Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-07-16
MTG IRRATIONAL
CHAPTER Xvu.-tCoxr1xurD.,

He paused, and Trudaine again en-
deavored to speak such words as might
show that he was not unworthy of the
deadly risk which I4omaque was pre-
pared to encounter. But once more the
chief-agent peremptorly and irritably
lnterposed.
81 tell you, for the third time" he
said, Il will listen to no expressions OF
gratitude from you, till I know when |
deserve them. 1t is true that I recollect
your fathers timely kindness to me
true that have not forgotten what
passed five years s,nce, at your house
by the river side. | remember every
ching down TO what you would consid-
er the vcriest trino-that cup of coffee
for Instance, which your sister kept hot
for ME. told you then that you would
think better of me some day. l know
that you do now. But this is not ALL
You want to glorify me to my face for
risking my life for you. | am weary
Of life ] can't look back to it with
pleasure. l am too old to look forward
to what Is left of it with hope. There
was something in that night at your
house before the wodding-somethin5
in what you said, in what your sister
did-which altered mo. ! have had my
days of gloom ard self-reproach, from
time to time. since then. i have sick
ened at my slavery and subsection, and
duplicity, and crinsing, first under one
master then under another. | have
longed to look back at my life, and COM
fort myself with the sight OF some good
action, just as a frugal man comforts
himself with the sight of his little saw
ings laid by in an old drawer l can't
do this, and want to do it. The
want takes me like Il fit, at uncertain
overwhelmingly under the most in
comprehensive influences. A glance
up-at the. blue sky-starlight over the
houses of this great city. when l look
out ct the night from my garnet win
dow-a child's voice coming suddenly
I don't know where from-the piping
Of NY neighbours linnet in his little cage
now one thing, and then another
wakes up that want in me in mo-
ment. Rascal as am those few simple
words your sister spoke to the judge
went through and through me like a
knife. Strange, in a man like me, isn't
1t? am amazed at 1t myself My life?
Bah! I've let 1t out for hire to be
Kicked about by rascals from one dirty
place to another, like football It's
my whim to give it a last kick myself,
and throw It away decently before it
lodges on the dunghill forever Your
ale ~ hpt
me, and give her bad life in return.
Thank me for it! What folly! Thanh
me when have done something useful.
Don't thank me for that"
He snapped his fingers contempLu-
ously as he spoke, and walked away to
the cutter door to receive the jailer,
who returned at that moment.
We'll" inquired the hunchback, has
anybody asked for me?"
mo" said Lomaque; mot soul has
entered the room. What sort Of wine
did you get?"
"so-sol Good at pinch, friend
good at pinch"
"Ah! you should go to my shop and
try certain cask, filled with partic-
ular vintage"
what shop? Which vintage?"
81 can't stop to tell you now; but we
shall most likely meet again to-day.
1 expect to be at the prison this after
noon. Shall ask for you? Good!
won't forgetw With those farewell
words he went out, and never so much
as looked back at the prisoners before
he closed the door behind him.
Wnen her brother sat down by her
she only took his hand gently, and said
Let us stop together like this, Louis
till the time comes. I am not afraid OF
1t. for have nothing but you to make
mo love life, and you, too, are going to
die. Do you remember the time when
used to grieve that 1 never had q
child to be some comfort to me? I was
thinking a moment ago how horrible
1t would have been now, If my wish
had been granted. 1t is blessing fol
me, in this great misery that an
childless! Let us talk of old days
Louis, as long as we cannot of my
husband, or my merriage-only of tht
old times, before was burden ant
a trouble to you"