The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-06
A Strange Temptation
CHAPTER I,

CHAPTER I.
 l went to Alderthwaite for rest and change of scene. Perhaps the place was ill-chosen, for knew it to have been a favorite haunt of Wilfrid Gales. This very knowledge attracted me to the spot, when it ought to have driven me away for if l wanted real mental change, l should have gone to some retreat wholly uncohnected with the memory of my friend.
 Wilfrid Gale had died young; weary, heartsick and disappointed. His ambi- ton had brought to him only humilia- tion, his talent had led him on to despair He was literary genius, undeveloped, but full of promise, and his hopes of early success had been withered by neg lect, or nipped by cruel criticism. If he had been a strong man, he might have faced the worlds indifference until it had changed to applause; but his health was delicate and his organiz ltion sensitive :; and he may be said to have died of his last failure, failure which a little waiting might have turned to success.
 The story of his real life was sad one, and it seemed to his sister Alison a real tragedy. In her eyes his genius seemed immense, his difficulties unprecedented He had been her hero, his talents had been her glory, and his defeat brought to her the keenest disappointment. He was one of the immortals, and she the favored being destined to minister at his side, and shiae in the reflected brightness ot his success. So she had dreamed in happier days, before she knew that her lot would be darker than this; that she was fated only to soothe his sorrows and to watch by him in the weary days of his passing away.
 had always believed in Wilfrid's tall ent and ultimate success, and ' admired his sister great deal. WhenJhe died readily undertook the task of editing his works; this was proposed to me by his publishers, and carried it out with zeal and enjoyment. His writing was good, though somewhat immature, and the last of his books was full of an irregular but highly original power. He had accepted its defeat too soon. The literary world was still hesitating whether to forget it and let it pass by, to be stranded on a lonely shore forever, or to take it up with enthusiasm and to wait it down the tide of the generations in whirlwind of ap. plause. The death of the author turned the scale; the work received immediate and general attention; my little introduc- tory Life of Wilfrid Gale" was read with interest; there was a demand for a complete edition of his writings. He was declared to be among the immortals who had died young, leaving the world only a faint indication of their undoubted pow CTS. His neglected productions were neatly bound in volumes suitable for a library of classical literature some of his characters were declared to be crca- tions of such power that they could never be forgotten they must secure to their author permanent niche in the great temple of fame.
 Nothing else could have consoled Alison Gale so much for the death of her brother. His most earnest desire had been realiz ed though he might not know it-and his life had not been thrown away. She chose to believe that it was mainly through my instrumentalitv that "justice had at last been done to him
 They would not listen," she said. "I knew if he could only get their attention once, all difficulty would be over. You have made them hear against their will, oh0 hoW AhCy (du uCtCN AOtkCb, uCVGk DC indifferent again"
 Her gratitude was very pleasant to me, though l thought it overstrained. had certainly spoken from vantage ground which her brother had never reached. 1 was not clever man myself, but l had the reputation of one, which was more profitable thing. belonged to literary family. l had run in the groove of pub lication all my life. l wrote for critical papers, my name carried weight, and l was credited with more judgment than l possessed. Perhaps had given my poor friends little bark the mai shove thai was wanted to get it of the shallows into the current of popularity; l stood at a good spot for making such pushes, and ! was sometimes inclined to regret that I had DO large venture of my own to em- bark. On this occasion had put more strength than usual into the effort of launching; had been moved by my friends death, interested in his works, and excited by his sisters appeal to me to do my best. My nerves were over- strained, my identity seemed lost in that of Wilfid Gale: lived in the world of his creations and could not get bach into . wholesome atmosphere of cynical self. ishness his enthusiasm possessed me; l