River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-09-04

steady exertion of Orlando's giant
strength, and ere long sank away from
the contest into Mr.. Challoner's arms
"You should not have summoned the
shade of our mother to your aid OBJ
served the other with smile, in
which the irony was lost in terrible
presage. 81 was always her favorite.' =
Oswald shuddered. Orlando had
spoken truly; she had always been
blindly, arrogantly trustful of her ED,
est son. No fault could she see in
him; and now
Impetuously Oswald struggled with
his weakness, raised himself in Mr..
Challoner's arms and cried in loud re
volt:
But God is just. He will not let
you escape. If he does, will not.
will hound you to the ends Of this
earth and, if necessary, into the eter.
mites. Not with the threat of my arm
you are my master there, but with
the curse of brother who believed
you innocent OF his darling's blood
and would have believed you so in
face of everything but your own
word"
"Peace!" adjured Orlando. There
is no account l am not ready to settle.
have robbed you Of the woman you
love, but have despoiled myself.
stand desolate in the world, who but
an hour ago could have chosen my
seat among the lest and greatest.
What can your curses do after that?'
Nothing" The word came slowly
like drop wrung from nearly spent
heart Nothing; nothing. Oh, Or
lando, / wish we were both dead and
buried and that there we're no further
life for either os u.s."
The softened tone, the wistful pray
er which would blot out an immortal
ity of Joy for the one, that it might
save the other from an Immortality
of retribution, touched some long un-
sounded chord in Orlando's extraordi-
nary nature.
Advancing a step, he held out his
hand-the left one. We'll leave the
future to itself, Oswald, and do what
we can with the present" said he.
give made a mess of my life and
spoiled a career which might have
made us both kings. Forgive me, Os-
valid. l ask for nothing else from God
or man. I should like that. 1t would
strengthen me for tomorrow"
But Oswald, ever kindly, generous
and more ready 10 think of others
than of himself, had yet some of Or
lando's tenacity. He gazed at that
hand and a flush swept up over his
cheek which instantly became CHASTITY
again.
ST cannot" said he-"not even the
left one. May God forgive mel"
Orlando, struck silent for moment,
dropped his hard and slowly turned
away. Mr.. Chailoner felt Oswald stiff
fen in his arms, and break suddenly
away, only to stop short before he
had taken one of the haze anGen steps
between himself e:;d his departing
brother.
Where are you going?" he demand
ed in tones which made Orlando turn.
II might say, to the devil" was the
sarcastic reply. "But 1 doubt if he
would receive me. No." he added, in
more ordinary tones as the other shiv-
cred and again started forward, you
will have no trouble in finding me In
my own room tonight. 1 have letters
to write and-other things. A man
like me cannot drop out without rip
pie. You may go to bed and sleep.
will keep awake for two"
"Orlando!" Visions were passing be.
fore Oswald's eyes, soul-crushing Wis
ions such as in his blameless life he
never thought could enter into his
consciousness or blast his tranquil
outlook upon life. "Orlando!" he again
appealed, covering his eyes in a fren-
zied attempt to shut out these horrors,
II cannot let you go like this. Tomor.
row"
Tomorrow, in every niche and cor
ner of this world, wherever Edith
Challoner's name has gone, wherever
my name has gone, it will be known
that the discoverer of a practical air
ship, is a man whom they can no
longer honor. Do you think that is
not hell enough for me; or that I do
not realize the hell it will be for you
I've never wearied you or any mar
with my affection; but I'm not all
demon. 1 would gladly have spared
you this addition al anguish; but that
was impossible. You are my brother
and must suffer from the connection.
whether we would have it so or not.
If it promises too much misery-and
| know no misery like that of sham
come with me where l go tomor-
row. There will be room for two"
Oswald, swaying with weakness. but
maddened by the sight of an over
throw which carried with it the
stified affections and the admiration
of his whole life, gave a bound for
ward, opened his 1rms and-fell-
| Orlando stopped short. Gazing
down on his PROSTATE brother, he
stood for a moment with a CLEAN of
something like human tenderness
showing through the flare of dying
passions and perishing hopes; then
he swung open the door and passed
| quietly out, and Mr.. Challoner could
hear the laughing remark with which
he met and dismissed the half-dozen
men and women who had been drawn
to this end of the hall by what had
sounded to them like a fracas between
angry men.