The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-12
4 STORY OF SACRIFICE.


days previously Jack Norman had an
nounced his purpose of travelling North in
order IN Join a shooting party in SCOT
land. He had intended 10 catch the aftcr-
noon train. and, lingering over lunch.
found himself with little time 70 snare A
cab had been hastily called, the luggage
thrown on the roof and the man told 10
drive like the devil Instructions so per-
emptory We're not 10 be disnheyed. 4
flourish Of the whip. volley OF oaths, and
away went the vehicle at headtong speed
The result might have been foreseen
In the act of turning a sharp corner, the
cab iurched against a heavy wagon. and.
osertarning. shot its occupant out upon
the pavement, his head coming in violent
contact with the curb stone. Jack Nor.
man had been carried home in A state OF
Inconsistencies. while the doctor, hur-
rieoiy summoned. pronounced the case
10 be hopeless from the first An hour
.ater the intelligence reached Esther that
ner husband was no more.
As she sat thus, alone and chilled. the
noise OF a cab drawing up in front ef the
mousse passed without notice Equally I'M
remarked was the hassy ringing OF the
door bell Nor was il till the familiar
sound or Alec Macleod's foot upon the
stairs made itself heard that Esther awokc
to vivid consciousness Of the occasion.
Alec Macleod! AS flash of lightning
iiiumines the darkness of night, so the
name. suddenly lit up the inmost recesses
or her memory. Her mind travelled swift
~ back To the moment of their first meet
ing' she recollected with strange thrill
of satisfaction the pleasure she had found
IN IT. The introduction had taken place
AT one OF those huge social gatherings
where celebrities rub shoulders. with the
crowd OF nonentities assembled TO gaze
upon them. Esther recalled the tau.
eight figure OF the young doctor who had
already made for himself a reputation
tnat promised bravely for the future. She
remembered thinking how curiously out of
place he seemed in that motley throng:
She conjured up the shy. almost appeal
Ing. look In his eyes when at last he was
presented 10 her. Beneath this shyness
she was quick to discover however, there
lay tremendous fund OF quiet force and
intense emotion. Alec was the last man
IN the world to wear his heart upon his
sleeve. but, when once his. confidence had
been gained. he made no effort to con-
ceal the nature. OF his feelings In Esther
he found a sympathetic listener. one who
could understand and appreciate his large
manner of regarding life. and as time
passed the bond that held the two to-
gether became stronger and stronger
The catastrophe. easily fcreseen. came
in due course Given the circumstances.
the wonder was perhaps that Ii had been
so long delayed. At any moment during
the six months Of their friendship one
unguarded word. q too-proienged clasp
OF the hands. more than usually express
sive glance, might have brought matters
to climax. Precisely how or when the
occasion presented itself there is no need
hat SysHl onl he
found themselves on the brink of preci-
pice. with the knowledge that one for
ward movement would lead them to de-
structlon. The full significance OF the sit.
uatson hurst upon both at the same in
stand. 1t brought to each fierce throb
OF delight Immediately followed by pro-
found feeling of despair.
Esther was the first to recover herself
I'VE have come to the parting of the
ways" she said. For the future our
paths lie in different. directions"
He did not seek to- combat her resolu-
ton. recognizing only too plainly that
no other course was open To them. The
love he bore her. strong and masterful
as 1t was. had nothing in common with
the passion which SACRIFICES everything
To its own desire. In Alice's nature the
principles OF right and wrong were firmly
established Not to have confessed to
seemed TO him, have been cowardly Fate
had left him loophole out of the situ-
alton. save this. But the knowledge that
II must necessarily lead to their separa-
ton was upon him from the first.
In Seekng TO adopt a passive attitude
Alec speedily found. however. that he had
misjudged his strength. Chance had
brought Esther and himself together and
chance, having started the game. con-
tinned 10 play II after Its own whimsical
fashion Moving In the same circle, IL
meet frequently, and TO each such en-
counters could bring only renewed sense
of misery. So Alec. taking his courage
In both hands. came to mighty resoia-
ton. and as It happened. the opportunity
OF putting his plan into action was not
long In presenting itself
An exploration party. with Central At
rica as its ultimate destination. had been
organized. and 10 this Alec FASTENED 70
offer his services. When next he found
"A chance of speaking to Esther alone. he
told her of the scheme. treating II as o
light affair and OF little consequence II
Is not IN be supposed that she failed 10
grasp the inner significance OF the ueas
ure. but she raised no opposition Ia bts
going. ard. indeed. referred To the fame
1t might bring him with something OF en-
fHusia$fN. oniy Sne herself Knew of the
duh agony the news occasianed her and
of the binding tears she shed that night
on returning home
Alec had arranged To sail from ctaufh.
ampton on Saturday. and. In response Ia
his written request. Esther named the
Afternoon Of the previous Friday for their
farewell interview II was the very dav
her husband had selected for his journey
to Scotland.
As she heard Alec rapidly ascending the
stairs the confused servant having failed.
apparently. to warn him of what had oe.
Cured. the horror OF the situation burst
with overwhelming force upon her In
another instant she would stand face Ia
face With the man who had the secret
a. her heart, while In the room above 1av
her husband dead
Before sas had time 10 recover her .e,,-
possessinn, the door opened ard Alec en-
tered the rgo:sl. He came forward rassd
IS. taking both her hands In his eft
was good OF you 10 ret me come" he said
softly
She sbrank back from him. scared