The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-19

ing.
"what place is thisw faltered from
his dry lips.
Virginia did not answer. She seemed
stricken dumb with grief.
Before door leading to an inner
chamber an old man stood on guard.
His shoulders were curved as If he had
toiled with the spade. His hairy, labor
twisted hands were crossed upon staff.
One sentence only left his lips In mo-
notonous sing song:
"The Hall of the Sinful Copy"
Tom hesitated before him, Joy yelling
in his heart. The simple, trusting, ador-
ing old man was his father. Oh, here
he would find love unspeakable.
Father he whispered, with vehe-
ment tenderness.
But the worn, gentle face took on
look of hatred it had never worn in life.
The gnarled fingers flung his arms away.
IL sacrificed myself for you. Hunger,
despair were my portion many time
that you might be happy, free and some
day great. This did for you, but you
have poisoned eternity for me-" were the
words that left his lips with the fury of
q malediction.
Tom could not linger to question or
appeal. The throng pressing behind him
bore him on to the center of the inner
hall, where presence, awful in it's aus
terity and grandeur, hung like shadow,
with eyes of fire above parchment out
spread upon a marble ledge. Around
this the crowd circled, looked and moved
on one by one.
He bent over it eagerly. Here lay the
explanation the quest of this vast throng.
He looked, and his breath seemed to
eease. Before his eyes lay the stolen play.
1t pages were charred as IL 1t had been
passed through flame. II was blotted
with tears and smeared with blood. His
name was written there for all to see,
and far off he still heard his fathers
quavering, husky voice-the voice that
once sang lullabies to him-repeating to
the curious thousands:
.'The Hall of the Sinful Copy"
The dews Of terror for some unknown
but approaching disaster broke from
every pore, and he sank TO his knees,
drawing Virginia with him.
"Oh, kiss me once, love-" she whisper
ed, her white cheek hard upon his; "we
must part so soonw
Don't leave me-" he pleaded. ~ love
you. To be near you is delight even in
this fearful place. I'll give back the
play. In the light of truth / will stand
unmasled. I'll do it gladly, let them
revile me as they will. Then I'll have
peace-and your love, dearer than all
the world"
Oh, her lovely, melting eyes, her kiss
heavy with FAREWELL!
''It is too late" she sighed, and he felt
her lips upon his throat. "All that is
past" And for another moment she
clung to him. ..
"No, no. We viii be happy YET" he
cried in anguish.
But the words were hushed upon his
bps. In some occult way the truth was
.nvealed to him. He knew that all the
2aces he had looked upon were those OF
the dead. He too was dead, and Vir.
ginia. Life and earth were gone forever.
Repentance was vain, redemption i'm
possible, parting, shame and despair
eternal.
In the sudden blackness that swept
down like the shadow cast by mon
strous wing virginia's body slipped from
his longing arms, and he was alone.
The cry that broke from his humili.
ated soul sent the vision whirling, and
he awoke, conscious of bursting heart
and q quivering body bathed in cold
dewI He made an effort to rise, and az
he did 80 felt o hand upon his shoulder,
heard voice speaking his name.
"What elser he cried, flinging back
his head. his eyes flashing q naddened
defiance and clouded with blood. What
else? Oh, Godw
Mr.. Plunkets commonplace face was
close to him.
Murray, you must be i'll. You've been
dreaming-crying out as If some one
were hurting you. Wake up. Don't
stare so, man. Wake up"
Staring, trembling, his tongue thick,
Tom sprang up. The sense Of utter loss,
the tragedy Of virginia's last kiss, were
still with him. He looked around, star
tied, dumb. Yonder in the crimson circle
cast by the lamp stood Delatole smiling.
Just beyond him were the gaunt form
and lonely eyes Of Felix Dawson. Both
were waiting.
''My dear Murray, am here under
protest" said Plunket, wringing his fat
hands in loose, soft, helpless way as he
stood with his head on one side. "This
mans story is absurd-now be quiet,
don't get angry, but--but-he says your
last play was one he sent you and which
you err - er appropriated. He
hasn't shadow of proof. How could
he? Why, it's preposterous! As if ]
wouldn't know your style anywhere! ]
poohpoohed him, but Mr.. Delatole per-
suaded me to let him face you with his
story. That is all, my dear Murray;
that is ALL"
Tom regarded him vacantly while he
spoke. He started blindly forward and
paused midway in the room, leaning
upon chair.
TT