New-York tribune., 1904-10-16

SUNDAY MAGAZINE for OCTOBER i6. 1904

most surely crrsed!" Alma heard the words nd
shuddered and wondered what Sar might near.
For weary while Sar hurried to and fro lie
the sun vanished, softer colors famed the vest
then died and the soft radiance of the stars on
the sea.
Sars mood changed from the active to the I'VE.
I.-.c.d Of violent suffering desOlatlOn N----.d
him about An abiect pessinism thraled t;s nit
II seemed him that effort must end onl ii zr
What had he ever accomplished IN the world Eha
could he accomplish of good. He had fuHllel -,an
duties. as anv other might have fulfilled them In
the failure of his marriage, the one thing was
h1s individual act, he had demons,re-.. MS
wOrthlessness, He alone in the world -6 by
his own fault Whv should he strive furrla- 1ar
he stood revealed in his inability, only
of all hls race had been ignoble since he teen
unable so rule his life 10 gain the --e.- of
men, the respect of himself Hopelessness .sr .eavv
him.
A thin crescent of moon shOne wanlv IN the .uIth
and Sar saw in 1t the epitome of his own .-.eavor
1t a wrath of light even his s-~..--s had
been wraiths of accomplishment He had .-,eved
nothing he could never achieve anything uo-. lile
Since he had dlrnned the lusters OF his lire. why
should the not cease before thing aeeI:
There were the steps that down 10 the
This time Sar believed that he understood the
mystery in their constant appeal IT was -.- path
to the unknown, the way toward peace o.-aa his
soul had fiOatcd the vast spaces there over the
waters and always It had found peace WHY mould
1t not go there now, without the resh-v 20
hold it from the supreme fight. The steps waited
him He had only 10 descend them To- ,a--- the
tiny boat that rocked the loot of the stair ,r-
it. to drift away the ebb OF the ,iia ont INTO
the sea. on and on until this wasting flesh -1ould
loose It's chains from his spirit and he should iv
forever in the infinite distance Why should he
remain for sorrow. when there he must md .e4oe.
Sar stood by the pillar against which &ra ..ehed
and spoke aloud IN the force of his cou.t,-.- Ave.
I'll end it, Why should | live thing o. -o-r 70
myself and To the world, I have failed lte
Let it end, He spoke the decision vi-. ...---ess,
gravely and finally, If sorrow had noe 5-aa l,r1
mad. With the resolve hrm II his h,--- de-
scended the frst step.
\ sound of sobbing caused him -.. He
looked about him IN bewildernent for
he had believed himself alone Then the
crouchng figure by the pillar and rc-re-...-. .'aa
Instantly his self-pity Welded TO pity t-
Why, Alma. he said gently Il though. -nc
long ago. Child. YOU should have Our
music wrought its spell. ALWAYS. and -lt
to me thank YOU. Alma Now ~.
But the bowed figure did not move t-e-. lace.
Sar waited IN growing astonishmeut-
But, Alma, do YOU not hear,
Sobs his only answer.
Alma"
Still only the sobbing of the girl
Alma, Alma Sar erred. thoroughly med
What does this mean: Are YOU IN are
YOU ILL., Tell me, child Let help WAT
is it,"
Then at last the girl spoke, ha.tingly -
heard you,
Sar uttered an ejaculation OF disu,ay I'd
me, You | spoke aIoud' W. YOU
hear: What" He stepped toward her ae
hand she held toward HIM What did
he'