The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-01
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

. light move. Little by little 1t crept over the floor, and he watched It's slow ad'
 Ills eyes moved with the ray of light, slowly tracing the pattern. They halted unfamiiiariy on the frame of a picture and then passed on.
 The moon had passed out from behind wall. hung the head of Christ. His dull heart beat faster as he gazed at the he avys brown locks. the fair white brow. and the traces of tender mouth, almost hidden by the curling beard. His eyes seen the picture before.
 God! The large Ids opened and great. glorious. burning black eyes looked into his and through them, into his soul. They searched him. the wistful. reproachful gaze finding his very heart. His breath came hard. his ring cut into his finger but he did not know it. He was not aware that the fire was out. that the that 1t was cold. and that he sat there gripping his chair. totally unconscious of all but those eyes. and that look! l, For the first time In his mistaken life he was compelled tc think with perfect conception of his faults and crimes He was dragged out of himself. his soul was turned inside out. The stress was more than mortal could bear. Staggering from
 his chair. he stood with outstretched arms, half in, half out of the moonlight:
 Oh God!" he gasped, what have l doneT'
 The eyes still burned into his soul- awfully, insstently. As he stood there, racked in mind and soul, 1t seemed to him that his deeds passed before him in review.
 He saw how the Beast of Greed had broken down the barriers of virtue. how 1t had secured him with chains. link oS link until now he was bound hand and foot; he saw with his souls eye the tm- age of the Beast gloating over him, yes. even fattening on his hearts blood Should he break the chain! Then. with knowing skill of their own. other thoughts filled his mind. He thought of the ease he could enjoy, the open house ne couIo keep. the elegant furnishings the inc he would have. and of a beautiful woman who, perhaps. would some day sit at his side, before this very fire with him. As these thoughts filled his brain his heart was tortured and wrenched ny the sight of those eyes. which now, after momentary dullins of their keennsss. seemed to burn into his soul. until they seemed to grow and come nearer, to ] scorch him with their scorn. Frenzieo he stood for a moment: swaying httie. his hands cIasping and uncfasping. His | mouth curved down. and deep lines TUT | rowed the corners. as. in half chokeu' | missing tone that seemed to come from l the deepest cell in his lungs. he gasped 1 "Ahi You would tempt me! Those he'll born thoughts which seem to steal my very soul, came from you. Beast! | Then he turned and dragEed a table into | the moonlight. and with shaking fingers | Arthur D. Motley. Attorney: Sir-iThe missing will is found. The Stones nave all. Come to me for Christs sake; l He sealed it hastily and directed 1t. Then stealthily. fearfully, he twisted his l head back without moving his body. | Slowly. forced on by his VIII, his eyes | turned until-ah!
 | He fell back in his chair trembling. a great wave of revuision sweeping over | him, The eyes were closed.
 . This story was suggested by the pic | ture of Christ's head. after the legend of | st. Veronica, painted by Gabriel Max. RE-" by H. A. Hosmer.