Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-03-21

| the contest into Mr.. ChallOner's arms
| You should not have summoned the
shade of our mother to your aid" ob
served the other with a smile, 10
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 cid
est son. No fault could she see in
him; and now
Impetuously Oswald struggled with
his weakness, raised himself il Mr.,
Challonor'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 a 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 | an 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 best and greatest.
What can your curses do after that
Nothing" The word came slowly
like a drop wrung from nearly spent
heart. Nothing; nothing. Oh, Or
lando, | wish we were both dead and
buried and that there were no further
life for either of US"
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.
1--WE made mess of my life and
spoiled a career which might have
made us both kings. Forgive me, Os-
valid. ask for nothing else from God
or man. ! should like that. 1t 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 gaZed at that
hand and a flush swept up over his
cheek which instantly became CHASTITY
again.
Il cannot" said he-"not even the
left one May God forgive me-"
Orlando, struck silent for moment
dropped his hand and slowly turned
away. Mr.. Challoner felt Oswald stiff
, fen in his arms, and break suddenly
away, only to stop short before he
had taken one of the half dozen steps
, between himself and his departing
brother.
Where are you going?" he demand
ed in tones which made Orlando turn
81 might say, to the devil" was the
sarcastic reply. But | doubt If he
! would receive me. No." he added. il
more ordinary tones as the other shiv
+ cred and again started forward. "yoi
} will have no trouble in finding me il
my own room tonight. | have letters
: to write and-other things. A maj
!. like me cannot drop out without a rip
pie. You may go to bed and sleep.
will keep awake for two"
"OrIando!" Visions were passing be
4 fore Oswalds eyes, soul-crushing Wis
I ions such as in his blaneless life h
: never thought could enter into hi
a | consciousness or blast his Tranquil
: outlook upon life. "Orlando!" he agail
D appealed, covering his eyes in a fren
zied attempt to shut out these horrors
'T cannot let you go like this. TomoI
e row"
e Tomorrow. in every niche and col
2 ner of this world, wherever Edit
ChallOner's name has gone, whereve
= my name has gone. it will be know
that the discoverer of a practical ali
ship, is a man whom they can n
longer honor. Do you think that i
not hell enough for me; or that ! d.
not realize the hell it will be for you
I've never wearied you or any MAJ
with my affection; but I'm not al
demon | would gladly have spare
you this additional anguish; but tina
was impossible You are my brothe
and must suffer from the connection
whether we would have it so or not
II it promises too much misery-an
| know no misery like that of sham
come with me where ! go tomol
row. There will be room for two"
Oswald. swaying with weakness, bu
maddeued by the sight of an ovel
throw which carried with it tn
stifed affections and the admiration
of his whole life, gave a bound fol
ward, opened his arms and-fell.
Orlando stopped short. Gain
down on his PROSTATE brother, h
| stood for a moment with a CLEAN c
something like human tenderness
showing through the flare of dyin
passions and perishing hopes the
he swung open the door and passe
quietly out. and MIR. Challoner coul
o hear the laughing remark with whic
g he met and dismissed the half-doze
men and women who had been draw
s to this end of the hall by what ha
S sounded to them like fracas betwee
angry men.