The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19

terbuck presently, land il you have n
better person in your mind, it would
give me pleasure to be Of service to
you in this matter"
Il am vastly obliged to you, Mr."
said the youth. My name is Wichelo
-Elgate Whichelo."
My service to you, Mr.. Whichelo."
said Clutterbuck; and, without appear
ing to notice the hesitation with which
the other had accepted his proposal, or
the hint as to his name, he went on
to discuss the details Of the meeting.
The weapon was to be the small sword;
the place the three-acre lot beyond
the avenu leading past the home farm
from Mr.. Warnings house; the time,
1880 the next morning.
and at that place, and at that time,
you will find me, Mr.. Whichelo, with a
very neat cast of foxes; as pretty a
pair of ToledOs as you will not often
see," said Clutterbuck.
By this time, having arrived at the
Castle Tavern, they parted with an
exchange of compliments.
Mr.. Clutterbuck dined, and, sitting
over the fire, slowly and thoughtfully
drank a bottle of the best wine in Mr..
Samuel Shergold's cellars. Then he
called for paper and ink, wrote two
lines, sealed the billet, and put it in
his pocket, and, concealing a case of
swords under the cape of his overcoat,
he set out on foot eastward across the
downs.
The sunlight and sparkle were o
The sea stretched inert and livid to
the dark horizon. Across the scowl-
ing heavens great black clouds were
slowly drifting, n presently a thick
~ uyn of cpo hnoo- 70 hoot i~ Rha
face of the traveller. Still he pressed
steadily forward. The pain which had
so long tormented him had ceased for
the time, INC his nses were quicken
ed to an extraordinary clearness. But
while he was wildly conscious Of the
gloom and freezing desolation of the
great and solitary fields Of hills, the
dead plain of waters, the black sky,
and at the same time of every frosted
tWig upon the shivering trees, every
pebble and indentation in the path, all
the province of mind and memory
seemed to him utterly stale and trivial,
as a tale hat had been told and re-
told to nauseatiOn.
Again the traveller came upon the
summit Of the hill, which 6esends so
sharply upon the house that one might
pitch a pebble upon the roof. He saw
the fire-lit windows twinkle redly
through the little wood, and stood
within the porch. Clutterbuck paused
a moment, looking out upon the cold
and savage desolation which he seemed
TO more than a moving part. Then
he turned about, and knocked upon the
door in a certain which he
used to employ thirteen years ago.
The door vas opened by a footman,
to whom C~lutterbuck gave his letter.
"Give that to MI Waring, if you
please" said Clutterbuck, and was
turning away, when he heard Menella's
voice Within.
WHO is it?" said she.
"A messenger, madam" answered
the man, going toward the inner door.
ASK him to come in," she cried.
"Why do you not ask him within?"
The lackey turned to the open door,
but the messenger was no longer there.
The man went out upon the steps,
and looked up the road and down, and
across h valley, but no messenger
could he see in all the snowy landscape.
Turning about with a bewildered Wis
age, he perceived his lady standing on
the threshold.
"Well?" she said, with a singular
sharp accent.
But Mr.. Clutterbuck had swiftly
rounded the angle of the house, enter
ed the little hanging wood, and struck
the avenue leading to the three
acre-f1eld. AS he walked, the pain
suddenly returned upon him with stag
gering violence. He had instant re-
course to his cordial, and so saved him
self from swooning. The pain abating,
he was conscious Of a passing odor of
.violets. There used to be violets here,
but this is not the time of year, he
thought drowsily.
AS he came to himself, the illusion
left him, and passed Immediately from
his thoughts; and reaching the gate
which led into the field. he leaned his
upon it, and waited.
Presently C~lutterbuck heard the muf-
fled tread of footsteps in the snow,
and turned about.
mi. Waring?" said he.
Eat your service, SIR" returned War
ing, with a of great politeness,
but looking blackly upon him.
Il am sorry to have to put you to this
inconvenience, in asking you to meet
me in this retired spot" said Clutter
buck. But I hoped t o consult your
wishes, in keeping this little affair as
private as possible"
$3.50 NNO vi L IIloSt
Indeed I would have had
matter SC private that I had no in
tention of requesting the offices of a
friend. I thought Mr.. Whichelo had
understood this"
Il presume, sir" Clutterbuck went
on, that o are fully determined to
-? That no apology?"-
"Sir, there can be no apology, nor any
arrangement made" Waring answered,
with determination.
Exactly" said .C~lutterbuck. "Well
we'll . I believe you are a
great hand at the weapon, sir, are you
not? I have heard the famous Mr..
Angelo, when I have been in his rooms
in London, speak Of your talents. I
have often thought I should like a
DOL with you"
Il shall be very happy to afford you
any diversion in my power" said War
ing. looking downward at the others