Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-16
CHAPTER XIV.
"Remember Not Past Years"

NJ Nhaikt NVuiu uOW bt niOukuN aboihoN
her; the bridegroom in that terrible mar
rage was silenced by death; the maj Of
revenge was silenced by drink and seclu-
sion; the Fleet parson was dead, his regis
tiers were destroyed; the dressmaker was
a woman Of many secrets, all Of which
were safe with her provided she had her
ladies' custom. Lord stratherrick could
do nothing but repeat what he had heard
and his words would no longer be heard.
The landlord Of the Grapes had no purpose
to gain by repeating a rumor Of which he
had no proof. The lady's reputation, In a
word, was saved. II only remained to com
municate to her the news that the business
was now buried and could never be revived.
He sighed as he thought Of the reward that
might be offered him, and Of Alice and Of
her warning that Isabel was in love with
him. For now, in the first flow OF graft
tude, words might be said, q reward might
be offered which in common gratitude for
all. Isabel had done for him he could not
refuse.
He owed everything to her-his freedom,
his good name, his present prospects, his
hopes. his ambitions; he repeated TO him
self thai she had found him In the deepest
distress and had taken him out Of his mis-
cry; he had no right to entertain the
thought Of any other woman II this woman
/ should haply claim more than gratitude,
more than friendship.
Isabel was In her parlor, the room at the
back on the ground floor; her own room,
where she sat when she was alone, sur
J rounded by her books and her pictures.
She looked up when oliver appeared with
an inqulring glance.
Madam" he said, 81 bring you what i
hone you will consider good news
"You always bring me good news, Oliver.
Tell me quickly what your news is. / am
more anxious than l can tell you"
providence, madam, has been on your
side-may 1 say-on our slider"
"Surely you may say so. But howF
"Your enemies are finally scattered. You
will hear no more Of them
"How? What have you done?"
MADAM, It is not what l have done. IL
IA surely the hand Of the Lord. You were
In the hands Of wicked men. They are 81
fenced and powerless. AS for the escaped
convict" he paused, thinking how best ia
present the story Of the last scene.
HAS he gone on board?'
"Not on the ship provided for him. Das
alike yisum; by the gods the end wal other
wise appointed. He has embarked on the
ship whose pilot Is Charon. Someone-pe
lieve you, myseln-oetrayeo
him. The eonstables were sent out to ar
rest him. He fought them, being a FELLOW
OF infinite courage, and well-nigh escaped
them-for the moment-but In the ngn'
someone-I know not who-drew a sword
and so he fell. Murderer, robber. companion
Of murderers and robbers-he has met With
the death that he deserved, but not at my
hands"
Isabel sighed, but not with grief. HE
is dead. Alas! oliver, l cannot choose
but feel relieved. You think that he hal
left nothing-no papers-behind him?"
what papers could such a man possess
or leave. who knew not how to read oil
write? He has left n~othing-neither papers
nor record, nor history. He has descended
In the grave; his place knoweth him nc
more. Well for him that he has persisted
in this way instead Of the way ne feared
and deserved"
Isabel bowed her head. "Can 1 pretend
to be sorry?" she asked. "If We may no
desire the death Of a sinner we may a
least acknowledge the hand OF Providence
when a sinner is cut own 1t might haV'
been myself. Oliver, can / forget that
once held that mans and while the parsoi
declared that those whom God had joine'
together man must not part?"
Dear laoy, IneTe was ho maAAAo6S' -
was already married"
9TH marriage was in my mind; 1t wa
in my intention. / can never forget tn
shams and the humiliation of It,"
LET the memory of the day and the hou
perish. Dear madam, forget the man an
all. AS for the other, the poor drunkard
who In his sober moments talked OF re
venge; who pretended that you made hir
. bankrupt"
What of himf"
"You know that he is in the King
Bench prison. He is now submissive an
repentant-that is, afraid he will get n
more drink. I have ventured to pledge you
word for a small allowance, which Will Civ
him a suficlency. It is the best place 10
him, believe me. At the tavern where b
/, lived he drank all day long. He woul
have been killed in a few days or weeks
Already he had begun to see rats an
. creeping things, which is the worst sign !
! the world. He will live longer in tn
k~prison, IL It is worth while to prolong
useless life In the hope of repentance. BIZ
he has had a fright. He will never agai
: talk Of revenge. II he does he will hav
to 20 back to the poor side, where there
y no drink to be obtained except for none!
d And he Will have none"
r 81 must tell his wife and Alice where
d is. Oliver. It was my sin that found n
r out when this man was taken to my brother
in-law with his story. He goes into
: prison. where he will die-a paupe a
: free and rich"
MADAM. you have done kind ind goo
. actions. These are Ike guardian ange
{ for you. They stand between you and ev
y That mans life has been a long course
drink, with the evils that drink brini
Q with 1t. Do not waste your pity upC
5 him"
g 81 will not. Poor wretch" Yet 81
e was wasting pity upon DIN. perhaps b
d wife will go TO see him"
d There remained the Fleet parse
" Madam, you will not be surprised to hea
e perhaps. that shortly after you saw hi
this worthy divine went to bed drunk;
was not, ! believe, an uncommon ending
e. the day with him; the candle set fire to Il
p sheets and In the extinguishing that 70
ID lowed not only his life was lost, but b
sr latest book OF registers was also burn
q irrecoverably. Madam, said / not tn
ID Providence was on your side. Afna'
C Deus; the Lord hath once breathed and 20
l. enemies are scattered"
le The Lord hath sent me also q faithf
re and most loyal friend" She gave him b
r hand. lie stopped and kissed II. She to-