Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-03-06

four years he had refused to do his duty
as a man toward an innocent woman, q
woman, though in part a savage, now
transformed into gentle, noble creature
Of delight and goodness. How had he
deserved it? He had sown the storm; 1t
was but just that he should reap the
whirlwind. He had scattered thistles;
could he expect to gather grapes? He
knew that the sympathy Of all his "a
Tiers house was not with him, but
with the woman he had wronged He
was glad it was so.
Looking back now, it seemed SO poor
and paltry a thing that he, a man,
should stoop to revenge himself upon
those who had given him birth as q
kind Of insult to the woman who had
lightly set him aside and should use for
that purpose helpless conflding girl.
To revenge ones self for wrong to ones
self is but common passion, which has
little dignity; to avenge some one
whom one has loved, man or woman
and before all, woman-has some touch
Of nobility, is redeemed by loyalty. For
his act there was not one word Of de-
Tense to be made, and he was not pre-
pared to make it.
The cigars and liquors were beside
him, but he did not touch them. He
seemed very far away from the ordinary
details Of his life He knew he had be-
fore him hard travel, and he was not
confident of the end. He could not tell
how long he sat there. After time the
ticking Of the clock seemed painfully
loud to him. Now and again he heard
a cab rattling through the square. and
the foolish song Of some drunken loiterer
In the night caused him to start pain
fully. Everything Jared on him. Once
he got up, went to the window and
looked out The moon was shining full
ON the square. He wondered if it would
be we'll for him to go out and find some
quiet to his nerves in walking. He did
so. Out in the square he looked up to
his wife's window. It was lighted.
Long time he walked up and down, his
eyes on the window. It held him like q
charm. Once he leaned against the iron
ratings Of the garden and looked up,
not moving for time. Presently he
saw the curtain Of the window raised,
and against the dim light Of the room
was outlined the figure Of his wife. He
knew 1t. She stood for q moment look
ing out into the night She could not
see him, nor could he see her features
at all plainly. but he knew that she,
like him. was alone with the catastrophe
which his wickedness had sent upon
her. Soon the curtain was drawn down
again. and then he went once more to
the house and took his old seat beside
the table He fell to brooding and at
last exhausted. dropped into troubled
sleep.
He woke with start Some one was
in the room. He heard step behind
him. He came to his feet quickly, Q
wild light in his eyes. He faced his
brother Richard
Late in the afternoon Marion had
telegraphed to Richard that Frank was
coming. He had been away visiting
some poor and sick people, and when he
came back to Greyhope 1t was too late
to catch the train. But the horses were
harnessed straightway, and he was
driven into town. three hours drive.
He had left the horses at the stables, and
having latchkey had come In quietly.
he had seen the light in the study and
guessed who was there He entered and
saw his brother asleep. He watched
him for moment and studied him. Then
he moved away to take of his hat, and
a. he did 30 stumbled slightly. Then II
was Frank walked, and for the first time
In five years they looked each other In
the eyes. They both stood immovable
for q moment, and then Richard caught
Franks hand in both Of his and said:
"God bless you. my boy; God bless you'll
am glad you are backr'
"Dick, Dickp' was the reply, and
Franks other hand clutched Richards
shoulder in his strong emotion. They
stood silent for q moment longer, and
then Richard recovered himself He
waved his hand to the chairs The
strain Of the situation was q little pain.
full for them both. Men are shy with
each other where their emotions are in
play.
why, my boy" he said, waving
hand to the wine and liquors, full bot
ties and unopened boxesi Tut tutl
Here's q pretty how d. ye do Is this
the way you toast the home quarters7
You're . fine soldier for an old messp'
So saying, he poured out some whis-
Ky. then opened the box Of cigars and
pushed them toward his brother. He did
not care particularly to drink or smoke
himself, but . man-an Englishman-
is q strange creature He Is most nat
ural and at ease when he Is engaged in
eating and drinking He relieves every
trying situation by some frivolous and
selfish occupation, as Of dismembering
partridge or mixing punch.
"Well. Frank" said his brother,
.no " what have you to say for your
self? Why didn't you come long agot
You b ave played the adventurer for five
- and xuhok hovo vo,, Il, ohoxx, 90