The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-05

IINNEAPOLIS JOURN
til Vane recovered his reason and
brought suit against me, then love |
jealousy fear, and the old in-
stinct ito pit my FACULTIES against |
the fF world arose within me.
There seemed no. other course
everything seemed in my favor. This
was at the, outset. But as the days
went on. and I saw the anguish Of
Constance. the detection Of Vane, a
great, shuddering pity for them both,
and horror for myself, Fawoke in my
soul. The utter wickedness Of my
course arose before me. and / could |
not escape the constant contempla-
ton of It, At such times such rush
of remorse overwhelmed me that
would cry out in actual pain. I would
think of our mother. Of her love for
us both, of her dying request to Vane,
OF his long search for me, of my
treachery in allowing him to fall into
the clutches of the law in my place,
/
find me in his place, and the cumula-
tive Wickedness of nay course would
grind me as If I had been fastened
into the tortuous iron. frames used
upon criminals in olden times.
But slowly up from under all this
anguish OF mind there grew up firm
resolve which comforted me-com-
forted while 1t made me wretched. I
determined to let matters take their
course, play my part to the end, and
when that end should come. which
was confident would establish me in
the eyes Of the law as Vane Hamilton,
would go away and give him his
rightful place. For to confess would
be to bring upon myself the false ac-
cusation Of murder which felt
could: not refute. Even If it should
be. proved that Marks was the perpe-
traitor, 1t would be thought I was the
instigator. So, as ! have said, played
my part to the end, tho determined
not to take advantage Of the edict
which it was said was soon to be in
my favor.
Vane was arrested, and remained
| free. That was as I expected, but I
| fingered few days. on the scene OF
| my quiet, happy,'yes, happy life, for 1t
/ seemed hard to cut myself off from
it. all. I do not mean to preach, but I
want to say that good people know
little about what they condemn so
readily; they know little and seem
to care little about the lives of the
poor creatures oftenest found in their
courts of justice. They build fine
churches and pay men to preach to
to them. while . outside the shut
churches are thousands of human
souls crying for the bread Of life to
revive their dying condition.
Oh, 1 bless General Booth and his
To Il o4 49, 49, Il l.,
the closed churches. but, with banner
and song, marched to the rescue of
the poor shuddering wretches, so deep
in degradation that they never knew
their degradation. or that there was
anything better for them. They do
not know their condition. Way back
in the history Of the Saxon nations,
deep moral ignorance prevailed
Fathers and sons had wives in COM
!, mon; robbery and rapine were con-
slant; they. were idolators, sacrificing
human victims. But. generations OF
, improvement and =. culture have
brought them to a condition where ii
) is possible for the utmost saintliness
E to exist, as witness the many men
{ and women who have inundated
, themselves on the. shrine of duty
creatures held by circumstances out
, side this current? Is it a wonder. the
3 old heathenish@ instincts revive II
s them, Or. fail: tosabe ousted?
I I have thought of this much in the
t past week, and have wondered Wha
( my life would have been if had no
J. been taken. from my parents, but al
!, lowed. to grow up in the midst Of good
!. Influences; and have little hesita
7 ton In asserting THAT i. should have
> been, probably, JAS fod q man as m!
: twin brother, and pghaps 1t is not too
much to say that he might have beer
!. like me with the same environment
:. ~ Then, il I so fell thru the wicked en-
? vironment Of my life, what chance i
a there for men and women whose par
). ents and grandparents were Grimm
E ais? None I should say, if I did no
/, recollect. Booth and his glorious arm,
:, and his plans for their salvation.
n I go away, and go a thief a Grim
inal in the eyes Of the law. But kno1
9 Vane's heart, and I feel that I ma
' hope for forgiveness, and that he wi
:. believe me when I say that will repa
d him some time, If. possible, the none
d I took while occupying his premise!
t And, Constance, promise you that
will live an honest life hereafter.
/, can fancy your doubling my ability t
d do so; but I will swear it.
g Whenever go shall take with m
T, the memory Of your true, noble VIC
IS manhood and wifehood. Vane ma
:. rest his soul in your truth and faith
$, fulness, and I, in time, perhaps, ma
IS be glad to think Of you as sister; bu
s not now-not now. For fear Of seem
o ing maudlin 7 refrain from sayin
n more. You must have known how
q loved you, and you can realize what
II costs to leave you to him. r.
= Victor Hamilton.