Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-11-23
possible. parting, shame and despair

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 lie was alone
The cry that broke from his humili-
ated soul sent the vision whirling, and
he awoke, conscious of a bursting heart
and quivering body bathed in cold
dews. He made an effort to rise. and as
he did SO felt d hand upon his shoulder,
heard voice speaking his name
''What elsef' he cried, flinging back
his head, his eyes flashing maddened
defiance and clouded with blood. "What
else? Oh, Godr'
Mr.. Plunket's 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 mp"
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, l 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 cr- er - er - appropriated. He
hasn't a shadow of proof. How could
he? Why, it's rrcposterousi AS if |
wouldn't know your style anywhere!
poohpoohed him, but Mr.. Delatole per-
suaded me to let La face you with his
story. That is all, my dear I1urray;
that is ALL
Tom regarded him vacantly while he
spoke. He started blindly forward and
paused midway in the room, leaning
upon chair. M
He was not dreaming still? No; these
were men. not shades. This was his fa-
miliar Virginia was not far away.
All was not over. The living moment
was still his. Considerations so i'm
portant but little while ago were lost
sight of; his tortured sensibilities over
leaped them all i'll maddening thirst to
redeem himself in his own eyes while he
could, to purge the soilure from his soul,
so that never-oh, never-might he
IL -c Z
condemnation revealed to him in a
dream.
''Speak up, Murray. Throw the lie
in his teeth, cried Plunkct.
A pallor suddenly struck Toms face
from brow TO chin; pale smile came
and went upon his lips. Wretched and
wild though his face was, there was
something of inexplicable triumph in
that smile-a light above wreck.
He looked straight at Plunket:
''The lie? No! The lie was mine. Do
you hear? The horrid, damnable lie
was mine. The play was his. Istoleit
l called it In the Name Of the Car,
and when he came to me I wouldn't givo
it up. wouldn't do it. But now-oh,
take it-and with it remove the curse
that has followed me-
A groan Of agony came with the words.
His eyes looked past the amazed and
startled group to the open doorway.
Was Virginia's gray, drawn face as he
had seen it III his dream still before his
fancy? He looked again. Then he saw
she was really upon the threshold, her
eyes mirroring the pity and horror her
trembling lips could not speak. She had
heard all. 81