Avenged At Last

COPYRIGHT. 18901 f CONTINÚES. ] Evi'i-y man D.xcep . Lard who had warned Porcy jumped to his foet. "Sir," they said in unisón, "what do you mean ly thia insult?" "Procisely what I said," llie cool and undaunted Englishman repliod. "Such insults may pass unnoticod in England," said Mr. Emerlok, vvith assumcd hauffhtlnesa, "bat here things are different. The insult whloh you havo offered us can only le wiped out in onc way. " "On the modern French planor in tho stern reality?" asked Perey, whocould not rcsist the temptation to hurí a sneer at the man for whom he had conceived such astrong disliko. "We have but one plan hcre," spoke up a tal 1, mustaohed Spaniard, "and that is to fight to the deatli. " "Undoubtcdly a very good one, too, but do you propuse that 1 should fight each of you singly, %v i 1 1 you all pounce upon me at once, or do I take my choice oí opponent?" was Percy'a rcply, made as easily as thougb lio was engineering his way on an unfamiliar stroet. The Spaniards at once eommenced speaking rapidly to oach other, at the samo time casting angry glances at Percy, but he never flinehed. During thls conversation IVrcy's thoughts chased oach other through his mind wíth lightning swiftness. If he fought. liis opponent must bo this man Emericlc. And what if Emerick should provo the bettor man? In that case it inight nover ho learned who he really was. lie felt that ho liad made a mistako in offending fuese hot-headed Spaniards. 'i' ono who vvould probably pender him assistanoe, but even he eor.M not bi) relied upon. Peroy liad no faith at all in monof their nationality. Ín a tew momont's tbey ceased thcir coníab, and Mr Emorick, acting a3 spokesiitan, said: "We bave decided that you must either mime one of us gentlemen to ■ fight with weapons which you shall be allo wed to choose or prepare to be treated as a coward and a liar." "It is hardly possible that I shall choose the latter," answerod Percy. "It is not exactly natural to an Englishman to back out '..hen there is anyfighting in prospect, so I accept your proposition. This gentleman on my right will perhaps act, as my second. " The man alluded to was the one he had walked home with a week before, and he afreed to act for Percy. Then Lovel pondered for ;i moment beforo ho proceeded to name his opponent. Each of tho Spaniards stood eying him as much as to say: "Oh, pleaso take me; I would like to spill a litlle of your cold English blood on the fertile plains of this Republic; onlygivo me the chance." Tho coolest of tho lo: was Mr. Emerick, who socmed as uneoncerned and indifferent as Lovel himsalf. But Percy was not consldering whom he should fight; on that point his mind was fully made up. He had other tlioughts in his mind. He seemed, as it were, in a trap. He knew f uil wi'll 'uit ir he furtner ineurred tho anger of these men he might novei' leavethe place alive, and his body might float out on the next tide. to the occan. It was a bold break he was about to Ddako, but it meant a great deal. If ho was to bo killed, he v.anted to know who killedhim If he killed, he proposed to know whoni ho had killed. He stood erect, his enemies !eing on one side the table and himself on the other. Looking Mr. Emorick straight in the eyes he riveted that gentleman's gaze in such a marnier that there was no escape. Thon in a ele;::', calm voico ho uttered the words: "Leon Velasquee, I will fight you." But if Mr. Emerick was indeed Velasquez, Percy's words took no apparent effect, for not a muscle of the merchant's face moved as he replied: "There is no one of that name in the room; to whom do you refer?" "To you," answered Percy; "but I will fight you nder any name you wish. " "I fail to u aderstand why you should address me by any name other than my own, but our aeconda will make arrangoments, and I am prepared at any time to meet you." was the reply. The tall Spaniard and the gentleman whom Percy had named as his second then held a cousultation and soon decided that the meeting should take place at daylight in a secluded spot to the northwest of the town. Percy choso to fight vvith rapiers, as he was tolorably skillful in the use of Siiose weapons and feit more certain of gotting fair play. All arrangement heilig completad. 1 'e rey and his second at onco made their departure. There was still time for a fewhours' sleep, and Percy decided to take advantage of it. But no sooner had Percy and his friend departed than the tall Spaniard and Mr. Emerick were again in onsultation. "That Englishman must never leave tliis country alive," he said, "and I can not and will not run the risk of fighting him. He is probably a skilied swordsman or would not choose such weapons, and since there must be no mistake aboat his being disposed of, other means must be resorted to." "That will be easy enough," replied his second in Spanish. "You go to bed and get a few hours' r;st an 1 I will attend to the rest." "Do this and you shil bo well paid," said Mr. Emerick. The Spaniard apparently entertained no yery high ostimate of Emerick's promises and thought it would bo better to hava something on account So he demanded a payment in advance, and upon his desires being satisfied he left tho house and made his way into the town as fast as possible, to find suitable men to carry out his plans. Asdavlisrbt dawned revc.y and "pcouU arrived on the spot whlch hart been ajrreed upon. They wore flrst on the scène, bul bad not Ion to wait, as Mr. Emerick aml his sccond arrivcd soon aflor thom. It took but a short time to prepare íor the flght, and when ready the seconds were standing a short distanoe from the met) v.ho, devoid of coat and vest, stood facinir eaOh other. The word was given, and they rneasurcd swords. Thon as they crossed, Percy heard a rush behiiül him, end in anothcr Instant a clo'ak was thrown over Uim and he was torced violently to tho ground. His Struggles vvere in rain, and a moment knor ho feit his feet being tied by rougb hun lie siifFered intonso pain The m-xt thing ho knew he ivas being carried omewhere, thoug-h in vrbicb direction lie had not the faintcst Idea. Once be heard hig second'a voice expostulating, but only for a socond. He writbed and strujrled, paying no attention to the injunctioa of liis captors, given in Spanish, telling him to keep quiot. Finally, tired of bandling sueh a troublesome load, ono of thom struck him a heavy blow on the hoad which stiinned and effectually quleted him. He remen) bered do more un til some hours after, when ho rame to his sonsos wlth a terrible pain in bis head, and realized'that he was boing conveycd in some vehicle without sprints ovor a very rough rood. What bis thoughts and feelings were can botter be imagined than described, but his chagrín at not being pormiltod to pass his sword tbrough his enemy's body surmounted all othcr feelings. Whlther he was being carried lio could form no sort of calculation. One ihing he was tbankful for, and that was Ufe; for so long as that was loft he cherished tne hope that ho might fmd doliverance. Ho was too mucb exbausted to remain conscious long and soon sank aain into a comatose stato Meanwhile, Mr. Emerick Te tu raed to his house, sottlod with the Spanish rascal who had englneered the outrage on Lovel and appearedat ihe usual time at his office as if ootbing out of the ordinary coursc had bappened within tne past few hours. lie waa little afraid that any dlsclosure uould bc made, for he know full well that the Spaniard who liad aoted as IVivy's second would nevcr daré to saj a w.jrd of what had happened. lest the othor membera of the gang should Injure him. Of the others, he liad no can i u Ir; afraid. In the afternoon of the Bame day Mr. Emericli receivcd a cable message from New Vork stating thüt his partner had died that morning lloro was a dilemma ■ for the merchant. Ilew sliould he act? If he roturnect to Xew York he ran a risk of again meeting that woman solling newspaper-s; oí ho might moet other equally. to him. disagreoable people. Still his business was worth saving or selling (for, whatever the secret history of this man ISmerick, and whatever the reasons he had for playing hido-and-scek v.itli his fellowmeñ, he was undoubfdly a clevor man of businoss) and he liad run greater risks than he imaginad ho Incurred by re-visiting New York. So after weirhing all the pros and cons, he decided to sail for the Empire City by tho next steamer. chaptki; xii. I'reparalions for his departure kopt Mr. Emerick at his oñice all day and far into the night for the next few days. II liad decided to sell out his business entirely and was disposing of his stock of goods botli in the warehouse and in transit for any amount which they would realize. He appeared to be in a state of intense excitement which was rather unnatural for him, as he usually maintained an exceedingly quiet demoanor I!ut the occurrences of the past few days had apparently unnorved him. Ilis anxiety to get away was undisguised and at times ho had good cause to fear that hisdesires would not be accomplishod Disposing of the stock was an easy matter, luit niany of the outstanding bilis duo the firm wore difficult to sottle in a sattsfactory manner, and many had to DO relinquished altogether One night as ho sat at his desk, very late, he heard a knock on the door and upon opening it was confronted by the tall, swartliy Spaniarü who had hired the men to maUo away wuli Percy Lovel. Emcric'k locked tho door after admitting his vlaltor, then turning to him with an evil look in his 03-0, said in Spanish, which !a:;guage thoy always used in conversing with each other: "What does this lato cali mean?" "I want this dirty business setlled," replied tho Spaniard in any thing but a pleasanu toac; thereupon a heated conversaüoii ensued "Wliat (lid yon do with the Engllshman?" "Ile is sixi.v miles up the country safely gnarded by some trust y frienda of mino." "But your agreement was that kis body should lloat out on tho noxt tido." The easy manucr in which these words carne from Mr. Emerick would have made an ordinary listener's blood run cold, but the Spaniard sat stolid and unmoved. Ile evidently undorstood the extraordinary nature of the merchant and with no more excited oxclamation than a "Ugh." he said: "1 changed mj mind." "Chansrail y ■ mindl í-'nv ivhat reason'.'" "Wol l, l : ■■:, r ' 1 1 n wou Id be bet to have a full sol I ■, tont with you Ijofore 1 had the curly-haired linglishman's blood on niï bands " "And Hi ■'.. I presume, is tho purpjse of this vi ■ "Nothlng more." said tbe Spaniard. This soomed fj irrii ai ■ i h m irebant and li iarply "Pray, ivhatproof am I i i bavo tbat you will curry out your contract if I p:i, you?" "My v.i.nl of bonor as a gentleman and soldier." "Yonr ;,..)■' A man ivbose hunds aro is deeply dyed in blood aa yours can not know mueh of bonor." "I havo si i: i :n lef t lo stand my ground and But fair when occasion demand.s ;. peí Jiatory response which Mr. Emei'ic ; heard as he met tho Spaniard's wlthoring gaze. "I sball rofuse tu pay you until I know posltively tbat this Mr. Huntly as he calis bimsetf is dead," as Mr. Kmeriek's reply "Thon the priaoner will be set free at oncoand take the first boat back to this city." "Let him como," said Mr. Kmerick, deflantly. "You will have to fight him if he does," said the Spaniard, in a sneering tono. Now, if thero ivas any thing under the su ti whicb Mr. Emerick disliked it was a fair. stand-up ñght, no matter what tho woapons wore. It would never do fui bim to moet Percy Lovel and be knew It, so bisonly coorse was to setílo uiih i lio Spaniard and run the chances of his finishing iho vvork. After a momcnt's reflfction ho went toa safe in tho c irner, iullv counted out the amount andban fdítover "You nave saved yoursolf agreatdeal of trouble," wa niard's romark as he pocketed the ivealtt) ''Tho vigilantes ai' makiug inquiries rogardinff th;1 missing man Tho hotelkeeper has reporto. I tue cuse, and if it should b; learnod that he speDt tho night at your house some very unpleasant inquirí"-, muy be made Liesides, I am not .sure a bout Miguel Castillo; he may turn traitor af ter all. lio and the Englishi:i;.ii were on vory friendly terms to jude f.-om the looks which they gave eacb othor While tl ere being uttered Mr. B lek's face was livid, he clinched li B il and betrayed an intensely exciicl state ofraind. "In two days I shall be away from here, and if you cany out your contract there will bo notliing for me to fear," said Mr. Emerick "You may rely upon my doing it," was tho aoswer. SayinK which tho Spaniard rose to leavo, and two minutes later ho was on tho Btreot. About half an hour had elapsed since the Spaniard's departure. Mr. Emerick was plodding away industriously at his desk, and ono by one was disposing of the numerous papor.s piled before him. Another half hour and he would have finished tho vvork he had made up his mind to accomplish that night. But no; he was doomed to another interruption. A gentío tap on the door, an inquii'y: "Who's there?" and there came a reply in a soft voico of a woman: "Open the door; i t isa fiicnd." In an instant the door was oponed, but a look of hate greetod tho woman, who was tho same person Percj Lovel liad seen enter the carriage after leaving tho concert hall. She was taken aback, such a reception bein;,' totall y unexpocted by her. "What do you WüDt liere'.'" s;iiil Mr. Emerick, in his surllest tone. "1 want to sne you; thoy toll mo you are going away?" waa the woman's inquiring romark. "Well-whatof it?" "Are yon going to take me with youV" she asked. "Ilow absurd!" replied the merchant. "But you promlsed me that I should go to Now Yi.i li with yoii whenever you went Ui ere." said the ornan, in a pleading voice It was in a S0D6 01 crueilesl irony that Mr. Emerick aaiiJ "Vour aspirations in that respect were too sincere." "What! do yon mean lo teil me that you werp not i:i earnea',?" ejaculated the woman "Did you ever believe lor a moment that a reputable merebant would ever appcarin New Vork society with Belle Lorimer, the varieiy actross, who has trippeii on rui y Btajre in liurope and has been tho subject of a hundred scandals, at liis heels'1" he asked, with a cynical smile "I believed that I as dealing with an honorable man, Imtit seems 1 am deceivecl," replied che actresB "Thls is a world of deccils, iny dear Miss Ijorimor So mucti so that one ought to become aecustomed lo it," was the unooncerned rejoinder. "Yes. but lli.' man lio deceives me had bettor think crefullj before he acts. Mv name bas been bandled about by thoughtless women and slanderous men on all parts of the globo, and 1 have calmly submitted to it as a deserved punishment for my indiscrotion. But when a man who passos for a gentleman, forsooth, comes to my a-id and I volunteers to help me raise myself from the levol 1 havo reached, restores my better nature by a magnanlmotts offer to make me his wife and in the end calmly informs me that ho was oaly iokinar- then all the ■vil oasaloBi f my soul in torca anJ 1 determino tli;ii sooner or later 1 will be re%'enged. Oh, ao, ,1 ulitis Emorick, you can not shake me off so easily!" Belle Lorimer was thorougblyarou led now and sho Tlin-,1 ■ liko a tigres. s. ped him, however, and ander tho prol nco of not liste mtinued rriting wl I b assunii : "l! :: 1 vill:ii:is as you vlm omen's heurtt grow cold also. You load u on t hopos oí a better and pi.rer li:. away nrh : you throw as ;: child d ■ ■ led to.y. "Yi rtb into tbe .. rld and a piar v Is willingly made for you; re ipeetful 1 r a ' ■ OU on all sides an i your pa tl iiction i aro never referred to- ulule ivo poor women, who in an ungu kv ourselves open to tbo c asuro of the world, aro forever co I ue mud whiota Bmirches onr parments leaves a stain which oan never be washed out Why is lt bo none can answer. All that the world does is to ■■ on throwing mud at the poor defenoeless woman and lionize the demon who baa oaused herdown fall." "What has al) that oloquence to do with the pesont case?" asked Mr. Emorick, looking up from his work. "Every cbinjf," replied the woman, who was nou thoroughly cxasperated. "You led me to belie-ve that you wero in earnost and now you teil mo you were joking. Do you suppose I am going to submit to such treatment without a murmur? Xo, Indeed. Elther you marry me and take me with you to Nev York, or you do not go yourself. On that I am determinod." "I am interested t i know how you will prevent me from going, my fair tigress," he replied. "The raeans will bo forthcoming," was tbe ai i "My dear woman, you might as v.ell attempt to stop the llov. of the La Plata river as to fcry and Dhwart the plana of Julius Emerick. 1 sball go and nothing1 will prevent mo- your interferenoe will count as naught" ■The Interference will not come frora mo directly," responde i thö octress. "Then will you kindly inform me from what souroe I map espect lt?" ho asked. "Yes. 1 will, and you shall have a chance of escape,'' was the woman's roply. "Ñame tho chance and you shall know my resolve in a moment,'' said Mr. Emerick. The actress was sitiing on the opposito side of the desk and as shegazed at the heartless man hotore hor sl.e seemed to transñx him with her look. Sho was quieter now and calmly commenced: "The other night there was a card party at your house." At these words he openod wide his ej-es and said: "Yes, what of it?" The woman continued: "Thero was present at that party a handsome Englishman, and he caused a quarrel by accusin you and your friends of cheating him. " "Yes," replied tho merohant, "that ia so." "Where is the Enlishman now?" asked the actress. "That is not in my power to teil; why do you ask me?" said Mr. Emerick. "Because at daylight of the morning your party broke up there was to have heen a duel and since then the Englishman has not been seen. You know, or ought to know, whero ho is and unless he is soon found you and your friends will have to account for him. At present I am the only person not a member of the party who knows any thing of tho circumstances. You can guess what that means. " In a voice of supprossed rage, Mr. Emerick inquired: "Ilas that traitor, Miguel Castillo, been talking to you?'' "Yes. it was he who told me, and he says ho fcars that the Englishman has received rough treatment;" was the repiy- "1 always ilion ;iil he ivas a cur. but if ho murmura anotber word to any one else he shall rue lt." "There is no fear of that," said the woman. 'T besought him for your sake not to divulgo tho partloulara to a living soul; and now 1 enne to ask you to reward me." Mr. Emerick was now on his feet pacing the room. He was evidently in deop thougbt, preparing aomo plan to rid himself of the woman. 4'inally he stepped up to her, and looking fondly at her, said: "You are jood and truc, Belle. You shall b' re.warded - you shall go with me to New York, and shall have all the pleisures which your heart desiros. " Then he kissed her, as she questioned: "And you will really marry me".'" "Yes, 1 will. " he gold. In a moment rhii woman's whole expression cbanged, .showing that her denunciation of hlsconduot a few momonts previously must have been sincere. Then a hasty conversation ensuod, and arrangements in regard t. their doparture were dlscussed. Soon afterwards Mr. Bmerick looked his desk and th ey lef t the building togother. After taking Iïelle Lorimer home in a camage, Mr. Emerick went to his club, ivrote a letter and soemed very anxious to post it that night, for he walkod over to the post-ofh'cc and put it in the letter-box himself. lt was to a friend of his in San Nicholas, a town about one hundred milos up the river. On the afternoon of tho lliird day after Bollo Lorimev'a interview with Mr. Kmerick, tho Spaniard, Miguel Castillo, carne to her rooms andexcitedly told her that Mr. Bmeriok's baggage had been taken aboard tho Montevideo boat and he was going himself to that port at once. Not a n;oi:i ':.t v.as to be lost, so the actress hurrkdly prepared hersolf to accompany tho Informer, saying: "llo thinka h cen psc-jp ■ mo afte all, but 1 wil! intercent him ." Lto be continued. 1