The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-13

, and tried threats, persuasion. prayers; and
all the while there was in his heart the
knowledge that, unless his father could
be made to sleep, the reputed three thou
sand Il year would be his before the morn
ing.
| 1t was worse than tho actual physical
struggle on the floor. The temptation
| was almost too strong.
After a While the sick man became
! quieter, but he stlll refused to take the
opiate. He closed his eyes and made nc
answer to Guys repeated supplcation.
Finally he ceased shaking his head, In ne
cation, and at last breathed regularly
like child asleep
! Afterwards Guy Oscard reproached
| himself for suspecting nothing. But he
knew nothing of brain dIseases-thosc
strange maladies that kill the human in
the human being. He knew however,
why his father had tried to kill himself
1t was not the first time. It was panic
lie was afraid of going mad, of dying
mad like his father before him. People
called him eccentric. Some said that he
was mad. But 1t was not so. 1t was only
fear OF madness. He was still asleep
when the nurse came back from the pam
tomime in cab. and Guy crept softly
downstairs to let her in
They stood in the hall for some time
while Guy told her In whispers about the
belladonnn linimcnt. Then they went up
stairs together and found Thomas Oscard
the great historlan--dead on the floor
The liniment bottle. which Guy had left
on tho mantel-pece. was in his hand
empty. He had feigned sleep in order
to carry out his purpose He had pre.
ferred death. OF which the meaning was
unknown to him. to the possibility OF that
living death In which his father had lin
gered for many years. And who shall
say that his thoughts were entirely sell
fish? There may have been fathers
love somewhere in this action. Thomas
Oscard. the eccentric savant. had always
been strong man, Independent Of the
world opinion. He had done this thing
deliberately OF mature thought, going
straight to- his Creator with his poor hu-
man being full OF argument and reason
to prove himself right before the Judge
They picked him up and laid him. rev.
erently on the bed, and then Guy went
for tho doctor
II could" said the attendant Of Death
when he had heard the whole story--'T
could give you certificate I could re-
concile 1t, l mean. with my professional
conscience and my---other conscience He
could not have lived thirty hours-there
was an abscess on his BRAIN But !
should advise you to face tho inquest. It
might be''-he paused. looking keenly IN
to the young fellows face--''it might be
that ut some future date. when you are
1ulte an old man, you may feel inclined
TO tell this story"
Again the doctor paused, glanclng with
n vague smile towards the woman who |
stood beside them. "Or even nurse" he |
added. not troubling to finish his SEN
tencc. I'VE all have our moments OF eX-
And 1t Is story that
might easily be-dlscredited,"
So the eccentric Oscard' finished his
earthly career In the intellectual atmos,
phere OF coroners jury. And the world
rather liked it than otherwise. The world,
death. Some day an American will in
vent new funeral, and, If he can only
get the patent, will make fortune
The world was, moreover, pleased to |
pity Guy Discard with that pure and
simple sympathy which is ever accorded
TO the wealthy In ahiiction, Every one
knew that Thomas Discard had enjoyed
aii1uence during his lifetime, and there
wasNo reason to suppose that Guy would
not step into very comfortably lined
shoes It was unfortunate that he should |
lose his father In such tragic way, and
the keen eye of the world saw the weak
point in his story ut once But the cor
oner's Jury was respectful, and the rest
OF society never so much as limited at
the possibility that Guy had not tried |
his best To keep his father alive.
Among the letters of sympathy this
young fellow received note from Lady
Cantourne. whose acquaintance he had
successfully renewed and In due course
he called at her house In We're Gardens
TO express somewhat lamely his graft. |
tude.
Her ladyship was at home. and In due |
course Guy DISCARD was ushered into her |
presence, He looked round the room with |
halt-suppressed CLEAN or searching |
Which not ayerlnnked hu Aiililea..4