Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-09-19

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claimed. with deep emphasis. Il owe
you MY life. aud nov would save
yours IN turn. You
''HoldT' said Mr.. Vernon. inter-
rupting him with pcremptory firm
ness. ''No. another word on that
score. You owe me nothing"
"Wcu. then. YOU will not blame
ne Il I Kill HING
"Thas 10 you mean2'
'I speak OF Kirk MacCol!oagh.
your son.
No mere presentation Of the words |
eau suggest the dramktio import o. 1
this terse colloquy.
Mr.. Vernon turned quarter about |
and seized Burns's other arm.
Behind them a little fire hickered
IN the fog. they could dimly see each
others faces. grim aud gvizzied, az
they leaned closer aud tried 20 stare
into each Others eyes.
Lately Mr.. Vernon had begun %
dread even the thought Of this man.
who now seemed the one greatest
danger 20 his happiness. for II was
through him that tho past seemed on
the point of being unlocked and re-
opened. Yasseur knew much; but
Nasseur was easy % manage. One
other knew al. but that one couid
always be bought 20 silence with
money. Burns alone was unmanage-
able. because he alone was sincere
and incorrupbble.
When for years a man has been AL
solute master of himself aud over oil
= who have come within the circle %
I, has life. IL IS hard for him 90 realize
. suddenly that his influence IS nbolt
F, 20 fail. To NJ. Vernon this threat
ened failure meant much moro than
2, mere loss OF power in the direction OF
ID any ordinary ambition. He had lived
SO long aud so happily on the crust oil
y volcano. that. until Burns had come
20 he had forgotten what a FIRE lay under
it. The worst of 10 was that mas
like Mr.. Vernon could but feel help
- less and hopeless when dealing viii
one like Burns.
As they stood thus for a moment q
m arms length. with their faces thrus
- almost together. tke two men felt 10
!, the first time clearly how much the
:, were in each others way. Burns wa
aware now that Mr.. Vernon woul
~, stand between him and his one r,
n naming desire. He had conferre
4. with Vasseur. and from him Ia
80 shrewdly drawn enough 90 condri
himself thoroughly in this thought.
Mr. Vernon grip on Burns's arm
drew them inward with such for,
that the old mans chest was almo
folded together aud his breathing ID
all came difficult.
Tue 'You. minister OF the gospel
I'D tell me shat you are going 90 assnssi
rks ate" Mr. Vernon stopped sho
red and drew in q deep. shivering hrea
all as Dc tho words had almost chok
lis hun. "Shall I turn you over toJac
We. son 90 be- dealt wi.h2'
For "Shall 7 turn YOU over 90 him
MS. calmly responded Burns.
ave There was something desperate
en- reckless. beyond anything that N
heir Vernon had ever dreamed of. In 3
and suggested significance 0f the wor.
eral He involuntarily i0osed has hold O
IN q let fall his hands as II Just releas
r o. from "a galvauic shock.
True. true hc murmurcd, 4,
re- strangely changed voice; 81 am
all one 20 lead others 90 Justice.
aud you are better. far better ti
m most men, even with your sins
the counted, " said Burns. "T owe eve
y 20 thing 20 YOU and yours--
ABLE "Everything2"
was eyes. everything. But the
hno part is not
ance YES. yes. the evil and all is Fl
-owd me"
IL Oh 81 was hungry and you fed me.
..n. was dying and you nulsed me b
- ~ TO life
row a, And now ask You for more q
49, life" exclaimed Mr.. Vernon IL
, - hoarse whisper.
SO Il know, L know, faltered Bni
: : ~ "No. you do not. You ki
= enough, but not all.
= ~ Eyes. Thomas MacCoiloUgh --
a.. 49,. Mr.. Vernon flew at his throat
80 shut or nis words.
iHy u Speak that name again, aud
He did not complete the sentence
r. was ashamed OF himself instar
"'S Forgive me: can not myself.
went on. letting 20 his hold. HIS y
- sOftened "And yOu-yOu are
s,s. wrong, Mr.. Burns. you are PEI
,esSa - ting yoar passion 70 drag you a
~. with IL, let me beg Of you 70 stop
."o0 give your conscience It's freedom
g.. more.
io 1TI u am sure" said Barns. with
W. emphasis, chat You have shown
80. seli-control shan have l. ha'
'O-o' tried to choke you"
-.-. Forgive me. I repeat It, for
me-" Mr.. Vernon duplicated.
80; There Is nothing TO fOrgi'