The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-15

bled by dreams or any physical distress. It
seemed to connect me with the rest OF the
house, and simple as 1t may seem to you,
accounts for the cheerfulness with which 1
have declined the offers of my sons to sit
with me during these last painful nights.
had need Of their company while this
light shone; and as for pain-why, that is
an evil which all men are called upon sooner
or later to endure
I was resting then in this mild reflected
light when suddenly it went out. This woke
me, for the orders are strict that this jet be
left burning till the servants come down
stairs in the morning. But I did not stir
in my bed; simply listened. Though aroused
and somewhat disturbed by this palpable dis
regard of my wishes, l exerted all of my
faculties to detect the step l now heard
lettering. about my door. But it was stu
diously cautious and made distinct sound
in my ear. did not like this, and listened
still mere intently, whereupon I heard the
door open aud someone come in, softly, and
with long pauses such as were not wont to
accompany the entrance of any member of my
household. I was deciding whether to raise
| an alarm or lie still and let myself be robbed
Of the money which l had just received
from the bank, when I heard the whispered
Father with which one and all of you APP
proach me at night when you wish to ascer-
tain if I asleep awake.
Why did hear myself called and yet make
no reply? What was in my heart, or. what
have l seen of late in your natures or con-
duct, that should remain quiet under this
appeal and lie there shut-eyed ana watchful?
I had no definite reason for doubling any of
you. .t5I knew you were in debt and that
two of you at least were in crying need OF
money, but I hardly think dreaded the
rifling of my desk by the hands OF one Of my
sons. Yet that approach so gentle and 50
measured! the drawn-in breath! the shadow
that grew and grew upon the wall all these
spoke of something quite different from the
anxiety Of a son keeping watch over a sick
father's SAUNDERS.
The desk was near the window towards
which my eyes were turned in open watch
fulness, and hoped by lying still to catch
sight of the intruder's figure at the moment
of his passing between me and the faint IL
Elimination made on the curtains by the street
lamp opposite: But the intruder old not ad-
vance in that direction He passed instead
to the little cupboard over the wash stand,
where, as yoL all know, my medicines are
kept. This was made aware Of by the
faint click made by one bottle striking an
other. George has come home i'll, or Leigh
| ton has one of his terrible headaches, was
the soothing thought which then came to me,
and I found it difficult not TO speak out and
ask who was sick and what bottle was
wanted. But the something which from the
| first had acted in the way of restraint upon
while that sneaking hand continued to tumble
! among the phials and glasses. Suddenly a
/ fear struck ne, fear so far removed from
any which I had ever before known, that my
whole attitude of thought towards my sons
| must have undergone an instantaneous
| change-a gulf opening where an in
! slant before there was confidence and
| love. The medicine was kept there
from which my nightly dose was
prepared medicine which you have all
| heard declared by my physician to be dead
| ly poison, which must be measured most
| carefully and given in only such doses as he
prescribed. Could it be that my son was
/ feeling about for this? Had George bet once
/ too often on that mare which will be his ruin
/ or Leighton found his religion insufficient
/ cloak for indiscretions which ever Stunned
| the light of day; or Alfred-the child Of my
heart, he whom his dying mother placed as
| a last trust in my arms -con founded the en-
nui Of inaction with that WEAKNESS Of life
which is the bane OF rich mems sons?
know the despairs that come in youth, and
quaked where lay; but it was not upon
self destruction that this man at the cup.
board was bent. felt my whole frame trenl-
/ lie and my heart sing in unutterable despair
/ as he advanced, still quietly and with grea
! pauses, up to the foot board of my bed, Their
/ around to the side. protected, as you know
/ by a screen, till he crouched out OF sight
j; but within reach Of the small table where
4 my glass stands with the spoon beside it
i ready for my use il 1 grow restless and weary
4 To have turned, to have Intercepted th,
i creeping figure In its work, and thus hav,
i known definitely and forever which one %
4 you had thus furtivelys visited my medicin,
cabinet before proceeding to my bedside