Temptation.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1907, Page 14

Temptation.

By David Christie Murray, Author of " Joseph's Coat,' ! ato. (All Rights Reserved.)

It was the night of a fancy dress ball at Lady Dorchester's — an affair for Iho bourgeoisie got up for charity during the Christmas week — and on each side of the striped awning tho -usual crowd had gathered to sco the guests arrive In the forefront of one- lino of spectators, on the i-ight of the entering visitors, was a child of ten years old or thereabouts, whoso patched and scanty petticoats, and stockings darned at the knees gave evidence of careful poverty. Her face was pal© and thin, and her eyes were bright with the unnatural lustre of habitual hunger. The night was inclement, and a. cold drizzle was falling. She was swayed hither and thither by the pressure, of the crowd in tho rear, but she had no eyes or thought except for the glittering procession which filed before her, the ladies in mask and domino, and the men in a score of varied garbs she had never soen before except in pictures. Carriage after carriage rolled \ip and deposited its occupants by ones and twos and threes, and, for the child, the spectacle was like a. glimpse of fairyland From one vehicle two ladies alighted, one of whom bore in her hand a delicate 6ilken trifle of a bag, from which sho dTew a tiny laco handkerchief, as shesailed Stately by, almost brushing the girl in her passage A something fell from the folds of tho handkerchief — a something which glittered- like a raindrop in the sunshine, and rolled with the faintest audible tinkle • between tho child's feet. A terrible thrill went through' her, a sensation she had nevei* experienced before. It was made up of terror and triumph, and an appalling j sense of her own wickedness. She 'had set her foot upon the flittering gewgaw, and as the next couple passed by she stooped and lifted it from the muddy concrete slab of tho roadway. She felt that everybody had seen her. To her imagination there was not a: human unit in the crowfl who did aofc , know her for a thief, and she half swoon- 1 ed as she clutched her illicit treasure in her hand. Sho stood with' downcast eyes, awaiting a general denunciation, and when at length she ventured to look u£ tho gay and fantastic procession was still fn progress, and nobody bestowed so much as a glance upon her. The burly policeman in front of her pressed her back with an indifferent hand, and she was merged with the crowd. Sho wound her way through it, and once on its outskirts daited across the Toad, and was lost in tho mist and the rain. In tho room towards which she raced as fast as her feet could carry her, a' man lay groaning in the agonies of rheu- j matic fever, and a woman sat besidehim, sewing at some rich stuff by the light of a solitary candle. "Bessie," said the patient, .gaspingly. "Yce, dear," the woman answered, leaning over him. "Give mo the bromide. I can't stand thK any longer." J "3'm eorry, GeoTge. There's not ni j spoonful left. I can get? no more uutil I take the dress in, in the morning. There's not a penny in the house." The man moaned impatiently, and then lay quiet. Nothing was heard but his disturbed and unquiet breathing, and the swish of the needlo. The quiet was disturbed by the banging of a door below, and a. heavy tstep sounded on tho uucarpeted stair, uncertain and blundering, as if one- weie mounting in the- dark. "That'e Wyatb, again, for v. thousand," said the sufferer. > They listened, and the footstep paused beforo their door. Some one tapped there, and iv answer to the call to enter, a flashy and over-dressed man tiptood in with an elephantine lightness. "It's no go," he said, casting an eyo about tlio meagrely furnished room. ''The old blackguard insists upon his pound of | flesh. He says the rent 13 three weeks in arrear, and ho refuses to wait- after tomorrow. I told him the doctor said you weren't fit to be moved, but he- says you'll get looked jftor all right at the infirmary. Anyway, if he's not paid off by twelve o'clock ho's going to take pos> session." ' "Well," said the sick mnn, groaning in his speech, "what must be, must be. j Jack, lend the missis another eighteenpence to pay for my medicine. I shall be in miaery all night without it." "It'll have to be tho last," tho other grumbled. "You're three-and-twenty shillings up my shirt already. "I'll put yen straight as soon as I get right again," ppid the man in bed. "You made a bit at the last meeting, didn't you ?" J "I caught it hot this afternoon," said Wyatt, putting his hanrli reluctantly into ,his pocket. "Here, I'll make it half-a-crown, but it's the last that I can do." He selected the coin he named from a liberal handful of silver, and laid it on th? tablo between tho woman and the bed. "You're very good. John," she said,, taking up the coin and rising. "I'll take the prescription round to the chemist's now. I hope it will givo you a quicfc night, George." "I hope it will," the suffeTor answered wearily. "I'm about tired of this." Tho woman folded up neatly the .Fork on which she had! been engaged, a&sumcd her hat and cloak, and a pair of mended thread gloves, and taking an envelope from tho mantelpiece over the firclcss hearth, went out. "Don't, mind if I blow a, cloud, George?" asked Wyatt, drawing a paper bap from his pocket. "Go on," the other answered, '"I like the smell of it. It'll bo beastly hnrd lines to lose- tho bits of sticks, Jock." "There's no mistake about that," Wyntfc answered, biting off tho end of his cigar, and lighting "it at tho candleflame. "But we've got to take the rough ■ with the smooth in this life, George." A light foot camo racing upstaira with tho surety of custom, frifo steps ot a time, and the- child burst into the xooni panting. "Where's mother?" the girl uslced, holding both hands above her beating bosom. "She's gone out to get your father's medicine. You mu6t sit down and bo ! quiel " j "Father," suia the girl, "I've picked up something in the stieet. I think it's a diamond. 1 wonder if it's worth anything. 1 ' Hi± lifted a, languid band from the coveilet with a groan of effort, and took the objer-t sho extended to him. The licht of Hie candle fell upon a beautifully cut stone of the purest water. It was circular in shape, mid about a third of an inch in diameter. Tho man was a working jeweller, 1 and he could estimate Us value at a glance "It's it bit of cut glass," he said, quietly, clo&ing his eyes to hide the plittor in them. 'Trolialdy n. cultcr';; pattern. There's plenty of them 111 the trade." "Oh," oaid the in « tone of keen dipnppninlmcnb. "i did- liojio it niiplit have been wo-th bomctliiiii;." "It. woiddn't havo been yours, you know," the father answered feebly, "just been use you found it." "Iso, T know that,' be snid, throwing her shabby litllo ual upon a, chair "/Jut T thought tht-io might havo beni a reward. Am f (o kopji \l, father, if it uiu't worthy anything ?'•'

"No. my dear,'' he answered, groaning in his speech. "I'll take care of it. ' It. may be worth enough to make it asked for. A few shillings, perhaps. ■Where did you find it?' "It was outside a big house in a square," sho told him. "I tlon't know the. name of the square, bub I could find the place ngaiu. Is there anything to eat, father? I am so hungry." "Your mother left some bread and butter for you, and a cup of milk. It's in the next room. You'd better go to bed, my dear. Say good-night, and don't shako the floor."' The child obeyed him silently, and Wyatt sat blowing rings of smoke for half a minute before he spoko. Ho laid a finger-tip gingerly on his com? panion's shoulder. "Don't touch me, for God's sake," said the other querulously. "You don't know how sore 1 am all over." "That's rather a rummy bit of cub glass, isn't it, George?" asked Wyatt in a guarded whisper. "Think soY" the sick man asked -^ "I'll give you a tenner for it," WTyatt answered in tho same careful tone*. "Get behind tho head of my bed a minute, and raise the bed-rest," said tho invalid. "You'll find it below tho pillows. Go slow, or you'll murder me. No I can't stand it any higher. Now, put the candlo nearer, and, Jet us havo a look at it." "T say, George, that's a sparkler. "13y Gad, it is ! It's worth a solid hundx-ed if it's worth a penny." "I daresay it might be if you was doing an open trade with it, but whei'o there's risks about — " "Rot I" said the sick man in his feeblegroaning voice "If I was properly on 1 my pins I know half-a-dozen ways." ''Oh, of course, you know the ropes," said tho other rather grudgingly, "but then you see, George, you ain't quite on your pins. Anything that's done has got to be done sharp, you know. There ain't a lot of time between now and twelve o'clock to-morrow." Tho sufferer began to swear under his breath, and to bemoan himself. For a time nothing articulate reached his companion's ears, but at last the listener caught the words : I "I might ha' been let off this any- [ way. I've had hard times enough, God knows, already." "Why, Georgo!" said the other, "you ain't beginning to wander in your mind, aro 'you?" "No, :> snarled the man in bed, "I ain't beginning lo Avandor in my mind. I'm coming back to my senses, after I having lost 'em for a minute or two. It's a cursed shame that Providence should put a temptation of this kind in the way of a cov.e who's placed iiko I am. Here's a solid seventy quid, if I only chose to lay my fingers on it. ' I tell you," he wont on, his voice breaking between rage- and pain, "I could name three men this minute, and any one of 'em would spring seventy for it, and no questions asked." "Well," asked his companion, "why shouldn't you lay your fingers on it? You don't mean to Bay you're thinking of chucking a chance liko this? Why, it's a Godsend 1" "A Godsend !" tho other echoed bit- | tcrly. "A devilsend, you moan. I've lived honest nil my life. I never robbed auybody of a farthing. I should ha' thought I should ha' scorned it. I'll never trust any man's honesty again — nob till he's been bhrough'tho fire, and come out tried. l?or tho love of God, Jack Wyatt, take this beastly ihing away! Take it lo the police." "Don't bo a fool, George," Wyatb answered. "Here's a chance as your ! best friend couldn't have hoped for. i Hero's a home over your head all through your trouble. Here's grub for 1 tho misses and tho kid. Just dropped from tho skies, and in the very nick of I time. And who's the worse? It may he a bit. o' loot, as was intended by I Providence to fall into your hands.' You take- what's sent you, George, and dont' you mako faces over it." "No, no, Jack! It's a rogue's doctrine. Right's right. Wrong's wrong." "All right," returned Wyatt. "You talk that way if ib relieves your feelings. Here's tho missis coming batik again. Give mo the sparkler, and I'll let you havo a tenner on account, this minute." "That ain't tho missis," said the sick man. "That's somebody coming to the Parkers, on tho flooi below. Oh, Jack, I never thought, that 1 should be afraid to look Bessio in tho fac<\" "Look here!" said Wyatt, rising to his feet, and plunging a fist into his right hand pocket. "There tbey are. Ten of the best. Take 'em. Tell mo where to go and I'll do tho business for you. Treat mo how yon like. I'll leave it lo you. 1 don't v?ant lo mako no bargain with ie pal." I "Don't tempb me, Jack. I can't bear i 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 the little- handful of sovereigns on the coverlet. The* first fell noislessly on the coverlet, bub the others jingled as Do dropped them. The bedridden man cried out with a. suddon spasm of pain, hut liis stiff-jointed fingers closed over uhoni. 'Thero's somebody at tho door," he said, "See- who if is " Wyatt moved across the room, and opened the door by about a foot, peering around it to inspect tho visitor. Tho newcomer was in tho act of striking a hicil'er match, in order that ho might make sure of his surroundings. The light glinted on a fat gold watch chain and on a thick cluster of diamonds on the somewhat grimy hand that held tho match. "Oh, it's you, is it?" said Wyatt, throwing back Iho door more widely. "You'd bettor como in, I suppose. Step lightly. Tho floor's as crazy as it can stick together, and every jolt jars him. I hope you've come to say you've thought bettor of it, Mr. Isaacson." "I've come lo havo a look round," said the new arrival. He was a portly, thick-sot man, wearing a silk hat, and an overcoat with sham Astrakhan at tho ciilfs and collar. He wore this garment open, and oven in the light of bhe one candle he {,-ittored dimly with vulgar opulence. His lips and nose wero thick and heavy, and eloquent of race. He looked Jow of rhe Jow. Not an unplensiug type. But comfortable, selfapproving, genial, with something of a jovial slynons in his beady eyes. "You've ,jot rid of some of ihe sticks since I \>».s Hero last, so I sec," he began, glancing about the room. "Wo'vo had to," said Iho invalid. "People can't starve, but we've- run it pretty close here, and co I tell you, Mr. Isaacson." "Ycth," mi id Mr. Isaacson composedly. "I tliiippothe tho. You sec, Ryder, it wns about lime T stepped in fqr my own protection. Tho fact 111s 1 l'vo waibed 100 long already. I can't rcalithe you Know. Not within fifty per rent " "1 flon'b complain," tho sufferer an4. wo red "Well,"' said Isancson, ''this is bow I look nb it. When the worst coinrs io tho worst, it's best for everybody all 1 round to Itxa <M tn.us.ic* Y.ou ought.

io havie gono into hospital long ago. You're- a. loss to me, and you're a burden to ifiio missis, and you're a loss to yoiirsfelf in the long run. You gol patched up, and then you ,will bo able to get. work again, and make a new start,. That's how "I look at it, Ryder. The greatest good of tho greatest number. !Mymotlo isjconsidcration for others — up lo a point, yon know, Ryder, for up to a point, it pays. You'll be befier off, you kndw. because you'll bo properly tveatedl, and the mithiLh will be bettor off, because sho won't have you to look after, and I shall be better off, because I shafll cut short a loss, aud know exactly whttro I stand." "I don't complain," the sick man taid once more. "You're a lot better than you wath, you know," said tho landlord. "You'll, be able to turn out quite easy in the morning. .Loth feol your pulth now." He took* the- nerveless hand nearest to him, anfl thcro was a chink of gold. Ho stooped ,and separated the coins one from another. "Ton quid;" ho said, straightening himself above the recumbent figure. "What's the game? "What are you playing at? You've got ten quid in the house, and you're refusing me my just dues! You sent this, man to me lo beg for an extension of time tonight." "Tho money isn't mine," said Ryder. "It belongs to Wyatt. Toll him about it, Jack. I've made my mind -up. I'll go straight, if I go straight to ruin." "Look here, Mr. Isaacson," said Wyatt. "I tnko it that we're- tyled. Givo me that ring, George. Ryder's little kid picked that up in the street to-night. Gcorgo kidded her that it was a cul-glass pattern, but you and I know better, and 50 does he. I've spent- the best part of half an hour trying to persuade- him to let me raiso something on it. I offered to give him those ten quid on account, but he's got some maggot in his head about its being his duty to hand it to the police. Now you're a man of tho world, Mr. Isaacson, and perhaps he-'ll listen to yon where he won't listen to me." "It is'nt mine," said Ryder. "Well, whoso is it?" asked the landlord. "That's what I've got to find out," the sick man answered. "I've- got no time to waste talking to fools all night," said Isaacson. "There's a, receipt in full, waiting for you, and fifty on tho nail. I'll ring in Wyatt for an extra liver. That's my last word. Take it or leave it." "Well, I leave it," said Ryder, struggling to his elbow, and falling bark again. "I've lived honest, and I'll die honest. I never wronged a fellow creature of a farthing, md I never will. There, now ! I've got ib over ! Go away, the pair of you. Take your money away, Jack, and don't tempt a poor devil any longer. Thank God, here's Bessie! Bessie! Come and help mo. Gather up this money and give it to { Jack Wyatt. Mr. Isaacson has got something he'll give you to take care of." The woman wonderingly obeyed him. Wyatt took the gold, spread it in his palm, cotmted it, and slipped it in his pocket. "Good-night," ne growled, and snatching his hafc from the httlo table at tho bedside, slammed it on noisily, and went his way. "Let my wife have 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, m a tone blended of contempt and rage. "You aro a fool! You are the damnedest fool I havo ever known in all my life." "So be it," Ryder answered. "I'm built that way, 1 suppose. Goodnight." "You know what to expect to-mor-row?" asked the landlord. "I know what to expect to-morrow, right enough. Good night." Man an:l wife were left alone, and tho husband mads shift to toll his story. The passion of the last hour had been nlmost too much for him, and he spoke disjointedly and with many pauses. His wife listened in silence, kneeling at his side, and when the tale- at length was over, ho raised his heavy eyelids, and glancing sideways at her saw that she wns weeping. "You don't think I did wrong, dear?" he asked her haltingly. "Wrong!" she answered. "I always loved you, George. I always knew as I was blessed with the best of husbands. I always thought as you was the best of men, the best of men, dear, dear, dearest George. But, oh! I never loved you as I love you now. I never knew you till to-night. - I thank God for you, George. It was a sore temptation, and only a good man could ha' coma through >vith it. But we can* Hold our heads tip as we never could ha' done if you'd ha' given way." She had insinuated so gentle an arm between his head and tho pillow that, racked with pain as ho was, he was scarcely conscious of its presence there, and she was weeping silently upon hij breast. "It'll be a cold Christmas for you, my lass." he said. "Oh, no!" she answered. "It'll be tho happiest I have ever known, 'like your draught now, and get your sleep, George. I'm sure you want it." He slept, and she watched and toiled beside him until her task was done, and then folding up her work, left him to darkness and silence. The meagre room waa swept «md garnished in tho morning, and the kettle was boiling on tho meagre fire when Ryder awoke at his wife's entry. "I got twelve shillings u't tho shop, George., dear," she said, moving gently about the room. 'Tvo got your bovrii, ajul I'll mako a little toast for you." "Why, what time is it?" ho asked in his faint voice. "It's closo on twelve, dear," she answered, and -one thought was present to both minds. "Christmas Eve. ' he said, under his breath. "The thirteenth vc'vf spent together. I never thought that it would como lo this." "George!" sho cried, rising ut th*, sound of footsteps on. the stair, and hovering over him as if sho would protect him, "they're coming!" Tho steps came on heavily, fatefully, and at last they paused on tho outer landing. Then there came a short rap at the door, and in. answer to her meek "■Come in," Isaacson entered, wearing something of a liang-dog look. He wns followed by a man vho bore a heavy basket on his arm. You enn empty out the things on tho floor," he- snid gruffly, and tho bearer of tho basket, tailing on his knees, ranged on the bare clean boards an array of packages and bottles, and tinned dolicacicb o{ various kinds. Ryder and his wife looked on in wondering silence. "That will do," said Isaacson gruffly, when tho basket at last was emptied "There is your .shilling. You can go." The mini spun the coin, and put it in his basket, knuckled his forehead, and went clattering down Iho stairs. Then Isaacson spoke. "George- Rydor, you aro a fool. 1 lold you last night you were tho biggest fool I had ever met. I never met anybody like you. You are what I call an eglhporienth, Ryder, ;ind on the whole I'm rathor pleathed to have run iicroth you. Perhapth I haven't gone their way, a great- deal, but. l never met an honethl man bofoie. I hope you'll . have a very, awiry Chris tarns, "-