The Irish standard., 1920-05-08

~Ne." The doctors negative was
quiet, but decisive. "A man doesn't
rise to heights of glory without some
reason for 1t, Mr.. Hilliard. But a man
can resist his inheritance for q good
many years, and suddenly stop resist
Ing and revert to his family type. He
can do it voluntarily or invcluntarily.
It's what We call atavism." He paused
and smiled sadly. The pity of 1t" he
said, us that in spite of his having
failed in everything he tried to do in
Syracuse. he would have made US
proud of him, sooner or later If he had
stayed on here. TN positive Of that"
PITY" Hilliard Strengthened. This
was the third time in two days that he
had caught the intimation that he
could have come home decently and
humbly and been forgiven.
"Not that I pity him for what he ac-
complished. Or what it cost him."
warned the doctor. II don't; l was
very fond Of the boy, Mr.. Hilliard, but
l wouldn't for the world have had him
do anything else than what he did
No-but l do pity him because he can
never know what we think; because he
can never know how much we gladly
forget; because he can never know
why We are proud Of him."
billiards. pupils were dlstended.
"You were rather harsh with him.
doctor. as r.
1--WE were Just, Mr.. Hilliard."
"But If you recall the gist Of Por-
tia's speech 80"
II dol" The doctor regarded him
pacifically. "And it's very seldom that
mercy Is asked to temper justice ex-
cept after it's become evident that
Justice Is actually going to be just
Let's not deceive ourselves. And let's
not put each other in the position
either of attacking or defending Dick
It's not the time for that now. He's
done all that any man can do, and he
was most lovable boy--,nost low
able"
Hilliard nervously addressed himself
to Carol.
II hope you agree with your father
Miss purant-thut eventually he'd
have succeeded in Syracuse?"
II never doubted it," she said 10y
ally.
And then the three Of them fell 81
multaneously to musing, and for the
space Of minute or two there was
quiet; the sort of quiet which comes
just after the benediction. 1t was the
benediction which Carol had bestowed
upon wretched sinner who sat there
W. ndering how he could ever escape
from the tolls Of his own cleverness.
"How long are you to be in town,
Mr.. Hiliard?" inquired the doctor, ir-
relevantly.
"That can't say. sir. had no
other errand than this"
you've never been here before?
That is. yo:, haven't friends here?"
He had expected this question and
prepared for It.
Several years ago." he said casual
ly, II came to Syracuse half dozen
times one winter--on business. SUP
pose could find my way around even
now. If mad to. But comparatively
speaking, I'm a stranger"
You're q business man, Mr.. Hill
liard?"
II told you he was. DEAR" said
Hllliard nodded.
"Yes. Doctor Durant. That isl
was. have no business connections
now. That's why my plans are so un
certain"
Again heavy silence. Hilliard was
cursing the impetuous haste which had
caused him to lie himself into an In
vulnerable network.
I'm sorry" said the doctor. rising
abruptly. "but I've consultation at
half-past twelve. Thank you again,
Mr.. Hilliard. for coming to us; you've
Iightened my heart tremendously.
hope we shall see you again before
you co."
II hope so," said Hilllard, duly. He
was whipping his brain to find way
out; but how could he explain those
manifold, cruel falsehoods which once
he had thought to be his retribution7
The doctor gave him a cordial smile,
q parting pressure Of the hand, and
went out directly, leaving the two
young people quite alone.
Hilliard, impelled to 60 and equally
constrained to stay. fdgeted in his
vacillatioQ. He was uncomfortable
and unhappy. yet cur1ously enough he
had no inclination to depart. He as.
sured himself that he cared not the
snap Of his finger for Carol Durant; on
the contrary, he was intolerant Of her
very presence; still he fingered, wish
ing that he hadn't strltifled himself.
"And you really came all the way up
here Just to be kind to us1" she said.
"Just to be kind to Dick" he cor
rected. "t.
Carol was winking hard; Hilliard
sprang to his feet. He could never
bear to see woman cry; 1t was i'm
material to him who she was, or what
the Circumstance; no was powerfully
a1scted-distraught HIS single aim