Graham guardian., 1896-01-31

CHAPTER VIII.

FATE
One day in the early fall, Henry came
home accompanied by a young man,
apparently twenty-five years old, who
had fascinated him by q fiery speech at
political gathering. He was a tall,
dark, handsome fellow, with something
of the corsair in his appearance, Rich
ard Lanvale by name, graduate of
West Point. After serving four years on
the frontier he had thrown up his COM
mission, and few months prior to this
time had settled in a ncighboring
county and opened an Office for the
practice of law. He was q rabm Sc
cessionist, eager for excitement, q flu
ent speaker, ready to drink or play at
all hours, of ready wit and utterly with
out fear. These qualities at that time,
in that community, had speedily
brought him into prominence, and he
was already recognized as the leader of
the younger fire-eating element
John came in a few minutes after the
young man, and was duly introduced.
As he shook hands with him John felt
in every fiber of his body a sense of re-
pulsion that he had never before expe-
rienced, and, to judge from the express
sion of Lanvale's face, the feeling was
reciprocal.
When Janet came into the room and
met the newcomer John knew in a mo-
ment the depth of his trouble and the
cause of his aversion. Here was the
most inguished-lool1ing man of his
acquaintance brought in contact with
the woman he loved, and, by certain
keen insight which the young man pos
sessed, he knew that there was trouble
ahead.
Lanvale had no baclSwardness about
him, and showed very plainly his adj
miration for Miss Gregory, while the
young lady was evidently fattered by
his marked attention.
At the supper table the conversation
naturally turned on the one absorbing
topic of interest, and Lanvale who, as
usual, took the lead, wanted to know
what the colonel thought Texas would
do in the event of Lincoln's election.
The colonel said he very much feared
secession would follow.
w ny, uOn you nope 30!
''No, l do not want to see the union
dissolve and bloody war precipitated."
"Well, that is just what wish to see,
but there will be no such luck; the Yam
KEGS won't fight, and, even if they
would, we can whip them ten to one. ;"
Just what think, too, ''cried Henry.
John had been silent, but Lanvale
was determined he should not escape,
SO he turned to him and asked, quite
significantly:
'What does our silent friend think?"
81 agree with Col Gregory" said
John.
''You do not want to fight, then?"
with scarcely perceptible sneer.
81 certainly do not"
'Do you think we could whip the
Yankees?'
81 do not"
"And pray why?"
Because they have got the numbers
and the resources; it might be long
and bloody struggle, but numbers and
resources would finally prevail"
II am surprised that with your views
you should remain in the south"
81 presume that one can remain IN
the south and yet retain hii' honest CON
victions."
"Oh, then the rest of us ar, not hon
est"
II did not say anything lilSe that"
Il have always noticed said Ian
vale, ''that your peaceable inen have G
strong lot of reasons on their side; as
>for me, Iprefer to strike first and argue
afterwards"
Col. Gregory had been listening nt-
tentivcly to the colloquy bItween the
young men. and seeing the trend Of the