The record-union., 1893-03-10

gaze, and now, why this very evening,
Peter Worthy had warmly grasped his
hand and said: my dear sir, an de-
lighted that you continue so hale and
hearty. You are our modern Atlas, and
we all pray long life and strength to you,
TOR without you there would be chaos ~
Peter W orthy, whom he had often envied
and often crossed the street to avoid.
And so the golden days rolled on, each
one the brighter to Solon Briggs The
young Lieutenant returned to the
w estern army, Tor there were rumors of
an Indian rising. The pallor, too, re-
turned to Edith's cheeks, but her hus-
pand had been so charmed by the bloom
that he failed to notice its evanescence.
An, how blind its complacency; how can
eyes see whose lids are tightly drawn? :?
\ ct there came worry to Solon Briggs
from his chiefest delight. His little SON
what bliss in the reinsurance of such
ownershipi What hopes, what prayers
he represented, but oh, how much he
looked like his father! An uncauny creep
afflicted Solon as he recognized the same
tlny eyes, narrow brow, and deep lines
ABOUT the nose and mouth, the meaner
because the more dwartish. He had
hoped for the more beautiful child of d
beautiful mother; alas, he found an i'm
pish imitation of himself
All, golden days indeed; sunset gilt
ter preceding night. One morning while
Edith was reading the paper she moaned
and tainted. 1t was not until that night
had settled that Solon understood that she
had read an account of Lieutenant
Jerome's death on the battlefield. Then
1t had seemed sudden attack which re-
yealed mortal weakness. Through the
long twilight of dwindling hope she lin
gered, gentle, accomplishing, resigned,
greeting her fate with a smile which
Sa1maH annalin IN tho old p1c fond
memory, until the hour came when, be-
tween the leaves of her prayer-book. he
found little note, and realized that she
had died because she had not cared to
live.
Then Solon Briggs trembled and felt
his years, and reached out like one lost
IN the desert. But there was the boy.
Ah, yes; his little Solon. Why need he
despair when in him he could live again a
blameless life, haunted by no specters,
dogged by no watches. Fortunate child,
whose natural virtues could expand un-
hedged by the rough necessities of life.
Thereafter, in the development of his son
Solon, he found an absorbing interest.
He watched, he prayed, he fought against
doubts, but he doubted He was so like
unto him, not only in appearance but in
characteristics; silent, secretive little
boy, passing through a silent, SecreuVe
youth into silent, secretive manhood.
One day on his return from boarding.
school young Solon Briggs proudly
showed to his father his quarters allow
ance intact, with quite an additional sum
which he explained was usury exacted
from his mates.
MY dear boy" said the anxious old
man, ~ fear | have been penurious with
you. Hereafter l shall allow you twice
as much, and if you would please me
you will spend it quickly and ask for
more"
only fools waste money" replied the
lad. ut isn't that you don't give me
plenty, but love to see it grow"
But you will have millions when I
die"
''Yes, L know. OF course. But if to
own millions is great, to own more mill
ions must be greater, and ] wish to be the
greatest man in the world"
Have care" said Solon angrily. "If
L believed you knew what you were
talking about | would disinherit you.D
oung Scion never forgot this threat.
Thereafter he kept his thoughts himself.
Since it pleased his father that he should
be spendthrift, Il spendthrilt he would
be To his own prott. He assumed a gay
ar when i'll the old mans company and
talked OF people and books as if he didn't
desp1se the former and ridicule the lat
ter. When he left college, where, if he
was dull, he was most methodical and
regular, he had pretty little fortune of
his own, and was as knowing a screw as
Queer street ever developed.
But his father regarded him as a gal
liant young fellow, impulsive, generous
hearted and careless of affairs. He had
forced himself to SO believe out of self
preservation and gradually the ideal and
the real had changed places. Even when
young Solon expressed his idea to 90 on
the street and to take his fathers old seat
IN the exchange the old mans faith did
not falter. The reasons given We're so
plausible; it was quite the thing for the
boys to go into the stock mark ct. Even
II one did no business, it was convenient
10 have access to the center of affairs
Perhaps he might be of some service to
his father. At all events, he would be
better fitted to assume the care of vast
property should that day come, which
God forfend.
1T shall be as you wish" said old
Scion. 81 see you young fellows make a
diversion out of what was very serious
business in my day. So much the better.
All, the enmities that were engendered in
that strife for gold. Scarce a day passes
that l do not receive some Scurrilous or
threatening letter. Keep yourself free,
my child, from the taint of gambling. If
is robbery by force of wit and merits
punishment. Well, if mine comes to me.
l shall be content in the thought that YOU
will be rich by inheritance and not
through skill which may be chicanerv.
Young Solon laughed and said that he
guessed he had been too well taught in
the dangers ofspeculation to hazard them.
and thereupon concentrated all his ener-
gies to money-getting. Bred in the bone
was this fierce, absorbing desire, and if
he deceived his father it was this very
avarice which so advised him. Wby
didn't the old man die? He had passed
his usefulness. Every day be was ignor-
ing opportunities which Croesus might
grasp tor the sake of a reputation which
barely served TO obscure public memory.
The dotard AS if one could ever have
enough, or fame were preferable to
riches! Why didn't the old man die and
yield to him the fortune which belonped
TO him and which he could use, and iree
him from this constant deception and
time serving
For old Solon craved the companion
ship OF his son. Like one who possesses
a rare gem, he loved 10 fondly gaze on
him. He saw no flaw, and for Years he
had willed that the mental and physical
similarity did not exist, and so he now
believed.
On Saturday old Solon asked his bow
to go with him to his country seat and
spend Sunday, and the young man dared
not refuse. As he was assisting his
father to alight from the train he felt him
start and shudder.
"What's the trouble?" he asked as they
were leaving the station.
Il thought saw someone skulking be-
hind pile of luggage whom i" The
old man hesitated. Pm nervous. |
guess. No matter. Bayles is as alert as
he has been Tor years. Thank cod, my
child, you will never feel the dread OF re-
venge which you know TO be righte-
ous."
Now, Bayles was Solon Briggs pri-
Uafn datnctiXn-