The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-25

had done meaner thing at any rate, than had
he loved anothers wife; for then both man and
woman were at least protected against has
iniquity by the law. Seeing her afterward
surely turned the meanness to a crime. /
considered, too, that in engaging himself to
woman whom he had loved when that
right belonged to another, he was morally
as wrong as the man who marries the di-
vorced wife upon the sanctity of whose
former relations he has trespassed with his
untimely love, and thousand times worse than
he who marries the widow whom ne mas loved as
as wife; but, if / remember. this was the first
time that such subject had ever come between
us. did not, for moment, think that he
meant to be what / thought him; but | was
grievously shocked that he should have been SO
blinded by the frivolity of a beautiful woman
We we're at the foot of the hill when he finished
his story and waited for me to speak. l could
not see his face or it might have softened my
heart But to gather time to give method to my
madness muttered:
You have not told me her name yet, Dick.
Are you ashamed of 1tW
Even in the dark knew that he started and
| looked at me in his old wondering way; as when,
in college days, he said that scolded him.
''Wait a minute, Bob he replied. Il have
her photograph. Give me match. You shall
see her face first and know her afterward Stop!
| Is this the old anvil she'd and the smithys fire
not outl Come in. Well blow it up bit, and
have a still better light"
l followed him into the old blacksmiths shed.
1t was nearly dapidated, with nothing worth
locking up and no door to lock if there had been.
Dick found the bellows-strap and began to blow
the fire. First blue blaze spurted up from the
black Goals. Then red glare crept through the
shed. Then a clear white glow filled the dingy,
cobwebbed, raftered room, with its bits of broken
iron lying about the floor, its rustng horse
shoes hanging upon the beams; we two between
| them facing each other in the white light of the
! smithy's fire, at dead of night two men in even
ing dress; face alive with joy: the other full
| of indignation: the face of beautiful woman
between US. had once seen that face in reality,
and to have seen it was to remember it forever.
| had seen it beside man who had moved ME
to such positive distrust that had even turned
aside to ask his name My hand trembed now,
as | held the photograph, and my voice trembled
as | asked:
st is not she who was betrothed to Mr. Rob.
erts2'
You know her, Bob!7 Dick exclaimed, land
do not tell me how fortunate am?'
s'How unfortunate!" | muttered.
WAS she at fault for Roberts rascalityF
he added, Indignantly.
dick, she was his promised bride. You might
as well have coveted your neighbours wife," 1
said abruptly.
Roberto 1t was many year since he had
called me that did not tell you she was free
before / spoke word!"
Doubtless she was free"
And was then not free!"
Dick, said earnestly, and think angrily,
You were free to marry any other woman in the
world"
bob, you are beside yourself! For what is an
engagement but to discover If marriage is de-
sirablel"
''True, Dick. It is two hearts pledged for
test of devotion. And by that sign it is not
time for others to step in and test their wiles if
they cannot sever the knot before it has been
sealed by law"
carriage passed the shed, going from the di-
rection of my house toward the railway station.
And realizing that this was not the place for
such conversation, Dick said:
Come. Bob, before we are completely out
about this, let us walk up to the cottage and
talk it over sensby. 1t is almost half past 10.
Before that hour must have it settled with you,
for you must then settle it for me-"
did not move, but sullenly replied: "Dick, I
have said all that will say. / will not speak of
this at home. will not acknowledge up there
that Richard Halstead can be capable of an act
that would debase a gentleman"
''Mr. Halsteadw
Tt was ~ voice from the road and startled both
of us. / stood with my back upon the speaker,
but Dick, opposite, with the freight full upon
his face was looking to toward the door. He
must have been plainly seen though 1 think he
could not see the speaker.
'Who is It'll" he asked.
."Roland Roberts" the voice replied; 'can I
speak with you about the matter?"
With a sigh (of relief, / think, Dick left me
and l stood alone by the smithy's anvil dream
again into the Goals and distant church clock
struck H. shuddered, involuntariIy. A strange
foreboding crossed my mind. What if Dick
were taking me at my word, and not coming
what If something should happen to him or TO
me before could find him. with those cruel
words of mine, the last of lifelong friendship
laughed at such a foolish fear, but the laugh
gave up waiting and anxously turned
toward the reception hall. l would
more willingly have gone the other way, but for
the fear that unless found Dick first he would
rudeness. / walked slowly with heavy heart,
and something fercely dragging me to turn
about and go the other way. 1t was after half
past IL when reached the house where the rev.
elers were still crowding the brilliant hall. But
| through them all sought in vain. No one had
| seen Dick since he went out with me- I asked
| for Roland Roberts, but the host did not know
| him. He had not been among the guests. Pos
sibly. after all. Dick had gone to my house to
wait for me there. 1t was ten minutes be
fore r. In half an hour the last train
would leave for the city. At least, if Dick
were at my house he could not reach that
train without passing me upon the road. |
walked to the station first. to be sure that he
was not waiting there, and then turned towards
my home, walked rapidly. The smithys
shed was in the very heart of the valley, just
midway the station and my cottage. AS l
passed it again the distant clock struck II. In
voluntarily paused. | was trembling violently
Was it the placea The hourg | had passed that
way on blacker nights and at all hours and never
felt tinge of fear. And withal at that moment
l was only conscious of thinking of Dick. 'He
must be there muttered, and again started
rapidly forward. The hill was steep. Five
minutes later, just half way between the anvil
and my door, suddenly realized that was
brea.hless and very much excited; indeed, in
no state NO meet with Dick. Abruptly l
stood still 10 think it over. Ny heart was
throbbng as never before in my life. To calm
myself drew cigar from my pocket and at
tempted to light it. The action was absurd
Angrily threw away the match and closed my
silver match case with savage click. Before
l could move there rustic in the branches
opposite. Then ] heard quick and heavy step
upon the road. Unable in my present state to
act calmly, l simply CALCULATED "Stand!" in
some excitement and, as shadow doomed up in
| front of me, instinctively raised my hand in
| self-defense The next instant heavy blow
| fell upon nv head I staggered but sprapg to-