LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 765, 2 December 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

MISTRESS EUPHEMIA. ( Continued.) Madam Templeton, a gentle old lady, loved Euphemia, albeit a certain degree of fear mingled with her affection for the highspirited girl; but Euphemia was always gentle to her, and Madam Templeton was unfeignedly glad to see her, and discussed the point-patterns that had been the ostensible reason of Mistress Wakvyn’s visit with a placid interest, talking over the mysteries of ‘points’ and ‘wheels,’ ‘bars’ and ‘edges,’ till poor Euphemia felt her brain whirl at the contrast between her own bitter thoughts and the subject on hand; nevertheless, this trivial talk was less trying than a more personal conversation would have been. Breakfast was served, and Euphemia tried to drink chocolate and talk cheerfully, all the time feeling as though she were in some horrible dream. The sunlight streamed into the room, and through the open window came the pleasant summer scents and sounds. It was all so entirely bright, she felt it as a mockery of her pain. And she must sit quiet, eating and drinking, laughing and talking, opposite the man she loved; powerless to prevent the evil that hung over him, of which she was the cause ; powerless to prevent his mother’s misery or her own great grief. Mistress Euphemia and Mr Templeton had not another opportunity of speaking together alone, and both felt this was not a time to tell their love to any third person, even his mother, or to let any stranger intermeddle either with their hearts’ bitterness or joy. So when, shortly after nine o’clock, William rose and ordered his horse, saying, in answer to his mother’s inquiries, that he had business near Exeter, and that Jack Radley was to call for him, that they might ride there ini company, Euphemia’s voice was steady and her eyes free from tears, as she went on working at a new lace-stitch, and explained it to Madam Templeton. A loud ring was heard at the hall door, and William hastened to it. lie knew who it was ; his friend Jack Radley, who had promised to act as his second. When he re-entered the room he bore Mr Radley’s respects to Madam Templeton, and his entreaty that she would excuse his dismounting, as they were in haste. His face was quiet, the eyes and mouth grave and tranquil. He had a hope of life now. In his inmost soul he half believed he could not die now that he had gained that which made life worth living for. He kissed his mother’s hand, then turned to Euphemia, and the loving look in which their eyes met was as full a farewell as the most passionate caress could have been; then bent to kiss her hand, and so was gone. Euphemia saw him and his companion ride down the garden path, saw them through the trees as they cantcrd swiftly along the green lane beyond; and as the trampling of their horses’ feet died away, a sick terrible fear crept over her heart. Could it be she had seen him for the last time ? She could pot bear the stillness of the room. She could not bear to look at Madam Templeton, working calmly in the sunshine, unconscious of the terrible blow that might soon fall upon her. The poor girl felt she needed swift motion, the rushing of the breeze in her face, the quick cutting through the air that only a rider can know ; anything that would carry her away from herself; and she ordered her horse, in spite of all Madam Templeton’s entreaties for her to stay. ‘ If the worst comes,’ she thought to herself, ‘ 1 will be with her, whenever she needs me; but now 1 must be alone, or I shall go mad.’ ***** ‘ What place of meeting have you agreed on, Jack '! ’ inquired Mr Templeton, as the two rode along. ' The long field near Tolcarn. We are safe there, and yet ’tis not far from Exeter and the doctors.’ * Ay,’ said William, and again relapsed into silence. ‘ This is your first affair ’ said Radley interrogatively. ‘ Yes.’ ‘ Ah, you’ll not think so much, of your second ; one grows accustomed to them very soon.’ ‘ 1 don’t fancy I shall ever have the chance of so doing,’ said William, smiling. ‘What, of growing accustomed to lighting ■ Why the deuce not? ’ * I think this affair will finish me.’

‘ Devil a bit! Why, man, Lord Wreford’s a rare swordsman, there’s no denying that; but, if I know anything of the game, yon are as near his equal as any man in Devon. * That may be.’ * And well practised, too, though you have only fought with foils. Pluck up a heart, Will! ’Tis the worst thing you can do to be so down at the mouth.’ This remark acting as its maker wished, Radley had no reason to complain of William’s gloominess after that. When the two friends arrived at the rendezvous, Lord Wreford was not to be seen ; so they paced the field up and down, Radley giving his companion various facts that he had learnt from a town friend 'concorning Lord Wreford’s manner of fencing. They had not been waiting many minutes when Lord Wreford and his second advanced from the other end of the field. Very handsome looked his lordship this morning, in his green riding dress and freshly powdered peruke; everything about him was point device, and showed no traces of his long ride ; nor did his clear hawk eyes, wonderfully fresh for a man of his age, betray any signs of his hard drinking the night before. There were not many words spoken ? an apology was again asked, and again refused ; and then the two men in God’s gracious sunlight, beneath His clear heaven, began striving, with all the might of eye and brain and hand, against each other’s life. It is only due to Willliam to say he was not bent on Lord Wreford’s life, being indeed far more intent on defending his own; but as by degrees he grew bolder, and found he could well protect himself against his opponent’s attacks, he began to take the offensive too, and the blades clashed faster and faster as the fencers grew more and more in earnest. ‘He’s doing better than I thought he would,’ said Radley to himself. ‘lf he’ll only be careful! He doesn’t see half that fellow’s moves, and— Ah, a hit!’ (To he continued .)