The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-05-13

alize Immediately that 1t was himself.
The weapon dropped from his nerve
less fingers, and he buried his face in
his hanas. He continued to sit in his
| huddled position for some time, then,
after several fruitless attempts, got to
his feet. He CROPPED his way blindly to
the cartridges, 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 con.
troll of his fingers. He drew himself
erect, and wiped away the cold perspi-
ration which had broken out on his
| brow.
Great God" he whispered, sharply,
what a coward I ann
He carefully smOothed the anguish
from his face, and one again bent for
the revolver. This time he was able to
convey it to the table He endeavored
to reload it, but could not.
Il shall rest for a time," he medi-
tated, dragging himself to a chair. ut
is true I told him I should end it all
| within the hour, but there is no press
ing hurry, and my worst enemy would
no wish to shorten these extra mo-
ments.''
His eyes wandered aimlessly about
the room, but finally rested nor a long
envelope which lay upon his desk. 1t
was directed to him in an unfamiliar
han In one corner vas the name and
address of a prominent firm of lawyers.
He had noticed it previously, but had
not opened it. Now, wishing to divert
his mind, he i~ncuriously broke the seal.
1t was a lengthy communications; 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 it's envelope; the in
teligence 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
uncomfortable than pleased. He be-
comes heir to ten times what should
originally have been his through one
mans perfidy, and because I am that
mans son, and because it is a just law
that the sins of the father shall be Wis
tied on the children, I must suffer.
There is but n consolation, no II
knows, or ever can know, the depth
of our fathers baseness, but ourselves
IL SuluCAly IdSlCu upOA Hill tAuS
the knowledge had now narrowed down
V caressingly, repeating softly. \
| one on earth knows but myself"
He seemed to derive certain satisfac-
ton from the words.
Were we right in so summarily de-
| Gliding that only through II death
| could restitution be made?" he demand
II ,rl xr,o,11l lo Ha,, ,,Nr.0 nof-
| tent if left with his books and a mod
| wealth would be nothing but Il burden
to him. OF course he could not be
| given what is rightfully his without
| creating suspicion, and that must be
avoided, but we can-'
He went no further, for he was again
| confronted by his brothers. death. He
once more extended his hand to the
revolver, and al. his lately acquired re-
pose vanished. His face hardened, a
look of subtle cunning crept about his
lips.
Perhaps it is as WELL" he urged.
"He would never have been at peace.
| for he had an exaggerated idea OF
honor. If l determine to i've he
pursued, II shall resolutely thrust from
me the remembrance of what we dis
covered. There will be nobody, nothing
to remind me of it, and even to myself
I shall appear as much n man Of honor
as before we happened upon those
papers,"
With logged tirmness he replaced
the cartridges and revolver in their
compartment. No sign of the conflict
which had ragged remained.
1t had grown late, inc he carefully
dressed for dinner. Once or twice his
| thoughts lowered over the mOtiOnless
form lying in his brothers room. 1t
would be necessary for him to feign
surprise when the servants found the
body; but he impressed upon himself
| the fact that he must be cautions 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
a little, as if pleased at having got along
| without the mans assistance.
He opened the door, then retreated
a step, as did also the man on the
threshold.
The two brothers, both carefully
dressed, stood face to face.
Alice S. Wolf, in the Argonaut.