The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1916-09-01

more or Isai inioxicafsl taerrofs
danced eancan to the deliFious plaud-
It's Of an audience themselves oveF.
come by the heat and passion that
hung heavy In the night GIr. gylvia
Arnaud ciapped hnr hands like child
The noise Of the dancing and music
reached the lighted room that faced
out on the avenue. At his pla.e by the
window stephen Lowe seemed plunged
In his own thoughts. and the man In
evening dress who stood with bis
clenched hand on the table stamped
impsticntly.
Are you listening. Mr.. Lower
"Yes, yes, | am listening. ] heard
everything you said. Sewer was cash
Tered. am not surprised. Has PROBES
sion was his tragedy. He would have
laade an admirable company promoter.
but the task Of being an honest gen
tleman was too much for him. You say
he has committed suicide. Have you
come all tlfis way to tell me OK poor
Sewers more or less providential ss-
cape, Mr. prestonI'
The young man crimsoned, but an
Swered steadily.
you were his friend"
A faint ironlcal smile crept over
loves suffering features.
Il was Sewers partner" he said
quietly. you we're Farquhar's friend.
You chose TO act with us against him
of your own free will. There was a
compact. an understanding, The whole
scene that night was farce. a little
play. acting with you as an unconscious
actor Farquhar interviewed. He blum
dered recklessly. but he spoiled our
plans"
"You scoundrelr'
Yes, | am a scoundrel." Lowe said
simply; but do not trouble to murder
me. That would get you into Difficult
ties, and II Is not necessary" He
touched himself lightly on the chest.
II have something here which will An
ish me Off In month or two-iess
| pleasantly than you would do, That
Is why care not at all how much or
how ilttie you know The partnership
IL euded-and am going out OF busl'
ness" He laughed sardonlcnlly and
turned back to the window The crowd
beneath had broken up and fallen back
ON either side beneath tine trees Of the
avenue, and from the distance there
sounded u dull rhythmic beat aud the
omnOus rattle OF drums The Legion
has returned" Lowe said quietly. 'Do
you want 10 see the saddest sight on
earth, Mr. Preston?"
The young man drew nearer, re-
luctant yet fascinated. His hands were
no longer clenched. lie was looking at
the gaunt figure leaning negiigentiy
aga inst the window edge as at some
thing monstrous, incredible.
Have you no conJclence--no re-
morse3" he said,
"Oh. yes, Mr.. Preston. great deal. "
Then pity my remorse For Gods
sake--if you know--tell me why Far
quhar did that thing help me TO I'M
derstand"
The boylsh passionate pleading
caused Lowe to turn moment He
smiled. and that faint glimmer OF half
compassionate understanding was a
light falling deep into turgid stream
revealing many sunken. forgotten
things.
"Farquhar sacrificed himself" he
said. "iIe resigned because Sewer
wished It. That seems Incredible. But
Sowcr held the reins There was an
old tragedy which he used for his own
cnds--th tragedy OF his fathers death
and Of Captain FsrQuhars disappear.
nnce,"
The roll OF drums was close Mt hand,
and woman'6 note OF laughter tut.
tered UP birdlkc from the som Der dow.
ing tide OF sound.
Lowe turned back 10 the window.
You see. Sewer mlscalcula'ed," he
went on. "lle was a Jew from God
knows where, and he lost his sense OF
patriotism lie did not understand
this red bot ,loye Of ones birthplace.
He did not understand the reckless
temperament of the man with whom
he was dealing. Are you beginning 10
understand, Mr. Preston?'
Yes, am beginning TO under
stand" Preston said duly. And thenT''
Thea history repeated itself--not
In incident, but In character Robert
Sewer tried TO he the honorable gen.
tlenan; he tried even, strange as Il
may seem, TO gain Farquhar's friend
ship. He failed and then---you re-
member that scene ut the card tables?
Tina. decided him. blood and Instinct
were too strong He turned aud used
his power"
Lowe stepped cut on 10 the balcony.
and bent forward with his elbows on
the rail-. watching the dense company
Of chausseurs force their way through
the restless crowd The clash OF the
band was already fainter The chas.
seurs rode now In silence. and once
more The dull mcnotonous tread pre-.
dominated, strangely, persistently
cm!ncus, You know where Farauhar
sT Preston said imperattvely, You
know what has become OF him."
"perhaps~~I am not sure"