Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-28
THE HOUSE OF DISHON0R

The wind was roaring tenant Of the
desolate chambers and scurried through
the house, filling the long, bleak corridors
with the sound OF its furious passage Out
aud aloft it screamed most melancholy in
the pines, and flew around The corners and
gables il claps Of the veriest passion. The
white night was ia the possession Of a
thousand evil powers hooking Mt me IN
my torture, as all solitary | waited by the
dim lantern, watching her fair, fraii body
slipping quietly into the arms Of death.
Anon her soul would flicker to her eyes;
the lips would tremble, the lids would
rise. aud the slow, unmeaning gaze rest
for an instant upon my face Of dread.
And then again the lashes would fall, and
life, impotent and weary, would drop aud
vanish from the beautiful clay.
As God is above ! swear in those mo.
ments had no terror for my grievntis sin.
AS we had loved SO also had we lived
may he hold those few poor months sacred
upon bis scroll No distant thought of
that vain weakling whom men call my
wife came TO me over sea had put her
from my mind long since with the great
sin that was my happiness. In that hour
but one hope held me, but one fear.
Without, the long drive ran upward
through tho ragged woods toward the
hills, and By that avenue must come the
Gathering hoofs TO bring me help against
this death that shreSed about the house
and wandered whining through the empty
rooms. Between that silent couch and the
bare, shining road my glanoes strayed,
and ever on my heart fear laid his chilly
al D. ffttf,
as though 'twere /. not she, that drew
nearer to the end. And in truth not she
but /, was wrestling with this specter. !
heard him crying in the night, watched
him on his rounds, between him and tho
dying, !, the living, stood defiant and al
mighty-of my love | braved him there
alone that night within the darkness, and,
swollen to monstrous horror, fear doomed
beside me, and all past delight, all future
evil laughed me to derision in his presence
Apart sat my one remaining seryitor, a
| faithful guardian at the door, squat like a
dog, immediate to the slightest call.
should any call sound here save that Of
death above the hurly burly Of the night.
could not catch her breathing; she
opened her eyes in smile, and the white
teeth shone spectral ia the twilight Of the
room bent to her, shuddering-th
was some whisper on those wavering lips,
but the wind was gibbering Ike devil a.
/ the windows.
ITO steal the last whisper" ! cried.
that were worthy God" and hid my face
upon the couch.
Il was at this instant there fell a sudden
hush, and through the distant doorway he
entered swiftly with the sudden clank OF
| spurred feet. Turning, | beheld him white
and furious against the light.
"You have an amiable turn for with
drawsl, +" said he, "but twill not serve you
long Put hound to the scent" he cried
"aud ia the end twill lick his chops in
bloodn
"Man"- cried. but Gercer than my
fierce voice he flung between me and my
words
Coward he cried, his jaw fixing upor
the cry, and, raising a heavy hand, swept
in stride upon me ! took him by th'
wrist and, pulling feverishly at his arms
bcsought him with my eyes.
Mani said /, and the voice choked il
my throat so that ! could but point a shiv
aring finger to the couch and that whit
lily drawing unto death.
what is this2n said he, and stared npoI
me
"The plague, !" muttered; but my word
were low, and | seemed to speak it TO my
self
His white face was so nigh to mine tina
could mark each line that time hal
I turned upon his cheeks and l though
that his black eyes grew blacker, aud
slow smile wrinkled about the moving lips
He said no word. but walking TO the be-
| peered down upon his sister where she Lax
/ seemed 70 see her fading in and out {
consciousness, as IL were with her heavin
4 bosom, and methought her eyes met hi
I with that plaintive look Of suffering tbs
/ had tortured me through the long day.
y this were so know not surely for at tbs
moment the gravel rang without with
z clash Of hoofs, and, exultant at the SCUM,
sprang toward the door Then thel
broke 10 my old and faithful servitor, an
the wind tapped down upon US from u
j sky. heard his voice calling throue
g the noise. his thin hands gesticulating
y the air, and at his words l stood struC
y dumb and cold.
IS mo helpp' be cried, mo helpl Nougl
win avail now. The plague has ta'en Il
servant from his errand, he moaned; II
, plagued the plaguep'
And looking through the long window
! could espy in the white night gre
N horse streaming from the nostrils, and
y limp figure sprawling from the stirru
~ stark and motionless.
THE plague devours us.n screamS
and took the brother by the coat.
III MAN, p ] said, ride as from hell
M "Ride for this physician beyond the hi
ii and God will be with you upon this ezra
81 OF pity.
"Ridew cried.
He shook me off and laughed.
sir" said he, you have mistaken
les am no serf or bondman OF yours, but
or- mere brother Of this pitiful creature who
Az like to redeem somewhat Of our hoI
,u- within this night
At these monstrous words fell ba
staring at his white and smiling face.
why said he lightly. "you Will !
ceive che situation. frhese SIX month
have been minded TO dissolvaAthis pre-
compact, and but that you slid yourself
of deity those hands had surely done it.
tic now the task is taken from them; she
hit ! herself dissolve 1t within this night
me doubt not. 1t Is a sure way out Of mig
No unpleasant case"
mas He stood twiddling his thumbs and 81
iiss ing at me.
aud "What fend are you that should
rye brother" I cried, finding voice at
the "Ihis is an IN time for Jest. Ride, ri,