The Dickinson press., 1893-05-13

Il shall rest for time" he medi-
tated. dragging himself to chair lit
is true l told him l should end it all
within the hour. but there is no press
ing hurry, and my worst enemy would
not wish to shorten these extra mo-
mentS'
His eyes wandered aimlcssly about
the room. but finally rested unon a long
envelope which lay upon his desk. 1t
was directed to him in IN unfamiliar
hand. In one corner was the name and
address of Il prominent firm of lawyers.
He had noticed it previously. but had
not opened it, Now. wishing to divert
his mind, he incuriously broke the seal.
1t was lengthy communication: but
from his brief glance he CLEANED that.
through the death of his mothers only
brother, he and his brother We're Joint
heirs to an enormous fortune. He re-
stored the letter to its envelope: the in-
telligcnce 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 muttercd. 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 periidy. and because l am that
mans son. and because it is a just law
that the sins of the father shall he Wis
tied on the children. must suffer.
There is hut one consolation. no one
knows. or ever can know, the depth
of our fathers bascncsS. but ourselves"
1t suddenly flashed upon him that
the knowlt ,:;,e had NOW narrowed down
to hinise.: Ne turned the envelope
over carcsSingly. repeating softly. NO
one on earth knows but myself"
He seemed to derive certain SatiSfac-
tion from the words.
Were we right in so summarily de-
Gliding that only through our death
could restitution be nE,de:" he demand
ed. "lloward would be far more con-
tent if left with his books and Il mod
est competency. The control of vast
wealth would be nothing but Il burden
to him. of course lie 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 all his lately acquired re
pose vanished His face hardened. Il
look of subtle cunning crept about his
lips.
perhaps it is rs WE'LL" he urged.
"Hc would never have been ut peace.
for lie had an exaggerated idea of
honor. If l determine TO live" he
pursued. II shall reSolutely thrust from
me the remembrance of what we dis
covered. There will be nobody, nothing
To remind NE Of it. and even Ia myself
shall appear as much Il man of honor
as before we happened upon those
papers.
With dogstM iirmneSs he replaced
the cartridges and revolver in their
compartment. No sign of the conflict
which h:,d ragged remained.
II had srown late. and he carefully
dressed for dinner. Once or twice his
thoughts lowered over the motionlcSS
form lying in his brothers room. 1t
would he necessary for him 10 fcisn
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
little, as if pleased at having got along
without the mans assistance.
He opened the door. then rctrcated
Il step. rs did also the man ON the
threshold.
The two brothers, both carefully
dressed. stood face to face.
Alice S. Wolf. in the Argonaut