Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-04-12

| Of the lights, and the sight of the ma
He endeavored to forget the things
| that tortured him-tried the expert
ment of concentrating his thoughts
! upon one idea, and that idea, obliv-
ion. To be extinguished-what more
| could a weary man desire? To forget
| the betrayed trust, and entaiIed mis-
cry, the bad judgment, the foolish
prodigality, the uneager love, the self
| seeking friends, the easy scorn. that
was the best thing. And in the grave
was forgetfulness. 4
The night passed feverishly. He
had no idea whether it was hours or
minutes that were passing He was
merely waiting for the noise to cease,
and presently there was silence.
Now" said he, and lifted a glass in
his cold and steady hand. But some
thing came between him and the faint
light from the distant street lamp.
There was an unexpected darkness at
the window. Involuntarily he with
held the glass from his lips. A Sec
ond later masked man stood in the
room. He could not see Arthur, who
was in a black shadow. But Arthur
took note of him-of his height, his
width of shoulder, Of the position of
his arms, and then with cry that was
half laugh he sprang at him. A deep,
inarticulate sound, almost like a sob,
came from the mans throat. He made
an effort to reach his weapon. His
arm was pinioned to his side. The
strength of the young man who had
attacked was peculiar and unnatural,
like that of a mad man, and as he
wrestled and clutched and struggled
he laughed.
The mask came off, and the two
looekd each other in the eyes.
The burglar shrieked.
You're crazy" he gasped, white
and Mortified.
will you go?" asked Arthur. Say
you will go and III let loose"
The man made a sign, but Arthur
would not trust him. He was unarmed
himself, and the other man had
weapon. He had no intention of los
ing his life through mere lack of eau
ton, so he backed the burglar to the
window, and with one terrible push
sent him headlong through it. Listen
ing and still smiling, he heard the
heavy fall on the pavement below.
It's only thirty feet" said he aloud.
Ut oughtn't to hurt him much"
Then he sat down in his chair and
trembled violently.
That was certainly a narrow es-
cape" he said to himself. How it
was that he didn't get the drop on me
don't know"
His foot hit against the clinking
pieces of the shattered wine glass, and
he recolected his intention of a few
moments before. Then the humor of
the situation struck him. He threw
back his head and laughed till the
crippled burglar heard it and dragged
his injured body away as rapidly as
he could.
4 think I'll toddle back to the fight
ing line" unused Arthur Wilkinson.
NO one need know I was a deserter.
I'll stand by my guns-if there are any
which the enemy have not taken. And
meantime I'll send another letter to
Old Efinger. I'll ask him to come
here and take pot luck with me-play
I'm his son-till better days come.
He'll give me good advice. I'll win out:
I've got to. And l will. AS for Winni-
I fred wouldn't it be more decent. of me
to leave her to some one who will
love her better? We can live without
each other too easily, Winnifred and 1.
Then to work, to work, to work
The moon had come up and was
flooding the room. Arthur looked at
il approximately.
You are pretty he said to Cynthia
in his most complimentary tone. He
took drink of water. What is there
in ali the world so delicious?" he
commented. Then he undressed and
looked at the warm rotundity Of his
young body with something akin to
reverence.
1T is a mystic temple" said he.
| Who am I that | dare devastate it?''
And then he flung himself upon his
knees and breathed in contrition:
Surely the hand of Providence
was here!"
He slept like child, and something
in his sleep he laughed like one who
has a pleasant dream.