The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-09-27
Was it really true that his

ton? Was there no hidden crime ,atoned
for perhaps, yet leaving behind it mn
indelible stain? Was he ticket-of-leav
man? Notwithstanding his grace, his
handsomeness, his culture, did he not
bear with him that forlorn and terrible
aspect which those sustain who have
known the silence of cell, this horror
of the lock- step, the awful loathing and
the degradation of serving ont term.
Upon certain day Mr.. Coupon was
seriously embarrassed in money-mat-
ters. He was one of those dashing bus.
mess men who run along the road of
life at break neck speed. Radiance was
then the only man upon whose help he
could depend. To Radiance accordingly
he went. and explained his situation, set
ting forth that he needed loan Of q
very large amount.
Mr.. Radiance listened to him calmly.
The two men were alone in the little
office, the door Of which was closed.
"Well," said Radiance, who seemed
to be more than usually cheerful, I'll
help you"
II knew You would" said Coupon.
"On one condition." continued Radi-
ance.
Condition granted" answered Cou-
pou; you are always reasonable"
"Yes, 1 am always reasonable" said
Radiance. "The money is ready for you
on condition"
$50 on" said Mr.. Coupon, as Radi-
ance hesitated.
ION condition." repeated Radiance,
eying Coupon steadily, that you ask
me to dinner at your house tonight"
Mr.. Coupon sat stupefied.
"Ask you to dinner-at my house?"
he managed to gasp.
eyes; will be sure to come" and
Radiance nodded his head slowly, as
though he were anticipstively enjoying
the treat.
You know I cant ask you," said Mr..
Coupon, with his breath coming very
short.
~ am sorry can be of no service to
YOU to day" said Mr.. Radiance about to
open the door.
"Stay," said Mr.. Coupon, breaking
into perspiration. "You know would
ask you if could"
''And why not?"
"You know why not"
81 am not in the least aware. Is there
a spot on my reputation"
mo"
"Are any.of the men who frequent
your house better educated or better
manpered than myself"
Few as WE'LL"
81 don't like to mention such q
thing, but are you or are you not under
some slight obligation to me?"
VERY great obligations"
"Then isten-every day, for months
past. boquet has been left at your door
for Miss Coupon"
chow do you know that?"
Because am the unknown who
sent it."
You! You dared?" And Mr.. Cou-
pou rose il his wrath as though to lay
violent hands on this audacious, yet in
nocent offender.
Eyes, and have dared to do q great
deal more. Do you remember last sum-
mer when Miss Coupon, driving at night
along the beach at Cape May, the horses
ran away, the driver became frightened,
the carriage was overturned and Miss
Coupon would have been crushed to
death if had not stopped the horses"
You? you? YoU?" and this time Mr..
Coupon sank upon his chair, and all the
power of the vernacular seemed to be
condensed into the second person plural
OF the pronoun.
Yes, I did that; I wandered there to
be near her. l have saved from death
your child, whom adore, yet at whom
l dare not cast glance. 1 love her, oh
with such passionate love, yet l dare
not breathe it to her even by q look,
And have saved you, her father, from
what would be to you much worse than
death, since it would mean the pangs of
poverty. Yet you shudder when I ask
you to invite me to your house. And
why is i'll Because my face is black. l
am Q negro"
The silence in the little Office was
broken only by the sobs of the wretched
man who had hid within bis arms, which
were supported by his desk.
All was trs9ically true. Black as the
darkest of his race, yet with features 80
Caucasian in their regularity that .
white man might have envied it, the
fatality of his birth shut the door OF hap
piness from him, and left him alone
amid the added curse OF culture.
Mr.. Coupon sat paraiyzed. This, thon,
was the hero after whom his daughter
had secretly pinned, whom she had erect
cd into . god. that her romantic imagi-
nation worshiped.
1--WE are obliged to you, infinitely
obliged, he said ct last, rising. But
OF course this ends everything. I must
be ruincd now -