Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-04-18
CHAPTER VI.

Not many squares distant from the
stately Winans' mansion was small
brick edifce standing near to the street,
and bearing over side door small sign,
with the name Of Willard Clendenon At
torney- at-Law, inscribed thereon in very
handsome gilt letters. But we have no
business to transact with the gallant cap
tain, so we will not even look into his
dusty office, but pass on up the stairs,
and without even knocking, enter the
guest chamber of the house.
1t is large, airy, prettily appointed
chamber, but the shutters are closely
akimboed, the lace curtains are dropped
over the windows, and the quiet air of a
sick room peryades the apartment. On
the low, white bed that occupies the cen
ter of the apartment is the recumbent fig
ure of man, in whose handsome fea-
lures, even though his eyes are closed in
death-like sleep, we recognize Bruce
Conway. He looks like marble as he lies
there, his black hair flowing back from
his broad, white brow, his closed eyes
encircled with purplish rings, the dark
mustache slightly shading his mouth, only
revealing more plainly the deathly pallor
and suffering of the lips.
Standing by the side of the bed, Cap
tain Clendencn looks down at him with
infinite pity and tenderness in his dark
gray orbs. And standing by the captains
side is little figure that looks fairy
like by contrast with his manly proper
tons. She clings to his arm as he stands
there, and her brown head leans lightly
against him, her fair girlish face wearing
a look of sadness and pain as she gazes
at the sufferers sleeping face.
ooh, Brother Willie," she whispers,
II am so sorry for him, Oh, it is SO
DREADFUL"
And then her red lips culver like a
grieved child's, and two pearly tears
start on her cheeks, and, rolling down.
are lost in the ruffies on the breast Of her
blue morning dress. Captain Clendenon
did not answer. He looked down at the
quiet. handsome face that the surgeon
thought might never wake from that
death-like sleep. He had lain like that
all day-it was noon now.
The duel had taken place a few days
before, at a little distance out of Norfolk.
The captain had done everything in his
power to prevent the terrible affair, but
in vain; had refused the application of
Bruce that he should become his second,
in the hope that he might be enabled to
compromise the affair by prevailing on
Bruce to offer Winans an apology for his
untimely serenade.
Bruce had changed his mind about go
ing away, and chose to feel offended at
the view taken by the captain of the
whole affair; SO he left him out of his
councils, and the duel came off without
the captains knowledge or consent. A
mere accident had brought the matter to
his knowledge at almost the hour ap-
pointed for it, and hurrying off to the
scene of action, he had arrived only in
time to see him fall at the first fire.
The appointed place was seven miles
from Mrs. Conway's residence, and after
the surgeon had dressed the wound and
declared it's serious nature, the captain
took the right of an old friend to convey
him to his own home in Norfolk. which
was nearer, more especially as the sur
geon thought the last lingering hope of
recovery would be destroyed by jolting
him over seven miles to his home at
Ocean View. That was how he came to
be lying there in that pleasant chamber,
with Captain Clendenon's pretty sister
crying her brown eyes out over him.
CTo be continued0