Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04


with a strange blending of curiosity and
shrinking, Milbanke obeyed the pressure of
Clodagh's hand and moved forward into the
room. The cold March daylight was partly
excluded by drawn blinds, but glow from
the fire played upon the walls and the high
four-post bedstead.
With the same mingling of curiosity and
dread. his eyes fell at once upon this prom
inent article of furniture and remained fixed
there in doubt and incredulity. For the
moment his senses refused to acknowledge
that the feverish, haggard face that stared
at him from the pillows was the face Of
Asshlin-AsshIin, tyrannical, passionate,
greedy Of life.
In the hours of agony that he had passed
through the sick mans features had be-
come shrunken, causing his eyes to stare
forth preternaturally large and restless: his
hair had been cropped close-to allow of
the dressing of wound over the temple
and the tight white bandages lent a strange
and unfamiliar appearance to his finely
SNAPPED head With sick sensation, Mil
banke went slowly forward.
The patient made no attempt to move
as he drew near the bed, but his feverishly
bright glance seemed to devour his face.
Here he is. fatherl- Clodagh exclaimed
Now aren't you happy? He's not able to
move. she explained. turning to the guest.
1T gives him terrible agony to stir
Milbanke had reached the bed, and with
a sensation of awkwardness and impotence
impossible to describe, he stood looking
down upon Asshlin.
My poor Denis. he said. MY DOOR
poor friend! This is a bad business. L had
no idea
Then he paused confusedly, remembering
Clodagh'S warning.
"Eut We'll see you laughing at Il all be-
fore we're much older" he added, In awk-
ward haste to make amends.
A CLEAN of something like irony crossed
AsShlin's watchful eyes.
I'm done for this time, James," he said,
feebly. Il suppose I've had my day, and,
like every other dog, must answer to the
whistle. Well, don't complain. I'm get
ting more than my deserts in seeing you
again; You're as welcome as the flowers
His voice failed.
Il know. 1 know. Don't trouble. Don't
try to speak" Milbanke bent over him
anxiously.
But Asshlin glanced back. "Ah. but
| that's what I must do. James," he said.
sharply That's what want you for. I
have something that must be said"
Milbanke turned to Clodagh.
els it right of him to excite HIMSELF" he
asked, in distress IF it's anything that
you reproach yourself with. Denis"
But Asshlin interrupted with a weak echo
of his old intolerance
Send Clio away" he said. There's
| something want to say"
|
| dagh. but her eyes were fixed passionately
on her fathers face.
He'll excite himself more If we cross
him." she said hesitatingly. II think I'd
| better 60"
| Still Milbanke hesitated.
| But the doctor?' he hazarded. eff the
doctor insists on quiet
She glanced at him quickly. her clear
"Oh. I don't know" she exclaimed. 81
! can't cross him. can't cross him. He's
! wanted you SO badly"
| She turned quickly toward the bed.
| Father" she said, tenderly. won't yor
| promise not to talk much? Won't you
promise to take carer
For answer Asshlin looked up, meeting
| her glance.
'tTll promise. child. I'll promise Run
away now-and God bless your He added
| the expressive native phrase In suddenly
| lowered voice.
| Clodagh bent quickly and kissed his hot
| drawn face with passionate affection; then
| as If fearing to trust herself she turned
hastily and passed out of the room.
| Instantly the two men We're alone Asshliu
| turned to his guest
James, he said, agitatedly, SCI haven't
! thought much about the Almighty in these
last years. but give you my word I have
MY dear Denis, don't! beg you not to
| excite yourself. I implore you"
Asshlin made harsh sound of impatience
| in the others face, he altered his tone
Don't take 1t to heart, James. It's the
road we must all travel. They think there's
| life In me yet, but I know better. You
| may blindfold sheep as much as you like
but twill know that you're dragging it to
| the slaughter I tell you I'm done for-as
] done for as If the undertaken had measured
| me for the coffin" He moved his head
/ Slightly and painfully, his feyerish glance
Frightening.
| James," he exclaimed. suddenly I'm In
a terrible position! But 'tisn't death that's
| troubling me-"
''Denis!'
| "'Tts true! I'm not frightened of death
I hope I'm man enough to face natural
| law. 'Twould have been better II I'd had
| to face it thirty years ago."
Denis, don't! beg you to- keeI
| quiet
! Quiet? I tell you there's not much quiet
/ for man like me. 'Tisn't what I'm going
| to that's troubling me, but what I'm leaving