The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 40, April, 1894: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 40, April, 1894: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
"My hatred to Randall grew worse and worse, until its vehemence
half frightened me. We used to be good friends, too. After dinner
I felt that I could not bear a couple of conventional hours in the
drawing-room, and went out to nurse my misery in the open air. I had no
idea that Randall was also out. I went along by the shore, but mounted
to the higher cliffs on my way back. I intended to leave Penporran
early to-morrow, and felt impatient for the hour when I could get away
from the loathsome sight of my successful rival.
"As I was walking along by the edge of the cliffs, and had just entered
Porran's field, I felt my heart jump into my mouth, for Randall was
coming to meet me. He was about a hundred yards away when I first saw
him. He is a taller man than I, and he seemed to stand out sharply
between me and the sky. I knew by his attitude that he was smoking a
cigar. I stood still for a moment. I did not want to pass him. My heart
was full of torment, and I hated to meet him out there, with not a soul
to stand between us. You know that part of the cliff, Mr. Brabazon?
Randall had just come to that portion of it which is railed in to keep
the cattle from tumbling over. I don't know what possessed him to
take the outside path, which is very narrow and slippery. He did so,
however; and now, for the first time, he must have noticed me. I was
within fifty yards of him, coming also along the edge of the cliff. He
stood stock still, as if something or somebody had shot him. I thought
he was about to shout to me, but instead of doing so, he threw up one
hand and clutched his brow. The next instant he began to sway from side
to side, and before I could approach him, he had fallen over the cliff,
down that awful height!
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