The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918, September 03, 1891, Image 6

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    MOSS.
Gtrangw tapestry by Nature spun
On view low loom, aloof 'roui sun.
Ami sprc.nl through lonely nooks and grota
, Whero shadows reign, nnd leafy rest
O moM, of all your duelling spots.
In which ono are you loveliest?
X It wlica near pirn roots that coll
Their final.-)' hlack through humid (-oil?
Or when you wrap. In woodland Rlooms,
The creat prone plno trunks, rotted redf
Or when you dim, on Kombcr tombs,
Tho "reiulescats" of tho dead
Or Is It when your lot U cast
in noma quaint garden of tho past,
On some gray, crumbled basin's brim,
With conches that mildewed trltons blow
While yonder, t.irough the K)plaro prim,
Looms up the turretcd chateau?
?fy, loveliest arc you when tlmo weaves
Your emerald lllms on low, dark eaves,
.Above whero pink torch roses peer,
And woodbines break In fragrant foam,
And children laugh and you can hear
The beatings of tho heart of home.
Edgar Kawcett In American Garden.
STORY OF A DUEL.
"I rememlcr It," said our old friend, "as
though it had hapiHitied yesterday. I wns n
.youngster thou: I am ncttitiK to bo nn old
man now, hut I shall never forget It never.
Poor Ind, jKwr ladl"
1 was olxiut flve-nnd-twcnty, nnd on my
travels for tho first time. In leisurely
i fas hi on I lia1 traversed I'ninconnd Belgium,
mud crossing tho Ueminu frontier had
reached nnd taken up my nbodo for twenty
four hours in n, Hinnll town with n river nnd
a bridgo; n confused mnss of red roofed
3iouse with sheltering forest covered hills
'that favored nnd shut in its remoteness from
'tho common highway. It wns one of thoso
places whoso niithjuo nlr, Inherited straight
'from tho Middle Ages, charms anil Invites tho
passer by; tho inn charmed me nlso, a gabled
houm on tho old tnnrket plnco, with a
fruitful garden reaching down to tho river
At tho back. Tho town wns not unknown to
"tourists, but lying apart from tho usual
track, it was littlo frefniented; and for ono
treason or (mother tho inn, when I arrived,
was almost empty. It depended for its pros
Urlty, however, less on tho custom of passing
ictrangem thnu on itsclicntvlo of commercial
'travelers, and on tho excellent ordinary it
jirovidod for tho townspeople and tho olllccrs
of tho small town gnrrison. Tho table d'hote,
il found for my stay was prolonged from
ttho ono lny I had proposed to four or live
was always full. Tho guests camo dropping
in ono by one, hanging each his clonk nnd lint
on a ieg by tho door, and with a friendly
BTisitlng to ono and another, took each his
Accustomed Kent at tho lileral loard. Kach
tucked u napkin under his chin; men and
maids low round tho table; n clatter of
llatei and tongues lxgau. Tho scene amused
rnt I don't know why; through its novoity,
1 MipiKm
V Ont-lx) ovenlng of tho second day, rotuni
ling from somo excursion luthouoighlHirhood,
tooialo for tho publlo men), my Hiipjier was
tMtTTftl in n Hmall room adjoining tho snllo-a-mnnger,
A doorcoinmunlcatod lotweeii tho
two apartments; it was closed, but a sound
of talking acquainted mo that though tho
iablo d'hote, might bo over, tho guests worn
1 Tidyynl'iiil dispersed. Somo dispute was np-l.'-parently
in progress. I could diiUpgulsh no
words; tho speaker, as I judged, wero at tho
t f urtlmnmiH oft lio long adjoining room; but
Aho raised nnd voliemoiit voices, a sort of
angry clamor, rising nud falling, argued u
juurrelof wimo kind. Presently tho clamor
tfti; tho voices died away, amid n Kcrnping of
chairs on tho wooden lloor; silenco MireeedeiL
'1 bid nearly llnlshed my (iupHr, coll'eo had
Vxetin brought, nnd 1 wns preparing to light a
clgur, when tho il'ior between tho rooms was
tibrowu open and a young man entered.
'Without noticing my presence, ho Hung him
ilf into a chair against tho wall and sat
c niotionlc fcs.
f .Ho uas a mere lad, not abovo twenty, I de-
cldod,on considering him moro attentively,
ulxy with light, xhiuliig hair, a fair com
i plexlon mid n girlish ill eaey of feature; n
'faint yellow uuistncho n' mo tcstlllodto his
v manhood. Ho was dress i m a light colored
Vtouritft suit; there wn .billing remiirknblo
la Ills appearance, imt ing to diitiuguisli
Jilm especially from cm., other fresh young
Stidoiw abroad on his travels; but something
Jn hli attitude, as he Kit without movement
in tho chnlr into whle'i ho had Hung himself,
.nrrewtod my attention, lio siit with his legs
.fltre.tchod out, his hinds thrust into his pock
eta, tls bond dropped on his breast, lib
inco, which should naturally, I Imngiuo,
wonr tho pink and white complexion
proper to fair haired youth, was empty
of oven n tlngo of color, his brows woro
lrawn together; ho looked miserable, over
whelmed, ilosporato; I could not tell how ho
looked. Ho might, I conjectured, huvo been
losing money tu somo bet or gatno of chaiico
a man who has left his fortune nt a gnut
Wing tablo might wear Just such an expres
sion. Twlco 1 thought of addressing him;
but I was deterred by his complete iiueon
eclousnoss of my presence and by my igno
rancuof his nationality; for I had no better
skill in lntigungert than an ittitwrfect knout
dgt of French nud n still moro btumbliug
iciunintnueo with Clcnnan. I llnhdied my
coITm, therefore, ill silence, and as ho still
TOftdo no sign, took up my hut ami silently
left tho room.
On tho way through tho hall, I necosted
tho gray huiml head waiter, an old man,
Crown old in tho service of tho inn, nnd
aakrvl lilm if ho know anything about tho
young fellow. Ho was an KuglUliman, tho
nuin answered; ami opened tho visitors'
Ijooksto show mo his naino. His namo was
'tliero, Charles Holmes, of Koxholmo, Surrey,
JJnglund, and Magdalen college, Oxford; ho
Jxad arrived tho pivviou night; ho had cotuo
.from Kroukfort ; ho was on his way to Ilrus
ol.i all this IiimtUhhI with boyish lovo of
uleAnit in i round, boyish hand. Ho wns a
felliw countryman then, and iilono appar
ently; for, with tho exception of my own
.mini', iiono other of Kuglish imtiounllty
KapiHAuroti on tho JUt for many days
lack. Jlitjialn look as lio dropped Into h!a
chair ,uusd Iwforo my eyes. Almost I
turned tmek into tho llttlo jvn lor (o speak
tolilin; and I wwh I bad I wish to heaven
I had till might huvo turiml out iill'ereutly.
Dut tho indomitable stupidity it in,' reserve of
-an EnglUhiunu sUkhI in my way, and instead
of going back l iwldnwd tho waiter again.
IIjuI thero logji any quarrel, I iiuiutmi,
among tho guet at tho supper table that
evening I Ho kliruggcd hu shoulders, "I'os
iibly iKXrflbly," ho said; "ho had heard
. rulaed voices, ho had not been in tho rtxnii.
Tbow gonUonusi (moaiilng tho oil lev r) often
Ivad dispute among themmlviw, Jio ono
thought much about it; it was no ono' con
crn but their own."
I left tho man, and vUrtcd on uu evening
wiilk Uirough tho town, U'foro isjtiriug to
rest. It was already dark, a warm mid tar
m Augtint iilght . thu kky, luutvy with oua
cloud tliutkpiv.nl fnnu lull to hill, mviihM to
svblgh ujHiti ono's hoad . now nud thou a drvji
of mill fell i I could mu tin nilti) plali on
(ha dtuty imvilig tMie ly tbu light of nn
ooouioiml uil lump iliukwring Imro nud
tbir, A tiwt lul from iltu uhl mrUt
down (o u twp, ono uruhwl lirtdyu llwt
luiiiml tlm 1 1 Vie, find ioiuiucttnl I ho Iohii
tytb. (ha oji(KMi(4 hulgLU I civ! h
bridge, then returning on rnysfps tool
leaning on tho parapet looking down upon
tho river revealed through tho darkness
by its slow onwatd rush, and by tho raro
lights reflected on its back surface. A
bela'ed barge camo swinging down stream,
its lantern sending long yellow gleams
finross tho parting water; it assed and was
lost in darkness lcvond. Lights shono from
tho clustered gables of tho darkling toxvn.
Close nt hand, on tho river bank, n girl sat
nt an upper window Handing a stocking by
tho light of n cnndlo set on the sld. The
flamo hardly moved in tho heavy air; it
lighted up her fresh young face, her yellow
braids of hair nnd busy hands. So sho had
sat many a night lieforc, so sho would sit for
many a night to come; but I tho thought
posAod through my mind should havo no
consciousness of her. For between her nud
mo it would bo always night.
I lingered, I rememlx-r, on tho bridgo; It
was ono of thoso hours becoming rarer with
every day of travel, that hold In them somo
realization of fresh and strany;o Impressions.
Tho town clocks were striking 10 as I mado
my way back to tho inn. I had Icftalook
in tho room where I hail dined, und I went
to fetch it U-foro going up stairs to lied. Tho
young Englishman was still there, seated in
tho chair where I had left him. Had ho
never moved I could not tell, but ho was
not now dlono. A young girl stood opposite
to him leaning against a wooden pnss, her
head thrown back, her arms folded under a
long colored apron that sho woro over u dark
blue gown. 1 know tho girl by sight; once
she had w'aJtedo;vjne nt table, once or twice
I had seen her gathering fruit In The garden;
sho seemed to havo no fixed service In tho
house, but to make herself useful ns occa-
I sion required. Without much loaitty, some
thing singular in her npiearanco drew at
tention. She was a brown faced girl, with
masses of sun faded brown hair, and sleepy
blue eyes that had a trick of opening sud
denly to accompany a sudden smilo which
revealed two rows of small white teeth;
otherwlso her expression wns sullen nnd
rather scornful. So much I had noticed,
paying littlo heed to hor, however, as sho
camo and went about her work. Her pres
enco in tho room now surprised mo. Sho
was sinking as I camo In, but ended or broko
olT abruptly on my entrance, and stood as I
have descriU'd her, leaning against tho
woodi ti door of tho press. Sho shot a glanco
at mo from her half closed eyes as I took my
book from tho table whero I had left it, but
did not change her position. Tho young
Englishman, on the other hand, sprung to
his feet.
"I toll you,'' ho said, facing her nnd shak
ing with a certain vehemence, "you havo
nothing to do in tho matter nothing. Keep
out of it."
Ho thrust his hands deciMr into bis jockets
nnd swung out of tho room. Tho girl looked
after him. I did not like her look, but It was
no alTair of mine. I look my look nnd
quitted tho room, leaving her standing thero
with her folded arms. At tho foot of tho
stairs I met my ucquaiutance, tho waiter.
"Who Is that glrir I said, describing her.
"I havo soon her several times about tho
house."
"You mean Lotto?'' said tho old man.
"Havo nothing to do with her, voting sir;
sho is a bud one. The master took her in out i
of charity, but to-morrow sho leaves. Thero
is nothing sho likes better than to set on tho J
young men u ho come nero to quarrel about
her. Thero havo been two duels fought al
ready ill tho twelvemonth shy has been iti
tho house. No great harm done, to bo sure;
but tho master won't have it, mid so to-morrow
sho goes. Ho has found her a plnco
whero thero will bono young men to set by
tho ear! Oh, I know her ways; I've seen
her at It. Sho treats them like dogs till they
turn and insult her, and then sho gets ono of
mem to iiiKouer pari. uen too misciiiet is
(lone sue runs lier liauits. un, t'vo seen her
nt 'it, I know her ways. No, no, sho'll como
to no'good wherever sho is."
A bell rang and ho left mo. I inndo my
way up stairs to my own apartment on tho
second Hour, At an open window In tho pas
sago, I saw tho young Englishman standing
and gazing out into the darkness. Ho started
at my approach, nud preceding mo rapidly
along tho corridor, opened tho door and dis- I
npioarod within tho bed room next my own.
1 heard a bolt drawn us I passed nud a mutch
struck, and saw lilm no moro,
1 was tired, and although tho night was
opprcsiivo, 1 fell almost at once into uneasy
slumbers. I woko again restless with tho
heat. Tho room was perfectly dark; I struck
my repeater; it was nearly 1 o'clock in tho
morning. My windiw stood (en, and I
could hear tho even, toniperato sound of
heavy summer ram; tho lowering cloud was
descending in a steady dowuour. I got up
and grojKHl my way to tho window, hardly
visible as a square of fainter black open
ing from tho blackness ".thin. A church
clock (.truck tho single stroke of tho hour; it
wns answered by another nntl another; then
far olf like an echo, a chime from some hid
den village In tho hills. Moist odors roso
through tho darkness from earth and herbs
nud leaves in tho garden lelow; tho damp
and odorous coolness, tho steady sound of tho
rain refreshed and calmed mo. I was re
turning to led with a lietter prosqicct of
sleep than lxiforo when my attention was ar
rested by a noise in tho adjoining apartment,
A door coiiiiuunlcntlng In'twcon tho two
rooms made it easy for sound to jvass from
one to another; it was a sob 1 heard now
yet less a sob than a kind of shivering uioau,
ns from somo creature trapped anil held by 1
mortal anguish. It camo again und again; I .
listened until listening became impossible, i
Tho room was occupied, as 1 know, by my j
young coniKitriot; 1 recalled his wlo and i
desperate looks somo few hours before, and
lighting a candle, I dressed hastily and went
out into the empty corridor. A streak of
light shono U'low tho door of thu neighbor-
I lug apartment, I knocked quietly and
I waited.
J My knock was quiet, as befitted tho silent
uour; nut mat it was auiuuioto the occupant
of tho room was Immediately apiwrent, I,
heard a chair pushed Kick, with a movement
as of somo ono suddenly springing to his feet;
then silence. 1 knocked again. This time tx
hesitating footstep crossed the tloor, tho bolt
was withdrawn, the door wasojened an inch, I
then thrown Iwiek entirely; tho young Eng
lishman stood More me,
Ho was dressed us I had seen hfca tho pro
vlous evening, except that he hod removed
his necktie und exchanged bu Units for
slippers. In his h ind bo held a caudle that
feebly lighted up the sjuirely furnished room,
tho Usl standing in a dtuky corner, the 1
painted wanlrolH) nud half down choirs, the
small table set n-ar the window. It illu
mined his white face uU, and hair hanging
looaouud damp "vr lus forwliuad. There
was something dilnulwl nud iiiiMtnible in
hit whole apixmruiwv, and a mired look in
bit eye as thy met mnw that made me
hasten to axpluin my upMirimeo thuiu
"1 Ug your pardon," 1 said, "for In
truding nt thu liiHir, "but 1 ftwrMl you might
bo 1IL 1 wanted U Utow if I could lie of
tiny iM to yon "
II u Kutwl at uw uuivrtMlktly fur a nnnnmit
III lliUl, (turn, aUudlUtf Otl MM Md tlwt I
might enter, U c luwd Ik dour, tuU( It,
nud advuiMiug lo Uw luldn, kt down hi
twiutU iiutuiig u lilWi of nm iiuil lutltftft
Mill) Hvhiuii it ea ttivtui A tihuir uu
pHihulbuvk (rtMiiilttflati lMub)r,i(up(uJ
up against another chair, waa an oin port
manteau. The young fellow motioned mo to
a seat, and sank himself into tho ono from
which ho had just risen. For a moment ho
sat without speaking, gnzing fixedly liefore
him, then turned his head, as though to ad
ilrem me. But nny words ho might havo
rpoken died away in a fit of shivering. IIo
grew even jKiler than before, his teeth chat
tered, ho looked at mo helplessly, ns a child
might, as ho sat there grasping thotablo with
both hands, in a vain effort at self control.
I felt In my ocket for my traveling flask,
and going up to him, got him to swallow
Mine brandy. Tho effect wus good; tho shiv
ering ceased, some color returned to his cheeks
and lips.
"That Is better," I said, contemplating
him.
Ho did not at onco answer. His lips trem
bled n little, as ho sat looking at mo; tho tears
rushed to Ins eyes.
"Youaroan Englishman," ho said, hold
ing out his hand with an airectioiuito gesture
that touched me deeply. "I didn t think I
should see any one here that would care about
mo."
"My dear lad," I said, "what's your diffi
culty I saw you down stnirs last evening; I
saw that you wero in troublo of somo kind.
Tell me about it. If you have got yourself
Into n scrape, it will bo hard If U-tween us
wo can't pull you out, whatever it may bo."
"It's no scrape," ho said, with dillieulty,
nnd paused. His face grew white ngaiiu
"It's no scraiK)," ho snid at last. "I've got to
fight n duel to-morrow morning nt C o'clock,
and I I Ills voice failed altogether.
"A duel Nonsonse," I said. Ho looked
up. "Nonsense," I repeated. "Who fights a
ducUheso days! Tho thing can bo put an
endTo at oiicd,"
I stood up as I spoke, and mado a step to
wards tho door, with I don't know what idea;
since nt that hour of the night nothing could
bo douo. IIo stopped me, however.
"It can't Iw put u stop to," ho said; "it
mustgo on. I'm pledged on my honor that
it shall go on."
I faced round on him.
"Look here," I said; "I know all about it.
I saw that girl this evening; I beard about
her. Sho leaves tho houso to-morrow. But
you'vo fallen into a trap, my dear fellow;
your honor has nothing to say in tho mat
ter. I glvo you my word of honor that the
whole thing may bo arranged without tho
slightest dillieulty."
"Ilowf ho said, with a certain eager
ness, but checked himself immediately. "It
must go on," ho reHated; "it is all settled, I
toll you. I don't know what you mean about
tho girl. Thero was a quarrel among a lot
of officers down stairs; I got mixed up in it,
like a fool; but thero wero somo good fellows
among them, and they'll seo mo through.
After all, "ho went on, trying tosmile, "what
Is a duel? Hundreds of men havo fought
and no great harm como of it."
Ho broke off ns tho shivering seized him
again, and tho pallor. A light dawned on
mo. It was fear that held tho boy as ho sat
there, cowering and trembling, Uforo mo;
tho lad with bis fresh complexion nnd pretty
girl's fnco was a coward; and as I recognized
tho fact, something of contempt for him roo
in my mind. I had in those days tho brutal
stupidity of a man to whom, constitutionally,
fear is unknown. 1 had never considered, as
I havo had occasion to do since, tho tricks
that a vivid imagination may play with a
sensitivo organization, and I looked at tho
trembling hid before mo with the amount of
intelligence a bull dog might have brought to
beur uiK)ii tho subject. Nevertheless, I laid
my hand on his shoulder good naturcdly
enough.
"Look hero," I snid, giving him a friendly
shako. "Tako somo moro brandy first,
though." I got him to swallow another
mouthful. "Look here, my dear boy," I
said, "you don't bko tho notion of fighting, 1
see. Well, don't give tho thing another
thought. Go to bed and sleep soundly; when
you wako to-morrow morning you'll find it
nil arranged."
Ho shook his head.
"It can't be it can't lo," ho said. IIo
sprang to his feet and paced tho room onco
or twice, his hands thrust deep into his
jMK'kets. "You think I'm afraid," ho snid,
standing in front of mound speaking rapidly.
"You're right, I am afraid, I'm sick with
fear"
Ho dropped Into his chair ngain and flung
out his arms across the table, burying his
faeo in them. In a moment ho looked up.
"I've been afraid all my life," ho said,
speaking low and very quickly. "I can't
help it. 1 can't see things any other way.
They used to bully mo at school. Onco I
shrieked something, and tho boys" Ho
broke off. "Only ono fellow was good to
me," bo went on. "Ho was older than I was,
anil ho made mo promise I'd never shirk a
tiling through cowardice again; ami I novor
will."
I looked at him with a new sentiment.
"Where is your friend nowi" I asked after a
pause.
"He Is dead," he answered. "IIo was killed
last year, lighting In India."
Ho buried bis face again, nnd thero wns
silence for a while. 1 heard the rain still
falling steadily outside; now und then tho
cnndlo dickered a littlo in the breath of
night air. At last 1 spoke.
"That is no rea-sou it is no reason nt nil,"
I snid, rising and pacing the room in my
turn. "The thing is un alisurdity. I tell
you, no ono lights duels in these days. Why,
to Uglti with, do you even know what you
are uIkhiU Can you lire a pistol, if, as I sup
pose, it is with pistols you propose to
nmiiso yourselves''
Ho answered almost iuaudibly. "I can
handle firearms,'' ho said. "I had to learn."
I sat itown ami coiiicmpiu'.cii mm ror a
moment. "Look hero," 1 broko out again, I
"the whole thing is nonsense, sheer uou-1
nenso; it can't U allowed to go on. You'vo
no business, my dear boy, to lo coming
abroad for your holiday ami getting your-'
self outtingKM in miseries of this sort. What
would your family say! Think of them." t
He rnisisd his haggard face. "1 cuu't get
out of it," he said; "1 can't; nol Without
leaving them to say that nu Englishman
shirked, and lost his honor Uvauso ho was
afraid. And it would U true." j
" Oh," 1 said, " thero are ways of putting
things. Tell them thai you've thought Utter
of it; that in England we'ro too rlviliuxl for
such harUinnu Middle Age practical; that
when n mnn is otfviisive, we kick him down
ftalrs nuil thero is an end of it. Anything 1
would U good enough for a set of brutes who
.would entrap o lad like you into a duel." I
1 had touched his dignity, erhaps. " I
was not entrapped," be said, then broke Into
a boK " Don't," he cried, " don't tempt mo.
1 oughtn't to have told you anything aUuit
it, 1 Hippo', but I couldn't help it. I don't
want to think of it; I shall gt frightened
again, and frol 1 can't face it all. Beside,
there's somelhiug elm 1 waut to say." Ha
Uan liurnmtly turning owr tl ixipors on
Hmh tahl " If I'm kilW
" Oh, iuiw," 1 muI, " thertt1 no quthm
l.ro of txrtug killwl lul av fought vry
day alHXMd, und iu uiu u n Ul Uw woivo.
To iwurrow lugut )on it m lunghtug at your
fai.M
"I UiUtk I tluitl I- kilW," m mUI wmdy.
"I Immhh u 11 Um' to ui) lUfUitr,1' bo wut un
iiunHiy wuuMglii "I Uott't Uuum buw to lUuh
It think Td in il. uu4 gat ou to nit u il
Ui ltr I'm tiU4 UiM I ittwUkbl
there would bo no ono for mo to cpeak to
again."
He took n sheet of paper with a half filled
page and wrote; then folding nnd directing ,
it, put it In his littlo writing case. "You i
will find it there," he snid. "Anil this pert- '
manteau," ho continued, "can go ns it is.
Thero arc fome things In it for my little s s- '
tcr Magsio; "I'vo got them at different 1
places I've been to; please seo that sho has
thorn. And there are somo books for my
eldest brother; he likes old lxoks."
"You have brothersf I inquired.
"Two; they're Imth older than I nm. My
father is dead. Ho died in Germany; we
wero living thero at the time. That is how I i
como to know German. I wish I didn't."' I
He snt. silent, his head resting on ono band,
the lingers of tho other idly tracing figures
on the table; now and then ho gave a shiver- j
ing sigh. At last ho looked up and spoke.
"Do you do von" ho lcgan in an un-
certain voice. He went on moro collectedly, j
"Do you U-lleve. yon know, In n future lifo, j
and nil that Somo fellows don't. They do
nt home." I
"Your mother doesf' I said. "Trust to
her." 1
"Yes, sho Ulieves," bo said, with a sigh. ,
Ho fumbled in his pocket, nnd brought out
a small New Testament. "Sho gnvo mo this '
at school," he said, "and told mo to bring it 1
abroad with me. That is her mark in it."
He opened it and turned over tho leaves;
but in a moment laid it down nnd passed his
hand over h's eyes,
"I can't see,"' ho said, "tho words nro nil
dnzzled. Head mo something, won't you?
There, where the mark is."
Ho pushed the lwok to mo across tho table.
I took it up. A bluo riblmn divided tho
leaves; the book opened of itself. I read as
directed, whero a verso marked in pencil first
caught my eye.
" 'lA't not your heart lc troubled, neither
let it lie afraid; yo have heard how I havo
said unto you, I go away' "
A mist passed U'foro my own eyes; I
closed tho lnxk. "My dear lad," I said, "I'm
neither clerk nor parson; nioro's tlio pity, if
it would be any help to you. But if you fol
low my advice, you will tako tho comfort of
your text and sleep tiron it for tho next few
hours. You'll U' nil tho better man to-morrow
morning for n night's rest."
Ho did not immediately nnswor. Ho had
taken up the book and was letting his eyes
stray over the pages. I spoke ngain.
"Could you sloop, do you think, if I left
youT' I said.
"I don't know I'll try," ho said rather
vogueh". Ho clo'-ed tho Uok and rose. I rose
n'so, and stood irresolute. I hardly liked to
leavo him alone, yet his chance of rest, I
thought, might bo greater so than if 1 re
mained. Ho understood my doubt appar
ently. "I'm nil right now," ho said. "I dare say I
shall sleep as you say. Thank you for com
ing in; I don't ftiow what I should havedone
without you."
IIo smiled faintly and held out his hand;
thero wero tears in his eyes; his hand was
cold as ico. I asked him a few questions,
brief ns I could make them, about tho morn
ing's arrangements. Tho meeting was to tako
place, I found, at a spot 1 know, in n wood
just without the town walls, whero the ruins
of nn old abbey stood on a grassy lawn. "I
shall see you in the morning," I said, nnd
with tho promise wrung his hand and left
him.
I went back to my own room.and, dressed as
I was, threw myself on tho bed. Not for a
moment did I intend that this iniquitous duel
should go on. At earliest dawn I proposed
to rotiso the landlord, to stir up tho city
guard, if needful; nay, to call out the town
garrison itself, rather than permit an net of
criminal and unnecessary folly. All this, I
say, I intended. For a while I lay wakeful
and attentive; I heard a chair pushed back
in tho adjoining room, anil footsteps moving
uncertainly to and fro; then deep silence.
Tho young fellow, I concluded, hail followed
my advice, and betaken himself to U-d for an
hour or two. Tho town clocks struck three,
nud with the determination to rouse my
self nt half-past -1, I passed into u profound
sleep. Alas! 1 was young; I was tired
out. At half-past ft I fell into uneasy
dreams. I dreamed that I had risen, that I
had dressed in haste, that I had mado my !
way to tho poor lad in tho adjoining room. !
Ho was seated in his shirt sleeves on tho edgo 1
of the bed. "Surely it is not tune to go yet,"
ho said, and began to cry like a girl. I
I dreamed that I awoke, and turned todreani
again. This time it was tho boy who camo
in to mo as I was dressing hastily. "It's nil
over," ho cried joyously. "Not n soul was
hurt. 1 start for homo nt once." "Thank
God," I nnswered, and with the words I woko
with a start, woko in truth this time, sitting
up on my bed lovi!ilored for a moment. It
was broad daylight. 1 looked at my watch;
it wanted but twenty minutes to (1. I cnught
up my hut nud burst into tho adjoining
room. It was empty. On my headlong way
down tho stairs I stumbled over my friend,
tho old wniter. In a breath I told him what
had happened, and rushed troni tho house.
I rushed from tho house, across tho steep
nrched bridge, through tho town gate and
out into tho wood Uyond. Deep in tho heart
of the wood stood the ruin; I had not a mo
ment to lose. Tho rain had ceased, but tho
clouds were still low and threatening. I re
meinUr still I hardly noted at tho timo
tho damp, gray morning air, thick with
mist, tho drenched weeds and gross, tho trees
weighed down with moisture, powerless to
roily in tho dense atmosphere. Tho mid, a
grassy, cart rutted track, lay before mo,
winding ninong tho trees. It lay plain bo
foro me to follow, but I thought it would
never end; it seemed interininubly long;
I thought that It never would end, I
came upon tho sceiio suddenly ut last;
a cleared siuioo, somo walls nnd high
springing arches on slender columns, a grassy
level in front, stre'iing from tree to tree on
either hand, 1 ban visited it but yesterday
ami found it empty of human life. Today a
scattered group of men occupied tho fore
ground. I Hw my Por lid; I saw him
bland as ho had Iwoti placed", nud rnljo his
pistol with a shaking hand. I uttered a cry;
ho turned his face for a second, A tivnibliiig
smile on his white lips, "I am here, you seei
it's all right," he seemed to say. Tho next .
moment thero wns a report. The pistol I
dropped from his hand; he tunui uud fell (
face dowuward, doaiL I
Tho smile was still on his lijs. Poor lad,
poor ladl Temple Bar,
When 11 Train la 11 Ing.
An oflleial of the Ix-hlgh Valley railroad U
In favor of maintaining high rutcdof ejHssl In
railroad travel. Unsay nccidcuu come no
more frequently at fifty miles an hour than
at ten mi lei an hour. He aduiiU that the
siiuuluijsi are worse when tlmy do occur to
iwift trtiiua, but he in ratlwr inclined to ,
think the Ut way to avoid llwm m to mil !
ffi.t, HeeipUuu it iu tuMwuy: "WImmiu
tram W lis ui. ' m my, ') on "ill itutirutlio '
engllMW Mud iti ui.iu ur both wry nlei t Hltd
w ide a was Tbvir fry mum i kt) wl to
extra ordiiwry lriiiwi Wlwu n trmu
craw bug Uiti com rary i iru Tho mn 111
tlm Mb nr ruitJ Uf, uud nry dny
llwit "Ui tity pull Uw Ml Mm r4awr
ftttJili l lek Ull, and hm lltay wi.ialW
Dm tumid uud Uivamy " -Hw V-Tk
Nuu, I
A Pretty Garden Ornament.
A very pretty piece of ornamental gar
dening, not too difficult for beginners,
can be done with an old nmbrella or
parasol and some plants of cypress vines,
mauraudia, 3weet pea or anythiug that
is not of too aspiring a nature. Such
climbers oa the morning glory, canary
bird vine and other twenty footers, are
better left for unsightly fences nnd build
ings. Plants are better than seed, be
cause more certain, and they do not take
so long to catch the knack of twining
and spreading. Umbrella ribs are not
decorative, and to tee such an object
standing thero week after week', waiting
for its clothes, does not give people a
pleasant impression of a garden.
But first find your umbrella; and this
may not bo so easy, for "retired" um
brellas that are no longer fit for use are
seldom seen. Some member of the fam
ily, however, may bo able to produce
one, and then it should be immediately
stripped of tho few tatters left to it.
Tho next step is to paint tho frame and
handle brown, and when quite dry plant
the end of tho handle firmly in the
ground, with the frame fully opened.
If the handle is rather short it will be
an improvement to add a piece of wood
to it.
It is now ready for tho vines, which
should havo made somo progress in
growing; and when they onco begin to
do their best tho old umbrella frame
makes such a lovely green bower stud
ded with blossoms of red or purple or
white or all together if tho vines are
mixed that every one exclaims over its
beauty.
A parasol with tho same treatment is
equally pretty on a smaller scale, and it
would be very ornamental in tho center
of a round bed edged with bright colored
phlox or candytuft. With a long spout
ed watering pot tho vines could havo ti
daily drenching in warm weather, when
the sun is not shining on them, from
their roots to their highest green tips,
and this would keep them fresh. llar
pers Young People.
Couldn't Knrn lit til.
Miss Thumpit (pausing for breath) r fcai
I weary you.
Mr. Heavyweight Not a bit of it; play on.
I can't tell ono noto of music from another.
Burdetto in Brooklyn Eagle,
O.enr I'relers to Wnlt.
"Oscnr "Wilde oxpects to Iks buried in West
minster Ablwy," says a lloating item. Well,
wo nro willing. Is thero any reason for thii
maddening delay Somervillo Journal.
I.e. Costly in I lio Lout; Itun.
"How do you manago to keep your watei
pipes from freezing this weather, DobsoiW"
"Easy enough. I havo a yearly coutracl
with a plumber." Hartford Post.
I. noli 1 1 aid and You'll Seo It.
There is a young lady in a girls' school in
Georgia who goes by the nicknamo of "Post
script." Her real namo is Adaliuo ilooro.
Burlington Free Piv&s.
In the Theatre.
"But why do you weep? Thonctlng is cer
tainly not so touching." "Excuse me, I am
bewailing tho money I paid to como in."
Flicgendo Blatter.
A Definition.
Counsel What is tho plaintiff's nttitudo ai
to this question AVitness IlecumUmt
Lies nbout it constantly. Tid Bits.
One That Never Ccts Tired.
Tho person who is always talking to him
self is suro to have an interested listener.
Lowell Citizen.
A Pure Cream of Tartar Powder.
Superior to every other known.
Used in Millions of Homes
40 Years the Standard.
Delicious Cake and Pastry, Light Flaky
Biscuit, Griddle Cakes, Palatable
and Wholesome.
No other baking powder does such work.
BHOOKI,V HOTi:i limb St.,Wt. Mout
gomery & Sanome, 8. conducted ou both the
Kuioixsui ind Aiuvricjtn plan, linn llotul ti under
tjie ninn&ft'ineiit of I'harlr Montgomery and la the
Utt Family and Iliuhieaa Men'a Hotel In Hin Vrau
cieoo, Home comforta, culatne uneicrllod, ti rut-clan
aerrloe, hliliiwt aundard of rcptaUlllty guaranteed.
Hoard ana room itT uay, yi.sa kj i uu; rvuiu, uu
oenU to $1.00 per nUnt.
Free coach tu and from the
Hotel.
Titi. ti tutJiPftpknowledirM
leading remedy tor all in
unnatural dlacbarRea and
prtvatadlaeaaesot men. A
certain cure for the debut'
tailng wcaKuess peculiar
to women.
T nrencrtba It and feel lata
jChIWICUCVi. in recommending it 10
I A. i. Biuncn, u.,iHiixi!u.
I'HICE 01.90.
T 31 IS
O TI K AT 12 P T
l'lea Chicken i.lr til Her.
Ak your dealer for It, or aer.d (or r'rvo Circular t
l'i t.tluma Incuhator Co., Petaluma, Ok
OREGON STATE FAIR
COMMENCES SEPTEMBER M, 1891.
Near Nueiii M- ri and larger pri-iMmna -Itiri t
tins ). r ' r 1 1 1, it. lit m,i,mI tgrti nil mt, pr.-i
in u truii. it 11 1 1 11. imra!. nn 1 Imi.i. . w .i
'tail aa. iui.it ti ik ftti..lM r... 111
dS Uu I'.ll.i. .11, Ivl b tin lili ll 1 ..
U .''ii !. 1 1 1. 1,1a iil band ... , , 1.
nlfiil ltt-.li., 1 I f.l.a .111 ail iraiiai.'iuii , 1 . I
. 1 ..bi-ii'i, awiiewr), ririi.i 1 1 1 a
pjiu.lum 11. 1
HAY FEVER r'."..:?,'.'"
ill CM
Baking
Powder
1 Cures trTI
! FlTO&UAYS.
I UmnW4 ' K
IMIThiE
V. a. a. jm
ir 1 1 1 mm
EEDS
Of nil kinds nnd In any quantity u hole
Biiieiiiul re tut 1 nt bedniek irici
E. J. BOWEN,
65 Front Street, Portland, Or.
fKf" Send for cutiilostue. "fc'fc
"August
Flower
99
Mr. Lorenzo F. Sleeper is very
well known to the citizens of Apple
ton, Me., and neighborhood. He
says: " Eight years ago I was taken
" sick, and suffered as no one but a
" dyspeptic can. I then began tak
" ing August Flower. At that time
"I was a great sufferer. Every
" thing I ate distressed me so that I
"had to throw it up. Then in a
" few moments that horrid distress
" would come on and I would have
" to eat and suffer
For that "again. I took a
" little of your med
Horrld "iciue, and felt much
Stomach ''be"er. and after
" taking a little more
Feeling. "August Flower my
"Dyspepsia disap
peared, and since that time I
" have never had the first sign of it.
"lean eat anything without the
" least fear of distress. I wish all
"that are afflicted with thn terrible
"disease or the troubles caused by
"it would try August Flower. as I
"am satisfied there is no medicine
"equal to it."
STANDS 'tsMEftn:
rTMASTIFr CUT FlfCj
cr , p 1 kiw Tnor CO.
pure rirginia pug cut
smokine tobacco that does not
bite the tongue, and is free from
any foreign mixture. More solid
comfort in one package of
Mastiff than you can get out of
a dozen others. Packed in
canvas pouches.
J. B, Pace Tobacco Co., Richmond, Virginia.
AMERICAN PLAN.
Our nlau of dolnc biibinchs is to hell everybody
on the Mime biiMs; if one jierbou buyB carloads
nud another Mode itcmx, of roun-c, the lnrKO
nuyer hivvh 111 the cost 01 huuiiiiiiK, nut we 11111K0
the Mime per cent, of nrotlt us on the one who
hjicudf a bliiKle dollar with Uh. ltoth are our
irienus nun eiiuiiuy weieouic.
Why should hnndl buyers be chiirpcd inoru
than ormtuiznlions iiKsnclatioiiH, coiubiniitioiiH
and iisgreuutloiia of cujiitiil except iik to quan
tity
FAVOR YOUR FRIENDS
And those who look out for your luterentH in
Miiull or Kreat mutters, and you will prolit by it.
Ask for our list of 10,000 articles at wholesale
prices (free). SMITH'S CASH STORE, 416-418
Front Street, San Francisco, Cal.
Faber's Golden Female Pills.
ForFcmalo Irregular
1 ties: nottiiutr like tliL-ra
on the market. Sevet
fail. Successfully uiied
by proialneut la liei
monthly. Gtirtrnuleed
to relievo supprtssed
xuenstniutlou.
SURE! SAFE! CERTAIN!
Pon't be humbiiRRpd.
Save Tlmo, Health,
andmouey;Uke no oth
er. Pent to any nddresa,
aecure by mall 011 re
celpt of price, liOO.
AadresK,
THE APHRO MEDICINE COMPANY,
Western Branch, Box 27, 1'OIlJTkANl), on
Bold by Wisdom IIroo fjo., Porfland Or
FRAZER AXLE
Best in the World!
Get the Genuine!
Sold Everywhere!
GREASE
Old Onld ami Miter Hnught; wni your old Gold
and hllrer bjrmall k the old nnd relUbKa hou.e of A.
OuleiUAa, 11 Third .trwt, tUa Kranciwo; I will .end bf
return inl tbe cash, acourdlui to ausiri U thn amount
U not utMfactorr. will return kuM
HUNTERS EDUIPMEKTS i.lfi
Vl.hlne Tackle. Et arm VbHmiv t , h.i.
?.,Jt,-.!,.V.l:.,,i".r'.1 ''"dfarCuialoic ie. r.KU.
, hlUtl. h, aaa hramy Ht. , hit 1 1 raticittco
JOHNSTON A LAWRENCE,
W H - -1 J4I (in HUMI
Plulnber, id Englneert' Supplies, H,ni
and Steam Pumpir Iron Hlpt. Hi"i. PlJ!
Coterlng . Lubrlcitor. Waler Motori, Fan
and Ventilators. Cash Regl.teu, Etc.
Wrlle fur riir
232 FIHSI ST.. PORILAND, OR.
i..in. a;.. I
l 4 fill . 1. 1, 1. 1
I
OtUEtlANLY!
ri-ViUllk lal-.lti . u I
a la. nil ffd. luu ii ! '
& ASTHMA i
X , I ...! . A
wMliMfHD Im)I
4Hi tHIk HIMIUW i W r. 1 ,ii, y,