Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-04-07
for The Term of Ills Natural Life
BY MARCUS CLARKE
CHAPTER |.

called Nerth. end House was the scene
of a domestic tragedy. Three persons
were the actors in it. One was an old
man. whose white hair and vrinkled face
gave token that he was nj least sixty
years Of age. He stood erect in the
attitude Of one surprised into sudden
passion. and held uplifted the heavy
cbon caAe upon which he was ordinarily
accustomed 10 lean. He was confronted
by a mas Of two-and twenty, unusually
tall and athletic Of figure, dressed IN
rough seafariug clothes, aud whe held in
his arms, protecting her a lady of
middle age The face of the young man
wore an expression of astonjshment,
and the slight frame of the gray-haired
woman was conyulScd with sohS
These three people were Sir Richard
Devine. his wife, and his only son Rich
ard, who had returned from abroad that
morning.
so. madam" said Sir Richard. N the
high-strunc accent which in crises of
great mental agony are common to the
most self-restrained of us, you have
been for twenty years a living lie. For
twenty years You have cheated and
liNthtN me. 1 Ut tNrlllF 9'hA t'' 'A' ~
laughed at me for 3 credulops fool; and
now because | dared to raise my hand
to that reckless boy, you admit w. and
glory in the confession"
Mother, dear mother" cried the
young man, IN u paroXysm Of grief Say
that you did hot mean ,h5sa words, you
said them but in anger, See, am calm
now, and he may strike me If he will,
Lady Devine shuddered, creeping
close as though to hide herself In the
broad bosom Of her son.
The sld man continued II married
you, Ehnor Wade, for your beauty you
married me for my fortune. l was
pleheian, q ships carpenter you were
well born. your father was a man of
fashion, the friend of prodigals. | was
rich. I had been kuighted | was in
favor at court. He wanted money and
he sold you. paid the price he asked,
but there was nothing of your cousin,
my lord Rellasis in the bond
Spare me- sir. spare me- said Lady
Elhnor, family.
'Spare you Az, you have spared
me, have you not? Lookye' he cried
in sudden fury. Il am not to he fooled
30 easily. Your family are proud. Col
Wade has other daughters. My lord
Bellasis, even now thinks TO retrieve
his broken fortunes by marriage. To-
morrow ysur father your sisters, all the
world, shall know the story you have
told me"
"You will not do this burst out the
young man
silence" cried Sir Richard.
Lady Devlne slipped through her sons
arms, and fell on her knees at her hus-
bands feet
DO not do this. Richard l have been
faithful to you for two and twenty
years. ! have borne all the sights and
Insults you have heapei upon me. The
secret Of my early love, the confession
that | never loved you. broke from me
when, in your rage You threatened him"
Sir Richard, who had turned to walk
away, stopped suddenly. and his great
white eyebrows came together in his
red face with a savage scowl He
laughed. and in that laugh his fury
seemed to CONCEAL into cold and cruel
hate
You shah have your wish-upon one
condition"
"What Is it. slr?" she asked. rising.
but trembling with terror, as she stood
with dropping arms and widely opened
eyes
The old man looked at her for an in
slant and then said. slowly:
That this disobedient son. who has
wrongfully squandered my money and
eaten my bread. shall pack, That he
keep himself from my sight, and never
set foot again in house of mine"
Richard Deyine gently loosed the
arms that again chung around his neck,
kissed the pale face, and turned his
scarcely less pale-toward the old man.
Il owe you no duty" he said. "You
have always hated and reviled me
When by your violence you drove me
from your house. you set spies to watch
me in the life | had chosen. I have
nothing in common with you. have
long felt It. l accept the terms you
offer. | will GO"
Sir Richard Deyne laughed again. a
am glad TO see you are So we'll disposed
Listen now. Tonight | send for Quad
to alter my will My sisters son, Mau
rice Frere shall be my heir in vom
hlta3. give YOU IHlhlbE- lou leave
this house in an hour. You change youl
name: You never by word or deed make
claim on me or mine. return in an
hour madam; let me find him gone"
lie passed them, upright, as if M
borne by passion, strobe down the gar
den with the yigor that anger lends
and took the road 10 London.
"Rirhard,' cried the poor mother
"Forgive me, my son, l have RUNE.
you"
Richard Deyine tossed his black hail
from his brow in sudden passion of low,
and grief.
Mother, dear mother, do not weep.
be said. 81 am not worthy Of YOU
tears. Forgive! 1t is I-impetuous an,
ungrateful during all your years Of sor
row-whs most need forgiveness. lie
me share your burden that may light
eL it. He IS just 1t Is fitting that
go. can earn a name--a name tina
! need not blush to bear nor You {,
hear. l am strong. l can work. Tn
world is wide Farewell, my own moth
err
mot yet. not yet! All, see. he Ia
taken the Belsize road. Oh, Richard
pray heaven they may not meet"
flush! They will not meet. You ar
pale, you faint
a. tarror of | know NOT what cor,}p