The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-17
THE WITCnING HOUR
Snly d the Great American Drama by inc Author of the Play,
 Augustus Thomas
econtinued from Yesterday)

We're going to stay rlgnt nere Louisville" Viola declared,puttins ne hand in Clay,s
 "Yes," added the boy, "and wori out my-my rehabilitation among tn' people who know me.
 .Of course" Emmett said, under standingly. Europe,s just to staiI ol z the chief-to get him off on som' other dope"
 Helen rose anxiously from the Soff with the impulse of protest
 ssIts all right" Jack said to ner .
 .'I hate to begin with falsehood.
 Not your son, Mrs. Whipple--rse, Emmet laughed. He turned to JecK desk. MT. Brookfield, that would in' terest you"
 ssYes? ?" s .or maybe you know of its Frank. fort?s
 some friend named you in the eau
 'sWhat connecticut"
 Uncle Jack?" Viola asked, en.
 YeSm-that is. for the nomina- ton.
 All looked at Brookfield. There vas but a moments serious consid- eration for Jack before he laughed:
 Its a joke"
 "Grows out of these Hardmuth charges. of course" Emmet assented
 That's all," Jack answered.
 The reporter said goodnight and left the room. Clay, after accom- panying him to the door, returned his face set and bearing the stamp o1 malignant determination.
 'H it weren't for the notoriety of 1t, I'd like to do that.
 
 ..Why would you like to do it?s Jack asked. quietly.
 ss.To get even. I'd like to see Hard muth suffer as he made me suffer; I'd like to watch him suffer and write
 .dThat's bad spirit to face the world with, my boy. $
 Fl hate himiY
 Hatred is heavier freight for the shipper than 1t is for the conAgnee-' '
 q can't help 1t. .. ohould be of the utmost indiffence tc you t6 hats him ig weak.
 Weak 2" Viola inter5ected.
 Yes, weak minded" pursued hel uncle. "Hardmuth was in love with you at one time-he hated Clay. He aaid Clay waS as weak as dish-water and.-facing the boy and looking him
  lime You've had your lesson profit by it-its meaning was self control. Begin now if you are going tc be the custodian of this girls hap plness'
 -Tm sure he means to, Jack" Hell on interposed.S
 aYou can carry yeur hatred of Hardmuth and let 1 ombitter your whole life, or you can drop it-so.' ? Jack let fall on the table the book he had taken nps he power that any man or any thing has to annoy Some idiot told your great-grand- mother that a jewel with different colorcd strata in ft was bad luck or . .hoodoo.' She believed 1t, and she uursed her faith- and passed the lunacy. on to your grandmother. !. 'I'n skip one generation; but I'd like to talk of if. '
 .sWhy talk of ft?'' Mrs. Campbell ventured to ask.
 Tt n was only y,n,, notion, . and sp sn efror. again speaking to the boy.
 It was more than notion"
 Tom Denniog's scarf-pin, which he dropped there"-he pointed to the q0or-'was an exhibit in your trial; Colonel Bailey returned it to me to- W @
 II wish you wouldn't Uncle Jack. .' Viola said, timidly.
 You don't mind, do you? 2" Brook field asked Clay.
 s'I'd rather not look at it tonight ' The boys face was averted, his voice trembled.
 ''You needn't look at it, Brookfield said, quietly; "T1 hold it in my hand, and you put your hand over mine."
 ..I really don't see the use in this experiment., Jack" Mrs. Campbell fluttered. Clay had obediently placed one hand over Brookfeld's but he still kept hfs eyes averted. ssThat doesn't apnoy you, does it ?" Brookfield asked.
 .sI'm controlling myself, sir," the boy answered, through shut teeth. "but feel the influence of that thing all through and through me-"
 .sJack! Helen pleaded.
 Viola turned away, unable Ito bear the sight of the boys suffering. persisted, relentlesely, land in the roots of your hair-tingling
 why torture him" Helen demand 'Ts it torture?' Jack asked of Clay -sI shall De glad when it's over, sir, '' the boy answered, with an additional effort at self-control.
 What rot!'' Brookfield threw off C1ay's- hand. He opened his own. That's only my night-key-look at it." The boy turned and looked. tT haven't the scarf-pin about mev
 Why make me think 1t was the ecarf-pin ?" Clay asked, with con siderable show of frightened indig nation.
 ''To prove to you that it's only thinking-that's all. Now, be a man. The cats-eye itself is in that table drawer. Get it, and show Viola that you're not homeopathic idiot" Clay crossed to the table. You're a child of the everlasting God, and nothing you in the slightest degree!" Clay from 1t the scarf-pin; he held it at arm's-length before him. That's the spirit-look at it!'' Brookfield took Clay by the wrist and pushed the jewel immediately before his eyes Look at it close-I've made many a young horse do that to an umbrella now give it to me-" Brookfield took the scarf-pin and carried 1t to Viola. You're not afraid of it?''
 "Of course I'm not" the girl smiled. Brookf1eld stuck the pin in the lace at her throat. He turned to Clay.
 sNow, if you want my niece, go up 10 that shoodoo' like a man.
 His fear of the jewel now appar- onfly under complete control, Clay went up to Viola and took her in "oh, Jackr' Helen exclaimed, hap oily, "do you think that will last?''
 .sWhich?" Brookfield asked, with