Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-09-10

mered out some prayer of forgiveness.
He had always checked me by an ae-
ton, as one would make who has for
given, or who has nothing to forgive.
AS all talk likely to agitate him had
been forbidden, was obliged to let my
expressions of contrition lie in abey-
ance. 1t was also part of the punish
ment which l melted out to myself that
during those weeks Viola's name never
crossed my lips.
Grant, a great, gaunt wreck of his
former self, was carried up to Boulay's
farm.
The journey did him no harm. The
change from the sheltered village to
the high, breezy table-land rqs a most
beneficial one. In fortnig: S time he
could, by leaning on my arm, eEeep
about, and every day brought him new
strength.
When he grew tired of walking,
had couch wheeled out in front of the
house. On this, under an awning made
out of an old SAIL he lay for hours,
drinking in the fresh sea-breeze. One
day he turned to me.
Julian" he said-he often used my
Christian name now feel so much
stronger and better, that 1 must go to
work again. Will you be my aman-
uensis?"
His right arm was still disabled. l
think the tears were in my eyes as l
thanked him for the suggestion.
He gave me look full of sympathy
and forgiveness. Then, at his request,
1 sought for and found a bundle Of
manuscript and writing materials.
Still lying on the couch, with his eyes
half closed, he dictated to me page af-
ter page Of a work which has since
appeared, and brought him more FAME
and fortune.
Except for the reawakened desire,
the craving which grew stronger and
stronger every hour-to hear tidings OF
Viola, those hours spent with Grant at
that lonely farmhouse on the edge of
the sea would have been very happy
ones to me. Leaving out of the ques-
ton the feeling Of thankfulness that
my murderous design had failed, the
very charm Of the mans society was
such that could have fingered for
months at his side. I knew that Eus-
tace Grant was making, not only a
wiser, but better man of me.
But Viola! l must hear of her! There
is limit of self-restraint; and Grant
was now strong enough to talk on any
and every subject. Sooner or later,
felt sure that he would enter upon my
own troubles; that from him / should
learn why my wife left me, where ]
could meet with her, how could hes!
bring her TO me again. Is it any won.
der that I longed for the moment when
he might speak?
It came at last. One night-a night
so still and calm that even the proven.
bially turbulent waves of the Bay OF
Biscay were all but at rest, Grant and l
were sitting out in the moonlight. He
was in thoughtful, silent mood, and
for a while respected the sanctity Of
his meditation. Then, moved by sud
den impulse, 1 began to once more ex-
press my deep contrition and remorse
for my rash act, my joy at what 1 now
hoped waD my friends all but COM
plete recovery.
He checked me quickly.
do you know what thought flashed
through me, even as felt the sting Of
the bullet? You may believe l had no
wish to die; but l said to myself, were
I in that mans place-ignorant as he is
Of the TRUTH should have done as he
is doing, or even worse. If it gives you
any satisfaction to hear me say that l
forgive you, say 1t. Now, let us never
again mention the subjectw
He held out his hand, grasped it in
deep gratitude, and once more there
was silence between us.
ITO BE CoNTGNuEDI