Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-01-07

DbtulnluB III lno uROny OF suspense.
'Soe Mortal fear has left its marks
upon his face. Death has terrors for him
unguossed by a man like you, and
should be live thousand years he could
not forget this hour-no, he could not.
All be satisfied with this revenge. To
stoop TO deal him blow for blow is I'M
worthy Of you.
'Why do l hearken to your" asked
Wayling impatiently, while his hand
nevertheless fingered almost caressing-
ly on Peters shoulder. "Will you be ST.
lent? This is child's play. What? At
this last moment renounce the idea
which for two years has given stimulus
to my life? Useless to ask it. am not
a saint. cannot forgive in such boun-
tcous fashion.
" Forgive; Nay, who could expect
you to forgive? Not I, in sooth, butt
Not one man in hundred would
agree to your wish" exclaimed Way.
ling.
Ninoty-nine would not. The hun
drcdth might Will your" asked Peter,
ltcpping suddenly back and holding
nut bis hands, trembling with eagerness.
There was something in the lads i'm
rulsiye attitude his wide, imploring
eyes and thrilling voice which touched
Wayling strangely. In all his life he
had never come in contact with a ma
ture so appealing, so refreshing, as Pc
tcr's. Their reciprocal attraction had
been instantaneous. The boy seemed the
embodiment Of everything beautiful in
his own youth. The illusions be had
lost looked at him from Peters sunny
eyes. 1t was poignant moment On
the one hand were the possibilities of
satisfying friendship with Peter in the
future, on the other the Cutting of an
old revenge. Which would he choose:
But Wayling did not choose The pow
er 20 do so seemed to pass out Of his
hands. Nothing appeared of much con-
sequence except Peters sympathy and
trust in him. The thought of these was
unutterably sweet.
a change crossed his face. The veins
showed like purple stripes upon his
wkite forehead, and he remained silent,
loo ing at Peter like one fascinated.
''You hold this mans life in your
hand, Peter continued in his strong,
sweet tones. lyon can crush him as
easily as a fly struggling within your
palm, or you can fling his liberty in his
face, saying, I, whom you have so in
famously wTonged, give you your re-
naming years Al, the nobility Of that
gift And which, think you, would he
the greater revenge:"
There was a deep silence in the room,
broken only ly the lonely cry Of a bell
man who paused beneath the window.
"a dark, foggy night! One ty the
clock, and all's well, all's welll'
"Nay," said Wayling, lowering his
head, "all is i'll indeed, My soul is stirred
within me. | cannot tell the reason Of
it, lad, but you have squeezed the sweet
ness from my revenge. Open the door,
Let the creature 20 untouched. will
not look upon his face again.
Cautley staggered to his feet, his face
expressing unutteraule gratitude. Heed
ing Peters gesture to be silent, be gave
one terrified, backward look, as if doubt
ing the reality Of his release, and crept
! into the dark hall.
A moment later they heard the street
doc smiled.
LET US 90 also." said Wayling in
quiet, weary voice. There are papers
and books a. my lodgings which must
take with me on the ship. Let us go
now.
He slipped his arm through Peters,
and the Hiudoo followed. On reaching
the street they found heavy fog brood
ing like a specter over the silent town.
Not many yards away the bellman 5
swaying lantern was hazy point of
hight Everything else was obscured.
They hurried silently along, Peter
:Nstinctively taking the right way.
Neither dared to speak of the experience
he had just passed through and its be-
wideriHg termination. When they
reached Wayling's house, they discov-
cred the Hindoo was not behind them.
He has lost his way in the fog"
said Peter. LET us retrace our steps a
bit.
They did so, calling his name softly.
| AT length whispered answer was re-
| ceived.
eyes, sahib, come" And breathless
from swift run the Hindoo appeared
like ghost beside them.
lit is indeed strange Rao should lose
his way" said Wayling as they turned
again. He has the scent OF a dog, t-5
hearing of an Indian"
The fog lifted as the day broke, and
the sun sucked up the mist, leaving the
waters of the bay sparkling in the sun
light. The vessel bound for England
started on her voyage with promise of
fair weather.
a mistiness came into Peters eyes as
the roof tops and steeples of the town
| grew more and more indistinct.
"You are loath to leave New York, 4"
said Wayliug sadly, reading his COM
| panion's face.
"That l am not" said Peter stoutly.
"Were it not for you, though, would
be. Do you regret your sacrificed" he
asked very gently.
NAY, a strange peace has come tc
me, " said Wayling, his fine eyes light
ing. Il never knew it before. Oh, be
to me always, Peter, as you were in
that moment -
The Hindoo had moved toward them
as if to speak. On hearing his master
utter these words be resolutely closed
his lips and turned away.
Neither Wayling nor Peter ever saw
the following paragraph, which appear
! Oh a fpxu IoVS 1otpr n, Tba NNooL1xy Do,t