Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-05-21
Through the Night
@N~ON@NN0O~


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, accumulated more than illumined
by the even-spaced gas lamps, seemed to
convey the idea Of a deserted city-as
IL man, awed by the devastation he had
wrought on fair Natures face, had fled
from his grim handiwork. Like virgin
souls engulfed In a mire of sin, the
snowfakes fell silently and vanished In
The grlmy- looking water that flowed sui
lenly underneath the bridge.
II beg your pardon"
The lurch of heavy body against
the brooding man brought him back
sharply to the present. A 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
On a snow-tipped heel and fallen against
the loiterer on the bridge. The latter,
so brusauely aroused to time and place,
SldTleu III TIC SOuiltk VI lhC othSA man .
voice, and peered, with set eyes, into
his face. The recognition was mutual.
lionel"
"TomI"
The tones of their voices differed 4;
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 I'M
needed With body erect and taut, in
a voice which a blend of bitterness and
anxiety made to tremble, Tom asked:
did you marry Miss Arley?"
"Yes," returned the other.
Then l 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 a 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
70 discuss the past? My father drove
me from his presence with a bitter
taunt. You married the one girl
"Come now, old fellow, look here lei
Us 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? I want nc
sympathy, not even justice, from any
OF my own kim
He staggered and, but for his broth
ers UNFOLDING 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 s
house which stood. an oasis of home
life, amidst the desert of warehouses
printing offices. and the like. The pom
derous, polished knocker, the wid'
steps, the arched fanlight over the door
Ills Sullu aspect Va lhS eoA>
of d time when merchants were con
tent to live amidst the scenes OF thel
labors. With his left hand Lionel un
locked the door and then supported ana
helped Tom up the steps into the hal
and caused him to sit in a chair. Quiet
ly refastening the front door, he turned
into q small room on level with th,
hall. After lighting the gas he poket
the fire, which had been left burnin:
for him, into blaze, placed small
kettle on the fire, and returned to Tom
who sat, white and tired, looking a
the portrait of a gentle-faced lady hun.
opposite TO him.
"Now, we're right" said Lionel
"Come in here, Tom"
He helped his brother to q cosy arm
chair near the fire and busied himsel
with setting out some bread and col,
meat, which was ready cut, from cup
board, talking rapidly and vivaciousl
all the while.
This is my sanctum. I'm left her
undisturbed. l am hungry. Travelin
makes you so, doesn't it? VIII you joi