George Washingtons Last Duel | Page 6

her tapering finger at the Major, who, with
mock humility, was watching her closely, declared that she would
"never believe in him again." The old fellow met her with an
unblushing denial of ever having made such a statement or held such
traitorous sentiments, as it was, he maintained, a well established fact
that flies never eat honey at all.
From this moment the Major conceived the idea that Jeff had been
caught by his fair visitor. It had never occurred to him that any one
could aspire to Margaret's hand. He had thought at one time that Jeff
was in danger of falling a victim to the charms of the pretty daughter of
an old friend and neighbor of his, and though it appeared rather a pity
for a young fellow to fall in love "out of the State," yet the claims of
hospitality, combined with the fact that rivalry with Mr. Lawrence,
against whom, on account of his foppishness, he had conceived some
prejudice, promised a delightful excitement, more than counterbalanced
that objectionable feature. He therefore immediately constituted
himself Jeff's ardent champion, and always spoke of the latter's guest as
"that fellow Lawrence."
Accordingly, when, one afternoon, on his return from his ride, he found
Jeff, who had ridden over to tea, lounging around alone, in a state of
mind as miserable as a man should be who, having come with the
expectation of basking in the sunshine of Beauty's smile, finds that
Beauty is out horseback riding with a rival, he was impelled to give
him aid, countenance, and advice. He immediately attacked him,
therefore, on his forlorn and woebegone expression, and declared that
at his age he would have long ago run the game to earth, and have
carried her home across his saddle-bow.
"You are afraid, sir--afraid," he asserted, hotly. "I don't know what you
fellows are coming to."

Jeff admitted the accusation. "He feared," he said, "that he could not
get a girl to have him." He was looking rather red when the Major cut
him short.
"'Fear,' sir! Fear catches kicks, not kisses. 'Not get a girl to have you!'
Well, upon my soul! Why don't you run after her and bawl like a baby
for her to stop, whilst you get down on your knees and--get her to have
you!"
Jeff was too dejected to be stung even by this unexpected attack. He
merely said, dolorously:
"Well, how the deuce can it be done?"
"Make her, sir--make her," cried the Major. "Coerce her--compel her."
The old fellow was in his element. He shook his grizzled head, and
brought his hollowed hands together with sounding emphasis.
Jeff suggested that perhaps she might be impregnable, but the old
fellow affirmed that no woman was this; that no fortress was too strong
to be carried; that it all depended on the assailant and the vehemence of
the assault; and if one did not succeed, another would. The young man
brightened. His mentor, however, dashed his rising hopes by saying:
"But mark this, sir, no coward can succeed. Women are rank cowards
themselves, and they demand courage in their conquerors. Do you think
a woman will marry a man who trembles before her? By Jove, sir! He
must make her tremble!"
Jeff admitted dubiously that this sounded like wisdom. The Major burst
out, "Wisdom, sir! It is the wisdom of Solomon, who had a thousand
wives!"
From this time the Major constituted himself Jeff's ally, and was ready
to take the field on his behalf against any and all comers. Therefore,
when he came into the hall one day when Rose was at the piano,
running her fingers idly over the keys, whilst Lawrence was leaning
over her talking, he exclaimed:

"Hello! what treason's this? I'll tell Jeff. He was consulting me only
yesterday about--"
Lawrence muttered an objurgation; but Rose wheeled around on the
piano-stool and faced him.
--"Only yesterday about the best mode of winning--" He stopped
tantalizingly.
"Of winning what? I am so interested." She rose and stood just before
him with a cajoling air. The Major shut his mouth tight.
"I'm as dumb as an oyster. Do you think I would betray my friend's
confidence--for nothing? I'm as silent as the oracle of Delphi."
Lawrence looked anxious, and Rose followed the old man closely.
"I'll pay you anything."
"I demand payment in coin that buys youth from age." He touched his
lips, and catching Rose leaned slowly forward and kissed her.
"Now, tell me--what did he say? A bargain's a bargain," she laughed as
Lawrence almost ground his teeth.
"Well, he said,--he said, let me see, what did he say?" paltered the
Major. "He said he could not get a girl he loved to have him."
"Oh! did he say that?" She was so