Evening star., 1896-07-04

7 mean.to stop that if-if you, can. you
Then the unscrLpulous counsel Of the
professor came with strong temptation be-
fore Tom Cations mind. The course it
urged was easy; it would at least postpone
the task that had become so terribly diff
cult But BOBBY Bafnes eyes caught his
friends in appealing confidence. and Cax-
ton determined that he would not lie. He
TOOK the manuscript from its hiding place
under his coat and laid it on the table.
staines, perhaps. read something in his
face, for he came up to him and put
hand on his shoulder. ss
Come out with it, old fellow said he
Let me have it straight"
PART III. -
Il think it's hardly in your line" said
Caxton with eyes on the ground and
hands thrust obstinately into his trousers
pockets. Baines drew back a step. Gu
rlous sound. a sort Of moan, broke low
from his lips. and he spoke in whisper.
L knew it. I knew it. With every line
wrote I knew it better. lit won't do
at all, old fellow?"
mo, it won't do" Caxton spoke now in
his usual curt and rather hard tones. 1t
was we'll to have the thing over now and
as soon as possible His words should be
sharp and decisive 'It won't do at ALL"
he said. you mustn't think of publishing
1t. Nobody would publish 1t for you.
lou nave TO waste your own money, and
look fool at the end.''
Baines sat down at the table and began
to tumble with the knot of green ribbon
,I 1hat tied the neatly copied sheets together.
me sound Of a low voice and the soft
tread of a careful foot came through the
wall from the next room.
can nothing be done with ftf" asked
baines, his nervous fingers still at work.
caxtons manner grew gruffer with every
fresh assault on his pity.
II hopeless. quite lODeleSS,' he said
brusquely.
Baines buried his face in his hands for
a moment, moaning.
How shall I tell her? How shall tell
her I'm fool? She believed in me so.''
man isn't fool because he can't
write book" said Caxton; but his tone
not fool.
I'm fool said BOBBY. savagely. Then
ne walled again: "And. God help me- Addic
will know it now"
Look here, don't talk about it to her
till she's all right again.
AS he spoke there was knock at the
ooor and a servant came in.
please, sir, Mrs. Baines has heard Mr..
Caxtons voice and wants him to come in
at cnce."
ITO come in?' cried Baines, jumping
up. Wait minute" he added to Cax-
ton and passed quickly into the next
room. Caxton was left alone with the
body Of his victim. He walked to the
window and stood looking out, a frown
Oh MS DrOW. Il Wish the devil l was out
of this" he muttered to himself
In moment Ba;nes was back, his face
full of alarm. He stood by the door and
beckoned.
Come along" he said. 'The doctor
thinks you'd better come" and he turned
again to go to the bed room
But what shall l say?" whispered Cax-
ton, In helpless anger. as he followed.
They were by the bedside, Baines having
made no answer to the whispered appeal:
indeed. he seemed dazed. and looked at
Caxton with a vacant stare. Adde lay on
the bed. very pale, breathing quickly, and
her eyes We're alight with excitement; on
the other side of the bed stood the doctor
Have you read it?" she asked, msving
her hands toward CaXton and fixing her
eyes on him.
es." he answered, bending over her
I've read it, Mrs. Baines.'
And what-what?' she said family
Caxton pressed her hand The doctors
eyes were upon him, but he could not be
sure what they meant to tell him Baincs
had fallen his knees by the bedside
and his face was hidden in the coverlet.
The int rival that passed before Cax-
ton heard his own voice seemed very long,
and wien it came it said something that it
had hardly meant to say. g.. T.
'Splendd!' he said, pressing Adde'S hand
again and smiling. e.
"Splendid?" she echoed. 'Sple nGid?'
Baines suddenly raised his head from
the coverlet: he put out his hand to catch
hold of CIxton. and mis- lips opened to
speak. CaXton leant heavily on his shouI-
der ana kept him down where he was, on