The Press., 1894-11-01

Against the dim light Of the room aras outlined tue figure Of luis a0ife. it? Have you fortune?" Frank shook his head and twisted shoulder. "What have you done that is worth the doing then?'
 Nothing tbat I intended to do, ! Dick, was the grave reply.
 "Yes, I imagined that. You have seen them, have you, Frank?'' he added in softer voice. @ - s.. #. Frank blew a great cloud of smoke about his face, and through it he said, 'Yes, Dick, I have seen d-d sight more than I deserve to see.'
 "Oh, of course, know that, my boyl But, so far as I can see, in another di- rection you are getting quite what you deserve. Your wife and child are up stairs; you are here. "
 He paused, was silent for a moment, then leaned over, caught his brother s arm and said ill low, strenuous voice: Frank Armour, you laid hateful lit tie plot for us. It wasn't manly, but we forgave it and did the best we could. But, see here. Frank, take my ward for it, you have had lot of luck. There isn't one woman out of 10, that would have stood the test as your wife has stood it. Injured at the start, con l stanr neglect, temptation'-he paused. My boy, did you ever think of that-of the temptation to woman neglected by her husband? The temptation to men? Yes, you have had lot of-luck There has been special providence for you, my boy, but not for your sake. God doesn't love neglectful husbands, but I think he is pretty sorry for neglected wives. " :.. ... Frank was very still His head drop ped, the cigar hung unheeded in his fin gers for moment, and he said at last: ''Dick, old comrade, I've thought it all over tonight since I came back-every- thing that you've said. I have not a word of defense to make, but, by heav- en, I'm going to win my wife's love if 1 can, and when I do it I'll make up for all my cursed foolishness! See if I don 't!''
 '"That sounds we'll, Frank, , was the quiet reply. "I like to hear you talk that way. You would be very foolish if you did not. What do you think of the child?''
 Can you ask me what think? He is splendid little fellow''
 '"Take care of him then. Take good care of him. You may never have an other, " was the grim rejoinder.
 Frank winced. His brother rose, took his arm and said: "Let us go to our 1,Nn o,,l> 1o enough to talk later, and I am not so young as once was.
 Truth to say, Richard Armour was not so young as he seemed few moi ths before. His shoulders were little stopped; he was grayer about the tenl- ples- The little bit of cynicism which had appeared in that remark about the care of the child showed also in the lines of his mouth, yet his eyes had the same old, true, honest look. But man can not be hit ill mortal places once or twice ill his life without it being etched on his face or dropped, like pinch of aloe, from his tongue. ..s .-.r. .. ...
 Still they sat and talked much longer, Frank showing better than when his brother came, Richard gone gray and tired. At last Richard rose and mo- tioned toward the window. "See, Frank" " he said, "it is morning. ; Then he went and lifted the blind The gray, unpurged air oozed on the glass. The light was breaking over the tops of the houses. A crossing sweeper, early to his task or holding the key of the street, went pottering by, and a police man glanced up at them as he passed. Richard drew down the curtain again.
 "Dick, , said Frank suddenly, 'syou look old. I wonder if have changed as much?''
 Six months before Frank Armour would have said that his brother looked young. . &t
 "Oh, you look young enough, Frank, D was the reply, "but I am good deal older than was five years ago. Come. let us go to bed. "