The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-16

her face. Mime" heard her murmur.
Mine! No power can take him from mel"
She threw herself into my arms Her head
slowly bent forward until It rested ON my
shoulder. Take me-" she whispered.
That was the beginning OF the FOOLS dream:
and tho dream was sweet while It lasted. Per-
haps that only made the awakening all the
bittsrer.
Idon't know exactly how or when tho flst
GOODNESS began to make itself felt. but It
| seemed to flash upon me all at once that Annie,
! OF her own act, was slowly. almost imperceptf-
bly,. drifting nwav from me. Each succeeding
day. each succeeding hour evidenced the gulf
which had opened between us. Neglect took
the place OF GOODNESS. ana then came absolute
avoidance.
One day came upon her In the hall corridor
OF tho theatre aud tried to speak. shs turned
her back upon me and walked on to the stage.
Then did absolutely the worst thing possible
under tho cirou my temper.
followed her on to the stage and broke into
torrent OF rsrroaches. She turned deliber-
ately and laughed mocSinKly in my face.
i've been playing with you. you fool" she
said. and walked leisurely away. Then for the
first time realized how had been tticked.
played with, and cast aside. and the knowledge
left mo dumb. motioness. and cold. AZ she
turned out OF the shadow of tho hall doorway
into tho sunlight a bent, crouchng figure
sham'lsd past me-. following her. l started
forward and caught tho figure by the arm.
what" I cried. with n loud. harsh laugh.
What! old man. are you In tue tolls. toog"
II can't help IT," cried Macy. in a trembling
whisper. pointing with his finger IN the direo-
ton OF the door. II must follow her; she
forces me to It: she holds me fast. body and
soul. She won't leave me at rest She fasci-
mates mo with those eyesuntil feel them draw
ing mo on and on and on-God knows where
Have you ever seen a snake and a rabbit" no
whispered. hoarssly. with his lips to my ear.
I'm the rabbit" The next moment no had
| broken away from me. turned the corner OF the
! doorway. and was gone.
1wenthome to my lodgings. threw myself into
chair. and tried to recall my mind to some
sense OF my position. Harry was out when
went In. At this was not sorry. for wanted
| TO he alone for while to think over 1t all and
compose myself sufficiently to hide the story
| from him. In all things else might have
found relief in his sympathy and consolation.
But In this matter had always felt an unac-
countable repugnance to telling him any.
thing. and the repugnancs was all the stron ger
now. We had for some reason seen less
OF each other during tho last month than at
any time. This was probably moro my fault
than his; yet whenever We met there was
somehow . kind Of restraint upon useless OF
that old easy confidence to which We had been
so long accustomed. As have already said.
tho fault was mine. Tho change which had OF
late como over me and shut mo up within my
own dreaming had brought about n corrs-
spending change in him. This was only nat
ursl aud only to be looked for. Yet could
find no name for the strange feeling which
now came over mo a. my thoughts turned to
Harry. All was doubt and uncertainty and
confusion. With but two things clear and set
tied. that the woman whom I had loved had
betrayed me. and that my heart was broken.
While sat thsre buried In my own thoughts q
hand was placed on my shoulder. looked up
quickly. Harry was standing over me with q
| very grave rxprsssion on his face.
You old nun" hs said. with half laugh.
what are you draining about7 You never
even noticed my entrance into the room.
Jack" he exclaimed. with sudden earnest
ness. there is something troubling you-thsre
ha. been something wrong with you for long
time. Tell me what 1t is-te.l your brother and
let me share the trouble whatever it may DO.
I haven't your sobornsss and sense: know
| am fool. but fools can sometimes tsa,h the
wise. Come. old fellow, don't be afraid" he
went on after moments silence: you re-
member what Scripture says. Out OF the
mouths OF babes and sueklinRs.' Tell me and
| trust me-"
| Itook his hand and pressed It. could not
epeak. could only look at him with all the
gratitude within me speaking out of my eyes.
| Should tell him the truth? Better not-bet.
ter to bear my own load In silence and leave
| tho sunshine In his lie unclouded BY tho
| shadow OF my sorrow.
Tint moment turned the current OF my
! whols existence. II had but spoken then.
that which came after never would never
| could have happened. and this story would
| not have boon written.
1T is nothing. my lad. nothing to speak OF.
that is to ssy"I answered. risiLR. II Am .
| little depressed. that's all. think I'll 20 up
stairs nm hleep it off,"
"Oi. don't want to force m yself into your
| confidence" hs answered sharply. turning
away with an offended air. II you wish to
shut youraef up. By all means do 20. I'm
sorry spoke"
As l reached the door he came after me and
took my hand. Forgive me. jack" no said.
Il no moan to speak SO roughly. Keep
your secrets II you will. but remember always
that only want to help YOU"
Il will remember. Harry" replied. and
| wont up stairs.
Ono thought now. strangely enough. troubled
me In regard to Annie Glover. and 1t trou bled
me by day and nigh. Who was tho man that
had suprlantsd me In her regard That there
was man somewhere felt sure. though
knew OF no ono az yet. Women OF her stamp
took care never to be without some ono hang
ing ut their apron strings. could not under.
stand why the question should worry me.
bciag done with. another mans case could not
affect mine; and rot. somehow. the thought
was there l resolved to watch and wait.
was no. long kept In doubt. Before week
had passed had disoovsre the man-snd the
man was no other than my brother.
Yes 1t was true. tho witch had got him. a.
she hnd already got me. ! saw 1t In his eyes
Is they followed her about the stage. ! saw It
In his looks when ho smoke to her and she saw
It. too. mover went near her now out Of the
regular business routine; but sometimes.
When he Ind bcen speaking to her. her face
would light up with the look that remem-
bered so we'll and her eyes turn to me with IN
insoent trlumrh In them that sent my blood
to foyer heat. Blind and lost In my own infst-
uatlon. had never seen the truth until It Was