St. Landry democrat., 1884-01-19

The doctor bought his success at a
price, and Richard wanted that success
without paying the price. But tonight
Richard felt too happy at the thought
Of Monday being SO near to grudge the
doctor the barren pleasure of pleasing
the father as for him, he preferred
pleasing the daughter. He sympa-
thized with the doctor because he could
partly realize how he himself would
feel if the case were reversed and
there once had been remote possibility
of the case being reversed. Like the
rest of us, his sympathy was aroused bY
a similar case to his own, or what might
be his own.
Monday came like any other Monday.
Dawn drew the familiar world out of the
obscurity into broad daylight, where,
having passed its allotted time, dusk led
it back into the darkness.
Monday evening Lucy and Rachel
We're sitting together in the twilight
discussing a subject upon which they
eo9Etsld never. a.grea, because they never
tried to agree, Lucy's position in this
standing debate was that she couldn' t
love a poor man enough to marry him,
while Rachel declared that if she loved
man she did not care how poor he was.
They had not said the last word when
Richard came in.
Even before the room was lighted the
sisters knew that something was wrong.
In fact it was all wrong. Monday-the
suspicious day, The GROWING. success
Monday had brought utter failure and
ruin to his most cherished hopes. At
the critical moment in the presence of
the capitalists who came prepared to
invest all the money needed, the ma
chine failed. Something was lacking,
but what Richard could not tell. The
unexpected turn Of affairs SO beWildered
Richard that he stood looking on as
helpless as any of the others. In spite
Of the weary months OF industry and in
genuity the machine was practically
useless. And so the goose that was to
lay the golden egg was lifeless.
Rachel took an early opportunity to
slip out of the room. so that Lucy and
Richard would not be disturbed by the
presence of a third person.
At the end of half an hour, during
which less was said than ever had been
in five minutes at any other meeting,
Richard, who had ever one thought in
mind, could withhold it no longer.
Lucy" said he, nervously, but with
no hesitation, t'for long time past
have been looking forward to this even
ing as the time for me to speak out and
to act; and now it is here and I can do
NEITHER
Lucy quickly replied, saying that she
was very sorry for him, hoped that he
would succeed some day, and telling
him that she would always take an in
terest in his welfare. All of which,
from a casual acquaintance, were good
sentiments, but coming from Lucy, and
said with an evident feeling of relief at
the sudden discovery of the way out of
q disagreeable position, they fell upon
Richard like second failure, greater
even than the first that had that day
befallen him.
He understood in a moment what
hours of discussion might not have re-
yealed and what years of success would
have entirely concealed, and that was
that Lucy cared for him only as means
to an end
ItWas a bitter revelation, and true
climax to this day of defeat.
And thus the relationship of Lucy
and Richard that never had been for
mally established was at an end, with
out q direct word having been spoken
to dissolve it.
Rachel was in the garden as Richard
passed through, and from her knowl-
edge OF her sisters views, Joined to the
quickened wit of an interested
person, she guessed the actual state of
affairs. Rachel had always shown an
interest In Richard, scarcely less than
than that of her sister Lucy.
As he was about to pass her with a
mere goodnight, she stopped him.
= Richard, said she, holding out her
hand, you don't know how sorry l
am
Thank you, Rachel, Z said he; then
after a pause, Goodbye, Rachel
"Good-byeP Why do you say good
oyeP''
II had never occurred to her, until
she found herself asking that question,
that Richard S visits would cease. They
we're both silent for a moment.
Lucy will tell you
= You must try again.
WHAT The machine? Never!''
ssBut, Richard began Rachel, and /
hen stopped He waited for her to
continue. 9 You will let me-us, I
mean letus know how you are getting
~ once in awhile, won't you?''
Richard was on Che point of saying
savage, but his glance rested |
IN Rachel's face, looking mp at him. And |
he expression upon her face was such |
! surprise to him that he stood silent |
ooking at her.
\. RACHEL, said he at last. taking her |