Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-16
till you are my age, my lad; you won't MAKE

IL,
by the lot and manner, what is wrong With
you? l am sure you are Ill Do consult some
one about yourself"
business, dear boy; nothing but business wor-
lies! There, there; go out. l shall have coffee
In the study, and not see you again. SO good
n1ght-gcod night; and God bless you." and he
pressed lis boys hand hard.
Edgar ordered when he felt how the hand
burned him. He did not like to leave his father:
but the latter insisted upon it that he was ali
right. and should be busy that evening" and
went up to his study with slow, heavy steps.
The next morning ABOUT O'Clock. Edgar was
awakened by a loud knocking at his door,
''Hello." he called, "who's there? What's
wanted?"
1t was the voice of his fathers man servant
that replied: please to come out and 60 TO
Your father. sir. In the study. fancy he must
be III. He has not been to bed at all last night"
Edgar flung on his things and proceeded to
his fathers ds:or. He knocked loudly. Noreply
Help me to burst it in, Williams" he said
under bis breath. ut is not strong door,
The two men set their shoulders against the
TIE door yielded; and Edgar entered the ROOM
Ihe reading lamp stood on the table still
alight; tray was beside it. on which stood an
empty coffee cup and a small phial overturned.
The table was covered with papers; and before
MI. TTes!ll1ans study chair stood a bIotting-
pad and folded and directed letter. Edgar's
eyes took in these details at one glance before
he saw where his father was. motionles
figure knelt upon the rug, the head buried In
the folded arms, which rested upon an arm.
chair thai stood at the side of the hearth. Edgar
lifted the form of his father-his living father
last night and turned to the light calm, dead
face!
The letter, which was addressed to Edgar, in
a few broken sentences told OF the disgrace and
Shame Which bis father had brought upon him
self. and under which he could no longer hold
up his head among his fellows. If could
but my death would be less terrible for you
than my life under all l should have to under
go-to leave you forever is the truest kindness
your father can do YOU"
That morning, as Mrs Maynard and Cecil
were sitting as usual busy with their ordinary
CcCupaIlons, note was handed to the elder
lad!; she examined it with curiosity. Whose
writing is 1t, / wonder? 1t is like Edgar's, only
that the hand is so shaky."
The mother slowly removed 1t from the en-
selope with vague forebcding OF ILL., and In a
exclamation OF horror.
Cecil snatched it up, and echoed her mothers
cry: IN large; tremuloqs characters was
,iaceo; "A horrible thing has happened here.
M Wy 1a1hfF Is deadly bis own hand-1 cannot
"Mam1oa!" Cecil gasp ped, Selling her mothers
am. :" must go to him. l will. He has no
one"
impossible, Cecil" urged Mrs. Maynard
trembling from head TO foot, but maintaining
se!t-command You could do no good at such
hlm: NY poor. motherless fatherless boy he
shall not be left alone. Ring for the carriage
and Keep calm till return
to.o Never fear for me said Cecil with strange
forced CAIN. 81 shall keep strong. In case am
wanted. Yes; go to him, mamma. Comfort
him il you can. Perhaps you are right you
would DE more comfort to him than L.
MIS-. Maynard was at the door Of Edgar'S
home In very short time, and going swiftly
upstairs. gently opened the study door. Edgar
was S sitting by the table his head resting upon
over him since yesterday. His face was ptious
to see: Mrs. Maynard put her arms round him,
ana kiSsec his colo, damp forehead as bis mother
might nave done. "Oh, how kind OF you." he
me to bear IT.
By kindly, motherly ways she led him to
speak at last to her, and speaking brought tears
after a While to relieve the dull agony OF his
suffering.
Mrs. Maynard did not return home till after
Galk " hen she entered the drawing-roOm she
found 1t only lighted by dull red fire. small
White figure rose and came forward, and Cecils
voice, broken with bitter weeping spoke to her:
Mammal how is hep
Her mother put her arm round her and told
her by degrees, as well as she could what Mr..
Tresilltan's papers had disclosed to them of the
ruin and disgrace that had occasioned his last
Cecil said nothing. She sat bowed FIJI the att.
tuoe Of one whose grief is deeper than words
can speak. At last She whispered question or
two: Then Edgar Is actually left without
Without anything that is justly his; he is
determined to give up every penny"
ARD what VIII he do?"
"GOd knows! Poor boy: he has not learned
to earn his Bread
Cecil said no more; she only took her mothers
hand and kissed 1t again and again. Mrs. May
nard knew what those kisses meant. Then she
rang for lights and tea, and when she had seen
her mother properly attended to, she slipped
softly out OF the room and went up stairs.
The Inquest, with its customary verdict o.
Temporary Insanity" and the funeral, were
over. Edgar sat alone in the Ilrelight after
long weary Gay Of unutterable distress. Slow
tears gathered In his eyes as old memories of
his fathers indulgence and care rose up before
him. No one was by; he was not ashamed of
his tears now. The door opened very softly and
WIFI hesitation. rs 1t YOU Williams?" he asked
IL IL MS hoIeess voice. II don't want any dinner
tered came Into the room close up to him, and
kneeling On tie rug at his feet, looked up with
deep yearn1ng eyes-Ceclls eyes
Edgar gave start and Cry. almost of joy sIs
it yon? really, you? On, how good-how
&C cd CT you. darling.'
She leant forward and clasped him round the
NECK. Yes; am come, Edgar No one knows
it; but could not-could not keep away. Nv
poor boy, won't you let me stay and try to COM
lort your
He hid his face upon her head. "My Cecil: Is
Eyes your Cecil-your wife, your anything
you VIII. | win never leave you-never! All
that IS mine SHAH be yours, and your trouble
shall be mine too"
my own generous Cecil. But you are wrong
In ole thtng-you do not give me everything.
is it possible that you think do not love
yCu?"
YES, Edgar did think 50. You only took
ne because you thought should not be happy
without you
just al first, perhaps. But did you really
believe that love did not come after?H
But did IL? did It? Edgar, for PHYS sake.
dcnt deceive me out OF kindness!"
"DcceI yGU! No, Cecil: all deceits are over
Ter ne Low; lie Is too stern and awful real
ny. But TO sacrifice yourself to me-you had
better stop and think a little YETI
90 Edgar, have enough for two.D
HUSH" he said haughtty; ''you don't think
am going TO live on my wife! l was called 20
the bar you know, but Is was only farce; |
should never get practice"
~ think" returned Cecil, timidly, Uncle
Ibornton-nlght help you. Do not trouble about
that now. Edgar. Good night"
He rose, holding her TO him. and the blaze
that suddenly sprang up In the fire showed
Cecil such haggard face, so changed from
her handsome lover OF former times that her
heart was wrung. She chung to him, as she
never had In these old easy days. MAY |
walk back with your he said. Il have not
stirred out to-day. l think the air would do me
good" 0
SO they walked back together to Gloster Ter
to persuade Cecil that he did love her as much
as she loved him.
Edgar's honorable conduct In sacrificing all
he had to satisfy as far as he was able SOM of
MS father'S creditors, or rather victims, raised
him up many friends; and the son OF the lad
man v as gratified at receiving a kind letter
from certain great lord-whom he only lust
knew-offertDg him post which Would give
him at least living. There was no reason now