The herald., 1893-06-05
A MANS HONOR.


garding the saltant flames of the CRATE
fire with hostile eyes. He believed him
self to be particularly calm-his heart
was beating at its normal, placid pace,
his mind was clear. He was unaware
that his fingers were nervously tapping
the arms Of his chair, and that his view
of the fire was gradually growing blurred
and indistinct.
The library table was thickly strewn
with papers, and Wyndam's brother
leaned heavily against it, gnawing his
discolored lips.
AT length Wyndan broke the strained
silence. He arose from his seat and
placed his arm upon his. brother s~shoul-
der, saying: aDo you see the biting Jest
fortune playe5 us in removing our father
before he could destroy these pleasing
documents? For have no doubt be fully
intended to destroy them
The younger man iInpatiertly. chafed
under his brpthef's words. He threw back
his head as If to shake himself free from
the thoughts which pursued him.
II am not sorry he had not time to de-
etroy them, he returned IaboredEx. "Tie
tried to teach us to the full the inSaning
of honor-perhaps with the idea that we
would be able toNdo what he was not
strong enough to accomplish 1t only
remains with us to,1nalre restitution"
Wyndam looked at him in astonish-
ment and cold admiration Of his manner
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 lnpwof our dishon9r, Fog
tlinately Hovevd is the next in success
sion and will come, into his own with
out need of disclosing to him our shame. :"
The younger man was unable tore
strain the faint look of protest which
momerftarily flashed into his heavy eyes.
Thenthe blank hopelessness again en-
veloped his features as he echoed, "OnIy
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.
"It will be well for us to make our exit
as speedily as possible, Wyndain peir-
sued. "There will be the usual wonder
ment at our hasty Decd, but at least
there will be no suspicion of the truth"
AHe commenced to separate the papers
with his customary methodical preci-
sion, quickly bringing order out of the
confusion which had reigned. He was
hindered rather than helped by his broth
er's assistance He deposited in the fire
the confession which had laid bare be-
fore them unguessed infany, 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; 81 am now going
to my own apartments 1t will probably
take me an hour to arrange my own af-
fairs. At the expiration Of that time
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 a death
mask in its stiffened, unnatural repose.
There had never been any strong lik-
ing between them. but as Wyndam shook
his brothers hand upon separating from
8 him at the turn Of the corridor he was
. stirred by q momentary thrill of pity.
He knew his brother well enough to re-
alize that life could now hold no possible
charm for him, but it seemed sad that he
should be forced to leave it while ne was
still possessed of the exaltations peculiar
to youth.
Wyndam closed the door of his own
den and set about the completioniof 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 iInminent.
He had always been able to keep his
mind from the disagreeahle, and he was
determined that in this last act he would
still maintain, his admirable composure
aud not try himself needlessly.
y~He refused absolutely to allow his
thoughts to dwell upon what was to hap
pen within the hour, aud he noticed with
q subdued throb of Self satisfaction his
unfaltering nerve.
He debated with himself for some mo-
ments over the advisabilty Of leaving q
few last words to the woman who was
to have been his wife, but ultimately
dismissed the thought as savoring Of the
dramatic. In fact, he felt he could de-
rive no consolation from writing to her,
as he could frame no possible excuse for
his impending action.
He walked composedly to the drawer
which contained his revolver, but paused
before the mirror to push back from his
brow the hair which had become dis
placed. He also noticed that his cravat
was somewhat awry aud rearranged il.
He was tnconsciously taking mental
note of his condition. He had more than
once before proved himself to be pos
sessed Of more than ordinary courage
and had felt assured he would meet
death when it came unfinchingly. Yet
at he unhesisatingly leveled tho weapon
at his heart he congratulated himself
upon his coolness.
AS Ne was about to pull the trigger be
heard indistinctly the mufIled report Of
the pistol which had been fred in room
further down the corridor. The sound
hastened him, and he at once pulled the
higgeF,