Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1914-03-20
CHAPTER xL-
Desolate.

The struggle was fierce but momen-
tary. Oswald with his weakened pow.
ers could not long withstand the
steady excrtion 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 q 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 eld-
est son. No fault could she see In
him; and now
Impetuously Oswald struggled with
his weakness, raised himself In Mr.
Challoners arms and cried In loud re-
volt:
But God il Just He will not lot
you escape. If he does. will not.
will hound you 70 thc~ eRAe o. tc s..s-
earth and. II 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 darlings blood
and would have believed you 30 in
face Of everything but your own
word"
'Peace!" adjured Orlando There
Ia no account am not ready to settle.
l have robbed you OF the woman you
love. but l have despoiled myself.
stand desolate in the world who but
an hour ago could have chosen my
seat among the best and greatest.
What can your curses do after thatf"
Nothing" The word came slowly
like a drop wrung from a nearly spent
heart. Nothing; nothing. Oh, Or
lando. l wish we were both dead and
buried and that there were no further
life for either Of u.s."
The softened tone. the wistful pray
or 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 q step. he held out his
hand-the left one. Wen leave the
future to itself. Oswald. and do what
We can with the present." said he.
Two made a mess OF my life and
| spoiled q career which might have
made us both kings. Forgive me. Os-
valid. ask for nothing else from God
or man. l should like that. II would
strengthen me for tomorrow"
But Oswald. ever kindly. generous
and more ready to think OF others
than Of himself. had yet some OF Or.
lando's tenacity. He gaxed at that
hand and a fiush swept up over his
cheek which instantly became CHASTITY
again.
81 cannot" said he-"not even the
left one. May God forgive met"
Orlando, struck silent for a moment
dropped his hand and slowly turned
away. Mr.. Challoner felt Oswald stif.
fen in his arms. and break suddenly
away, only to stop short before he
had taken one OF the half dozen stems
between himself and his departing
brother.
Where are you goingr he demand.
ed in tones which made Orlando turn
II might say. to the devil" was the
sarcastic reply But doubt n he
would receive me. No." he added IN
more ordinary tones as the other sh,v.
cred and again started forward won
will have no trouble In finding ma in
my own room tonight. | have letters
to write and-other things. A man
like me cannot drop out without n rim
pie. You may go to bed and sleep. I
will keep awake for two"
Orlando" Visions were passing ha.
fore oswald's eyes. soul.crushing via
ions such an in his blameless life ha
never thought could enter into his
consciousness or blast his tranou,i
outlook upon life. "orlandol" he again
appealed. covering his eyes In a iren.
Eied attempt to shut out these horror.
Il cannot let you 30 like this. Toner
row"
] Tomorrow. in every niche ana oo,