Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-09-28

hluiiy HIN DSSuuhC lOFcu HilA. lHhi
is my answer" She sank into the
chair from which she had risen, and
covered her face with her hands.
Barry Villier's face lightened.. my
dear young lady, ] have wronged you.
Pray, make some allowance for
fathers affection. Let me reward you
for this act of self-sacrifce. He pulled
out his cheque6ook and stood beside
her. apparently considering the sum,
When the door that led to the back
opened and Stern walked in. He
looked first at his daughter, then at
Villiers. AS their eyes met, something
like an electric spark seemed to pass
from one to the other.
Fielding Clark" cried Stern.
Kate gave a start. Barry Villiers
was Fielding Clark, the dramatist.
Talbot's father was the author of the
play for which they had received the
tickets. She turned an amazed look
upon her father. His face frightened
her. ltwas exultant and denunciato1y.
For moment, Storms face seemed to
have the same effect upon Barry Viii
Tiers. He seemed disconnected, i'll at
ease. In Stems hand were the press
notices crumpled in ball. Villiers
was the first to gain his composure.
Sinclair he cried, John Sinclair.
This is surprise"
Stern turned to his daughter. Leave
us moment, Kate" he said. 81 have
q few words to say to this-this gen.
tleman"
Kate rose, and with a wondering
look at her father, quilted the room.
When she was gone, he fixed a scorch-
ing look upon Barry Villiers. That
gentleman promptly held out his
hand. Stern CONTEMPORARY regard
ed it,
II don't know why you are in my
house." he said slowly. But no doubt
you can explain it. | should say you
are man who could explain any
thing. Perhaps you can explain this. :"
He held up the crumpled ball of paper.
"These are prsaa notices of a play pro-
duced last highs That play was mine.
You stole it. Yea are liar and a vii
lian!"
Villiers put down his hat "Sin-
clair" he said, and his tones were al
most plaintive, you will regret these
words Yet they were spoken in the
heat of the moment, and forgive
YOU
His retort was so staggering that
Stern gazed at him dazed. he nearly
apologized.
mo doubt" pursued Villicrs, you
think the worst of me- 1t is not I'M
natural. But there are extenuating
circumstances. | own the play was
was yours. | own / used it. But at
the time you came to me it was really
lost. had mislaid it. ] had no
knowledge Of your real name-I take
it that the agreeable young lady who
had just left us is your daughter-l
had no means of reaching you.
sought for you. advertised for you,
under the name of Sinclair; but in the
tide of London life you were swept
away Then Sinclair--I mean Stern
] was tempted. There came to me the
great temptation of my life. l was
worked out; manager stood at my
elbow, and ! took your play. 1t was
culpable-very culpable- the ques-
ton is what are you going to do in it?'
He paused, and looked, not altogether
without anxiety, at the man he had
wronged.
Stern stood before him detected TIC
a third party he might easily have been
mistaken for the one who was most tc
blame What was he going to do in
it? The hot fire of vengeance had died
from him. He stood now only with
the cold ashes of lost hopes.
"Of course, said Villiers, you could
harm me. perhaps prosecute me; but
it would be unchristian." Stern
thought of the sandwich boards and
glared at him Give me the oppor
tunity." he went on hastily ''of max
| ing atonement. We are 10th middle
aged men. Why live in the past? Why
should we cloud the happiness OF
| others"
The happiness of others? What dc
you mean?'
nm explain" said Villiers. "Yor
know me as Clark. Villiers is my
name, and Talbot Villiers is my son
You may not have noticed the like
ness. He takes after his mother
THANK God!' cried Stern, fervently
but the relationship troubled him.
lie loves your daughter The mattel
seemed to me an undesirable one, an(
] came here to-day to break it off Now
it is the dearest wish of my heart
Why should we blight their lives?"
Stern gazed at him amazed. Her,
was fresh sophisry Villiers has
robbed him and now held ont ne
for him. Storms brain grew hot.
~ say 'we;' but of course | NEAR
you. have no power to do anything
You have the power. If you are so up
\ christian as to expose me, you do SO a
the price of their happiness, at thu
price of youth and innocence. Yo,
shall have all the money took for th'
play. | may be villain" said Vii
Tiers with virtuous burst, but
have a conscience This is feebl,
atonemeut, Stern; call it. if you like
the beginning of one; but do you &C
cept it2'
Stern could make no reply. The dc
sire for vengeance had fed; but in it
place was dull longing for justice
Then he thought of Talbot, of the af
ternoon in the Strand. go now" h
cried hoarsely. Il want to think thi
over. I'll send you my answer" H
walked, as if he was carrying the sand
wien boards, into the shadow of tn
room and sat down on chair.
Barry Villiers stood in the sunlight
He gazed anxio usly at Stern, and wa
about to open his mouth, when hi
eyes fell upon the door of the inne
room IT had onened and Kate SterI