The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-12-14
A Passive Crime.
BY .sTHE
IX-CONTINu

So-Ni
He draws a deep breath, and then
rouses himself. Going up to Mrs.
Neville, he bids her goodnight, in a
low tone, that still does not falter.
"All this has been too much for
you, and-my cousin" he says
gently, though without looking at
Hilda. Tomorrow, everything can
be discussed more thoroughly, but
for tonight enough has been said"
I'VE shall see you tomorrow, 1
hope?" says Mrs. Neville, anxiously.
81 think not. 1t will be better
not" says Dick, with a faint smile.
Il shall have many things to see to,
and my father will of course. require
me-"
At this mention of his name. PEN
ruddock turns his head. and all pres
emit notice how terribly his face has
changed within the last few minutes.
AS if all hope has died within him
he looks crushed and broken and
very pitiable.
There is, too, within his eyes a
some what vacant expression that
NOiy PO"ClIuIS Will Ills
indolent demeanor of an hour ago.
''Eh, Dick?-eh, ladP" he says, in
a confused fashion, putting his hand
to his head and signing deeply.
What are you saying of me? heard
my name-. Don't believe them,
Dick! 1t is all false, every word!"
Then, in a tone of eager, almost abb
loot no{.aof, hn odd Il, n ryl;ooor
Don't you condemn me, Dick. You
have not the right to do that. It
was all for your sake, Dick-all for
you"
Come away. Come home with
me-. father" says Dick, hurriedly
and anXlously.
A touch of deep pain, mingled
with shame mars the beauty of his
features as he listens to his fathers
words, which are a confession of his
guilt.
Home! Where is that nowT" asks
Penruddock vaguely. disregarding
his sons effort to lead him from the
room. From the castle to the cot
tage, that is a fall, indeed! And"
LID tOISC, L Cdu u ~ W UuS
cottage. Dlck-the river is there
always the rlver!" with a strong
shudder. "And it never ceases-it
flows on and on forever! | can hear
it always in my dreams at night"
.'Rouse yourself. You are dream
ing now, | think" says Dick, who is
as pale as death.
Mo. not now - COWS tho olJ ~o,
He looks a very old man indeed. so
strangely altered are his features
and mien. ..It is too late now for
dreams. If what she says is true,
all is over. all is at an end"
The end is not come yet" re-
turns Dick bravely, throwing up his
head with a certain proud gesture
that brings tears into the eyes of
one who is watching him.
He closes one hand firmly y, as
though to defy misfortune while into
his face there comes a nobility, a
sense of dignity. that perhaps it
lacked before.
You have still enough to satisfy
every want" he says. addressing his
father; land as for me. the world is
before me, and l shall conquer it in
defiance of fate and evil fortune. All
is for the best, and we should be
thankful that the little one was
saved. You are thankful. father,
are you not? Say you are than kful,"
he asks, with extreme earne stness.
1t "a as though he had com
pletely and entirely disassociated
the love of his manhood from the
delightful little companion of his
earlier days.
Yes, yes-deeply thankful" says
Penruddock, in a strange tone, h lard
ly recognizable. ga weight is lifted
from my heart-a load from my soul
that has lain upon them for any
a year. Now it is raised my heart
feels lighter. But" looking help
lessly around, '.my head is bearing
the burden now. 1t feels like mol
ten lead. And there is a sound as of
many voices-and-"
A deep groan escaped him; he
staggered. and, but that Dick hastily
caught him in his arms would have
fallen heavily to the ground.
CHAPTER X.
Forced to Be Happy.