The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-03

mlnu, 100 weak loT any cNSlViohi q pAVJ W
worry.
My gay companions were gay no longer.
In the face of the approaching examina-
tions they were throwing up earthworks
of desperate diligence. Yet when | tried to
dig also | found was absolutely impo-
tent. Where now was my intuitive knowl-
edge of the law, where that Judgment so
accordant with equity? Alas, compre-
hended that had risked everything on
single cast, and | dared not think what
this everything might include,
Then it was that | noticed singular
change in Frank.
"Just look at my duns," said to him
one day anXiously, holding up II mass of
bills and letters. at seems impossible that
l could have been SO reckless. Why, l
must have been crazyI"
"Yol certainly have had an agreeable
faculty Of ignoring such little matters"
"But what shall do?"
"Do? You have money, haven't you"
"Gone, all gone"
"Phewl You have been going it,
haven't you, in spite of precept and eX
ampleY Oh, well, your precious 'Alva-
RADIO will settle everything, guess, " and
Frank laughed.
1t wasn't a pleasant laugh, nor did it
sound like Frank, but was so troubled
that l scarce appreciated it then.
"Do you really think soY' questioned
eagerly.
II mean what l say. 1t will settle ev.
erything-you included. But doubtless
Ruth will pay"
leaped to my feet in mage. Frank
confronted me for an instant with cold,
sarcastic eyes; then he shrugged his shoul-
ders disdainfully and left the room.
sank in a chair, trembling and gasp
ing, What did 1t all meany Was held by
horrible dreamY Such words, such looks
from Frank, my friend, my Pylades, my
mentorl Could it be that he had changed,
that had changed, that the future was a
void, that the past was Il sham and that
nothing was real except the present debt,
the approaching examination, the impend-
| ing disgraceY
opened my pocket case Tread the note
Of warning from Ruth 50 long unheeded
! Again couldn't comprehend it, but did
| thoroughly realize that whatever she said
should have been observed with true lov-
| er's fealty.
For hours sat pressing my throbbing
head within my hands, trying to shut out
| the disordereA visions which flashed before
me. Then came a knock at the door,
| opened it, and Il messenger entered, laid a
! large yellow parcel on the table and with
drew. Did recognize the wrapperY Oh,
didn't |! A hundred years weighted me as
glanced at it, The very paper! The very
string which | had kRotted with such eX-
cited fingers Oh, dear, oh, dear, too well
did l know what had happened There
was a note, which read in a flash.
Regret-eyident merit--voluminou
expense to warrant publication" | threw
"Alvarado" into the corner behind the
lounge, where its fall scattered the dust
from Justinian. Then Imoaned The room
faded away. Again | saw the harbor, the
rolling bar, the rock bound bay, the broad
surgos of the Atlantic; but, alas, sober and
melancholy were their sweeps, requiem
not a welcome, for | was alone Where
oh, where was Ruth?
There were heavy steps on the stairs
The door opened, and my principal creditor
entered, accompanied by marshal
II want you, my man, " said that func
tionary.
"But you can t arrest for debt, - I STAN
mered.
"How about fraud and fake representa-
tion and pretense? This man claims that
you have deceived him into believing you
Il young millionaire, when you haven't 6
cent"
81 never said such a word"
"No, but your roommate did many
time, " interrupted my creditor. "Oh, il
was cunning catch between you. But
you're vastly mistaken if you think you
do me without smarting for it,"
"Come along" said the officer.
At this juncture Frank strolled in whis
tling In an instant all recent doubts had
fled. l only remembered our old intimacy
"Oh, Frank, ," / cried, "help mew
He looked at the officer and winket
amusedly.
'No green there, " he calculated. Ther
be turned toward me. "You will have tC
excuse me-" he said suavely, "if I declin,
10 walk the floor Instead of our confiding
friend here. Besides, have an urgent en-
gagement. I'm off to the island home t,
see Ruth"
Then, while the blood rOared within m!
ears and clouded my eyes, wonderful
thing occurred. Again the door opened.
little form glided to my side and threv
her arms about me, and Ruth's voice ex
claimed, oh, so blithely:
"That woh't be necessary, Mr.. Dunbar
You can find Inc here for the future witt
my husband"
Then she went to the men and whis
pered few words, and they sneaked away
shamefaced.
81 told you she would pay, you cur,
sneered Frank.
'IIush, dear" she interposed "Wh
shouldn't |? Whatever is mine becomes hi
on our wedding day"
Then at length cOmprehended the not
Of warning, for as Frank departed froI
my sight and from my life his glance as
rested on Ruth changed from one of fierC
malignity to one of unutterable longin
and despair.
What more shall sayP The sequel
the old unreal ending, but for us mos
real. "They were ever after happy" W
were married that day, for Ruth scarCel
dared trust me from her sight. In fe
years the little cottage in the quiet unive
sity town became an actuality. | we
never a dread nor "tower of strength.
| am sure, but honestly earned my dali
bread
And, more, during one summer vacatio
Ipicked up "Alvarado," " and slashed
well, remorselessly hewing away all thu
luXuriance which is Il true poets attr
butte and l sent it, much shrunken, to
publisher.
One evening as I sat on the verant
Ruth brought me letter, 1t contained
, bewildering offer for the poem.
my dear, said as l showed it to he
perhaps we may yet see the sunlight gil,
ing the minarets of that temple"
"You see" she exclaimed, "all thini
come to you"
because in you have everything" "
replied. Hartford Times.