The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-17

lie had spoken CT himself In the most unre-
served way. though about all that he said there
was delicate, winsome shyncss, reluctance to
dwell upon his own concerns. which made his in
dividuality all the more subty Attractive. He
had passed most of his early manhood in one of
the Eastern cities; his father had been wealthy
merchant, who had suddenly lost everything in
an imprudent speculation. Hector had come to
the West with commercial schemes and pur-
poses, but the breaking down of his health had
rendered them null. He shared my opinion of
D., but his sojourn there had been one of
necessity and not choice.
II was on my way to st. Louis" he explained,
when the attack of pneumonia, that has left
my lungs so weak ever since first seized me.
That was in March I've been an invalid there
from that time till about month ago. It was
when felt myself likely to recover that the
thought of writing that story occurred to me; so
l die those chapters. have had the plan in my
head for three or four years. They used to tell
me in college that could write if chose. Your
letter. Mr.. Langley, cheered me wonderfully
1t was very kind"
"Do not call it kind" said. Call it just. l
am delighted with your story"
The smile that broke from his lips now struck
me as irresistible in its candid sweetness. But
it was like sunlight playing over wreck. 1t
showed me only more plainly than before now
death had doomed him.
IL am very glad" he faltered as if joy, and
that alone, made his speech hesitant D
is an uncivilized place, as you say, but have
found some good friends there And / want
and have literally been living on charity. Par
don me, but if you could let me have something
in advance to-day will promise most faithfully
that the remaining chapters of the story shall be
sent you as soon as l can possibly furnish them.
know that this mode of emolument may be
contrary to your rules but"
"Our rule shall be waived in your case" IN
terrupted This was quite magnificent mode
of treatment for the Verify Folio" But was
only too gratifed in adopting it toward my gen
tie, courteous young visitor, whose enfeebled
condition made his brilliant talents seem all the
more noteworthy and rare.
not only paid him rather handsomely for
that portion of the story already written, but /
insisted on sending him back to D in con-
veyance hired at near livery stable He
thanked me with warmth and earnestness that
told OF the deepest gratitude, and assured me
that the confidence l was reposing in him mad
touched him beyond expression just before
leaving me, he called my attention to the SINH
larlty between our respective handwritlngs
1.-TWO or three people to whom showed your
letter yesterday" he said, remarked this re-
emblance.'
sit undoubtedly exists" I replied "But it
is resemblance which stops at the formation of
the letters alone only wish it did not. would
give great deal to write your free, happy,
graceful STYLE and to draw human character
with your fidelity, humor, wisdom and surety of
touch"
published the first two chapters of the story
in the next number of the paper. 1t made an
immediate success. It's popularity amazed me,
excellent as knew the work to be. The circu-
lation of the paper shot up several thousand
copies in a week. Congratulatory letters were
sent in from twenty or thirty different sources.
score of influential newspapers fatteringly
mentioned the striking originality of Mr.. Laugh
tons work. forwarded all the encomums to
D., and received reply full Of mingled sur
prise and qualification from the stimulated
author. Four chapters accompanied this
reply. These were, if possible, better than those
which had preceded them.
90
regularly continued Then there came pause.
No more copy" was sent to me, and I would
soon need more. The tale had evidently reached
its final stage. But the conclusion was still I'M
foreseen | could not, for my life, tell how mat
tiers were to end, and I have no doubt that the
perfect naturalness@and vigor of the narrative,
mingled with this same element of suspense,
were instrumental in holding up the circulation
of THE Folio steadily to that point which it
had previously reached.
l wrote to Laughton and received no answer.
wrote again, and with similar results There
had been a sharp change in the weather. of late;
a hot, dry autumn had given place to chill, raw
winds. A sudden ominous foreboding took pos
session of me. On the day before that which
should see the next installment sent in to the
printers, l drove to D. with my dreary pre-
sentiment gaining strength at every new mile of
the way.
81 had guessed rightly. Hector Laughton
could write no more. found him lying in one
of the upstairs rooms of small, ugly frame
mousse. aJJeuueu Dy d very ignorant elderly
woman, with kindly face, and, l am sure a
kindly heart AS we'll. Four days ago he had
caught sudden prostrating cold, which had
been followed, few hours before my arrival, by
violent hemorrhage. The moment looked
upon his CHASTITY face knew that death must
soon do its work. He tried to speak to me as l
stood at his bedside, but could only press my
hand His eyes, burning in their darkness, were
full of sweet, unearthly peace felt that
genius was passing away from earth And l
know we'll as human intelligence can ever be
certain of such results, that if Hector Laughton
had lived he would have left a shining name
through many future generations.
Before returning that evening to Verify
where duties now imperatvely claimed my
presence) made sure that the village doctor
could be summoned for the dying man at the
slightest warning. and that his least want would
receive thorough attention.
1t was past midnight when. seated in my Office,
l drew forth the last printed installment of the
unfinished story
Gould finish it'll" asked myself. Had not
those dark tender eyes wanted to convey to me
this very question? There had been peace in his
gazette peace of spirit which resigns itself
fearlessly and little YEARLY to death-but had
there not been vague, yearning trouble as
well?
No; could never finish the story. The touch
of that dying hand was inmtable. To think of
the grumbiing dissatisfaction of subscribers at
such time as this was like a sacrlege How
much better to leave the story as it was 1.-THE
unfinished window in Aiaddin's tower unfinished
must remain"
quoted Longfellow's lovely words aloud to
myself as rose from my desk. l had drawn
forth quire or go of blank paper some little
time ago and had placed my pen beside it The
inkstand stood at a short distance from both,
waiting. But it was of no use. I could not
write line. l had no idea what Laughton had
meant the end to be. One sad little paragraph
must explain everything now to the readers
of 1.-THE Folio"
There was a lounge in my office, and sank
deiectedly upon it, l have no recollection of
feeling in the least drowsy and yet l now felt
my head softly mpelled to touch the pillow.
Just as it did so the clock above my ertpty desk
chair struck nine.
l heard the nine clear strokes, and counted
them could have sworn to this them can
| swear to it still.
Wheiher a sleen or a trance now came unon