The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-05-26
CHAPTER V.-continued.
SYNOPSIS.
y r0RACE hnnfSLET VhCnfLL.
Copyright. 1896. by J. B. LlppIneon Co.

CHAPTER V.-continued.
SYNOPSIS.
CHARTER MARK Gerard employs Hugo
Livingston (who tells the tale) to tutor his
little son, and intimateS he has reasons for
keeping the child's existence secret.
Chapter Il.Gerard recounts murder
Perkins. Gerard had been paying atten-
tion to beautiful wife of one Burlington.
Mrs; Burlington and Greek (Gerards
pointing to Burlington as the murderer
Gerard then married Burington's wife;
life of their little son threatened in
cipher telegram.
Chapter III.-Hugo goes to home of Mrs
Gerard begins Instruction of the boy and
falls in love with Nancy, daughter of
Mrs. Gerard and Burlington. Mrs Gerard
gets sight of Burlington walking on the
sands.
Chapter Iv-Hugo finds Burlington in a
voice, loses his foothold on the wall as he
trys to make the upper exit. and falls re-
cciving severe injuries. Demetrus. the
finish Burlingtons destruction. but Liv-
ingston compels him to help carry out
the injured nan. Nancy insists on having
him carried into the house.
Chapter V-The Greek disappears, leaves
q note explaining he has gone with little
Mark to camp on the island while Burling-
ton Is in the house.
Nancy brought me this carefully writ,
ten epistle, and with it message from
her mother. Mrs. Gerard was pros
trated by theevents of the past "a hours
and unable to leave her room. She ap
proved the flight of Demetrius.
He is certainly faithful" said Miss
Nancy.
why are you not lying DOWN."
asked, severely.
81 could not rest while-while the
thunder is in the air. Mamma has just
given me the key to the puzzle. She
has told me that Mr.. Burlington is
madman-t that he, has IL terrible grudge
against father, and wishes to murder
poor Mark. How horrible!"
VERY horrible" said, gravely.
And YOU" she continued, were sent
down to stand between Mark and this
dreadful monster. did you an in
justice. Forgive me-"
She held out her hand frankly. with
an air of ood-fellowship which argued
the lack of a tenderer sentiment.
But the monster" she continued.
with aslight shiver, sis surely helpIess?"
THAT, Miss Nancy, we do not know.
We think so.''
"'Mamma also told me that he had
once tried to murder father. and in
stead had killed his partner. | could
see that the mere telling of the story
upset her terribly. Oh, Mr.. Livingston.
my heart misgives me when think that
I'm responsible for this man being here.
What have done in my folly and con-
ceit?"
Her distress was most painful to wit
ness; and naturally | offered some
crumbs of comfort. pointing out that
she had acted according to the dictates
of her heart, a woman's wisest counsel
or, and doubtless for the best, ulti-
mately.
why has this man." she asked. fierce
ly. been suffered TO heap such wretch
edness upon the heads of innocent peo-
ple?"
was silent.
Have you nothing to say?" she de-
manded, hotly.
There is reason in everything"
answered-"the memorable logic OF
cause and effect. | believe that the an
swer to most of our questions may be
found, if we search patiently. The
problem of human suffering is to be
solved, but not by random guesswork.
The sufferings of such woman as your
mother are to he evidence of future
state of existence"
She listened attentively to my crude
response, softer light suffusing her
fine eyes. The thought struck me that
both of us, she as we'll us |, had taken
life too lightly and needed the discipline
| of reflection. To me personally things
| in general had begun to assume strange
proportions: some of my mountains
dwindled to mole hills, and vice versa; !;
substance melted into shadow; the ideal
absorbed the real. The process is often
rapid. and, like a trip across the English
channel, most upsetting.
Yesterday" said Nancy, after a sig
niicant pause, II particularly noticed
the sunset. The line of surf. with the
light behind it, was purple, not white:
and yet | knew, of course, that it was
white. 1t is so with the human souls
we meet; their color depends upon the
light, and our own eyes deceive us.
And there are always the two roads,
one leading to Heaven-on earth, !
mean-and the other to"
THE land of regret. May you never
! set foot there!"
spoke warmly.
THANK you; you would"
Turn myself into sign post for
your sake. Most assuredly."
We gazed calmly and dispassionately
into each others eyes. Perhaps. all in
ALL it was the bitterest moment of my
life, for saw that she had guessed my
secret and remained unmovcd; and yet
the leaven of sweetness was there.
CHAPTER VI.