The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-13

my husband, please? He would like to
speak 10 you for few minutes. | must
ask you to excuse mel am feeling rather
| faint, and think had better go and lie
down.
''One couldn't wonder that the strain
had at last become more than she could
endure; but there was nothing 10 be SAID
by way OF comfort, nor anything TO be
done except to obey orders; so We did as
we were told, and made for the general )
room. The old man was lying in bed with
queer expression upon his face, which L
haven't command enough of language TO
describe; you might call it a look OF abso-
lutte resignation, although that doesn
really convey any idea of il. That great
hulking son of his was on his knees by
the bedside, sobbing into the quilt. sup
pose It was touching scene--well, hang
1t all l suppose | toas touched, but L was
In an internal rage, all the same, for saw
at once that our white-livered friend had
gone and made clean breast OF IT., not
outstanding all the promises that l had
extorted from him.
Indeed, the general lost no time about
telling US as much in few simple worlds
lie was wonderfully calm and collected,
poor old fellow, and if he knew, as pre-
sumo he did, that he had received his
death blow, probably that did not present
itself TO him in the light of a calamity.
be said, the miserable. crouching creature
by the bedside lifted up tear-stained face
and mumbled out something about pardon.
"'Ah,' returned the old general with
the saddest smile that | have ever seen
upon human countenance, the present
court isn't competent to pronounce par
don. That prerogative belongs to the
great COMMUNICATIVE before whom
you and and all of US will have to appear
at the appointed time. And | suppose,
gentlemen he added, that we shall all of
as stand poor chance unless the preroga-
tive of mercy is exercised in our favor
III his reply was a tribe evaslve, 1t was,
am sure, as merciful as he could make it.
He was being asked, of course, for his per-
sonal forgiveness, and he may not have
felt able TO grant explicitly what he would
not explicitly refuse. Be that as it may,
his son appeared to be satisfied, and pres
entity stood up, with the half-sheepish,
half-triumphant air of a guilty prisoner
who has been acquitted. | believe he even
had the cheek to give utterance TO some
religious sentiments; but didn't listen to
him, not wishing TO be goaded into any
unseemly violence of word or act. Besides,
/ had TO give my attention TO the general,
VINO was bidding me and Mackinnon good
bye.
I'VE were more modest than our ex-
comrade in arms; We didn't ask him to
forgive US. We thought he would under
stand how ashamed We were of ourselves,
and so, no doubt. he did, for he begged US
not to worry about it, and added that he
wished to thank us all for our kindness to
him.
"'You won't mind my saying that
think it was rather mistake, will you,
Chambers?' were his last words TO me-
You acted for the best-you thought the
only possible plan was TO deceive me, and
know you well enough now TO know
that you can't have enjoyed deceiying me.
1t must have been tough jobr
at certainly had been a tough job, and
/ humbly hope l may never have to un-
dertake such another"
As Colonel Chambers remained silent
for several minutes, | ventured to inquire
whether that was ALL
Yes" he answered, 'that's all, as far as
l know. for l never saw the Vernons
again. The old general died very soon;
Mrs. Vernon continued to live In Hill
street until her own death, which occurred
about year ago. L called upon her once.
but | wasn't admitted, and the next day |
had note from her, begging me to excuse
her, as she received no visitors now I be-
lieve that during the last few years of her
life she was entirely given up to good
WORCESTERSHIRE the poor, you know, and
And her son ~ asked; "Was she ever
reconciled with him2''
II can't say; but should be inclined TO
doubt it. He started on a voyage round
the world Immediately after his father
died, and he had the good luck to be
drowned somewhere off the coast of Japan
by the capsiZing of a steam launch. No
chance of running away that time!''
w. Z. NORRIS.