Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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r.iiwis >1. Christ, Proprietor.| 5,n $ni>ej>ntbtnf Jfamiln ftttospaper: Jfor flic |lromotion of t||t political, Social, ^gricaltural anb Commercial laterals of t|e Soiitj). |teRMS?$3.00 a year, in advance. YOL. SO. YOEKVILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1874. NO. 14. 1 - - " ? 4L.. knn/ifit Jn (Driipual Jdonr. Written for the Yorkville Enquirer. DESTINY; OR, HOT7!Vr>ET> DOWN. ( i BY NELLY MARSHALL McAFEE. CHAPTER XLIII. \ The last apartment into which McDonald was nshered, was Gadbury's private one. j Coolness had characterized the man's every raotion'tip to the present moment. The room i was lighted by several wax candles in golden ; girandoles. McDonald was almost agitated as Gadbury turned toward him. "You must hear me, before we enter into j 1 '? I1' 1 ri aoiri i any personal expiaimkiuu ; iuvuvu?.v. , vehemently ; "on my sacred honor as a gen-; tleman, I declare to you that I alone am guil-1 ty. Your wife is innocent. The shadow of reproach would be an unjust and cruel out- [ rage, and a most deplorable error, on your part! I went into the library without her ; knowledge of my intention to do so ! I had not been in the room ten minutes when you j entered. I acknowledge my love for her? | ray deathless passion. Necessity compels me j to confess it! Such affection outrages you. i I have always acknowledged that, and I am willing to make whatever reparation you may desire. But before I conclude, allow me to say that your wife is innocent of encouraging , me, and as far from evil-doing as an angel!" i The husband's smile was . one of mingled contemDt and derision. _ _ _ A "She is guiltless; I tell you the truth," per-, sisted McDonald, seeing the doubt in Gad- J bury's eyes ; "she slighted my passion, I was led away by it. I swore revenge. I" came here disguised. She penetrated it and ordered me away. I became angry and remained. I have sought to win her and failed. She remained true to you. You went away, and I was attempting to avail myself of your absence. Had you heard our conversation, you could have doubted her no longer. She could j not prevent my going into her presence. 11 did it deliberately, aud without her knowledge. | I swear this to you." Gadbury interrupted him coldly? "You have said enough. Any other man ! in your place would do as much. I would j myself. But understand, once and for all 1 time, what you say in defense of that woman j is useless. Leave her to exculpate herself. At present, we must talk of ourselves." "But, sir, I swear to you, on ray honor!" "In a like circumstance, if you took a false ; oath, sir, it would do you honor. I desire to say this much: The age of dueling has pass-1 ed away, aud yet this insult you have cast; upon my house can only be wiped out in blood. Either you or I must die!" His manner was careless. He was leaning on the mantel, toying with a German lamp, J all bronze and crystal, while he talked in very ' deliberate tones. McDonald bowed his head with his old, j ' 1 1 ?:.i mimitaoie, staieiy grace, auu sum us ijuinii as if they were engaged in discussing the boquet of Rhine wines? "I have outraged you, and it is for you to j determine what reparation at my hands will be satisfactory to you." "You owe tne your life" said Gadbury, i sternly ; "the High God only knows but I will | surrender mine to you before it is all over. I I must detain you a few moments longer, while I we make arrangements; then you will be at1 liberty." So saying, he politely offered a chair to McDonald and took another himself. "Need I assure you again," said McDonald, with dignity, "that whatever proposition you make I will accede to it?" "Then listen to me," said Gadbtfry, with a hauteur unsurpassable; "a moment since you spoke of that woman in such a manner that I inferred you would wish anything rather than that public shame should fall upon her?! shame in the face of the whole world, I mean, j If I have not mistaken your emotions, you ' will, indeed, accede to the proposition I shall ! make. We must conceal the truth about the j whole matter. The honor of this woman must not be stained, whatever happens ; for she bears the name of Gadbury, and the es-I cutcheon of our house has never been tarnished." "State your wishes,"said McDonald ; "I do j * not exactly comprehend your nieaning." Gadbury's tones were cold and deliberate j as ever. "When I entered the library and found my J wife in your embrace, had I struck you dead, j then and there, the law would have justified j me in the act." "Why did you not do it, then ?" said McDonald, slung to' desperation by the frigid,4 terrible bearing of his antagonist, and re-' solved, at any cost, to break down his reserve. ! "Oh!" said Gadbury, with unshaken imperturbability, "I did not do so for two J reasons: First, I had no neat weapon at hand, such as you wear ornamentally ; and the last b^st reason was, the body would have beefi in my way." "Oh! you could have left it lying in the woodland, or down among the cliffs," an-; swered McDonald, with a strange and bitter' smile. Gadbury regarded the speaker fixedly, and ; then resumed in an altered voice. "Through you all earthly happiness for me j has.beeu forever blighted; and yet because I! blame the woman more than I blame you, I offer you the same chance of living that I take myself. My life you may take?if luck J be on your side?but of ray honor you cannot ( rob me." "Am I to understand that you desire the ; duel to be private?without secouds, I mean ? j If so I agree to it. I believe you will be hon-1 orable, and I trust you will believe tSe same j of me!" Gadbury bowed with cold courtesy and I continued? "I desire even more than that, sir; I want the world to understand that it was owing entirely to accident. In no other way can we j possibly avert the scandal we so much dread." j "State your proposition," said McDonald. "Well, this is what I propose: To-morrow we will go out fishing with a party of fellows. We will take lunch along and plenty of wine. We alone will abstain ; but we will get up an j argument, and at a given signal from each j other we will fire. Whatever the result, it j will pass current as one of those unfortunate j affairs that happen every year. I hope you I find nothing in my plan to which yon could object. . i s "Nothing," answ.ered McDonald, indhTer-;i ently; "I desired that secresy should be main- < tained, and you have guarded against expos- < ure. I have no objection?not the slightest." I "Well, now let" us agree as to which one,] shall fire first," said Gadbury. *' < "That is a matter already decided," answer- 1 ed McDonald; "you are the man who has j I been wronged. Your grievance entitles you 11 to the first shot." ; I "I decline to accept such an advantage ; we < must let it be a matter of chance," said" Gad- J; bury. 11 "Well," repiied McDonald, "I can only ; i pass ray word to this effect?I will not fire j 1 first:' 1 i "I want you to understand this much," said j < Gadbury, "it is a la inort between us. If you ; have the advantage over me, I advise you to j take it; for if I have it ovet you, I shall not j ?-Mi i.i._ :4 I ( even give you warning, nut win iukc it m- - stantly." As he spoke, Gadbury produced a cup and j j dice and shaking them well, said : "Come, try ; your luck." M McDonald took the leathern cup tnechan- j1 ically. ' 1 "Six, five, ace?twelve," counted Gadbury,; with a face white as a dead man's. j 1 "Five, three, deuce?ten?twenty-two." Again McDonald shook the dice, and rat-,' tied them out on the table. "Five, four, three?twelve?thirty-four," i1 counted Gadbury. 11 Then he seized the cup and tossed? j? "Five, four, four?thirteen." A red flush came to his cheek. 1 "Six, six, deuce?fourteen?twenty-seven." ( The last throw came. j' "Ace, ace, ace?three?thirty." Gadbury had lost. 1 The color faded again from his face, and he carelessly said, as he restored cup and dice to their places? ' ' "Luck is on your side; but bear in mind i 1 this much, sir: if, when I give the signal, you J do not fire, or fire in the air, I shall take aim j1 * -i. T mieo mv filial " | 1 at your ueuru x sciuuiu ?>? ...j . He then produced two pistols, and loaded them both before McDonald's eyes. He then | handed one to him. "I shall trust you with yours ; trust me with miue." "McDonald put it aside. "To-morrow will j be time enough to take it," said he. | Gadbury bowed, and put them out of sight, j and turned once more to his antagonist, say-1 ing gravely? j "Every thing is now arranged. Aud before we parti desire to ask you one question. You will not refuse to answer it; you have I too much loyalty to refuse. Will you pass ; your sacred word to me that whatever the re-} suit may be, you will guard this affair with '< the utmost secresy ?" "If I live, I will," answered McDonald in a solemn voice; "and now / have a question to put to you. If I fall, what are your intentions j rocrn rHintr vnur wife?" "vb" e j , . Gadbury regarded McDonald with a fixed and narrow stare. "You have put a question to me," said he,; ' "and by what light? If any, I refuse to re- ; cognize it. Your inquiry is insolent, there- j fore, and I refuse to answer it!" "Perhaps I have no right. If I have, it is, indeed, a strange one. To me, and to me * alone, is this woman indebted for the loss and utter destruction of her happiness. It is too late now to dream of repairing the fault I have committed ; but I do desire?indeed, I must, as far as it lies iri my power?extenuate j its effects. Therefore I ask again, if I die to- ? morrow by your hand, what will be her fate ?" , Gadbury's air was dark and mournful; but f he kept his eyes persistently fixed upon the : 1 floor, and spoke not a word. i J McDonald betrayed deep emotion. "Listen to me," he said, appealingly; "that j I woman is innocent, and pure as au angel. iI Why will you not believe me, when over and | again I have vehemently protested it? If, s to-morrow, you avenge the wrong that has i been done to you ; if you wash out {he stain < of shame with my blood, why will not that i expiation satisfy and suffice you ? Have you 1 no mercy in your soul that you refuse to spare f her? Mark me, I do not crave forgiveness f hot- of vrmr hands ! T beseech nitv for her 1 *,v" J - . ? " I innocence! Do not render her more unliap- 1 py ; treat her gently! She deserves all this." 1 McDonald stopped abruptly and dropped i his face in his hands. His voice was utterly f choked with emotion. i Gadbury looked like a demon. 1 "She belongs to me," he said, harshly; "I ( am her husband, and I know exactly what I have to do. I recognize no right of human { being to interfere betweeu her and me J" "I understand you exactly," replied Mc- ( Donald ; "you intend to satisfy your cruel < thirst for vengeaujce on her as well as me. 1 You intend to make her die every day by i inches. You will not kill her at a blow.! * Short shrift is not satisfying enough to .your 1 heart." Gadbury made no reply. He merely rose ( from his chair and commenced putting out the s numerous light blazing about the room in glittering chandeliers, in sign .of dismissal, and as if to put an end to the discussion. i "To-morrow, sir, we will meet again," he ! i said finally, after having extinguished ull but I s one light; "we will waive further conversation i to-night." He turned to McDonald, as he j f spoke, with a cold aud ceremonious bow. | J "Grant me yetanother moment's audience," \ i said McDonald; "will you give me no assur- j ] ance regarding the fate of a woman my love ! I hoa ftpefrnvpd ?" | "I have no assurance to give you." i "Your answer is final ?" < "It is." , | j "Very well; so be it. I have ruined her j hopes of happiness ; but I will protect her. 11 That power is yet mine, and I shall use it not1 i only in spite of you, but I shall use it?against j < you." ( "Do not.open your mouth to utter another word to me," cried out Gadbury, with vehe-; i mence. j' McDonald's mettle was up. Although he 1 knew he had wronged and outraged the man ' who confronted him, conscience made no cow- ' 1 ard of him. He leaned back in his chair and ; 1 regarded Gadbury with the fixed, intense i stare of a lion ready to pounce upon his prey, j < "You are the murderer of Zaidee, the mulatto !" he said, in low, thunderous tones. Had he been struck, Gadbury could not >' have drawn back more suddenly, nor could ( his lips have become more contracted and 11 I steru. "It is unnecessary to deny my accusation," [ said McDonald, emphasizing every word he j jttered; "I witnessed the nuirder with my jwn eyes. I will write ray deposition to that ; jffect to-night, and give it to Dalaval. I can ;rust him. Nothing you can do or say will ! prevent his fulhlling my last bequest. If ij lie to-morrow, I will leave this injunction on him. I will bid him watch your course with ' the most inexorable diligence. I will adjure him to be Cecelia's protector, whenever the : time comes when you forget that yvur first luty is to protect her ! Dare to abuse her, or ( four position toward her, and when she shall jay to Dalaval 'Save pie,' that day, so help me God ! my deposition will be placed in the hands of a magistrate, and your doom will be 1 1 T"> - J Inr>/1 tt?ill clinrllir seaieu. x>egiuetf, uio nuwui?nu oi*v> v.^ scho the ruurder committed in its shades." At these words Gadbury lifted up a large jewel-hilted poniard and started toward Mc- | Donald, who, folding his arms and eyeing him I steadily, said calmly? "One body is enough to have in your way lust at present!" Gadbury let the poniard fall from his infu-! riated grasp, and said violently, although his ! voice quivered as though he would break i Jown any moment? "You are the guilty man?not I. I was the instrument; you?you were the murderer! j The woman knew the infamous secret of the : shame of the-woraau I once called my wife, j [f she came to her death by my hand, it was involuntary on my part. If you are a gentle- j man, knowing the circumstances as you do, j you will not dare to denounce me! It would i be an act of the most dastardly cowardice ; for i it would not only condemn me, but it would 1 eternally blight the woman you ere while i loved, and in whose fate you were interested." ' "I am conscious of everything. I love my | *ood name, too; but I will expose it?" "But I am her husband, and?" "I know all that! And I know, moreover, :hat the law will be on your side. If you invoke the power of the social world, it will un-1 ioubtedly answer your appeal; it will glory i n aiding you tocrush down and trample upon i helpless woman ! I have loved her, and : ove her now with a passionate and iutense ; levotion you were never capable of feeling; j tnd yet I will be powerless to aid her. If I j ived I would be forced to maintain silence, in j icknowledgment of your legal right over her. i Dead, of course so absurd a law would no ! onger exist for me ; and, dead, I can place i ny8eljbetween her and you. I have not the | jhoice of weapons, but I did not shrink from I iccepting the decree you named, and I have j 10 chance to Aid her, living; but to save her Vom your vengeful brutalities, I will expose j four murder. I swear it, here, face to face, j jefore the fatal shot silences my voice forever, j [ will inform on you !" "You are a coward !" gasped Gadbury, sink- j ng into his chair. McDonald regarded him with calm, unwa- j rering eyes, and said in deliberate tones? "Your insults are useless. To-morrow one ! if oneus will die; and mark what I tell you : Tf I fall, for your own salvation, you had best j lause then and there. For myself death has 10 terrors ; but life for her must mean liberty,j "espect, and peace. Reflect well before you j jutrage her ; for let the time come when it! vill.my shadow from the tomb will fall over |rou, shutting you out from life forever, and j \he will be free." I CHAPTER XLIV. Cecelia lay long iu the stupor in which she j fell after she recovered from her deathly j jwoon. She was confused utterly. She could ^ lot understand the state of her own feelings. ' she half fancied she had been sleeping and ; iad only awakened suddeuly, and she tried to ! lull her senses once more to repose. Only gradually a memory of what had , aiken place assumed position in her mind, she was half couscious that her posture was j painful, and opening her eyes, and becoming i sensible that she was dressed and lying on the I 3oor, all alone in the dark library, the whole I iccurtence of the evening came back to her ' n terrifying vividness. She hid her face in ler hands and shuddered ; but she did not rise. 3he felt degraded, and preferred to stay where ihe was. She wished that the breath would eave her then and there, so that when her husiand came to seek her, he would find only a ferra of cold insensible clay. But death did lot answer the voiceless prayer of her soul. 2U/> *11,1 nr>f rlio fttio lirrorl qnflpr mnrp J lie UJU UVb u IV. K^tiw ?< TW\? ?v MMMV* ? J | 'or her cup of sorrow was not yet 611ed.! suddenly a light flashed over her. She | >pened her eyes and looked up. There stood her husband. He regarded her ! i "moment in silence. "You are very foolish," he said, "to lie here 1 >n the hard floor. You will catch your death >f cold, and your body will ache with weari-' less. Come, get up and go to your room. It j vill soon be..day-dawn, and you must undress | lud seek a little refreshment in sound slum- j )er." ' * , | Cecelia rose to her feet, but tottered so-she j ;ould hardly stand, and she shivered and j ihook as if she had ague. He spoke to her again, very gently. "You seem to be alarmed. You have no) leed of fear; I would not harm you for the I ,vorld ; and it is strange that my presence ihould terrify you, as it evidently does. I i vould relieve you by absenting mjself; but! 'or appearance' sake, this night of all others, [ must pass in your apartment. I have been ibsent. You know my return is not autici- ! :iated, and my coming back thus, in the uight- j ;ime, might.arouse suspicion." There was not the slightest sigu of rage | about him. His manner betrayed the quietest I contempt. This bearing revolted her pride, ' and fired her with fresh courage. "Mr. Gadbury," she said, "I do not deserve ! ;o be treated by you iu this contemptuous , manner. I am innocent, iu deed or act, of cutragiugyou, and you have no right to con- j leinn me, unheard, as you are now doing." j "I ask nothing?I wish nothing?in expla-' nation," he replied, as they entered her room; 'all I desire for you to do is to undress, go to bed, and go to sleep?if you can." She tried to cross the room to go to him ; but she could not. His stern and fixed gaze held her spell-bound. She clasped her hands appealingly and faltered in low, trembling ac- j cents? j1 "I am not guilty. I am ipuoceut!" "Innocent ?" His tones burnt her in their , wrath. "I mean?I m?an?that I am not so guilty as you think I am !" He laughed savagely. Then he went to thelcueiiand picked uj> the shell work-box.1 It was locked. He cast it on the floor, shiv- j ering it into a thousand pieces, and pointed to I the miniature and the packet of letters enclosed. She endeavored to stoop down and pick them up, but her courage failed her, aud she fell buck on the sofa for support. "Tell me, with your eyes ou those," he said, | sternly, "that you are less guilty than I think! Tell me, with your eyes on those, that you , do not love Mr. McDonald!" "I do not." "Swear it." "I swear it!" she answered, in a low voice, opopfinor her head as she sDoke. a r "You lie! You perjure yourself?me? Heaven?when you take that oath, Minion !" j She gasped for breath, and gaining it, said i in feeble tones? "Have you read the letters? If so, you! know that of absolute disgrace I am not guil* j ty. I am culpable?I don't deny that; but I; have not forfeited the right to be forgiven. I j deserve that you should hate me?it is the ; merit due me ; but oh! God, ray husband, if; you could only comprehend what I am suffer-: ing, you would forgive me. When I became . your wife, I did not understand my own heart, j I had been a wife and a widow ; but I had I never felt enough to know what would make j me happiest. I was young and inexperienced. He came to me here ; and the old love with ' which be long ago inspired me, revived. But! I loved him without hope. Under your roof he has wooed me, but I am guiltless of shame, i Now you know all I have to tell. I am de- j spairing and wretched, and forever more degraded in your estimation ; but my honor is not lost. You have seen him. You have heard him ; for of course he told all this to you." Gadbury sneered. "You weigh his loyalty in a just balance, j He said hq had told nie all?and more." "And you do not believe his statement? ! i You do not believe mine ?" she cried out, wringing her hands in great despair. He made no reply; but put out his foot and ground the ivory miniature into atoms under his iron heel. Then taking the letters he threw them on the hearth, and striking a match, set fire to the packet. Then going over to her side, he clutched her by the shoulder, and pointed to the flames. "Do you know I have committed murder i on account of those letters ?" he asked, with 1 a cruel laugh, and a demoniacal light in his large, glittering eyes. Cecelia dropped on her knees at his feet and groaned. She was almost crazy. She applied the 1 words that he had uttered to McDonald, and moaned out, convulsively? i "Kill me, too! I lied! I do love him !? I do?I do ; and I had rather moulder with him in the grave than to live to be your wife! Kill me, 0, kill me!" . 1 He looked down on her, and if glances could kill, she would have died. Presently he said? "You have misinterpreted my words. I did not mean that McDonald was hurt. He ! is alive and safe." 11 Cecelia could make no reply. She kneltj i still before him, with her golden head bowed, I and her white hands clasped in an agony of: i despair over her beautiful face. Gadbury seated himself opposite her, and leaned his head back against the velvet cushions of his chair. The silence that ensued was broken only by | the tick, tick, ticking of the ormolu clock on 11 the marble mantel. A half hour passed. Suddenly, a low tap came against the pan-1 eling df the door, as if made by the flutter j of finger mills, and then an was sun. i^e- | celia rose to her feet and looked toward the I door. . "Pray be seated," said Gadbury, authorita- ! tively, and yet with a mock courtesy that did | not hide his anxiety. I Again, for a second time, came the low tap j I on the pauelling; and yet again, a little loud-1 er, as if made with knuckles. ! "You know what that is; it is a signal. I Explain it," said Gadbury, staring at his wife. | She was full of excitement. "I do not know," she said, impetuously. "It is McDonald. Open the door." "0,1 cannot," she said, trembling fearfully.j: "Obey me!" he thundered in his severest;: and harshest tones. She rose and opened the door. i Just over the sill had been thrust a little :1 note. She picked it up and handed it to her husband. "Shut the door," he said. She mechanically obeyed his order. i He opened the note and read silently : i "Ckcema: My passion has ruined you?von, whom I adore?you, lor whom I would sacrifice , my life?my very soul. But my regret and my despair avail naught now. I cannot drift out of your life, however, without telling you a truthhorrible and torturing though it may be to you. To-morrow bo and I are to light. If I die, my faultjis expiated. If he dies, you are free. When . I go out from your presence to-morrow, if you never see me again in me, you wm imu it lonuro to live with him. Your endurance will bo taxed to the utmost. If he never comes to you living ! again?O, God ! the visions that enchant me! One tiling you must never doubt: in life or death, I , am yours forever. Farewell, my Cecelia! A few j hours will decide our fate. My passion has ruin- j ed you ; but its devotion pleads for your pardon, j "Iuvino McDonald." j When he finished the perusal of the note,'. Gadbury handed it to his wife. He never ! uttered a word. She took it, and with dull eyes gazed on it. He waited for some time, aud then said,' with a fiendish expression? "Do you read what he says ? Do you un-!1 derstand him ?" "No, I cannot!" she answered, pitifully ;j "ray brain is in such a whirl that I do not j know whether I do understand liira. He 11 la 1 Ira nf dpflt.h." Gadbury disdainfully curled his lips. "Does the death mean you or him ?" she asked. "It concerns you much, which it means,; doesn't it?"" ' I "You are not really going to fight?" she , exclaimed. , "What superb intuition you have!" he said,: sarcastically; "your intelligent mind prompts ^ you to a direct and proper conclusion ! You 11 are?or were?my wife. You deceived me,' and I will fight your lover." "Oh ! God," she cried, half frantic with ! despair, "think of it! You will fight?and ' fight over me?when I am so unworthy and so j1 wretched. Oh I do not run the risk ! I am ' the one to die?kill me! I am the guilty , one 1 I am the one who deserves punishment. Do with me as you like; shut me up in a j prison ; poison me ; starve me?anything, 11 rather than run the risk of death yourself, ' when you are so innocent." He laughed sardonically. "I understand your panegyric," he said, i folding his arms across his chest and fixing his regard upon her; "I understand it. You are afraid that I will kill the man." "Ah ! I am afraid for you?for him?for myself?for all of us ! Oh ! it will kill me j if blood is spilled on my account. I am a j willing victim. I want to die. Kill me ; but do not fight with him ! You will be killed!" Again he laughed sardonically. "You seem to forget that if I am killed, j you 'will be free! ' " he said. She leaned back in her chair and panted , 1 I??u iUt un uicaui. "Oh ! your words cut like knives," she moaned, as he bent over her with fierce and flashing eyes. "Ifhe kills me to-morrow, as you prophesy," he said, "some day, he will ask you to be his , wife. If you obey him, my undying curse will rest on you as a blight?I will curse you j both, and curse your unborn children!" "Oh ! have pity on me! I am ill?I am ; dying!" she gasped, in deep agitation. Gadbury looked coldly at her, and saw that she spoke truly. He unfastened her dress, carried her to the bed, and placed her on it. Then noticing that she had somewhat recov-1 ered, he returned to his chair and sat there ; gazing on her, with his head on his hand, until | the light of a new day broke in the rosy and | golden East, and the great still white stars, | one by one, faded out into immensity. The morningsun shone on another scene in another apartment at the Bluffs. There lay Dalaval, sleeping as only the ! happy and good do sleep, with the yellow light playing over his bright hair and fresh ; boyish face. Suddenly his comrade entered, j "n'l nninir iKo hprt shrink him violently. i?uw 8v..,b ^ "The Devil seize you!" he cried, lifting up < his sleepy eyelids and descrying McDonald, standing by the bed-side. "Get up, Dick !" said McDonald, shaking j his listless arm once more by way of urgency. | Dalaval turned over and pulled the bed- J clothes closely around him. "I want to sleep, i Be off with you !" he growled. "For God's sake, wake up, Dick ! I must j talk to you !" he said piteously. "0, it's that urgent, is it!" said Dalaval, j yjojoughly aroused by the man's imploring ; l^pnnd leaping from his couch ; "what on I earth is the matter?" he asked, hastening his toilet. "You must go to Harrodsburg." "Indeed ?" "Yes ; for I am going to fight Gadbury today. He knows all?" " IfTlatf" ejaculated Dalaval, in horror and amazement. Then McDonald explained to him, hastily, the events of the past night, and continued: "I want you to do me a favor. Can I count on you r "Always," responded Dalaval, pressing McDonald's outstretched bauds, and feeling the moisture of tears diming his eyes, in token of that sympathetic emotion that must fill every brave man's heart when he sees a friend facing manifold and unknown dangers. "This," said McDonald, handing J)alaval a sealed envelope, "contains a note for you, in which you will find all my wishes fully written out. It will tell you how to act, according to circumstances. This sealed paper you will put in the hands of a magistrate; but not unless the circumstances to guide you should occur. Aud this is my will, i have no living relatives, and you are my heir." Dalaval turned away. He was choked with emotion as lie replied? "Oh ! did I not tell you, at the very outset, that this affair would terminate tragically ? Did I not warn you ?" "Yes?but it is only for unhappy Cecelia, that I care. I haven't a thought for myself. It is the man's will cbot one of us should die. 3o I have agreed to let him shoot at me, aud I to shoot at him. But fte have not a mo-1 raent to lose. Go right off to Salvisa, and there hire a horse ; go post-haste to Harrodsburg. Here is my purse. I have no more j use for money." Dalaval took the pocket-book and the pa-1 pers. He then finished his toilet as hasitily j os possible. "Count on me, dear McDonald, j as you would count 011 yourself," he said, em- j bracing his friend with all the tenderness of a woman ; "if he kills you, I will avenge your death ; if he harms her I will save her from his fury." And with that he belted on a pair of pistols and hid about his person a huge bowie knife. "Good bye, old fellow," said he, in extreme agitation that was in marked contrast to the awful calm that rested on McDonald. The tears welled up in his eyes, n? lip muttered. "T am unmanlv. but I can't ! help it." "Make haste and begone!" interrupted McDonald, pushing Dalaval toward the door, as if in a hurry to be rid of him. "Coufound the women ! I wish they were j all in mediasres or gummed fast with bitumen to the bottom of the Dead sea!" "Go! go ! Dalaval," urged McDonald. "Kemember this: Kill him if you can ! i He wouldn't spare you ! Shoot him just as j you would a wild duck !" These were Dalaval's farewell words, and j then he went out, softly closing the door after j him. A few minutes later, McDonald, watching ^ from his chamber-window, saw Dalaval plod-1 ding along at quick speed, and he knew that j he would fulfill his mission to the letter, fie | knew that he might, indeed, count on his' loyal friendship through life?even unto i death. [conclusion next week.] To Test Water.?An English technical periodical points out an easy way of testing I whether water is good and fit for general use. j j Ft qouu. u';ifpp should he free from . color, unpleasant odor and taste, and should quickly aflbrd a lather with a small portion of soap. If half a pint of the water be placed i in a perfectly clean, colorless, glass-stoppered ; bottle, a few grains of the best white-lumped i i 3tigar added, and the bottle freely exposed to 1: the daylight in the window of a warm room, j i the liquid should not become turbid, even 11 after exposure for a week or ten days. If the : water becomes turbid it is open to the grave , i suspicion of sewage contamination, but if it h remain clear it is almost certainly safe. We I owe to Heisch this simple, valuable, but hith- j erto strangely neglected test." I _ I 8?y A Nevada postmaster has written to < Washington to know if he can rent part of i the office fot a faro bank. t Hfi?ttUaw0U]$ gUMiitg. AN ACT To Provide for Granting Certain Charters. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Caro-' lina, now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same : Section 1. That from and after the passage i of this act,'charters for churches, cemeteries, ! fire, hook and ladder, and military companies, Free Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights i of Pythias Lodges, charitable and religious institutions, or societies, labor, agricultural, j manufacturing, industrial, or other like socie-1 ties and companies, shall be granted by the j clerk of the court or tne county wnerem mejr reside, or propose to carry on business or hold property. Any person desiring to obtain a charter, as provided in this act, shall make application for the same to the clerk of the court; and if, within ten days, fifty persons of the county, who may be affected or interested by the granting of the same, shall, in writing, object to the granting of such charter, the clerk of the court shall refuse to grant the same, provided he considers the objections , sufficient grouuds for refusal, until the matter , shall have been submitted to the judge of the | circuit, whose duty it shall be to decide, either j for or against granting the charter, as shall, in his judgment, be deemed best, arid to ren-, der such decision within ten days after the case shall have been submitted, to him. If the judge refuses to grapt the charter, then the person desiring such charter, may apply j to the General Assembly for the same. If no objection, in writing, be made, the clerk of the court shall grant such charter, in the following manner: Provided that thirty days' public notice be given by the parties applying . for a charter under the provisions of this act, by publishing notice of the same, in one of the papers of the county where the same may be granted. And hereafter all associations or societies named iu this act, shall, before ap- [ plying to the General Assembly, give ninety days' public notice,~ iu like manner, before their application can be introduced or considered. , CLASS 1.. i Section 2. All labor, agricultural, rpauufac- j turing, industrial, mining, or other companies, or associations ofllke nature,shall be incorporated as follows: When a majority of the j members of any such company or association | otio 11 nofitinn tn thp clprk of the COlirt of the w...... X"~ county, wherein such association or company ' may be located, asking for a charter, the clerk of the court shall grant and issue to such per-1 sons the charter asked for, if no objection be j made, as provided for in section 1 of this act. j The charter shall read as follows : "Know all men that, in accordance with an i act entitled'An act to provide for granting < of certain charters,' approved the 20th day of February, A. D., 1874, that, on the day of , A. D., 187-, a majority of the members, (or stockholders, as the case may . be,) of the , having, by petition, ap- j plied for a charter for the said ; there- j fore, know all men by these presents, that! , citizens of the State of , to- J gether with such other persons as now are, or may hereafter be, associated with them, and [ their successors be, and they are hereby, made i and created a body politic and corporate, un-1 der the name and style of the ; and,' by said name, they are hereby made capable j in law to carry on and conduct the business j of , and to exercise all the powers suit-1 able and proper for that purpose, and to hold, j purchase, receive, work, sell, mortgage, lease, 1 onJrur onrJ rofoin t/1 ttiom t Vip! ?--BnOf>PSSnra flllll 1 assigns, lands, tenements, goods and chattels,! of whatsoever kind, as may be deemed by them conducive to the objects and interests of said corporation. The said corporation, by its corporate name, may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any court of this State, make and use a common seal, and alter the same at will and pleasure, make, alter and amend such by-laws and regulations as shall be deemed proper by them, not repugnant to the laws of the land. The capital stock of said shall not at any time exceed the sum of -dollars, nor less than dollars. The stock to be paid for either in money, real estate, leases or machinery ; and said stock shall be divided into as many shares as said corporation may determine, and may be made assignable and-negotiable under such rules as may be prescribed by the by-laws of said corporation. The meetings of the stockholders may be regulated by the by-laws of the said corporation, with the power to elect such officers as may be deemed necessafy for the purpose of conducting the business of the same." class 3. ' ' Section 3. When ten or more members of auy church shall petition to the clerk of the court of the county wherein such church may ; be located, or is to be erected, asking to be incorporated, the clerk of the court shall grant' ? ? i 11 t* _ i and issue the same in tne rouowmg iorru : "Know all men by these presents that in accordance with an act entitled 'An -act to j provide for granting of certain charters/ ap-j proved February 20, A. D., 1874, and on pe-, tition asking for a charter that f and their associates and successors, members of the church, are hereby constituted and declared a body politic and corporate, under the name and style of the Church of \ county." Said corporation shall have power to purchase and hold real estate or personal property, not exceeding in value the sum of dollars, and to sell and convey or dispose of the same in any manner whatever; and, by its corporate name, to sue and be J sued in any of the courts of the State, and ! to make such rules and by-laws^ not repugnant to the laws of the land, as may be deemed necessary; to make, use and keep a common j Beal, and the same at will to alter. , class 3. Section 4. Charitable and religious iustitu-1 tionsand societies, and all other societies of a * Hfoanna FaI ll&G imtuic, (UUlUUlUg A ivv/ , wvv ?.v. , lows and Knights of Pythias lodges, and tem- j perance societies and social and debating ; clubs shall be incorporated, when a majority j of the officers and members pf the same shall j petition the clerk of the court asking for such , charter in the following form: "This is to certify that' on petition of a majority of the officers and members of ! association, (or lodge or society, as the j case may be,) praying for a charter in pur-1 suance of an act entitled'An act to provide | for granting certain charters/ approved Feb-! ruary 20th, A. D. 1874, therefore, "Know all men by these, presents, j and their associates and successors in office be, and they are hereby declared to be, a ' body politic and 'corporate, under the name I and style of the of the county of i , State of South Carolina, and by their corporate name may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any of the courts of this State, to have, use and keep a common seal, and the same at will to alter, to contract and be contracted with, buy, sell, acquire, hold and enjoy so rartch real estate as may be necessary for. furnishing offices and for carrying on the business of the same, with power to lease, rent or convey the same, subject to such rules and by-laws of the society (or association;) may, also, adopt such by-laws and regulations as ihay be deemed proper, the same not repugnant to the laws of the land, and shall have power to receive any: ;ift, grant, contract, devise or other donation, either by will, subscription or otherwise, of eal or personal property, and may sell the lame, provided the amount received from such sale be reinvested in. securities iur me oc.iciiu of the society." , Section 5. Military organizations, 6re, hook and ladder companies, shall be incorporated when "a majority ofthe members shall petition the clerk of the court for such a charter. A charter shall be issued by the said clerk in the following form: "Know all men, That, in accordance with an act entitled 'An act to provide for the granting of certain charters,' approved the 20th day of February, A. D. 1874, that on petition of that the and the several persons who now are, or may hereafter become members of the?' and their associates and successors in office be, and are hereby, declaredj'to be a body politic and corporate under the name and style of the of county, and that the said corporation may, by its corporate name, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any of the courts of the State, and shall be able and empowered to purchase, have, hold, enjoy and possess, any goods, chattels, lands, tenements, or real estate of whatsoever kind or uature which shall be purchased, bequeathed, or in any manner acquired by them, and the same or any part thereof, may alien, sell or convey at their will and pleasure: Provided, however, That the. property as held shall not at any onetime exceed the sum of twenty thousand dollars, and the said corporation shall have power to-make, keep and use a common seal, and the same at will to alter, and shall have all the rights and privileges that now are or may hereafter be given by law to corporations of like nature iu this State. Section 6. Universities, academies, and other institutionsof learning may be incorporated by petition to the clerk of the court of the county wherein the same may be situated, signed by a majority of the trustees or board of control of the same, and the said clerk shall issue and grant the following charter : . t "Know all men by these presents, That on petition of in accordance with an act entitled 'An act to provide for. the granting of certain charters, approved February 20th, A. D. 1874, That and the several persons who now are or may hereafter become trustees of the and their associates and successors in office, be, and they are hereby, declared to be a body politic and corporate under the name and style of the trustees of the of county, for the purpose of organizing, governing and conducting a in the county of , in the State of South Caro Ihia. Said corporation may, oy tneir corporate name, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, use and keep a common seal, and make such rules and by-laws as they may deem necessary and proper for the regulation, government and conduct of said ; Provided, such by-laws and rules are not repugnant to the laws of the land. The said trustees may appoint such officers as they may think necessary and proper for the organization and, government of their own body. Aud should any vacancy occur in the board of trustees, by death, resignation or otherwise, the said board shall have power to fill said vacancy. The said board of trustees and their successors shall have and hold all the estate, property and funds now belonging to said and all property, funds, moneys, donations, legacies aud devises which may hereafter be granted, conveyed, bequeathed, devised or given to said in trust, nevertheless, for the use and benefit of said . The President shall have power and authority to confer and award such distinction, honors, licenses and degrees as are usually, conferred by similar of the United States." Section 7. Jockey, yacht, sporting, shoot ? 1. Urt olmilnr nafttrn lUgf gtillJC ur uilltji u1uu0 ul 01luiji*& umbutv may be incorporated as is provided for military organizations by this act, the amount of property not to exceed the sura of fifty thousand dollars. The corporators shall be made jointly and separately liable for all debts incurred by such incorporation, or agencies of the same. Section 8. That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act, the secretary of State shall furnish blanks to the clerks of court in*the various counties. -The blanks to be printed in accordance with the provisions of this act, an,d setting . forth the privileges granted such corporations, leaving sufficient space od the same tp insert names, places, capital stock and name of corporation. Said blanks shall be of good pap?r, and not less than eighteen inches loug by fourteen inches wide. Section 9. When any person shall apply for a charter as provided for by the provisions of this act, the clerk of the court shall cause the same to be filled out, signed by him and sealed with the seal of the court; Provided, nKinnli'nno oki <1 Q fl 1 fi Pfl 111 SeCMOU UU UUjCVliVUO ui V UJMWV) MW r 1 of this act; said clerk shall also make a duplicate of the said charter, aud file the same in his office. She clerk shall receive a fee of three dollars for each find every charter sbgrantefl, to be paid 1by the corporators, except for churches, the fee for which shall be one dollar; and in case any charter shall be granted by the General Assembly, the incorporators shall pay five dollars to the secretary of State for each and every certificate of incorporation signed and-sealed by him. All companies, societies or associations that are now incorporated shall be entitled to be rechartered tinder the provisions of this act. Approved February 20tb, 1874. t MARRIAGE CUSTOMS IN OLD BRITAIN. When the Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain, the patriarchal system was in full force. The fatheV was absolute master intiis ojvn family ; he sold his daughter in marriage, his son in slavery. When St. Augustine landed in the island, the maiden" was a simple article of property, her price fixed at so many head of cattle. The primitive mode of procuring a wife was this: When a youth had fixed his choice on a maiden, he went with a band of friends and carried her off, probably with her secret eonniyance. The relatives followed in hot pursuit, a.feud between the families ensued, ahd was' only appeased by the lover agreeing to pay the value fixed upon by the father fo^ retaining possession of the maid, he giving a "wed," or security for his performance of the "contract?hence the word wed ding. This custom of stealing the bride is as ancient as the Spartans, arid is still kept up in Brittanjr, where it forms one of the ceremonies of the m'arriage festivities. The bargain made, the amount of the "morning gift" settled upon, the' contracting parties took each other by the hand and proclaimed themselves man and wife ; the ring was placed on the left hand ; and the father having received the purchase money, delivered his daughter over to'her husband. The transfer of authority was made by a symbolical gift; the father delivered the tjridfe's shoe to the bridegroom, and the latter toudbed her over the head with it?a ceremony which took its origin in the custom of placing the foot on the neck of a slaVe, and was typical of the wife's, subjection to her husband?a Ceremony still pre? served in the popular custom of "throwing the shoe." The aay after the wedding, the bridegroom gave the "morning gift"?supposed to be voluntary, but according to the value stipulated. It was general among the Teutow race, and often estates of some value were thu# bestowed. When Athelstan's sister Eadgirth, married the Emperor Otho, his "morning gift" was the City of Madeburg. "Came to his death" While being hit on the head with a long-handled stew-pan in the hands of his wife," wasthe verdict of a recent case in Illinois.