The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-09
v.

o~A0 u "
Kenna, as she and her companion cam
along the Swazees's broad veranda from
their stroll, this Is Mr.. Chester Waite
"Ah, Mr.. Waite" rejoined the Judge with
a keen glance, = I AVE heard OF you before;
but I never did hear that you were an
amateur photographer"
None OF us knew il either explained
Constance impulsively, until the other day
1 fairly forced him to admit his hidden
talent. And now. as you see, we have
been securing the neighborhood for views.
Let me show you some OF his proofs, Judge.
They are wonderful"
Again the Judge scanned the young man
closely.
How has your health been Of late, Mr..
Waiter he asked. You don't look very
well or strong"
Il am perfectly well, answered the other
sullenly enough. Indeed. I never had a
serious illness in my life. OF course, l have
been burdened recently with many matters
Of business
yes; worry does sometimes waste as
much as disease; but il seems to me that I
did hear that Mr.. Chester Waite had been
critically i'll. Probably another bit OF
misinformation."
And the Judge turned to examine the
collection that Constance brought.
a notable exhibit commented the
Judge, as he turned over the proofs one
by one. Remarkable for artistic taste and
execution. Such results could have been
attained only through years of study and
practice.
Strange, my friend Prof. Bauer Of Hei-
delberg, in writing somewh hat fully of your
characteristics and attributes, did not men,
ton such a gift, You are not going, Mr..
Waite? l wanted to ask you
-You wanted to ask me what?" demanded
the young man, who had sprung n~ervously
to his feet.
Tut, tut. it is OF no such moment /
merely wanted 10 ask whether you photo
graphed persons az well as enc
Il confne myself to landscapes"
Except in your " case, Of course
added the Judge, pleasantly. you nat
urally want to see yourself "a others see
you; I hope not often in such a phi ght as
this"
The pale young man grew livid as he
glanced at the negative the Judge ex-
tended.
Constance, Constance, how could you?
he murmured.
You can't we'll deny the likeness" con-
tinued the Judge pitilessly, unless you
are willing TO admit that you have a double,
which might be embarrassing in the cir
cumstances. On the other hand, how can
you reconcile il withyour statement that you
have never been seriously ill?"
But the young man ignored the cross
questioning. He stood rigid, gazing at an
other young man slowly approaching from
the hallway, a feeble and wan young man,
yet ~singularly like him, to whoee side Con-
stance lovingly fastened.
Il make no denial or defence, Chester"
said the first young man to the second young
man. Il am Prentice Dudd. The sensi-
tiDed plate / was 40 enthusiastic over showed
spots on our face, invisible to the naked
eye, that told me you were probably in for
a fatal illness.
Il needed money, oh, 80 much; the temp
tation was too great, the co~nyerging cir
oumstances too inviting; | came here in your
stead.
Il don't suppose you want publicity or
scandal; you have lost nothing except the
cost OF my living for these few weeks. 20
70 the nowhere from which l came, neverto
return.
But ! may as well tell you, as c~onsoIa-
ton, as reoompense, that you nave deprived
me Of far more than I ever schemed TO steal
from you. Constance, my life, my Lowell"
Prentice Dudd marched down the road,
Ike a soldier to execution. Had he looked
back, he might have seen that for an instant
at least he girl sprang from ChesterWaite's
side n gazed doubtfully after him.