The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-06-20
A MANS HONOR.

A MANS HONOR.
Wyndam leaned back In his chair regard
lpe the saltant flames Of the Crate IRE with
hostile eyes. He believed himself 10 be par
tioularIy oalm-his heart WAS bsatinR - 10
normal. placid pace. bis mind was clear.
He was nav that his fingers we're nssv-
ously tapping the arms Of his chair. and
that his view OF the IRE Was gradually
growing blurred and indtstinct.
The library table was thiekly strewn with
papers. and Wyndam's brother leaned
heavily against II, gnawing his diseolofsd
lips.
A length wyndam broke the strainsd
silence. He arose from his seat aud placed
bis arm upon his brothers shoulder. say
ing: do yyu soc the biting Jest fortune
played 10 In removing our father before hs
could destroy thsse pleasing
For I have NO doubt he fully intended e
destroy them" i.
The Younger man impatisntly chafsd
under biz brothers words. He threw back
his head - IL 10 shake himself free from ne
thoughts which pursued HIM.
~ am not sorry he had NOT time TO d.
st,oy them" he returned labcEsdly; III
tried to teach 40 TO the full the meaning Of
homo perhaps with the idea that 10 would
be able to do what he was not stroDR enough
10 accomplish. II only rsmains with ~ to
make restitution"
Wyndam looked At him In astonishment
and cold admiration OF his manner OF re-
esiving the blow.
"That Ia al that Is Left for us," he agreed
slowly. and we can accomplish II only by
our death; otherwise the world would know
of our dishonor. Fortunately, Howard 4
the next'i in succession, and Will come inso
his own without need Of disclosing to MIN
our shame"
The younger man was unable TO restrain
th~ faint look Of protest which momcnsar-
lily flashed into his heavy eyes. Then me
blank hopeisssness again developed. az
features as he echoed: only our deasn
can right the wrong"
He i~ecoQnizsd that the case required that
drastic measurs; he wished nc repeal from
II, for every breath he now drew WAS pol
soned; but tho thought OF death. which
only anthour ago sesned 80 faS 0ist&nv.
came upon him with something OF = shock.
ut will be we'll for us to make our ex's a.
.peedily % possible" Wyndam pursued a@:
.HvA8x0 VIII U0 bnV ~ ~.
hasty deed. but At least there Will be- mo
suspicion OF the truth"
he commenced TO separate the papers
with his usual customary mothooical RE
oision, quickly bringing order. put OF me
confusion which had reiPnsd. He wes
assistancs. He deposited in the fire the
confession which had laid before them nm
guessed infamy. and the two stood walsh
ing until the flames had mercifully Dc.
youred the last bit Of paper which could
have avowed their dishonor.
Then Wyndam aid ~ am now going sc
nv own apartments. II will probably take
ma an hour to arrange my own AFFAIRS. Al
She expiration Of that tims ! shall end ny
i shall do likewise" dselnred thu
Younger man, who had now regainsd ths
mastery Of himself. Els voise rang steady.
but his face was like . deatn-mask IA ~
stiffened. unnatural repoge.
There had never been any strong liking
between them, but - Wyndam shook his
hand upon separating from him at tbs turn
of the oorrider he was stirred by q moment
ary thrill of nifty. He knew his brother
we'll enough to realize that life could now
seemed sad that be should be fo'csd to
leave Is while he was still possessed OF the
Civilizations peculiar to youth.
Wyndam closed the door OF his own den
and set about the compilation Of his task.
There WAS not one latter over which he
fingered before committing II to the flames.
yet many Of them were from the one woman
he had ever loved and to whom his mar
rjane was imminent. He had always been
abie to keep his mind from the disagresable
and he was determined in this last act he
would still maintain his admirabls eonpos.
ure and not try hinself needlessly...
He refused absolutely to allow his
L-..-hAo A. Ixun11 rrrn WhQt Wan tn ham
pen within this hour. aud he noticed. with
a subdued throb Of self-satlsfaotion, his I'M
faltering nerve.
He debated with himself for some mo-
ments over the ACCESSIBILITY Of leaving .
few last words to tho woman who was to
have been his wife, but ultimately dis
missed the thought AZ savorinR OF the
dramatic. In fact. he could derive no CON-
ISOLATION from her, a. he could frame no
possible excuse for his impending action.
He walked composedly to the drawer
which contained his revolver, bat paused
before the mirror to push back from bis
brow the hair which had become displaced.
He also noticed that his oravat was some
what awry and r%sarranged 1t.
He was uncOnsciously taking mental note
of his condition. He had more than once
before proved himself to be possessed of
more than ordinary courage and had felt
assured he would meet death whom II came
uUuluCuiuHlys Low 0o Az
leveled this weapon at his henrt, he con-
graduated himself upon his GOODNESS.
As he was about to pull the trigger he
heard indis Timothy the mufiisd report Of the
pistol which had been a ed in \ room far
thsr down the corridor. This sound has
tened him, and he at once pulled the trig-
ger.
He fell into the chair beside him, biz
hand p essed to his heart. hoping that
death would not be long delayed. for ths
pain he was suffering was intense. HI
could feel the warm blood triokling owe,
his hand. dyeinR the bosom OF his shirt q
vivid red.
His eyes fell upon his trembling hand.
which still clutched the pistol. II was moi
smoking. and suddenly there ECHOED in
Wyndam's ear the dull fall OF The hammer.
He realized that he was not shot, that the
pistol had been unloalsd.
The mirror, which he faced, numerically
reflected him. The color had He'd from hia
face. his ewes were fixed and ~distendsd, hil
lips wsro tvichinQ. He gave 90 me oontemp
tuous administration to the abisct figure
failing to realize Immediately that it wal
himself.
The weapon dropped from his nerysles.
fingers aud he buried his face in his hands
He continued to sit in this huddled posi-
zion for some time, then. after ssveYa1
fTuitless attempts, got to his feet, II,
CROPPED his way blindIy to tho cartridCel