The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1908-07-10
Through the Night


O~-O-~N~O~N~~NN-N
Hot with resentful retrospect, Tom
Sardon leaned heavily upon the parapet
Of the bridge. All around the silent
streets, the absence Of life, the dark
ness, accentuated more than illumined
by the even-spaced gas lamps, seemed to
convey the idea of a deserted city-as
If man, awed by the devastation he had
wrought on fair Natures face, had fed
from his grim handiwork. Like virgin
souls engulfed in mire OF sim the
snowfakes fell silently and vanished in
the grimy-looking water that flowed sui
'enly underneath the bridge.
II beg your pardon"
The lurch of heavy body against
the brooding man brought him back
sharply to the present. belated trav-
eler, the sound of his footsteps dead
ened by the mantle of snow which by
this time had turned sidewalk and road
way into one level highway, had slipped
IN a snow-t tipped heel and fallen against
the loiterer on the bridge. The latter,
30 brusquely aroused to time and place,
started at the sound Of the other mans
voice, and peered, with set eyes, into
his face. The recognition was mutual
"Lionel!"
"Tom !"
The tones of their voices differed |;
one was of glad amazement, the other
Of bitter intensity. =
my dear lad, who'd have thought of
meeting you here?"
Lionel held out his hand, but the
proffered mark of friendship was un-
needed With body erect and taut, in
voice which a blend of bitterness and
anxiety made to tremhle, Tom asked:
did you marry Miss Arley?"
"Yes," returned the other.
"Then wish you much happiness !"
snapped out the angry Tom, and, turn
Ing on his heel, strobe off, not noticing
In his hot mood, that he was going in
the direction which Lionel had been
pursuing.
For a few moments the latter stood
looking at his brothers retreating fig
ure, then with smile of comprehen-
sion he hurried after the wanderer.
"Come along home with me, Tom.
Let us have a talk about old times"
do you imagine l have any desire
to discuss the past? My father drove
me from his presence with a bitter
taunt. You married the one girl y
"Come now, old fellow, look here let
as deal plainly with each other as man
to, man. Nay, you shall hear me. Where
are you going to? What are you doing
now? Down on your luck, eh?"
! what is that to you? | want no
sympathy, not even justice, from any
Of my own kim
He staggered and, but for his broth
ers upholding arm, would have fallen.
STEADY, old chap, we're nearly home.
You've been running yourself too fine.
Here we are!'
/ BY this time they had reached a
house which stood. an oasis of home
life, amidst the desert of warehouses,
printing offices. and the like. The pom
derous, polished knocker, the wide
steps, the arched fanlight over the door.
the solid aspect of the building, told
Of time when merchants were con-
tent to live amidst the scenes of their
labors With his left hand Lionel un-
locked the door and then supported and
helped Tom up the steps into the hall
and caused him TO sit in a chair. Quiet
ly refastening the front door, he turned
into a small room on a level with the
hall. After lighting the gas he poked
the fire. which had been left burning
for him, into blaze, placed a small
kettle on the fire. and returned to Tom,
who sat, white and tired, looking at
the portrait of a gentle-faced lady hung
opposite TO him.
Now. we're right" said Lionel.
"Come in here. Tom"
He helped his brother TO a cosy arm
chair near the fre and busted himself
with setting out some bread and cold
meat which was ready cut, from cup