The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-01
!rt he congratulated himself

the pistol which had been fired in room
further down the corridor. The sound
fastened him, and he at once pulled the
trigger.
He fell into the chair beside him, his
hand pressed to his heart, hoping that
death would not be long delayed, for the
pain he was suffering was intense. He
could feel the warm blood trickling over
his hand, dyeing the bosom of his shirt a
vivid red.
His eyes fell upon his trembling hand,
which still clutched the pistol. 1t was
not smoking, and suddenly there echoed
in Wyndam's ear the dull fall of the
hammer. lie realized that he was not
shot; that the pistol had been unloaded
The mirror, which he faced, unmerci-
fully reflected him. The color had fled
from his face; his eyes were fixed and
distended; his lips were twitching. He
gave some cOntemptuous commiseration
to the abject figure, failing to realize I'M
medlately that 1t was himself
The weapon dropped from his nerveless
fingers, and he buried his face in his
hands. He continued to sit in his hud-
died position for some time, then, after
several fruitless attempts, got to his feet.
He CROPPED his way blindly to the car
tridges, and when he at last had the box
in his hand slowly retraced his steps to
the pistol, which lay upon the floor. He
lowered his hand for it, but he could not
pick it up He had lost control of his
fingers. He drew himself erect and
wiped away the cold perspiration which
had broken out on his brow.
"Great God" he whispered, what a
coward l ami"
Hecarefully smoothed the anguish from
his face, and once again bent for the r.
volver. This time he was able to con-
vey it to the table. He endeavored to re-
load it, but could not.
II shall rest for time," he meditated,
dragging himself to chair. 1T is true
II told him should end it all within the
hour, but there is no pressing hurry, and
my worst enemy would not wish to
shorten these extra moments"
His eyes wandered aimlessly about the
room, but finally rested upon long en-
velope which lay upon his desk. 1t was
directed to him in an unfamiliar hand.
In one corner was the name and address
of prominent firm of lawyers. Ha
had noticed it previously, but had not
opened it. Now, wishing to divert his
mind, he incuriously broke the seal.
1t was lengthy communication, but
from his brief glance he CLEANED that
through the death of his mothers only
brother he and his brother were joint
heirs to an enormous fortune He re-
stored the letter to its envelope. The in
telligence seemed an unnecessarily cruel
taunt of fate. His riches or his poverty
could not now concern him.
''And to think of it all reverting to
Howard" he muttered. HE will not
know how to use it; he will be more I'M
comfortable than pleased. He becomes
heir to 10 times what should originally
have been his through one mans perfdy,
and because am that mans son, and
because it is a just law that the sins Of
the father shall be visited on the chill
dren | must suffer. There is but one
consolation-no one knows, or ever can
know, the depth of our fathers baseness
but ourselves"
1t suddenly flashed upon him that the
knowledge had now narrowed down to
himself. He turned the envelope over
caressingly, repeating softly mo one
on earth knows but myself"
TTn N 10 4 &n;, .,p.,
ton from the words.
"Were we right in so summarily de-
Gliding that only through our death could
restitution be NADER" he demanded.
Howard would be far more content if
left with his books and a modest COM
potency The control of vast wealth
would be nothing but burden to him.
Of course he could not be given what is
rightfully his without creating suspicion,
and that must be avoided, but we cam
He went no further, for he was again
confronted by his brothers DEATH He
once more extended his hand to the re-
volver, and all his lately acquired re-
pose vanished. His face hardened; a
look of subtle cunning crept about his
lips.
perhaps it is as WE'LL" he urged.
HE would never have been at peace, for
he had an exaggerated idea of honor. If
l determine to live" he pursued, 81 shall
resolutely thrust from me the remem-
brance of what we discovered. There
will be nobody, nothing, to remind me
of it, and even to myself 1 shall appear
as much man of honor as before we
happened upon these papers.
With logged firmness he replaced the
cartridges and revolver in their compart-
ment. No sign of the conflict which had
ragged remained.
1t had grown late, and he carefully
dressed for dinner. Once or twice his
thoughts lowered over the motionless
form lying il his brothers room. 1t
would be necessary for him to feign sur
prise when the servants found the body,
but he impressed upon himself the fact
that he must be cautious not to overact
his role
He had dressed without his Wallets
help, but as he was about to leave the
room he heard him in the corridor. He
advanced toward the door, smiling lit