Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-09-24
COMING POSSIBILITY.
Continued from 3rd page.)

ence, they remained silent-a silence
burdened with dreaded possibilities
and then her lips moved in yearning en-
treaty.
Edward, my husband The ca
ressing cadence in her voice, the uneasy
information in the words which died
upon her lips ere they were fully utter
ed, recalled him to his senses with
sudden start.
May, my darling, you must not
worry so much about me. / shall be
quite well after an hours rest Leave
me to recover myself. -
Slowly she Strengthened herself up
and silently walked to the door. With
her hand upon the knob, she turned to
bestow upon him waited kiss, but
failing to obtain look she moved away
with a sigh and gently closed the door.
Then DIR. Gardner was alone with a
representing conscience and an Almighty
Judge, to whom sin is hateful
The door had barely been shut when
he became Immediately seized in the
grip of an insupportable agony. The
presence of his wife had effectually re-
strained the outward exhibition of his
feelings, but now, in his temporary sol
itude, he could give them vent and by
their omission tighten the load which
weighed upon his heart
The expression of his secret torment
could only be given by the stified groan,
the grinding teeth, the clinching fist
and the writhing body, for he was ap-
prehensiye of being overheard, but still
that little relieved the tension Of his
sufferings
Within his breast labored tumult
of frightful thoughts, terrible suspi-
cion which his spirit dared scarce enter
tain, that cast upon his soul darkness
which felt eternal, pain which was
worse than physical agony, which paled
his face and made his tall figure trem-
bic, which made the muscles of his
hands twitch spasinodically until he
/ would fain have graSped the ornaments
upon the mantelshelf, costly as they
We're, and from sheer despair crushed
J them. In his wretchedness all the en-
blems of his wealth rose up and Knocked
him.
Presently there fell upon his ears the
sound of approaching footsteps, the
light, delicate tread of his wife. He
was instantly on the alert and making
violent efforts to pull himself together.
MAY" he said, with a show OF
cheerfulness as she entered the room, "1
am going to experiment with chemic-
al in which am rather interested. Will
you help me?"
/ "When? Now?"
} ooh, no; tonight some time.
} "What is the experiment to be, Nedf'
} "Just to give Bruce a small dose o.
! it. It's the only way of which car
think to arrive at definite knowledg'
of its action and properties"
, 'But suppose it kills the poor dog.
"No danger of that, my dear. Certain
ly your father used to consider the drug
poisonous, but l have long ago discov
! cred that he was mistaken"
"Well. if you are quite sure shall
not object. But, Ned, dear" asked Mrs
/ Gardner, looking puzzled, why thi
sudden eagerness for scientific re
Y search?''
Across his face passed a scarcely per
a ceptible movement, as from some dart
e ing sensation, as he replied: "Simpl.
T because have nothing better to do to
t day and neither health nor inclination
Q for more active employment You vii
; help me TO test the drug, will you not
o May?"
: Eyes, dear, with pleasure" she an
, swered in happier voice. The oppres
IS sion upon his soul seemed less heavy q
% she nestled close in his arms.