The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-27
behind the bar. "You amt dead, are

you"
Halverson rose with q start. awake.
Recollection had rushed upon him like
On armed man and thrust home. He
knew what he had to do and grimly
set to do it quickly. Without q word
he went out. He walked fast to Ran
dolph street and put his face to the
east. So this was the hour! Well, he
was ready. The water might be cold,
but he would not shiver long. He
went on swiftly.
Presently he was aware one paced
behind him with equal step. II he
slackened, the other Jagged. When he
put forth brisker foot, the other held
to his heel This annoyed him. but he
did not look around. 81 will shake him
off at the viaduct," be said to himself.
"You are in haste tonight" the other
called banteringly over his shoulder.
"Why tonight? Why not yesterday?
Why not ten years ago? Why not to-
morrow" - .|-- ,..
The other drew beside him. Halver-
son looked furtively and knew his COM
panion, though it had been long since
they had spoken. A gloomy frown
clouded his flushed brow.
'It must be tonight. 1t Is the end"
he said, as If In apology.
"Ah" said the other. 'Ts it SO? 1t
is you. then. who will leave 1t all be-
hind, who will fee. who will be the
coward? What Of them? What of
her? What of the boy? Must they
bear the brunt alone"
81 cannot help It," he faltered. 'They
can be no worse OF anyway. And 1t
isn't my fault. It's the cursed luckP
he ended savagely.
eyes, the cursed luck" the other
answered, echoing his own innermost
thought. Whose cursed luck? Theirs.
not yours. Has she been loyal, de-
voted, loving, true, forbearing. wife,
q mother? And has he called you pa
pa. dear, and looked with his deep
truthful eyes to you as his shield and
his refuge, his solace, his God? And
you, what have you done? Have you
poured your patrimony down your
throat? Have you sunk your manhood
at the gaming cloth? Have you paid
love with neglect and cast the joys Of
fatherhood to swine? Have you, who
have talent and education and once,
had friends, sold your possessions stick
by stick until your wife pawns her
wedding ring to buy fire and food for
her baby-and for you"
Halverson hung his head. They
were on the viaduct now. The other
drew yet closer until he touched him.
A pale light faltered among the stars
which marked the east before them.
They walked on together.
"Pahw cried the other in burst of
high scorn. You sicken me. You are
less courageous than the mere beast,
you with brain. Do you think you
are nothing? Do you believe by pull
ing the shelter Of the lake over your
own miserable head and body you pre-
serve your honor? Why, man, man.
man! AwakeH ..I g..
They stood far out upon the long pier
beside the deep water.
even now." the other cried, with
energy, turning Halyerson to him, SO
that they looked in each others set
face, "a sweet faced woman kneels be-
side your bed and prays. Tears fall
from her eyes upon little, restless
child, who stirs and snuggles to her,
asking, with shut eyes, Ts papa home
yet, mammaY"
20 Godw Halverson burst out In
agony, stretching forth his arms.
The other caught his hands and held
them tightly. ..' .. ....... ...
"You made promise" he said very
softly. "You sealed it with a kiss.
Kate begged Of you New Years gift