The Dickinson press., 1893-05-13
A MANS HONOR.

| Nuoe SnOut.
| Atlanta Constitution.
a MANS HONOR.
Wyndam leaned back in his chair,
regarding the Saltant flames of the
gratc-tire with hostile eyes IIe be-
lieved himself to be particularly calm
his heart was beating ut its normal.
placid pace, his mind was clear He
was unaware that his fingers We're
nervously tapping the arms of his chair,
and that his view Of the fire was grad
ually growing blurred and ndistinct
The library table was thickly Strewn
with papers. and Wyntlam's brother
leaned heavily against it, gnawing his
discolored lips.
AT length Wyndam broke the strained
silence. He arose from his seat and
placed his arm upon his brothers shoul
der, saying: DO you see the biting
jest fortune played us in removing
our father before lie could destroy
these pleasing documents? For have
no doubt he fully intended to destroy
them"
The younger man impatiently chafed
under his brothers words. He threw
| uaSh AlS AlSl\A uS IL " SliilNc ullAl-
self free from the thoughts which pur
sued him.
Il am not sorry he had not time
to destroy then," lie returned, laboped-
ly; "he tried to teach us to the full
the meaning of honor-perhaps with
the idea that we would be able to do
what he was not strong enough to ac-
complish. 1t only remains with us to
make restitution"
Wyndam looked ut him in astonish-
ment and cold admiration of his man-
ner of receiving the blow.
THAT is all that is left for u.s." he
agreed. slowly: and we can accomplish
it only by our death; otherwise the
world would know of our dishonor.
Fortunately, Howard is the next in
succession, and will come into his own
without need of disclosing 10 him our
shame"
The younger man was unable to re-
strain the faint look of protest which
momentarily flashed into his heavy
eyes. Then the blank hopeleSSneSs
again envcloped his features as he
echoed: Only our death can right the
wrong"
He recognized that the case required
that drastic meaSure-he wished no re-
peal from it, for every breath he now
drew was poisoned; but the thought OF
death, which only an hour ago had
seemed so far distant. came upon him
with something of shock.
1T will be we'll for lis to make our
exit as speedily as possible" Wyndam
pursued; there will be the usual Won
derment at our hasty deed; but, at
least, there will be no suspicion OF the
truth"
He commenced to separate the papers
with his usual customary methodicaf
precision, quickly bringing order out OF
the confusion which had rcigned. He
was hindered rather than helped by his
brothers assistance. He deposited in
the fire the confession which had laid
bare before them unguessed infamy,
and the two stood watching until the
flames had mercifully devoured the last
bit of paper which could have avOWed
their dishonor.
Then Wyndam said: II am going to
my own apartments. 1t will probably
take me an hour to arrange my own
affairs. At the expiration Of that time,
l shall end my life"
II shall do likewise" declared the
younger man, who had now regained
the mastery of himself. His voice rang
steady, but his face was like IL DEATH
mask in its stiffened unnatural repose.
There had never been any strong
liking between them, but as Wyndam
shook his hand upon separating from
him ut the turn of the corridor, he was
stirred by a momentary thrill Of pity.
He knew his brother well enough to re-
alize that life could now hold no possi-
BILE charm for him, but it seemed sad
that he should be forced to leave it
while he was still possessed of the ex-
altations peculiar to youth.
Wyndam closed the door Of his own
den, and set about the completion of
his task. There was not one letter over
which he fingered before committing
it to the flames. yet many of them
were from the one woman he had ever
loved, and to whom his marriage was
imminent. He had sAlWaye been able
d to keep ~ naiiid from abte,
sl I'd that si6ns
bet hs Yasala ssssA tlaifit alinltras
4 ls sss !; Sssay ssa3s osnse M la la5 lRss
THss refused. absolutely to allow his
!, thoughts to dwell upon what was to
happen within the hour, and he noticed,
a with q subdued throb Of self-satisfac-
: tion, his unfaltering nerve.
He debated with himself for some
). moments over the advisability of leav-
ing a few last words to the woman who
was to have been his wife, but ulti-
mately dismissed the thought rs savor-
ing of the dramatic. In fact. he felt
he could derive no consolation from
writing to her, as he could frame no
possible excuse for his impending
3 action.
He walked composedly to the drawer
which contained his revolver, but paus-
ed before the mirror to push back from
g his brow the hair which had become
4 displaced. He also noticed that his
cravat was somewhat awry, and rear
= ranged 1t.
l note of his condition. He had more
, than once before proved himself to be
: possessed Of more than ordinary cour:
age, and felt assured he would meet
1 death, when it came, unflinchingly. Yet
!, US he unhesitatingly leyeled the weapon
t Mt his heart, he congratulated himself
n upon his GOODNESS.
8 AS he was about to pull the trigger
r he heard, indistinctly, the muffled Pc
= port of the pistol which had been fired
= In q room further down the corridor
The sound hastened him, and he ut onct
It pulled the trigger.
/. He fell into the chair beside him. hi
Q hand pressed to his heart, hoping thai
+ death would not he long DELAYED. fol
= the pain he was suffering was intense
- He could feel the warm blood tricklin
- over his hand, dyeing the bosom Of hi
;, shirt vivid red.
=. !. His eyes fell upon his trembling han
;, which still cluthced the pistol. 1t wa
:. u not smoking, and suddenly there echoe
in Wyndam's ear the dull fall of tn
hammer. He realized that he was nc
~ shot, that the pistol had been unloadet
T. The mirrer, which he faced, unmerc
y fully reflected him. The color had file
i. u from his face, his eyes We're fixed an
% distended, his lips were twitching. II
" " gave some contemptuous commiser;
40 40 ton to the abject figure, failing to II
,s ,,s alize Immediately that it was himsel
tr % The weapon dropped from his nerv,
-; @ss fingers, and he buried his face i