The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-05

original illustration by Fred Barnard.)
determined to carry out an old, vague
plan, and to seek retreat in some relig-
ious order.
He wished to look once mora on tho
walls of his old house befors he left
the world forever. Even as he thought
OF this, some heavy roreboding, a
vague. formless gloom. seemed to warn
him
The next day wirsn he started away
from his lodgings. waiter ran after
him and brought him his sword, which
he had left behind. why have you
brought 1t to me?" asked Mr.. Hare
dale. stretching out his hand and still
by his disturbed and agitated manner.
murmured something doout tho danger
OF the roads. Mr.. Haredale took tho
sword and put 1t up at his side.
1t was evening when he reached thu
house, n calm and peaceful evening,
with n radiant sunset sky. Against
the softened colors the hlackened ruina
looked all the more mournful.
Haredale had made nearly the circuit
Of the ruins. when he stopped still
with half-suppres3ed exclamation.
Reclining in an easy attitude against
Il tree and contemplating the des.
truction with exquisite pleasure. bsfors
! him. on his own ground, and trump
Ing over him then he had done in
every misfortune and disappointment
of his life, stood sir John Chester.
Although his blood SO rose that he
! could have struck him dead. Haredaie
put fierce constraint on himself and
would have passed without word or
look. He would have passed. through
1t required an effort scarcely human
10 resist the Devil that tempted him
I t,-it !, Il
the man himself called to him to stop,
and that with such assumed compass
sion in his voice that 1t drovs him we'll
night mad.
How very picturesque this isl" said
Sir John. and raised his glass to his
eye.
II would" said Hnredale. almost in
agony, II would with all my soul that
you had been III Paradise Uf such a
monstrous lie could be enacted) rather
than here tonight. Your agents have
betrayed you. With hints, and looks,
and crafty words, which told again,
are nothing. YOU set on those who
hated me to do this work. With these
same hints. and looks and crafty words.
you put 1t into their minds to abduct
my niece. You did I see denial in
your face. Denial is lie!
The knight, with contemptuows
smile. replied to him with a sarcastic
speech. MI. liafeOdlC cried. Gold
bloodcd, hollow. false william. L spurn
You like faithless dog" and struck
him.
Sir John threw away his scabbard
and his hat. and rushed at him, maxi
ing so desperate a lungc at his heart
that. had IIaredaie's guard not been
lightning like and true, 1t would hav,
stretched him dead.
Even in that instant. Haredale put
stop on his rage. He parted tho
rapid thrusts without returning them,
and called out, with Il kind of frantic
terror on his face: Not tonight. In
Gods name. not tonight
Both lowered their weapons. 81 warn
YOU cried Iiaredaie. Not tonight!
BE warned in time"
Did you believe that your every
look and word was not to he accounted
for and was not we'll rcnemb ered?"
asked Sir John deliberately. though
now he dropped his mask and showed
his bitter hatred.
Once NOR" cried his opponent, "I
implorc YOU not to come within reach
or ms sword tonight! Oh, why hav,
we metz Tomorrow would have cast
us far apart forever"
That being the case" replied Ches-
ter 1t is very fortunate that we have
met | am sorry to find you a coward"
Not another word was spoken They
were matched. Though Haredale had
advantage of strength and height,
Chester had the superior skill and GER
taln'y superior GOODNESS.
After few exchanges. they grew
hotter and more furious. Each Inflicted
NJ received slight wounds. Directly
ger receiving one of these in his arm,
1rgdale making a keener thrust as
q felt the warm blood squirting out,
plunged his sword through his oppon-
ents body till the blade was stopped
by the hilt.
Their eyes met. and were on each
other, as he drew 1t out. He put his
arm about the dying man. who re-
pulsed him. feebly, and dropped upon
the turf Raising himself upon his
hands. he gaZed at Hurcdaie for an
instant. with scorn and hatred In his
look, but, as IL he remembered even
then. that this expression would dis
tort his features. he tried TO smile. and
fell back, dead. te4
Copyright. 1912. by. !. W. MurlsY.,