The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-01-05


he would find love unspeakable. .l
"FatherP' he whispered. with vehe-
ment tenderness.
But the worn, gentle face took on
look OF hatred it had never worn in life.
The gnarled fingers fung his arms away.
81 sacrificed myself for you. Hunger.
despair We're my portion many time
that you might be happy, free and SOME
day great. This l did for you, but you
have poisoned eternity for me-" were the
words that left his lips with the fury of
a malediction.
Tom could not linger to question or
appeal. The throng pressing behind him
bore him on to the center of the inner
hall, where a presence, awful in its aus
terity and grandeur, hung like shadow.
with eyes of fire above parchment out
spread upon marble ledge. Around
this the crowd circled, looked and moved
on one by one.
He bent over it eagerly. Here lay the
explanation, the quest of this vast throng
He looked, and his breath seemed to
cease. Before his eyes lay the stolen play
1t pages were charred as if it had been
passed through flame. II was blotted
with tears and smeared with blood. His
name was written there for all to see,
and far off he still heard his fathers
.quavering, husky voice-the voice that
once sang lullabies to him-repeating to
the curious thousands:
''The Hall Of the Sinful Copy"
The dews Of terror for some unknown
but approaching disaster broke from
every pore, and he sank to his knees,
drawing Virginia with him.
''Oh, kiss me once, love-" she whisper
ed her white cheek hard upon his; 1--WE
must part so sOon!"
Don't leave me-" he pleaded. II love
you. To be- near you is delight even in
this fearful place. I'll give back the
play In the light of truth ! will stand
unmasked I'll do it gladly, let them
revile me as they will. Then I'll have
peace-and your love, dearer than all
the world" .
Oh. her lovely, melting eyes, her kiss
heavy with farewell!
1T is too late" she sighed, and he felt
her lips upon his throat "All that is
chung to him.
mo. no. We will be happy yet" he
cried in anguish.
But the words were hushed upon his
lips. In some occult way the truth was
revealed to him. He knew that all the
faces he had looked upon were those of
the dead. He too was dead, and Vir-
glnia. Life and earth were gone forever.
Repentance was vain, redemption inn
possible, parting, shame and despair
eternal.
In the sudden blackness that swept
down like the shadow cast by mon
strous wing Virginia's body slipped from
his longing arms, and he was alone.
The cry that broke from his humili-
ated soul sent the vision whirling, and
he awoke, conscious of bursting heart
and quivering body bathed in cold
dews. He made an effort to rise, and as
he did so felt hand upon his shoulder
heard voice speaking his name.
what else?" he cried, f1inging back
his head, his eyes flashing maddened
defiance and clouded with blood. what
else? Oh, .GodP
Mr.. Plunket's commonplace face was
close to him.
Murray, you must be i'll. You've been
dreaming-crying out as If some one
were hurting you. Wake up. Don't
stare so, man. Wake up"
Staring, trembling, his tongue thick,
Tom sprang up. The sense of utter loss,
the tragedy of virginia's last kiss, were
still with him. He looked around, star
tied, dumb. Yonder in the crimson circle
cast by the lamp stood Delatole smiling.
Just beyond him were the gaunt form
and lonely eyes of Felix Dawson. Both
were waiting.
my dear Murray, am here under
protest" said Pluhket, wringing his fat
hands in loose. soft, helpless way as he
stood with his head on one side. This
mans story is absurd--now be quiet,
don't get angry, but-but-he says your
last play was one he sent you and which
you err r er appropriated. He
hasn't shadow of proof. How could
he? Why, it's preposterousi AS if j
wouldn't know your style anywherel /
poohpoohed him, but Mr.. Delstole per-
suaded me to let him face you with his
story. That IL all, my dear Murray;
that is ALL"
Tom regarded him vacantly while he
spoke. He started blindly forward and
paused midway in the room. leaning
upon a chair.
He was not dreaming stillf No; these
were men, not shades. This was his fa-
miliar room Virginia was not far away.
All was not over. The living moment
was still his. Considerations so inn
portant but a little while ago were lost
sight of; his tortured sensibilities over
leaped them all in maddening thirst to
redeem himself in his own eyes while he
could, to purge the soilure from his soul.
so that never-oh, never-might he
really know that sense of awful, final
condemnation revealed to him In a
dream.
Speak up, Murray. Throw the lie
in his teeth" cried Plunket.
A pallor suddenly struck Toms face
from brow to chin; pale smile came
and went upon his lips. Wretched and
ILL nb r. fbQra w