The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-08-14
THE.
B|atchfoTd Request,
HUGH CONWAY,
AUTHOR OF CALLED DAox,O "NAAw
DAYS" MIC.
HUGH CONWAY,
(coNTINUED.)

Cuthbert Wrey, like every other son
of Adam. had many times in his life
been tempted to sin, error, or TO Ny;
but never rs yet to commit an act which
would in his own eyes and in the eyes
of the world rank as base dishonor. His
first sentiment was that Of surprise
surprise at such thought presuninY
to invade his brain-so, in scorn and
anger, he babe it begone and trouble
him no more. But the thought re-
mained-it remained, and every mo-
mont gathered strength, purpose and
cohesion. 1t spoke with thrilling
words; it walked old dreams; it I'M
folded wings, and bore him to tho top
of mental mountain, and bads him
gaze on the future and the glories
thereof; while, like strange rhythm,
the words of the will beat upon his ears.
''All my real and personal estate to my
dear friend, Cuthbert Wrey." He sat
motionless, the half opened letter in his
hand, in front of him tho glowing GOALS,
which in three second, could reduces
the paper he held to finder.
The thoughts the IDEAS, the visions
which crossed his mind during the hours
right. and unwilling to do what was
enough of his friends affairs to guess
that the wealth of which she had to
dispose was great It was not ques-
ton of few pa try hundreds which
tempted him nor, to do him justice,
was it the possession OF great riches. 1t
was the career those riches would open
to him for although not brilliant
success in the calling he had chosen,
Cuthbert Wrey had not lost faith In
8 himself or his talents 1t was not COM
mon greed that assaulted him, although
the stake, he knew was large one. He
saw himself freed from Q profession
for which he had no love /; he saw wealth
open the doors of public life to him,
and the dream of younger days realized
He even saw himself famous and WELD
ing power. Yes; from the pinnacle
which commanded the future. the
winged thought showed him all this, and
more urging him, for the sake OF these
things, to laugh at scruples. and to turn
his back on what men call honor. And
hour after hour he sat with beads OF
Precipitation on his brow, the letter
trembling in his trembling hands;
while below him, and so near, tho fire
threw out little spits and darts of flame,
as though urging him to commit the
ScCTGk " us hCcDluS, anu W 1OS ~ 10
hidden forever and ever in the depths
of its wicked red heart.
He yiel ell again and again in theory;
but he could not bring himself to do so
in deed However tho conflict might
end. there was one thing he folt he
would not do-he would not read that
letter before he DESTROYED it. Its mes
sage shou d perish wi h it. If he c-m-
mittei crime lie would remain in iguor-
ance as to it's extent and influence on
other peoples Gestinies Only if right
and honor conquered, would he read.
So he sat on and on, making o good
fight-sat until the fire died out. He
would not trust himself to replenish it,
and most laughed as fantastic Thought
came to him how sullen and disap-
pointed the half burned cinders looked.
r But the candles were living, and
would do the work equally well. With
a great effort of will, lie rose and extin.
guished them. For some time he sat
in darkness then he found himself
searching for his matches. Too we'll he
knew why he wanted them. He struck
one with al uns--dy hand. Il went
ont, hut rot lefc-', he caught sight Of
his white changed face reHec ed by tho
mirror.
"Shall I see my face Tx that all my
lifetime" he muttered, 'if l DO thus
thing:"
He threw the match box from him.
Yet the letter was still in his hand.
It was IS easy to tear it to pieces as to
burn it. Although still mistrusting
himself, he was growing stronger every
minute. He CROPPED his way to the
secretaire, placed the letter in its former
resting-place, turned the lock, and went
to bed.
In the morning he was himself again,
but feeling-if the mind may be COM
pared to the body as he had sometimes
felt after hard bout of football at
RuGby-although rested and refreshed,
with sense of fatigue and recollection
Sofa severe struggle still lingering,
81 will never laugh again at old
Luther's battle with the devil, he said,
almost humbly. II see how easily an
imaginative and superstitious man may
believe in his personality"
:, Cuthbert Wrey never forgot that
night ever afterward he was lenient,
perhaps too lenient, with transgressors
but before he condemned he thought
of that glowing fire and the unread
letter trembling in his hand.
After breakfast he took the letter and
in calm business-hke way sat down to
read it. 1t was something like he had
anticipated 1t was dated some months
back, carefully worded and writtel:
"MY DEAR Mr.. WREY:
"To-day made my will. If I Judge