The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-09-15
FOR ANOYHER'S SIN.



their sweetest when he was near, and gooC
men had felt honored by his fellowship.
But this pleasant appreciation was some
what lessened after Horace Walden cam
back TO the place.
This individual had been travelling for
season, and had returned to take perma
nent possession OF noble property that h,
had purchased few years before. He wa
q handsome man, young, brilliant, genial
and was regarded as fattering acquisition
to the more exclusive society Of the pretty
prosy old town. For mistress OF his ele
CANT mansion he had chosen the lovelies
lady in the place-Clara Thsyer-a fair
stately creature, whose fancies perhaps had
been dazzled by the destinations OF the
lover, for time had come when the jeal
Gus and unreasoning love Of the promised
husband was to her regret and weari
ness unutterable.
She was not inconstaut, for he had nevel
aroused her heart. He had appealed L
her vanity, to her fondness for the splen
dors and gayeties Of life; but no sentiment
OF his had ever stirred or satisfied the
higher needs and deeper ympathies oil hel
nature. And now that she had better
knowledge Of him and OF herself, she dis
cerned something beneath the polish and
suavity Of the man that was to her as dis
tasteful as 1t was indetinable.
The girl had become singularly serious
and thoughtful, and she was less unreserv
ed toward him than she had been when
they were frat betrothed; while be, evel
prone to the suspicious, was swift to con
lecture that she had been estranged by
some influence hostile to himself.
"She is not the same toward me-" be
thought, in ready jealousy, ~ doubt not
that while | have been away Rolf Knight
has robbed me OF her confidence aud al
lection. She has ever been inclined to
extol his perfections, and none but he has
the power to turn her heart from me-"
Itso happened that ubtle rumor began
to obtain some dubious consideration in
Stethtown. Limitations not creditable tc
the career Of Rolf Knight had been Gun
ningly disseminated, and he began 10 SUI
fer the thrust OF deadly enmity before he
was aware that he had foe. Men who
sought his companionship seemed to avoid
him; women who had schened for his IS
vor seemed politely unconscious OF hi
presence when he CHANGED to meet them.
But he went his way with sufficient Sc
renity, and II the enveuomed shaft struck
deep, he bore the shaft with philosOph!t
fortitude.
~ wonder at the fellows audacity, Hor'
ace Walden once more remarked to Clara
~ should not suppose he would venture
to present himself among reputable PEG
pie; especially here, when l, at least
know what his pasthu been. The effront
cry with which he would have come be
tween you aud me is something amazing,
he concluded tentatively.
The girl looked up in wonder, and her
fair face flushed from brow to chin
~ scarcely understand" she faltereC
coldly.
IDS you not p he returned with O jar
ring little laugh. "Dsnials are absurd
Clara; his admiration oil you has beer
obvious; and | fancy he meant 10 tax,
your love from me, even II he may no
hove absolutely said evil things Of me t.
you"
''He is too truly gentleman to speak il
ofany person; and certainly he would no
OF youths friend" Clara answered gen
tly, meaning neither satire nor reproach.
liam sorry | am compelled 10 dlspel You
illusions concerning him, Walden enunc
aled with harsh chuckle, "but uniortu
nately Rolf knight is but recently out o
prison."
The girl started, and then stood as mo
NtAt,lauEs p1orI1a nd tn n Hhla EnlAt
paled the exquisite fairness Of her lovely
features. That hateful assertion was toe
blunt and daring to be an unrutb! and yet
1t seemed to be incredible that Rolf knight
had ever committed q hein0us otlense
she had believed him superior TO human
errors, and her faith in that superiority
could not be spoiled by even this deClara,
ton, shocking as it might be. He had
been to her the ideal OF all thai
is endearing and noble in man
hood; and In that instant Clara Th&yel
knew that she loved him as she could
never love the man beside her. But this
abrupt realization Of her disloyalty wa
very humiliating; this ss.dden conscious
ness Of q love that might bring her naughI
but sorrow was very, very bitter. She felt
stricken and bewildered, and could only
stand there, white and mute, her proud
head bowed, and every nerve quivering
with the perplexity, modification and pain
OF 1t all. Mean While her companion keen.
" watched her; a scowl dlsfRured his
counteuance u dull, deadly jealousy
smoldered In his attentive eyes.
"Rolf Knight is convict" he repeated,
with an unnecessary emphasis Of the
odious substantive. "a teion among fel'
ons, within prison walls, he served his sen
tence, paid the penalty for"
He paused as ifsmitten dumb. and, with
movement unmistakably craven, he
took step backward. His incom'
plete explanation was tlniahed by Roll
knight, who unseen aud unheard in the
excitement oil the colloquy, had but mo-
ment before approached them.
II paid the penalty for another's sin, }" ht
said, in calm but accusing voice. "Anc
YOU, HoraCe-you whom | loved as 8
hrOther-you for whose sake suffer IN
deserved shame-would traducs me. Your
ilgratitude has taught me that the mar
VINO will permit such a EacrlfiCe as made,
Ia the man who can not be worthy OF It
UuE lIREablluup uAa SbuN AlSCA AuG tlIAs ~
longer bear the blame Of your oifensC
would be weakness, cowardice, maduess
/ have determined to Justify myself, and
frat TO you, Clara, you Of all Others who
have most esteemed me-" he said, turning
10 her with look, eloquent OF the tender
ness aud reverence he mad always felt for
her. "Do you adjudge me guilty ?"
With a glance pathetic, OF infinite trus
and ineffa6le sympathy, she lifted her swee
eyes to his countenGnce-a countenanct
that was majestic in its mastery com
mo, I do not" she avsrred simply.
II thank you" he said quite Us simply
"You make my painful explanation les
difficult for me"
Then for moment while CLEAN oimor'
than human pity sottened his gaze Q
human contempt, he silently regarded hi
ungenerous foe.
"All our lives, Horace" he at length be
gan with deep feeling, lyon aud ! lives