Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-10-09


landb!s and the forced smile did not
deceive him. and his voice qnavered q
trihe as he held out his packet with
the words:
81 have come to show you what the
world says OF my invention. We will
soon be great men" he emphasized. as
Oswald opened the letters. money
has been offered me and-readl
readl" he urged, with an unconscious
dictatorialness as Oswald paused in
his task. See what the fates have
prepared for us; for you shall share
all my honors. as you will from this
day share my work and enter into all
my experiments. Cannot you enthuse
a little bit over, it? Doesn't the pros
ipect contain any allurement for you
Would you rather stay locked up In
this petty town"
Yes; or-die. Don't look like that.
Orlando. 1t was a cowardly speech
and l ask your pardon. I'm hardly fit
to talk today. Edith"
Orlando frowned.
Not that name!" he harshly inter-
irupted. you must not hamper your
life with useless memories That
dream of yours may be sacred, but it
belongs to the past, and great reality
confronts you. When you have fully
recovered your health, your own man
hood will rebel at weakness unwoT-
thy one of our name. Rouse yourself,
Oswald Take account of our pros
poets. Give me your hand and say,
Life holds something for me yet
have brother who needs me If do
not need him. Together, we can prove
ourselves invincible and wrench fame
and fortune from the world
But the hand he reached for did not
rise at his command, though Oswald
started erect and faced him with man
ly earnestness.
Il should have to think long and
deeply" he said before took upon
myself responsibilities like these.
am broken in mind and heart, Or
lando, and must remain so TIL God
mercifully delivers me. / should be a
poor assistant to you-a drag, rather
than help. Deeply as / deplore 1t,
hard as it may be for one of your
temperament to understand SO com
plete an overthrow, / yet must ac-
knowledge my condition and pray you
not to count upon me in any plans you
may form. | know how this looksl
know that as your brother and truest
admirer, l should respond, and re
spond strongly, to such overtures as
these, but the motive for achievement
is gone. She was nay all; and while
might work, it would be mechanically
The lift, the elevating thought is
gone"
Orlando stood a moment studying
his brothers. face; then he turned
shortly about and walked the length
of the room. When he came back, he
took up his stand again directly be-
fore Oswald, and asked, with new
note In his voice:
did you love Edith Challoner SO
much at that?"
A glance from Oswald's eye, sadder
than any tear.
$50 that yor cannot be reconciled?"
A gesture. Oswald's words were al
ways few.
Orlandos frown deepened.
Such grief ! partly understand
said he. But time will cure it. Some
day another lovely face"
''We1l not talk of that, Orlando"
mo, we'll not talk of that" acqui-
esced the inventor. walking away
again, this time to the window. For
you there's but one woman-and she's
a memory"
KILLED." broke from his brothers
lips SLAIN by her own hand under an
impulse Of wildness and terrorl Can
ever forget that? Do not expect it,
Orlando"
Then you do blame me?" Orlando
turned and was looking full at Oswald,
II blame your. unreasonableness and
your oyerweenfng pride"
Orlando stood moment, then
moved towards the door. The heavi- |
ness of his step smote upon Oswald's
ear and caused him to exclaim:
Forgive me, Orlando" But the 9th,
er cut him short with an imperative:
Thanks for your candorl If her
spirit is destined to stand like an i'm,
movable shadow between you and me,
you do right to warn me. But this In
terview must end all allusion to the
subject. will seek and find another |
man to share my fortunesI Gas he said I
this he approached suddenly, and took |
his papers from the others hand or |
-" Here he hastily retraced his steps |
to the door which he softly opened. |
."Or," he repeated-but though Oswald
listened for the rest, it did not come
While he. waited. the other had given
him one deeply concentrated look and
passed out.
No heartfelt understanding was pos
sible between these two men.
Crossing the hall, Orlando knocked
at the door Of Doris little sitting
room.
No answer, yet she was there. He