The Holly chieftain., 1897-11-19
A CASE IN EQUITY.
BY FRANCIS LYNDE.
tcosr.sA,. 1875. BY }. 8. LlppIaeoa Col
HI.-CoSrIxuEp.

HPlNahnS eyes OF the cleareSt gray, ana
made altogether lovely and irresistible
by the touch of pathetic anxiety, that
was turned toward the physician.
Moreover, DR.. Perevin had said nothing
about the advantages of solitary exile.
but he stood by his patient loyalty.
ITO have advised him otherwise
would have been like preaching him a
sermon with the text left out. What
he needs is out of door life, and that
doesn't mean change to the dissipa-
tions of summer or winter resort"
The doctor paused, and then added.
automatically: "And / count on your
help TO make this possible; you must
dissuade Mrs. Thorndyke II she has any
idea of going with Philip"
Helen's faltering acceptance of the
condition imposed by this appeal ended
the interview. and she left DR.. Perevin's
Office with her trouble increased in in
verse proportion to the success of her
errand. 1t wanted but three days of
the time that Philip hnd set for his de-
parture. and during this interval the
distress of the man. who thought his
knowledge was definite, was not more
real than that of the woman who knew
nothing and feared everything.
From the time when his mind had
clarified sufficiently to allow him to
grapple with the conditions of the new
point of view, Philip had begun to dread
most the parting from Helen. That was
because the new point of view had
shown him, among other things, the
neither side of his love for her, and he
found 1t good to look upon and tender
md self-sacrificing. us such love for
such o young woman should be. It was
merciless aggravation of his misery,
he told himself. that this knowledge
came SO late; that he had to look back
at Helen from the brink of the grave, as
it were, before he could realize what her
love was worth and what it would cost
to give it up. He cried out against the
peculiar hardness of his lot in much
bitterness of spirit, saying that his case
had no parallel. Wherein he lost sight
OF the truth, old as the complaint of
the man of Uz, that blessings are ns
but the water for footwashing until the
fountains are dried up and the well
springs are no more.
Taking all things into consideration,
Philip developed more strength of char
acter than he had reason to expect
when he went to pay the final visit to
she Morrissons. He meant to play the
part Of the good-natured patient who
obeys his physicians orders without
prejudice to firm belief in their un-
Importance. and this was not particu-
larly difficult in the presence of two
elderly people who had known him
from infancy. If appearances went for
anything, there was certainly little ev;-
dence of i'll health in the well-knit ath-
ietic-looking young man who leaned
against the mantei, laughing and talk
ing easily about his approaching de-
parture. He caught glimpse of himself
in mirror as he talked. and hope al
most struggled into life again. 1t was
but q passing moment of exnltation,
however, for he knew we'll enough that
1t was distance and the shaded light of
the chandelier that effaced the fine lines
of emaciation and turned the hectic
flush into ruddy glow of health. This
was what he told himself in the un-
written language of underthought
while outwardly he was listening to Mr..
Morrisson's questions.
"Have you mode up your mind where
you will go?"
"Oh, yes; did that the first thing:
Allacoochee. Ala 1 should go there If
only for the sweet euphouy of the name,
but there are other and weightier rea-
sons. Just hear them" And he took
a newspaper clipping from his pocket
and read the advertisement.
"Yes, I've heard of the place." re-
joined the elder man; Browns been
putting lot of money into 1t, and he
wants me to join him. Let me know
what you think of II when you get
there
with pleasure thought it would
do as well as any for point OF de-
parture; you know I'm going to live in
the woods"
Placid Mrs. Morrison smiled. incredu-
lously. 1--WE been trying to imagine it
ever since Helen told as, but can't"
she said. why. you've never been out
OF reach Of your bath and your morning
paper since you were old enough to
know the good OF either.-
Philip WINGED little under the crit
icism. A month earlier, while the armor
of indifference was bullet-proof, he
would have smiled and said there was
time enough to prove all things: but
now there was sting in the pleasantly.
barbed by the thought that he should
never be able to refute this or any other
just reflection upon his shortcomings.
Il deserve that" he said. 1--WE never
been anything but drone."
"Eh7 what's that7~ asked Mr.. Nor
risson, looking up from his book.
That's what I've been telling you ever
since you left school You've got your
work TO do In the world, my boy, just
the same ~ the rest OF US. I'm glad
you're finding It out before it's too
late"
1T Is too late" said Philip, quietly,
the answer slipping out before discre-
tion could shut the door.
Nonsense! Why, you've got the bet
ter part Of your life before you yet"
"Perhaps; but that Isn't what ]
meant. II one does the best he can from
the time when he begins to learn the
meaning Of well-doing, he Is only ALI
ing the measure of his reason for be-
ing; and, granting this, there IL no
such thing Us ntonement for years Of
jdleness."
The old lawyer put down his book to
applaud the sentiment. Better yeti
~ fhfa rafs you'll - ~, - <h,,stosf I,~