Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-01-08
THE HOUSE OF DISHONOR

ILL AOUOE VI OlOuOlNOn
The wind was roaring tenant of the
desolate chambers and scurried through
the house, filing the long, bleak corridors
with the sound of its furious passage. Out
and aloft it screamed most melancholy in
the pines, and few around the corners and
gables in claps of the vericst passion. The
white night was in the possession of Il
thousand evil powers hooking at me in
my torture. as all solitary waited by the
dim lantern, watching her fair, frail body
slipping quietly into the arms of death.
Anon her soul would flicker to her eyes;
the lips would tremble, the lids would
rise. and 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 and
vanish from the beautiful clay.
AS God is above / swear in those mo-
ments l had no terror for my grievous sin.
As we had loved SO also had we lived
may he hold those few poor months sacred
that vain weakling whom men call my
wife came to me over sea. | had put her
from my mind long since with the great
Sill ClldI w DIS Ivy uSaPplACoo' Al CAf'o AVuA
but one hope held me, but one fear.
Without, the long drive ran upward
through the ragged woods toward the
hills, and by that avenue must come the
Gathering hoofs to bring me help against
this death that shrieked about the house
and wandered whining through the empty
rooms. Between that silent couch and the
bare, shining road my glances strayed,
Io; II l. obi III,
fingers, tightening his hold and straining
as though 'twere l, not she, that drew
nearer to the end. And in truth not she,
but l, was wrestling with this specter. l
heard him crying in the night, watched
him on his rounds, between him and the
dying, l, the living, stood defiant and al
mighty-of my love l 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 servitor, 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 hurry burly of the night.
| could not catch her breathing; she
opened her eyes in a smile, and the white
teeth shone spectral in the twilight OF the
room. bent to her, shuddering-there
was some whisper on those wavering lips,
but the wind was gibbering like devil at
the windows.
"To steal the last Whisper" l cried;
44that were worthy GodT' and hid my face
upon the couch.
1t was at this instant there fell sudden
hush, and through the distant doorway he
- L. h ~
spurred feet. Turning, beheld him white
and furious against the light.
"You have an amiable turn for with
drawal," said he, "but twill not serve you
long. Put hound to the scent, +" he cried
'and in the end twill lick his chops in
blood"
"Man'- cried; but fercer than my
fierce voice he flung between me and my
words.
"Cowardl" he cried, his jaw fixing upon
the cry, and, raising heavy hand, swept
in stride upon me. l took him by the
wrist and, pulling feverishly at his arms,
besought him with my eyes.
'Man"- said l, and the voice choked in
my throat 80 that could but point shiv-
ering finger to the couch and that white
lily drawing unto death.
w nat is UQlS!' SdlO ucs duu SUdItU UPON
me.
"The plague" muttered; but my words
were low, and seemed to speak it to my
self.
His white face was so nigh to mine that
l could mark each line that time had
turned upon his cheeks, and thought
that his black eyes grew blacker, and a
slow smile wrinkled about the moving lips
He said no word, but walking to the bed
peered down upon his sister where she lay.
I seemed to see her fading in and out of
consciousness, as it were, with her heaving
bosom, and methought her eyes met his
with that plaintive look of suffering that
had tortured me through the long day. If
this were so know not surely. for at that
moment the gravel rang without with q
clash of hoofs, and, exultant at the sound,
I sprang toward the door. Then there
broke in my old and faithful servitor, and
the wind tapped down upon us from the
sky. l heard his voice calling through
the noise, his thin hands gesticulating in
the air, and at his words stood struck
dumb and cold.
mo help!' he cried, mo help! Nought
will avail now. The plague has ta'en the
servant from his errand," he moaned; ''the
plague! the plagued
And looking through the long windows,
| could espy in the white night great
horse streaming from the nostrils, and a
limp figure sprawling from the stirrup,
stark and motionless.
1.-The plague deyours u.s." screamed,
and took the brother by the coat
"Man," said, "ride as from hell.
"Ride for this physician beyond the hills,
and God will be With you upon this errand
of pity.
"Rider' I cried.
He shook me off and laughed.
"Sir," said he, you have mistaken. l
am no serf or bondman of yours, but the
mere brother of this pitiful creature who Ia
Ike to redeem somewhat of our honor
within this night"
At these mOnstrous words l Tell BACK,
staring at his white and smiling face.
"Why," said he lightly. 'you will per
ceive the situation. These six months !
have been minded to dissolve this pretty
compact, and but that you hid yourself SO
dsftly those hands had surely done it. But
NOW the task is taken from them; she will
herself dissolve it within this night, /
doubt not. 1t is q sure way opt OF mighty
unpleasant case"
He stood twiddling his thumbs and smi!-
ing at me.
"What fisnd are you that should be
BROTHER" l cried, finding voice at last.
..This is an ill time for jest. Ride, rideE"
screamed, "for the devil is behind you"
" regse5," said he. ito find you at loss
ior relson. lol nave no eye Tor logic III
this moment, but it is Obvious $iaaE yo4E
vision will be clearer by and by. You have
pleasant home" said he, CHANGING through
the window, but trifie noisy on windy
night, and lonely in the time of plaques"
aGod who made you," said l, Judge you
for thisi''
81 am the brother of this thing" said he,
jerking his finger at the couch. 'fthSt soon
shall be corpse. With that she will have
passed beyond the dishonor of our honor
able house. And YET" he continued as
though he would beg me favor, Though
she be no wife of yours. have hopes ycu
will conduct her obsequies in the decorous
| fashion of your race. 1t is said you toll the
! death bell in these hours of dissolution.