Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-09-24
CHAPTER I.

at table ranged with old letters, dusty
books, cravats, gloves, few faded oou-
tOnnieres, theatre programmes and dog
cared manuscripts roll upon roll. A
small trunk, half filed, stood on the
floor beside him and received his wear
ing apparel and books as he pltched
them in indiscrimiDately.
Tom was not tidy. Cleanliness OF per-
son and a certain homage to fashion
were matters Of religion with him, but
be could not live 10 an orderly room 70
save his life. This alone might have
betrayed his Celtic origin had IL not
markedly shown itself In appearance
and temperament.
The thick hair growing closely over
his forehead was black as astraknan
and as waved. There was q striking
unatness between his moody blue eyes
and swarthy skin. Dreamy, yet re-
markedly comprehensive In some mo-
ments, were those eyes OF his, and at
other times almost opaque. Something
said or done could make the pupils eI-
pand, a little door seem 80 open, emit
ting a brilliant, blue flash, then dis
creetly close and the shadow fail again.
His mouth was like a brave wOman'S,
full and finely curved, and his merry
smile showed teeth as white as ne
Ero's. A stalwart, youthful figure,
SQUARE shoulders that staggered as he
walked, easy strides that carried him
untiringly for long distances, told Of a
wonderful reserve OF strength. be was
the Irishmau OF Milesian antece1ants
without touch OF the pale Saxon TO
blur the type. Although American
born, there was probably his double
among the strapping young fishermen
throwing their nets OF the coast OF
Galway.
A warning sun ray shot across his eye
lids aud flashed beyond him like
needle OF gold, piercing the dusty dim
ness Of the room, before he turned the
key 10 the trunk.
dts getting late. There's not a min
ute to spare" And pulling out his
watch be gave a kick TO the chair BE-
side him where he had flung bis long
sleeved alpaca gown and Oxford cap
worn by the theological students In
Chelsea square.
There lay the whole story OF his re-
volt. He had thrown them of.
Not for an hour, nor for night, TO
find them awaiting him In the morning,
but forever. Until yesterday be had
worn these things as the insignia OF a
holy calling. They were no more TO him
now than is a sCepter 70 the king who
has abdicated.
,'Peor old dad! He did want TO see
me in the pulpit. The picture l had
taken in these tUgs-hOw he loved 10.
Well. It's all over for nae. GO0dOy has
been said 20 every one. It's all over for
him too. l couldn't pain him so II be
were living"
He started up and took turn around
the room, his eyes sOitenIng with feel
ing.
81 wonder IL he knows I've cut it all
-surulice and psaIter, fasting and pray
ing. I wonder III he careS-now?" Aud
Tom thought Of a neWmade grave 10
western State.
perhaps he knows better than l
could have told him 10 life" and be
felt his heart swelling, that / wanted
TO please him, but / couldn't-couidnt
do it-because Of the something within
me that tugged and protested and
pleaded. Perhaps he knows"
The depression was short lived.
Laughter closely fellows sighing when
one is only 90, clean OF heart and con-
science and blessed-Or cursed maybe
with the murcurial temperament, the
CAV responsibility that I'm crisis Of
lie slips so easily into plausible kind
Of seldshneSs.
Tom gave vigorous shake Of his
long legs and commenced brushing his
hair as III his life depended upon getting
out It's obstinate wave, whistling as he
worked.
To be sure, he had very little OF his
fathers small patrimOny left, and a
very misty future stretched before him,
but the world was brighter to-day than
10 had been I'm years. He need do yIo-
lence 90 his inclinatione no more. IL
was all ended now-all that life whose
demands his soul had resisted, under
which his rebelH0us heart had strained.
How he had hated the mOnotOny Of it!
Hea preacher, when he so loved the
world aud the things thereof What a
mistake it had been!
During the two years spent In the old
college hidden ln a green, far western
corner OF Twentieth street be had
formed no friendships. He was that
marvellous, Isolated being, a college man
without a chum. The interests of his
companions were necessarily clerical.
His thoughts had been elsewhere, his
burning desire centered upon success,
but by a path that wandered far from
the hush and Sanctity Of the church.
And yet there were some things OF
the life renounced which the artist 10
him would miss. The flow OF music In
the little chapel-how often be had
likeped the Quivering intensity of those
rich organ notes 20 the thrO6bing Of his
own unsatisfed heart-the altar spark
ling like an opal under the candle light
on saints DAYS; the twilight that met
one softly ia the secluded paths while
the chimes rose IN happier peals as the
darkness deepened. Yes, the memory
OF these would remain with him for
ever.
Ats o'clock be turned into Broad
wav. The stream OF late afternoon
loupqers thronged the raceway of fash
ion. He braced himself and looked
around with eager, Observant eyes, for
10 him who knows the town and loves it
AZ upfolds a tale OF never failing, never
ending charm. Tom felt a kinship TO
crowds and the swing Of the surging
life. The perfume from bank Of roses
on the street corner came to him with
the thrill Of an inspiration. A 6eauti-
ful woman's sidelOng glance gave
warmth 20 his imagination. de was
really beginning 20 live. He was free.
When at length he came 70 an alb
rupt pause, be stood before a stage
door. IL was half hidden down small
alley, aud hah filed with the scenery a