Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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THE CLEMSON COLLEGE CHRONICLE. 415 George Neville had made up his mind to propose to Miss St. Clare that very night, and thus decide his fate; his rival, who was the more prudent of the two, had no idea of thus prematurely risking his future happiness by over-haste. Neville had the good fortnne, as he thought, to be the one to see Miss St. Clare home. He proposed and received as his answer that, while he was regarded as a friend, he had not been known long enough to be loved. After seeing her safely home George Neville returned to his rooms in a very troubled state of mind. The next day he left the island, determined not to remain longer where he could daily see the object of his misplaced affections. Let us now pass over a period of six months and come to the afternoon of January the 6th. Had you been near the door of St. Michael ' s church, in Charleston, you would have seen a newly-married couple emerge from the church and enter a carriage. Had you been a close observer you would have also noticed that as the couple crossed the pavement on their way to the carriage, a gentleman who chanced to be passing just then, lifted his hat and bowed. The lady did not see this person, but the gentleman did, but did not pretend to return the bow. Who is this couple ? It is Mr. and Mrs. Henry Conwall. Two months later in a small town in upper Carolina, in one of the rooms of the only hotel of which the place could boast, sits a man whose handsome face and form seem strangely familiar. This person is evidently lost in a very pleasant revery, for his eyes are half closed and there is a smile on his lips. He is thinking of a beautiful wife far away in Charleston. Suddenly his pleasant thoughts are broken into by a sharp rap on the door. He rises and, still smiling, opens the door. Instantly the

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4U THE CLEMSON COLLEGE CHRONICLE. on either hand as they rush over the shoals and rocks which attempt to hinder their onward flow. The sun will set within an hour, leaving shrouded in darkness a small party of men who are gathered on the small island. These men are divided into two groups of about equal size. Off to one side two men stand talking earnestly. In the midst of each group stands a man, coatless and hatless, sword in hand. What does all this mean ? A duel ! The next ques- tion is, ' ' What is the cause of the dispute that can deserve so bloody a mode of settling ? Let us go back a few months and see. The scene to which we now take our readers forms a marked contrast with the one which we have just left. It is in the magnificent pavilion on the beach of Sullivan ' s Island. It is nearly midnight and every object is bathed in the silvery light of the moon. Within the pavilion the light of many candles is reflected by the jewels worn by the many couples of dancers, who are floating through the dreamy mazes of a waltz. Immediately upon enter- ing our attention is drawn to a group of young people on the north side of the building. The young lady, Miss Helen St. Clare, who is seated in the midst of this group, and who is evidently the centre of attraction, is the rec- ognized belle of the place. Of all the admirers who crowd around her, two seem to be in special favor. One of these gentlemen is George Neville and the other is Henry Conwall. Before the appearance of Miss St. Clare on the beach these gentlemen h ad been warm friends, but since her arrival a coldness had sprung up between them, for both were madly in love with her, and each had sworn to make her his wife. At the time we sec these gentlemen in the pavilion they arc not on speaking terms.

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416 THE CLEMSON COLLEGE CHROLICLE. smile vanishes from his lips and in its stead comes an ex- pression of cool reserve. What could have caused such a sudden change in the expression of Henry Conwall, for it is he. Let us glance at the person on the outside of the door. His face is also familiar. It cannot be called a handsome face, but it is far from being ugly, nor can it be called an honest face, for it has a sinister expression, which at once impresses the stranger unfavorably. Where have we seen that face before ? Yes ! In the pavilion on Sulli- van ' s Island, and again in Charleston, near St. Michael ' s Church. Here then is the rerson for the sudden change of expression on the face of Henry Conwall; he stands face to face with George Neville, the man whom he in- sulted near St. Michael ' s Church in Charleston! The two men stood eyeing each other for half a minute before cither spoke. The silence was at last broken by Conwall ' s asking in cool, even tones to what reasons must he attribute the honor of this visit. Neville looked at him coolly for a few seconds and then replied, I come but to demand an apology for an insult which you gave me some two weeks ago, in the City of Charleston. I need not say what that insult was, for you know as well as I do what it was. Yes, replied Conwall, I know what insult you are speaking of, but as we were not on speaking terms, I paid no attention to your bow. Therefore, sir, I refuse to apologize. Then, said Neville, know that you are under the challenge of George Neville. And you may know, sir, that your challenge is accept- ed, and that I bid you defiance, replied Conwall, rising to his full height of six feet, two, thus displaying a finely moulded form.