The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-01
A MANS HONOR.

*
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 strewl
with papers, and Wyndams brother
leaned heavily against it, gnawing hi,
discolored lips.
At length Wyndam broke the strained
silence. He arose from his seat and
placed his arm upon his brothers Shout
der, saying; "Do you see the biting jesl
fortune played us in removing our father
before he 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 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-.
stroy them," he returned laboredly "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 accomplish. 1t only
remains with us to make 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, land we can accomplish
it only by our death; otherwise the
world would know of our dishonor. For.
tunately Howard 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 to re-
strain the faint look of protest which
momentarily flashed into his heavy eyes
Then the blank hopelessness again en-
veloped 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.
SIT will be well for us to make our exit
as speedily as possible" Wyndam pur-
sued. "There will be the usual wonder
ment at our hasty deed, but al least
there will be no suspicion of the truth"
He 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 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: 81 am now goin,:
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"
81 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 it's stiffened, unnatural repose.
There had never been any strong lik-
ing between them, but as Wyndam shook
his brothers hand upon separating from
him at 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 possible
charm for him, but it seemed sad that he
should be forced to leave it while he was
still possessed of the exaltations 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 always been able to keep his
mind from the disagreeable, and he was
determined that in this last act he would
still maintain his admirable composure
and not try himself needlessly.
He refused absolutely to allow his
thoughts to dwell upon what was to hap
pen WlUulu IuG IlOuI, anu ue uOIlCGu WIFI
a subdued throb of self satisfaction his
unfaltering nerve.
He debated with himself for some mo-
ments over the advisability Of leaving
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 and rearranged it.
He was unconsciously 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
as he unhesitatingly leveled the weapon