TEMPTATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 19

TEMPTATION.

'~ ■ • BY , ' . DAVID' CHRISTIE MURRAY (Author of "Joseph's Coat," etc.)

(All Rights Reserved)

C 7 T '■ was tllo. ! ' night of a fancy ; dress I L' ball at Lady'; Dorchester's—aii affair for tho i bourgeoisie got, up • for "/ ' charity during the Christmas .week — and. 011 either 1 side of, the striped awning the usual crowd Had gathered'to seo tho guests-'arrivA. ;In;the forefront of.; one lino of on tho right of tho entering visitors, waJVchild, of ten years old or thereabouts,..whoso patched and scanty petticoats,' and stockings darned at the. knees gavo ovidonce of' careful poverty.Her faco was'pale and thin,-iand: her eyes wero-'bright ! with the unnatural" lustre of habitual hunger The night was inclement and a'cold drizzle,was.falling n . : She Was swayed hither and thither <.by the pressuro . of. : 'the r! crowd in the'-rear, l , but. she had' no oyes or thought except-for the glittering :proccssion which ■ fileii' beforo tho ladies in- mask and domino; ■'arid-the men in a'score of varied garbs-.' she V had "never 'seen before excopt in" pictures.'. Carriage' after carriage rolled up and/'^ejiositcd.'its occupants by ones and twos , and .threes/. arid,.for. the child, tho . spectacle wps )ike"a ! of.'fairyland. Frorii one,, vehiblo'two, ladies 'alighted,--one of whom boro,in: Her ;haiid a delicat'o, silken trifle'of: a jbag,.frCim : which she drew a':tiny lace' handkerchief,.'.'.as. she sailed. stately. |by, almostbrushing.,the girl, in'- her', passage. 'A something fell from the folds of' tho hand-kerchief—a/.-somothing which glittered, like a: raindrop in the•' sunshine, and rolled with the ■', faintest } ',apdiblo';.: tinkle , ', between the' child's, feet.., \, v X t terrible 'thrill went-through her,' 1 a-' sensatioh. she had never experienced before;lt ~was" iiiide up ' of terror - and triumph,;.an,u.'an appftlling' sense of her own .wickedness.'-,;fjSho .had'.Sefj'.her;foot upon the (gli^ii%''-g^gawj%.ahd;'as. i 'tji'6!'nost'.- couplepassed.by she stooped land' lifted, it from tho' muddy -concrete '.the'roadway.K 1 : >She -felt-that., everybody had seen her. . To hdr-imagination there, was 'not-a human' unit did not know her .for. a thief; arid,she half'.swooned as sho clutched her",illicit treasure'in; her . hand. j She stood with:downcast;.eyes,, awaiting a. general denunciation,; and when at Jength sho ventured to jlook uj); the . gay, ; and fantastic procession still,in progress, v: 4nd,'nobody, bestowed so,, much as a glance upon ; hoi - .' The'burly policeman; ■ immediately ' in 'front. of her . pressed rher, back , Tvith ; ;ah indifferent hand, and • she was merged with the'crowd. ; She wound,her way through, it, and once on its outskirts darted, across the road, and was lostfin.. the'; mist. and, the rain.,''' { In .the , room towards which she raced as fast jas; her, feet could carry her, a man Jay groariing in tho agonies of rheumatic fever, and'fa woman sat boside him, sewing at some , rich stuif by the light of a solitary candle. "Bessio," said tho patient gaspingly., i , "Yes, ,dear," tho woman' answered, leaning'ro'ver 'him. \' ■ : '. : ' •'; ' ,i . : . _ ■ ''Give mo the bromide. I cari't stand this hny ,-longer." ; , . v ' \ \ . . "I'm sorry, George; There's not a spoonful left. 'I can get no moro until F take tho 'in, in the ■ morning.' There's not, a pen'nyjin the house." • _ '." . . ,Tie man moaned impatiently, and then ' lay,quiet. { Nothing was heard-, but his disturbed' and unquiet breathing, and the swish of. ,the'-needled- The''quiet : . wps disturbed, by the of a door below, : ; and a heavy oriVthe'i uncarpete.d ; ; stair, uncertain'arid blundering as if one .were mounting.', iri;the dark. ; 6 , i , , ,; Wyatt,tagain,Y(for ( a thousand,'.' jßaid.-'tJiejsifffer'er; -Wift'-'-.y/.' ''V, 'r Thev' listened,;-and .ther. ; footstep pgpsed befSe'Ttiieir thfero,- and ffi'answe'r t"d' bnterjha tflashy and ,overdressed man in ' with all elcphfiritihe'.lightness. 1 . - go," he said; casting an eye about the •' irieagrply; "furnished roomf.'' "The old blackguard'insists upon his pound of ilesh. He! says'tho'reiit is three weeks in arrear, and: he", refuses to "wait-"after to-morrow. , I told-him the doctor said you weren't fit to, bej;moved,.,but he says you'll get looked after' : allright at'' tho i irifirmary. ;; "Anyway, twelve-' o'clock■, ho's {{oirig'to take';possessiOu'." , ■ 1 . ' " Well,"/. said 1 the "sick riari, - groaning . in his, speephjV'what must be.; must be. ' Jack, ichd'. tlio' missis 'another cighteenpence to pay .for: riiy medicine. ' I shall .be in'misery all riipiht'without it." ■' '■ ■ ', --''It'll, have to be the . last,".'.; the other grumbled.'. "You're' three and, twenty shillings -up,' my' shirt already!?.' -; • .'l'll .put. you straight as soon- as: I jet right ,'igain,'-' said the man iii bed. "You inade a bit at the last meeting,' didn't you ?'.' .-"l!.,!caught P it hot .this afternoon," said putting his hand reluctantly into his pocket.'-. "Hero, I'll make it "half-a'-crown. but it'sjthe last that I can do.". ' ! Ho selected tho coin he named from a liberal'handful of silver,: and laid it on the table .l^etween. the woman and the-bed.- ' 'ji ; ''Y(iuVe. ! -irery good, John,"'she said; taking -up 'the' coin-arid- rising. i"I'll take. the prescription round to , the chemist's'how. I hope!'it'will;givo you a quiet night," George." ,' "I hope -it• will," the sufferer' answered .wearily.'. "I'm about tired of this.!' -h : The'woman folded up neatly-the;work on which;, she 1 Had been engaged, "assumed her hat "and: cloak, and - a;'pair 'of. nionded thread gloves; find taking' an- - 'envelope - from tho mantelpiece over the fireless hearth", went out. "Don't mirid-'iM blow a cloud,:;Goorge?". asked; Wyatt,'" drawing ia paper hag from his pockct.- •' - " ' "Go on," the other "I like the smell of it. : It'll bo •beastly' hard lines to lose the bits of sticks; Jack."' •"'"There's "no mistake about that," ;Wyatt answered, biting-off the end'of his cigar, and . lighting it at'the 'candlo flame. "But we',ve;gbt to.take the rough .with tho smooth in' this life, George." ' ; . ■ , -~ A,light fodt camo racing iipstairs with the surety-of oustoTn';' two steps at "a timo, and the'child burst into tho room panting. . "Don't shako, the house,down," said the Ivisitor. , . " , j "Where's, mother ?"jthe, girl asked, holding. both' >hands above her beating bosom. ~ j '-'T'She's 'gone .'out- to get,-your father's medi-bine;'-;You "must':sit,down.and be quiet." ■"Father, said tho girl,' "I've, picked up som'ething-in?the street. ; I ithink:it's, a diamond:-;! wander'if; it's worth anything.',' ! <He'lifted a languid hand from tho covcr-'let-!with; a:grban: of effort, 'and,,took tho object sh'e extended to him.,;-Tho light of. the candle fell: • upon ,'a: beatifully cut: stone of the'purest water. -It was:circular in shape, and about a third of. an inch .in diameter. The man ivas-a working ; jeweller and ho could estimat'e:its>valuo at a glance, s '• -".It's; a_: bit- of: cut glass," ho said, quietly, closing his eyos to hide the glitter in them. '■Probably a cutter's pattern. There's plenty of"them'in/tlio trade." "Oh,"-said tho girl in a tone of keen disappointment. ' "I did-.hops it-.might have been'worth something." ..; ' / ','lt wouldn't, have, been yours, you know," the..father .answered-:feebly, just because you .found: it." ' . - ' •'/No. • Ir know that,"'sho said, throwing her shabby little hat;upon a chair. "But I .thought there might- havoNbeen a reward. ■Am I to keep it. father, if it isn't worth anything?"- / -'.'No, my dear," ho answered, groaning in his : "I'll tako caro of it. It may bo worth, enough'to ; mako it asked for.. A few shillings perhaps. Where did you find it?" ■"It was outside a big house in a square," shetold him. "I, don t know tho namo of the, square,' but I could find tho place again. Is there anything to eat, father? : I am.so hungry." ■' ' ■ "Your iriother left somo bread and butter for you, anfl a cup of milk. It's in tho next room'.-' You'dv better go to bed, my dear. Say good-riight, and don't shake tho floor." . The child obeyed him silently, and Wyatt Bat blowing rings of smoke for half a! minute before he spoke. Ho .laid a finger tip gingerly,on his companion's shoulder. ; "Don't' touch ino, for God's sake," said tho otlitfr, querulously. : "You don't know how Boro I ani all over." . ; "That's rather a rummy bit of cut glass/isn't it. Georgo?" asked, Wyatt in' a guarded .whisper. "Think so?" the sick man asked. 'Til give you a tenner for it," Wyatt an-

swered in tho same direful tono. "Get behind the head of iny bed a minuto and , raiso ■ the bed rest, said the . invalid. "You'll fiiul it' below tho pillows. Go slow, or you'll murder mo. No, I can't stand it any higher. Now put the candlo nearer and let us'have ; a look at it." "1 say, George, that's a sparkler." "By Gad, it is! .' It's worth a solid hundred if it's worth a penny.'" "I daresay it might bo if you was doing an open trade with it, but where there's risks 'about '-- "Rot!" said the sick man in his feeble, groaning voico. "If 1 was* properly on my pins I know half a dozen ways." "Oh, of course, you know the ropes," said the other grudgingly,'- "but then, you see, George, you ain't quite on your pins. Anything that's done' has got to bo dono sharp, yriu know. ' There ain't a lot of time between now and 12 o'clock to-morrow." The "sufferer began to swear under his breath and to bemoan himself. For a time nothing ' articulate' reached his companion's cars, but at last, the listener caught tho words:,' "I might ha'',, been let off -this, anyway. I've' had hard rtimes , enough, God knows, already." "Why, Ge'orgb!" said tho other,'"you'ain't beginning to winder in. your mind, are you?" . ' ) _ '■ • . "No," snarled tho man in bed; "I am t beginning to wander in my mind; ■ I'm coming buck to my sen Sos, after having ! lost 'em for a ininuto .or two.' It's a cursed sliamo that Providoiico 1 should put.a temptation of this kind in tho way of a cove who's placed like I am.. .Here's a solid seventy quid it i only chose to,lay niy fingers on'it! :-1 tell you," ho wonton; his voico "breaking between rage and pain, j "I-'could, riamb three ' men this miniite, and any One of 'em would spring seventy for'if and no questions asked." v "Well,":' askod"- his 'companibn; "why shouldn't you lay your;fingers on it? You don't mean to say'yon'ro thinking of chucking a chance like:this? Why, it's a godsond!" "A godsend I", the other echoed, bittorly. "A deyilsond,: you moan. I'vo lived honest, all my life. 1 nevor robbed anybody of a farthing. I should ha' thought"!..'should liascorned it. I'll never trust any man's honesty again—not till,: ho's been through the fire and come out tried. Fm- the love of God, Jack Wyatt, tako this beastly thing away I Tak(i it to tho police." "Don't bo a; fool, Georgo," Wyatt answered. "Here's a chince as 'your best friend couldn't have hoped for. Hero's; a homo over your .head ; all through ' your troublo. Here's grub for: the missis, and the kid. Just dropped from the skies and in the 'very nick, of time. Arid whose the worse? as dropped this knows his loss by this.time. Hb's mado iip his" miiid to put, up .with it. It's ovor (ind dono: with so far as he's concerned. Don't you:be such a fool as to throw away your chances. That stone mightn't oversso much as .be asked for. For anything as you know to the contrary, it may be'a-bit o' loot . as was . intended by Provi-dence-to fall into vour hands. You take what's .sent you, George, arid don't' you make, faces over it." .' ; . , "No, no/ Jack L It's 1 a rogue's doctrine. Right's right. Wrong's wrong." , "All' right," .returned Wyatt, "you talk that way if it relioves your feelings. As for its being a rogue's ■ doctrine, George, I'vo kep' my cup as upright as most nieri.' vWhen. I've; seen a chance of making, a bit, I've mado' it:,- : We've .all. got' to do, that in this world,, and: them as lvon't ■ has 'just got to suffer ' for-.them:,as 'will.;, 'Hero's, the'missis coming back again. Give mo the sparkler, and I'll let you hare a tenner on; account, this minute,V(!'.C' c, ii.-iiv i,niip7 yl, 1 ( man. ''That's somebody' coming to the Parkers, on the floor below. Oh, Jack, I nover thought, 'that I should bo, afraid to look Bessio in. the'face. "Look hore," 'said Wyatt, rising to his feet, and plunging'..a.fist;into his, right-hand pocket:. "There tnoy are.' Ten of the best. Take 'em. Tell mo whero to go and I'll do the business for you; , Treat me how you like. I'll leave it to you. I don't want to make no bargaintfitlv a pal." , "Don't tempt me, Jack, I can't hear it. Put 'em up. I'll tell you what I'll: do. I'll wait till Bessie comes back, and whatever she says, I'll bo guided by." "That ain't like you. George, to put it on a woman. It's your affair. Here, take these, and hand the shiner over." He poured'out tho' little - handful of sovereigns on the coverlet, - The first' foil noiselessly on-the covorlety but' the others jingled as lie dropped thom. The bed-ridden man cried out with a sudden spasm of pain, but his stiff-jointed' fingers closed over ,them. "There s somebody at the door," he said. "See'.who it is." ',' '' ' "' ' ' Wyatt moved across tho room, and opened the door, by about a foot, peering around it 'to inspect the,visitor, Tho"'ncwcomer was in ' the act' of. striking a lucife'r match, in order that he might make sure' of his surroundings. The light glinted on ii fat gold watch chain and on a thick cluster of diamonds on the somowhat grimy hand that hold tho,match. . . : 1 >' "Oh, it's you, is it?" said Wyatt, throwing back-the door'more widely. "You'd better como in, I suppose. ; Step lightly. The floor's as crazy' as it can stick together,. and every jolt jars hiin.; I hope you've come to say you've thought better of it, Mr.- Isaacsoil."- : ... ■ "I've come to'havo a look'round," said tho ; now arrival.-' Ho was a portly, thick-set man, wearing a silk hat, and an overcoat with shani astrachan at tho cuffs arid collar. Ho wore tliis garmerit open, arid even in the light of the' one caridle he glittered dimly with vulgar opulence. , His lips 1 and nose were thick and heavy, and' eloquent of #acc. He looked Jew of the' Jew. Not an unpleasing type. But comfortable, self-approving, genial, with something of a jovial slyness'in his beady eyes. • >' "You've got rid of some of the sticks since I was hore last, so I; see," |he began,'glancing about the' room.- v "We've had to," ( said the invalid. "People can't starve, ■,but wo've run,'it pretty close here, and,so I toll you, Mr Isaacson." . "Yeth." said Mr. Isaacson, composedly. "I thuppothe tho. You see, Rydor, it was about time I stepped in for my own protection. Tho fact is, I've waited too long already. I , can't realithe,. you know, not within 50 per cent.",, "I don't complain," the sufferer answered. "WolL" said Isaacson, "this is how I look at it. When tho worst comes to the worst it's best for everybody all .round to faco. tho music. ' You ought to have gone into hospital long ago. You're a loss to mo, and you're a burden to the missis, and you're a loss to yourself in the long run. You get patched up and then you'll be able to get to work again and make a now start. - That's how I look'at it, Ryder: Tlio greatest good of "the greatest number. That's the thing to look for, you know. There's" somo will tell you the greatest number's No. One, but that isn't the principle I go on. My motto is consideration for others—up to a point you know, Ryder, bocauso, up to a point, it pays. You'll bo better off, you know, beca'uso you'll be properly treated, and tho mithith will bo better oif, because she won't havo you to look after, and I shall bo better off, becauso I shall cut short a loss, and know exactly whore I stand." "I don't complain," the sick man said onco moro. "You're a - lot better than you watli, you know," said the landlord. "You'll ho ablo to turn out quite easy in tho morning. Loth feel your pulth now." • 1-Ie took the norvoless band nearest; to him and thero was a chink of gold. Ho stooped and separated tho coins one from another. / "Ten quid," ho said, straightening himself above' tho recumbent figuro. "What's tho game? What are you playing at? Yoti'vo got ton quid in the house, and you're refusing mo my just dues! You sent this man to me to bog for an oxtonsion of timo' tonight." "Tho money isn't mine," said Rydor. "It holongs to Wyatt., Toll him all about it, Jack. I've mado my mind up. I'll g0 straight, if I go straight to ruin."-

"Look hero, Mr. Isaacson," said -Wyatt. "I tako it that we're tyled. Give mo that ring, Goorgo. Ryder's littlo kid picked that up in the street to-night. Georgo kidded her that it was a cut-glass pattern, hut you and I know -hotter, and so does ho! I've spent the best part of half an hour trying to persuado him to lot me raiso something on it. I offered to give him thoso tell quid on account, but he's got some maggot in his head about it being his duty to hand it to the police. . Now, you're a man of the world, Mr. Isaacson, and perhaps ho'll listen to you whero ho won't listen to mo." "It isn't' mine," said Ryder. "Well, whose is it?" asked the landlord. "That's what I've got to find out," the sick man answered. "I've got no. timo to waste talking to fools mil night," said Mr. Isaacson. "There's a receipt in full, waiting for you, and fifty on tho nail. I'll ring in Wyatt fo l- an extra fiver. That's my last word. Take it or leave it. "Well, I'll leave it," said Rydor, struggling to his elbow, and falling back again. "I've lived honest,- and I'll dio honest.' ■ I nevor wronged a follow-ercaturo of a farthing, and I nevor will. There, now! I've got it over! Go away, the pair of you.. Tako your money away, Jack, and don't tompt a poor devil any longer. Thank God, here's Bessie! Bessie! Como and'help 1110. Gather up this money and givo it to Jack Wyatt. Mr. Isaacson has got something he will give yon to take caro of." •• The woman wonderingly obeyed him. Wyatt took the gold, spread it in his -palm, counted it, and slipped.'it'in his pocket. ' • "Good-night," he-growled, and snatching his hat from the.little tablo at the bedside, slammed it on noisily, and wont his w?y. "Let mv wifo. havo the ring, Mr. Isaacson," said Ryder. The landlord with a last look at the gem surrendered it. , '"You know what you are, I suppose?" he said, in a tone blended or contempt and rago. "You are a fool! You are tho damnedest.fool 1 havo over known in all my life." "So be it," Ryder answered. "I'm built that way, I suppose. Good-night." "You'-know what to expect tomorrow?" asked the landlord. "I know what to expect to-morrow right enough," said Ryder.. "Good-night;" Man and wife were left alono, and the husband made shift to tell his story. . .The pas ■ sion of tho last hour had been ""almbit too much for him, and ho spoke disjointed]?, and with many pauses. _ His wifo listened'in silenco, kneeling at. his, side, and when tho tale at length was ovor, he raised his heavy byelids, and, glancing sideways at her, saw that she was weeping. "You don't think I did wrong, dear?" ho asked her haltingly. "Wrong I'! sho answered. "I always loved you, George! I always knew.as I was' blessed "vith the best of husbands. I always thought as you was the best of men, tho host of men. dearj dear, doarost Georgo. But, oil! I never loved you as I love you now. I never know you till to-night. I thank Gpd for you, Georgo. . It was a sore temptation, and only a good'man could ha' como through with it. But wo can hold our lieads up as wo nover could ha' dono if you'd ha' given way." Sho had insinuated so gontlo an arm between his head and tho pillow that, racked with pain as ho was, he was scarcely conscious of its presenco there, and she was weeping'siloiitly upon his breast. "It'll be a cdld Christmas for you, my lass," ho said. "Oil, no!" sho answered.- "It'll be tho happiest I have ever known. , Tako your draught now, and get your sleep,; Georgo. I'm 1 sure you' Want-it." ■ ; ' Ho slept, and sho watched-and toiled beside him until her task, was dono, and then folding up her work, left him to darkness and silence. . • The meagre room was.swept and garnished in the morning, and tho kettle was boijing on tho meagro'firo when Rydor : awoke at his wifo's entry. j-"L got twelve : shillings at tho. -shop, George dear," she said, moving gently about the room. "I'vo got your, bovril, and I'll make a littlo toast.for you.". ■ "Why,;-what .timers-it:?" ho askcd"in'.>bis faint' voico. -- ■' v,\ . "It's close on twelve, dear," sho answered, and one thought was present to both minds... ; '■ ' ' "Christmas Eve," ho said, under" his breath. "Tho thirteenth wo'vo spoilt togotlier. I nover thought that it would como to this." "Georgo!" she criod,' rising at tho sound of footsteps on tho stair, and hovering ovor him as if sho would protect*.him, "they're oomiug!" X The. steps"came.' on.,heavily,, fatcfully,' 'and at last .they'.'paused oii the outer.'landing. Then thero came a short rap at the door, and in answer to her meek "Come in;" Isaacson. ontcred, wearing something of a hang-dog look. He was followed by a man who boro a heavy baskot on his arm. "Yoii can - empty out the ,things on tho floor,"'he said, gruffly, and tho hearer of,tho basket, falling cri. his kneos, ranged on. tho bare clean boards'an'array of . packages and bottles, and tinned delicacies of various kinds. Ryder and his''wifo looked on in wondoring silence. "That will do," said Isaacson gruffly, when tho basket at last was emptieil. "Thero is your shilling. You can go." Tho man spun tho coin, and put it .in his basket, knuckled his forehead, and went clattering down tho stairs. Then, Isaacson spoke. "Georgo .Ryder, you are:'a "fool. I told you last night you woro tho biggest fool I had over mot. I never met, anybody like you. You are what I call an egthperiontli. Rydor, and on tho whole I.'rii rather pleatW to havo run. ac'roth.' you. • • Perhapth','l haven't gone their'way, a great deal,' but I never mot an honetlit man beforo. I hopo you'll havo ,a very . morry- Christmas." " "Copyright in tho United Statos of America.