The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-18


"wcli. It's to be seen now whether she has the
strength that bears. or the strength that
breaks. The way she held her head. as she
took tho reins and drove OF. with poor Louise
beside her palpitatins with sympathy for her
trouble and anxiety about her horses. was,
yes. II was superb: there's no other word for
It. All. poor girl"
"Your sisters presence will be q great help
to her." said Wade 1T was very good OF her
to come"
"Ah. there wasn't anything else for IT," said
Matt. hinging his head up. Louise has my
fathers loyalty. don't know much about
her friendship with Miss Northwick-she's 90
much younger than I. and they came together
when I was abroad-but I've fancled she
wasn't much liked among the girls. and Louise
was her champion. In way. When Louise
read that report. nothing would do but she
must come"
"But our being hero must have It's embar-
easements for my father. 1t was sacrifice for
him TO let us come"
Idon't understand"
ut was he who carried through the respite
the directors gave Northwick: and now he will
have the appearance before some people Of
helping to cover up the miserable facts. OF put
ting good face on things while rogue was
getting away from justice. He might even be
supposed to have some interest In getting him
out Of the way"
"Oh. don't think any suoh suspicion can
attach itself to such . man as Mr.. Hilary" said
Wade. with q certain resentment Of the sug-
gestion even from the mans son.
I'm q commercial civilization like ours ANY
sort Of suspicion can attach to any sort Of man
in case like this" said Matt.
Wade took OF his hat and wiped his fore
head. II can't realize that the case Is what
you say. can't realize It at all It seems
like some poor sort Of play. Of nske-believe.
By Il. We are In the presence Of horror that
ought to make uS uncover our heads and fall
to our knees and confess our own sins to Godw
"Ah. I'm with you therep said Matt. and he
pushed his hand further through his friends
arm.
They were both still well under thirty. and
they both had that zest for nero experience.
any experience. that hunger for the knowledge
Of life. which youth feels. In their several ways
they were already men who had thought for
or conjectured rather: and they
were eager to verify their speculations through
their emotions They thought q good deal
alike in many things, though they started from
such opposite points In their thinking: and
they both had finally the same ideal Of life.
Their intimacy was Of as old q date as their
school days: at Harvard they were In the same
clubs as we'll as the same class. Wade's father
was not Boston man. but his mother was q
Bellingham. and he was nurtured In the tradi-
with them: Wade not 30 much when he be-
came ritualist as Hilary when he turned his
back on manufacturing.
They were now not without . kind Of pride
In standing so close to the calamity they were
fated witnesses OF. and In the midst Of their
sympathy they had curiosity which con-
cerned itself with one OF the victims because
she was q young and beautiful girl Their pity
not so much forgot as ignored Northwick's
elder daughter. who was plain. sick old maid.
and followed the younger with kind Of
shrinking and dread Of her doom which Matt
tried to put into words.
"Isssure you II couldn't manage to pull
away from It at moments. don't see how
could stand it Ihsd q sense Of personal dis
grace when met that poor girl. with what
had in my mind felt as II were taking
some base advantage Of her In knowing that
about her father. and was 80 glad whom she
went OF with Louise and left me to struggle
with my infamous Information alone. hur-
ried Louise away with her in the most cow
ardly haste. We don't any Of us realize 1t. as
you say. Why. just imagined It means sor-
row. 1t means shame. 1t means poverty. They
will have to leave their house. their home: she
pany. It isn't merely friends and her place In
the world: It's money. it's something to eat
and wear. it's roof over her hendp'
Wade refused the extreme view portrayed By
his friends hgures "Of course she won't be
allowed to come to want"
"Of course. But there's really no measuring
the serious reach Of disaster like this. 1t
strikes from q coil that seems to involve
everything"
what are you going to do II you get bad
news 2" asked Wade.
"Ah. I don't know! Unjust tell her. some
how: unless you think that YOU" Wade gave
q start which Matt interpreted Alright: he
laughed uervously. mo. mol It's for me
TO do it know that: unless can get Louise.
All wonder what that is."
They were walking back toward the station
again. and Matt had seen head and arm pro-
jecting from the office window. and hand
waving q sheet Of yellow paper. It seemed
meant for them. They both began to run.
and then they checked themselves. and
walked as fast as they could.
I'VE must refer the matter to your sister,"
said Wade. land II she thinks best, remember
that shall be quite ready 10 speak to Miss
Northwlck. Or. II you think best. will speak
10 her without troubling your sister,"
"Oh. you're all right, Wade. You needn't
have any doubt OF that. Wen see. wonder
what there Is In that despatch"
The old station master had come out Of tho
station and was hurrying to meet them with
the message. now duly enclosed In an enve-
lope He gave 1t to Matt and promptly turned
his back on him.
Matt tore 1t open and road: Impossible to
Identify parlor-car passengers" Tho telegram
was signed Operator" and was dated at
Wellwater. Itfell blankly on their tense feel
Ing.
well" said Wade. after long breath. 1T
isn't the worst"
Matt read 1t frowningly over several times:
then he smiled. "Oh. no. This isn't at all
bad It's nothing. But so far it's rather COM
iorting. And it's something. even II It Is moth
Ing. Well. I suppose I'd better 60 up to Miss
Northwlck with It Walt moment: must
tell them where to send II anything else
comes"
"Tll walk with you as far Is St Michsel's."
said Wade. when they left the station. I'm