The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-29

.. -sp4..yy, .- .oueeaf1ed by loyalty. F6f
his act there was not one word of de-
fense to be made, and he was not pre-
pared to make it.
The cigars and liquors were beside
him, but he did not touch them. He
seemed very far away from the ordinary
details of his life. He knew he had be-
fore him hard travel, and he was not
confident of the end. He could not tell
how long he sat there. After time the
ticking Of the clock seemed painfully
loud to him. Now and again he heard
"a cab rattling through the square, and
the foolish song of some drunken lolterer
in the night caused him to start pain
fully. Everything Jared on him. Once
he got up, went to the window and
looked out. The moon was shining full
on the square. He wondered if it would
be well for him to go out and find some
quiet to his nerves in walking He did
so. Out in the square he looked up to
his wife's window. 1t was lighted.
Long time be walked up and down, his
eyes on the window. 1t held him like a
charm. Once he leaned against the iron
ratings of the garden and looked up,
not moving for n time. Presently he
saw the curtain of the window raised,
and against the dim light of the room
was outlined the figure of his wife. He
knew it. She stood for a moment look
ing out into the night She could not
see him, nor could he see her features
at all plainly, but he knew that she,
like him, was alone with the catastrophe
which his wickedness had sent upon
her. Soon the curtain was drawn down
again, and then he went once more to
the house and took his old seat beside
the table. He fell to brooding and at
last, exhausted, dropped into a troubled
sleep.
He woke with start Some one was
in the ROOM he heard step behind
him. He came to his feet quickly,
wild light in his eyes He faced his
brother Richard
Late i'll the afternoon Marion had
telegraphed to Richard that Frank was
coming. He had been away visiting
some poor and sick people, and when he
came back to Greyhope it was too late
to catch the train. But the horses were
harnessed straightway, and he was
driven into town--a three hours drive.
He had left the horses at the stables, and
having a latchkey had come in quietly.
He had seen the light i'll the study and
guessed who was there. He entered and
saw his brother asleep He watched
him for moment and studied him. Then
he moved away to take off his hat, and
as he did so stumbled slightly. Then it
was Frank walked, and for the first time
in five years they looked each other in
the eyes. They both stood immovable
for moment, and then Richard caught
Franks hand in both Of his and said:
God bless you, my boy; God bless you
l am glad you are back!'
"Dick, Dickn' was the reply, and
Franks other hand clutched Richards
shoulder in his strong emotion, They
stood silent for a moment longer, and
then Richard recovered himself. He
waved his hand to the chairs. The
strain Of the situation was little pain
full for them both. Men are shy with
each other where their emotions are i'll
play.
why, ny boy" he said, waving a
hand to the wine and liquors, full bot
ties and unopened boxes? Tut, tut!
Here's pretty how d ye do. Is this
the way you toast the home quarters?
You're fine soldier for an old mess'
So saying, he poured out some whis-
ky, then opened the box Of cigars and
pushed them toward his brother. He did
not care particularly to drink or smoke
himself, but q man-an Englishman-
is a strange creature. He is most nat
ural and at ease when he is engaged in
eating and drinking. He relieves every
trying situation by some frivolous and
selfish occupation, as of dismembering
a partridge or mixing punch.
"Well, Frank" said his brother,
"now what have you to say for your
self? Why didn't you come long ago:
You have played the adventurer for five
years, and what have you to show for