precious than my arm. You robbed me or my
affanced wife"
The story may be briefly told. The American
was engaged TO be married 10 beautiful girl,
the daughter Of one of New YOrk's most pros
porous merchants. She was good and true, and
the day for the marriage had been SCI. One
a place of public resort. The men were strang-
ers to each other. challenge followed and IL
was agreed to meet the next morning at day.
break on The Jersey shores and tight with ra-
piers The American went home to arrange his
affairs and in the evening called on his intended
bride. His unusual seriousness aroused her
fears and she begged TO know the cause. Tie
young man. after much entreaty, told her what
he was 10 DO on the morrow.
The young woman swOoned. and when she
recovered found that her lover, fearing lie
EnA had left
dispatched trusty servant TO visit the various
public houses-fOr there were not many of
fhem-and learn II possible the place OF IendeZ-
vOus. The quest was successful, and at Z the
next morning, after a SleeplesS night. the girl
was at the meeting place, but TOO late 10 inter
fere. The duel lad already AIKEN place and
her lover lay wounded nigh upon death. The
Englsman and his frlenue were gone and she
could not learn their identity. The wounded
man was taken home and nursed back 10 life
ana strength.
Engshman at social gathering. She did nor
know him. nor did lie know her. The Young
man fell desperately in love. In less than a
month the maiden's heart had changed, and
her affections were transferred. When she
gave up her engagemeni-ring and told her OLD
lover the name of The new one, he shock ed her
by The statement that the Englishman was the
man who had so nearly Killed him. There was
a great revulsion OF feeling The girl became
III. brain fever ensued and she died.
This what the American referred to
building. In his excitement he had carried a
book which he mad picked up uuwittingly to
the door with HIM, and. overcome by The re-
membrance of his wrongs, dashed IL INTO The
face of his enemy. The assault was SO sudden
that the Englshman lost his balance and fell
His head struck The wall and lie became I'M
conscious. The constables came and took him
away.
When the attendants rushed on to see what
was the matter they picked UP the book One
of them looked at The Ute page and that
laA
and lis author whose name was not unknown
was lie mother Of tile gill who had Tilted the
American. The English officer was so seri-
ousy injured by the fall that his mind became
impaired and he died some years after In a phi
vale retreat for tile insane
The New York Society Library is the Oldest
in the city. Ii Is pairOnZed largely by men of
leisure ana persons interested in political liter
azure. There have been but six libraries IN
100 years. Wentworth 5. Butler. incumbent.
has held The position since 1S56.-New York
Mail and EXPRESS.