The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-07


gazing and so viewing he should sum
mon all the resources OF his mind INTO re.
collection and re-animation2 Would noi
the natural estimate OF each be FeFea'eu
to him as were their features. tnrousn
their personal force working on ms
love and eagerness? At least he would
make the trial: he would conJure tne
dead into testimony through the strength
OF his knowledge OF them. And since ne
shrunk from the dispassionate judgment
OF his friend Truesdell, he would call on
him first, and be done with II. ~ the
worst, he could keep tempering harshnes5
with his prescience Of what his mother
would surely say.
Louis Mitchell concentrated his facui-
ties into conception OF his dead trlend
Truesdell. And gradually as that candid,
energetic foce had appeared in the Goals,
so too did the voice, once so familiar
in admonltion, seem to again reverberate.
arcanum of memory: You must for
give her. Louis. with that perfect for
giveness which IS obliteration. What,
would you not pG rdon yourself for any
fault, and Is she not your chosen sell?
There are no degrees or evil, save as the
heart imposes them; and remember, how
young how impulsive. how thoughtless
she was. AT that same age you were IN
college; did you not often then do de-
liberate wrong? Free your mind from
the prejudces which time has cast in
mans favor into the balance between
men and women.
Doesn't your conscience tell you that
Il Is the one who is weaker, more emo
tional less subject to the discipline OF
independence mat should receive the
greater consideration? Analyze your
resentment, which you deem just because
Ii is natural. What Is Its motive save q
sense Of personal slight? SupPosinS' IN
a sudden temptation, she had stolen or
in a burst OF anger she had Killed,
would you not have stood between her
and retribution, and have loved her the
more for your loyalty? Is there, then,
one objectionable commandment, and Tor
woman alone? That awful power that
promulgated did not distinguish; IS II
for you to do so? Remember the long
years Of her constant duty; do they not
disprove any lasting faint? She has
wept, poor child, and often, In vague
apprehension Of guilt. and tears Gan
wash away O far deeper stain. You
know you have no possible alarm for the
future; the suggestion OF II fills you WIN
You have been happy; you may be nap
pier still, for the reflection Of mercy IS
more powerful than its direct action lie
generous, then, since that Is the worn
which the world employs 10 cover be-
grudged justice, and having been Sener-
Gus you will come to know that 1t Is
yourself whom you have benefited.
The voice ceased, and Louis Mitchell
gave n gasp Of amazement Could II
be possible? Was it so? Already he
seemed to feel the soothngs Of that
blessing. Poor, dear Amelia. What
sweet and tender wife she had been 70
him since-no. he would not think OF IL
he would think Of mis- own unworthness
and OF her patience. her gentleness.
thousand charming little ways
thronged about him pleading a thous-
and aluring recollections suifuSed MS
eyes with sympathy and yearning, when,
unsummoned, unwshed for even. came
his mothers voice distinct and impress
sive, and this IS what 1t said:
AYE. weep. Louis, my son, would
not have you do otherwise. Let your
heart he compassionate, but do not FOR,
get the distinction between right and
wrong. You may forgive; indeed, you
must but forgiveness imposes no obrga-
tion Of dishOnor. You come from good
true stock it's men have been righteous.
its women pure; she can have no part
nor place in such family. BE kind to
her but true to yourself You cannot
touch pitch and be not dehled. to,d
and face the world knowing that you
had submitted TO infamy? How coutd
you think Of me, the mother That pore
YOU? Love implies perfect trust; couId
YOU force it2 Love means pride; Coulu
YOU feel IT? Dare YOU through false pity
and a shrinking from responsibility de-
grade holy matrmony into cohcuuInaEe.
Between you and that woman Is deep
shadow of shame; II you attempt 10
cross II YOU will be enveloped within II
forever For one cause only shall man
put away hts wife. but that caus,e,, re-
mains a stern, inexorable tact. mere
is no severity in fulfilling the law; should
il be otherwise, the foundations OF so
ciety would be OyerthTown and license
become omnipotence. Be firm. my son,
adjure. DO right, and its consciousness
will sustain you.
Louis Mitchell sat alone In the dark
ness. No glow came from the Goals; no
faces nor voices from out Of the past
No questions, no doubts, no pieadings
assaiied him. He had decided; what then
was that decision?
There came a rap on the door Louis
opened It. and stood grim and CHASTITY
In the hall light. IT was the nurse who
had summoned him. your wife" she
said "She Is so impatient TO see you.
And how is she?" asked Louis.
"Oh, doing so we'll. She has great
reserve Of strength. Such n wonderful
woman! [ believe she could stand any
thing"
Iotds Mitchell slowly proceeded up
the stairs. slowly he advanced into his
wire's sick-room, and slowly he began
TO speak Slowly as was meet. for an
ultimate Judgment on two lives. What,
then, did he say?