The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-10-16


nay must-be fatal. Gainsay him in
nothing. Let him die in peace
A choking sensation rose in Norton's |
throat as he passed to the bedside.
The gray head lay motionless upon the
pillow, but the dimming eyes, flooded |
with affection, fastened on his face
the feeble fingers enclosed his low.
ingly.
"You have come at las,!' he muir
INJURED, trying to lay his hand on Nor
tons bowed head, as he knelt beside
the bed "What has kept you from
me so long-my boy, my son ?"
Norton muttered something unintel
ligible,the realization of his deceit bow
ing his head yet lower. With a sud.
den gathering together of his energies,
Mr.. Blake reused himself, and unheed
ing any reply, continued
"You are my heir, Norton. | have
left everything to you-everything
Even Hleen have | trusted to you. But
now, lying here, l misdoubt if | have
acted wisely by her. Promise, by all
you hold sacred, that you will make
Helen and her interests that the first
and chief consideration of your life"
A warning pressure from the doc
tors fingers and Norton promised. Sin.
cerely too indeed he felt sense of
relief that the pledge exacted was one
he could accept He would make Hell
ems well.being the study of his life.
'It can be done but in one way re-
sumed the old man with dangerous ex-
citement, 'that is, by making her your
wife. You will fulfill the wish of my
heart-ratify the tacit bond between
you? Oh, Norton, say you will do
not deny me the only thing ask!'
Again the warning pressure az the
doctor vainly tried to soothe his pa
tient. Norton hesitated. What could
he say-what do? The color mounted
to his brow, his lips trembled.
"Say something for heavens sake !"
whispered the doctor with energy
'Pacify him in some way-any way
or l cannot answer for the conse-
quences."
Once more Norton's fatal weakness
paralyzed his will Through his home
ward journey he had persuaded himself
that nothing should induce him to let
his uncle die in ignorance of his true
position, his otfense unforgiven as un
known. Disinheritance, pain, ignom-
my, were better, faced than that. SO
he had told h .mse!f-and now
Promise, Norton, promise y The
shrill voice rang piercingly imperative,
the dying eyes looked up with plead
ing agony, the thin hands clutched at
his as if they would wiring from him
more than life itself, and Norton prom
ised
"Bring Helen Where is Helen ?"
Mr.. Blake cried with feverish impa-
tience. "Let me hear her promise too.
Only then can | rest in peace
Helen came. She drew near to the
bed with an expression of calm repose,
of trusting strength on her beautiful
face. Quickly this changed to one of
shrinking, awe struck reserve, as she
glanced from the gray, imperious feat
ures of the dying man to those of her
as she bel'eved-lover set in white
look of pain and fear. Looking won
deringly from one to the other, the
poor girl taltered out the promise re-
quired of her, Mr.. Blake holding in
his the hand of each as the words were
spoken.
1t was to Helen but the sealing of a
vow-muttered, indeed, but long exis
tent. No doubt of Norton's truth or
| b~,Nr o.,o;1oI hn, Vnt lnnl,pr, IN
into his pale, drawn face, vague pan.
ic struck coldly to her heart, so joyless,
50 despairing, were the eyes that met
her own.
"Nunc dimittis the sick man mur-
INJURED, and sank back upon the pillows
faint and exhausted.
To the amazement alike of doctor
and friends Mr.. Blake rallied from the
stupor into which he fell after his in
terview with Norton, drank the draugh,
prescribed for him, sank into a calm
, slumb:r and awoke so much improved
, that hope whispered anew that recov
cry was possible. Time proved hope
right. After many fluctuations be
tween life and death danger gradually
retreated health dawned once more
Through the week Of convaescenc,
the same imperious mandate wieldec
s its iron sway. No excitement, NJ
thwarting was on any account to be
q permitted.
. Morning by morning Norton Blak
rose from his bed vowing that, at al
risks, he would before night disclos,
the fact of his marriage to Helen anC
q his uncle. Evening always found hin
! fores worn. Gradually the stifled con
- science yielded to the fascination o
the hour---alowed him to drift aimless
ly down the stream of circumstances
Alas the seductions of the momen
e were all too sweet, the tiowry patl
l. only to aluring. Vainly honor spok
g and duty called he was deaf an,
/ blind to aught but fear. Only when
IS letter from his wife arrived-coaying
y pleading, TIN hleatening-did his cheel
/ pale and terror gnaw his breast. Hel
/ ems clear brow wore, sometimes, a fur
II row of perplexity as she saw tn
J. strange handwriting on the missiv
/ lying by his plate at breakfast time
g and noticed his futile efforts to concea
q the effects Of its unwelcome appear
u auce.
: "Guileless by nature and singuarl
unversed in the worlds deceits, Hele
n trusted Norton with the whole hearted
J. ness of one who, estimating Others b
j. herself, scorned to see spot or blemis
u in those she loved. Norton saw, to
d late, what he had thrown away SO reel
l. lessly-what infinite capacities of lif
+ long happiness he had blotted fo
u ever.
Yet no thought of sparing her eros
g. ed his mind, If any remembrance
lie the anguish surely awaiting Helen m
e. mentarily disturbed him, he quiett
m it by rejecting that chance often solv,
"a times riddles in manner equally u
H. expected and pleasant, and, uniort
nately for all, chance was his fetish.
O. a. l. l.