Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-14
THE ATHELSTONS;
VICTOR AND vANQUIsHED
BY MARY CECIL HAY.
OR

"Perhaps Jack hasn't any on," sug- gested the delinquent, hopefully.
 "Famous idea 1" cried the artist, in his genial good humor. Let's see but, cautiously"
 So he stepped to the window on tip toe, and looked out to where the boy (still courteous and patient) stood be- side his pony.
 "No, whispered Fitz, with pirou- cite back into the room, "I believe he has none. Then it doesn't matter about you, does 1t, JetP"
 "It never mattered about me, dad," returned the boy, in his quiet, old-fash- toned way. "I never mind that sort of thing with Jack he never laughs ct me-"
 Fitz Spendir's eyes darkened a little at this speech. He knew that other children often laughed at his boy, and the thought was @ hard one patiently to bear 1; though few could have told better than himself what the mocking of such lips was worth, and how slow the best and noblest are to pass their judgment on the htals ones.
 "Father," said Jet, catching this look upon the artists face, "don't pet me go. You'll be lonely, won't you,
 "Not bit" was the quick, laughing answer; "I shall be all right and do a splendid days work, as I shall not have you to hinder me. Mind you enjoy yourself as much as ever you can, for you don't often get days pleasure, lad die. Now, run along"
 He followed down the garden-path, to watch the boys start
 "DonS be anxious about us, MT. Spendir," said Jack, as he fixed Jet snuGly on the saddle "I'll take care of Jet and I've got the lunch here and we shall have something warm at the farm and ride home through the valley before It's dark"
 "I will meet you thsre," FitE said, |" and bring Jet home. You will not need to ride around here again, Jack.
 "Oh, Mir. Spsndir, are you sure you can spare the timsP"
 "Quite sure for it will be in the dusk. The walk will be treat to me. have e short cut from here to the water fall, you know, and the round of the road will lengthen your ride greatly"
 They said a good-by" to each other and parted, the boys laughing and chat ting as they went on toward the town, and the artist thinking gratefully of Jacks uncle and mother as he went back to his solitary task. Not long had he been at his easel before the cottage door opened, and Lima Chester entered the room; a bright, glad smile upon her lips for him, whatever fear and pain were in her heart But the story that she had come to tell must be told, and, though she de- lAyed as long as she could, she told it at last. Told how (though she had stolen that letter, and Marjorie he'd rescued 1t, and he had burned it) aim liar one had been sent afterward safely and securely told how the answer to l this letter had arrived, what that answer was, and that Eustace Jeffrey had said to her when be told her that he had it m his possession.
 And, as she spoke, Fitz Spendir, not ing what sorrow and anxiety had done for the slight form before him, and look ing on his own bare room and cramped, impoverished life, thought of two great wrongs far back in the years of which neither of them spoke; and all the long-curbed passion of the man rose up in fierce rebellion against the laws of God as we'll as man. And Lima snt and | trsmbled as she listened to the fierce, burning words, the truth of which she felt that moment almost as he felt it.
 "The viper sneered FitE, his lips tight upon his teeth, and his hand some eyes (which an hour before lad looked SO pitifully and so tenderly upon the ohild) flaming now in their hot, wrAthfUl soorn. The viper When again and again have known him to not Alain him As should have slain any other poisonous reptile? Do you call that Heavens justicSP Then let Hcav- oa's justice 90 and give me deviltry- deVitry like his, which prospers and wins it's way l"
 "But we don't see the end yet, said Lima, softly.
 "There won't be long to wait, now," he answered, as he walked angrily to and fro in the small room. "The end is hurrying, for have lost the power at last of resisting what have resisted so lSng."
 "Ot resisting" she said, piteously appealing to him with both her hands oNtstretched, and her face full of deep, appealing love, "the sin which would make us his equals Oh, God, pity us, that we both die before that time
 The anguish of her face and the be- seeChing attitude went straight to the mans heart, and stirred it with its old patient, brave forbearance.
 AotGI ho Wu1SPoEeU, Uno BtrOnRs brown hands unclenohed, and the fierce fire dying in his eyes, "do not look at me 90. I was not master of myself just aow-as may not be master of myself when I meet him. But you have brought me to myself again. Sit down. Hoa look SO small and frail to-day, while my strength seems like that of half 6 do4Sn men. Did you sleep or rest at all lest nightp"
 "HOw could I, when he had told me thisP"
 Then, in bis great pity and affection, the artist took her close within his arms, and, on his breast, she sobbed until she was quiet in utter weariness. And now he was the comforter, gentle and patient in bis strong and quiet courage, lifting little this cloud which hung above them both,
 "Lina, 1t will ba best for every one that we should go even though by do- ing % we must shew our fear of him. " !" Perhaps if went," she said, "you | mad mn IT. vyof1lI ka ov,,al Co ,wa,, kS