The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-29


one Jopp, Tor murder, Archie is especially
offended by his fathers coarse remarks. and
broodinp owe the exhibition of what seems
to him savage cruelty, he attends the eXecu-
ton. AS the mans body falls, he cries out
81 denounce his God-defying murder"
PART II.
PART H-O ,hapter III. Continued)
Frank Innes ragged him from the spot
The two handson he lads followed the same
course of study and recreation, and felt
q certain mutual attraction. founded main
Nv on good looks 1t had never gone deep;
Frank was by natu re thin, jeering Great
IRE. not truly susce t,tible whether of feel
ing or inspiring frie t'dship; and the rela>
ton between the pan was altogether on
the outside, a thing eff common knowl-
edge and the pleasantr 4 IS that spring from
a common acquaintanc a. The more cred
it to Frank that he was appalled, by Arch
les outburst, and at lie st conceived the
design of keeping him in s ight, and, If pos
sible. in hand. for the day. But Archie,
who had Just defied-was IL God or Satan
would not listen to the wo I'd Of a college
companion.
Il will not go with you." hive said. Il do
not desire your company, silE l would be
: alone
Here, Weir man, don't be absurd" said
Innes, keeping a tight hold upon his sleeve.
81 will not let you go until l know what
YOU mean to do with yourself: it's no use
brandishing that staff For indet4i at that
moment Archie had made sudd n-per-
haps warlike-movement This has been
the most insane affair; you know n has.
You know very we'll that I'm playing the
good Samaritan. All wish is to keep you
quiet"
IF quietness is what you wish, Mr.. AN
nes,' said Archie. land you will promh'e
to leave me entirely to myself, 1 will tel
You so much, that l am going to walk in
the country and admire the beauties of
nature
Honor bright" asked Frank.
Il am not in the habit of lying, Mr.. In
nes,' retorted Archie. II have the honor
of wishing you good day.
''You won't forget the Spec?" asked H.
neS.
1.-THE Spec. ?" said Archie. ooh no,
won't forget the Spec
And the one young man carried his tor
tured spirit, forth of the city and all the
day long, by one road and another, In an
endless pilgrimage of misery; while the
other fastened smilingly to spread this
news of Weirs access of insanity, and to
drum up for that night a full attendance
at the Speculative, where farther eccentric
developments might certainly be looked for
doubt if Innes had the least belief in his
prediction: l think it flowed rather from a
wish to make the story as good and the
scandal as great as possible: not from any
ill-wil to Archie-from the mere pleasure
of beholding interested faces. But for all
b that his words were prophetic. Archie did
not forget the Spec; he put in an appear
ance there at the due time. and, before the
evening was over. had dealt memorable
shock to his companions. 1t CHANGED he
was the presiden. of the night. He sat in
the same room where the Society still
meets-only the portraits were not there;
the men who afterwards sat for them were
then but beginning their career. The same
lustre of many tapers shed its light over
the meeting; the same chair, perhaps, sup
ported him that so many Of us have sat in
since. At times he seemed to forget the
business of the evening, but even in these
periods he sat With great air of energy
and determination. At times he meddleC
bitterly and launched with defiance those
fines which are the precious and rarely used
artillery of the president. He little thought
as he did so, how he resembled his father
but his friends remarked upon it, chuck
ling. So far, in his high place above hi!
fellow students, he seemed set beyond tn.
possibility of any scandal; but his mint
was made up-he was determined to fulfi
the sphere of his offence. He signed to In
mes (whom he had just fined, and who jus
impeached his ruling) to succeed him in tn,
chair, stepped down from the platform, an,
took his place by the chimney-pie tn
shine Of many wax tapers from above il
Illuminating his pale face the glow of tn
great red fire relieving from behind hi
slim figure. He had to propose as an amend
ment to the next subject in the case bool,
Whether capital punishment be consist
ent with Gods will or mans policy?"
breath of embarrassment of somethin
like alarm, passed round the room, so dar
ing did these words appear upon the lip
OF Hermistons only son. But the amend
ment was not seconded; the previous cues
tion was promptly moved and unanimousl
voted. and the momentary scandal SINUS
gled by Innes triumphed in the fulfilmer
of his prophecy He and Archie were no
become the heroes of the night; but wher,
as everyone crowded about lines. when til
meeting broke up, but one of all his CON
panions came to speak to Archie.
Weir, man! That was an extraordinar
raid of yours!" observed this courageou
member, taking him confidentially by I'll
arm as they went out.
Il don't think it raid" said Archi
grimly. More like a war. I saw tn;
poor brute hanged this morning, and m
gorge rises at it YETI
"Hut-tut," returned his companion, an
dropping his arm like something hot, /
sought the less tense society of others.
Archie found himself alone. The last ,
the faitfful--or was 1t only the boldest I
the curious?-had fed. He watched II
black huddle Of his fellow-students draw o
down and up the street, in whispering {
boisterous gangs And the isolation of IL
moment weighed upon him like an ONE
and emblem OF his destiny in lif
Bred UP in unbroken fear himself, anon