"TEMPTATION!"

NZ Truth, Issue 180, 28 November 1908, Page 6

"TEMPTATION !"

CHAPTER I,

Through the blinding, snow, with shiverin „ Lro'o'eu footstei-s,^ a man is hurrying. -Now . and \ he pauses to clutch his breast with a feeble despairing cry of abandoned hope, for al] day he has tramped up- there across the Derbyshire bjlls on his way to BeiHbridge m search of wort. Every town had been unlucky 'so lar"Give employment to an unknown begr■gar '!" The presumption of the man expecting it, and daring to walk into elaboratfely furnished offices m sodden rags, asking to see the managers- the managers, iorsooth, who would not hesitate to discharge a person who so far forgot liims: If as to mention the fellow's impertinence,* much less bring him into contact on the ordinary pretence of seeking a Livelihood. And this was -the third week since >h"e had said good-bye to a frail little wife m our wealthy, generous city, ' and stepped out briskly after bidding her keep a good heart till his return. "Good-bye, little mother," he cried. "1 mean to get a clerkship where they will give a living wage, and aliens at 12s a week are not tolerated. Oh, they do things better m the country," he added with, a forced Laugh as he hugged her to his biosom once more, and closed the door quickly lest she might see the agitation he was trying so hard to conceal. That was three weeks ago, and it-seem-ed like years, and all this time his ' little ones were wanting food, while he was wandering hopelessly. Once the lijrht from a window attracted him. Beyond be saw a. happy family gafcheringj round their evening meal. Tears stood m his eyes as he thought of those* he had, left at home. The sight was toa much. He could bear ho more, and turned away. .He scarcely knew why he was /leaving, the town behind. His chances were .probably no better further on than where he was, but the hafoit had seized upon him, and without pausing to reason he still tramped on. In the distance a clock was striking 6. The strokes had a faint and muffled sound across the fallen snow. A dull sleepiness overcame his senses. He began to remember the tales he had heard of those who, placed m a similar position, had at last given way to the fatal sleep the snow provides for those who yield themselves to its enticing fascination. "And this was the end !"' Dazed and exhausted he sank down on a snow-cdvered mound. "My God !" He was awake now, and every nerve bad sprung into life and action. He leapt to his feet m an instant and tore away the snow irom where he/had sat. At last it revealed the body of a man that lay buried m the drift. He crouched iow to listen. No sign ot breathing— limbs rigid as iron. He would try to urge the lifeless heart. Perhaps it was but a trance, caused through the intense cold. Ha ! what was that? He- : pausedin his labor and- .listened again. Tick—ticktick. The man's watch was still going. The short winter day had faded" into blackness. He struck a match and looked tor the first time on the features of the corpse. How serenely beautiful m death's repose, lying enshrouded m .Nature's mantle. The man had apparently been wealthy. Searching the pockets, he drew out the contents— a well-filled purse, a pocketbook, and the watch and chain.

"Put them back," whispered a voice within. "Why ?" he shrieked m response. "My wife is starving, my children are starving — away m pitiless London — and I have not tasted food for days." "Put them back," urged the voice. "Do not rob the dead." "No, I look to the living. My wife and children come first." He drew out a tattered handkerchief, and, reverently covering the upturned face, staggered on his way. CHAPTER 11. Seated round the supper table, m a shabbily-furnished kiteher, were a man and his wife and two little children. The table was well supplied with substantial: comforts, and the women and children looked on with sparkling eyes, now and again making a pleasant ' joKe, to he eag-" erly responded to— the sound of their merry laiughter brightening the sordid apartment. But the 'man was silent. "Oh, daddy, you don't know how we longed and prayed for your return," the tiny daughter said, stopping suddenly m the midst of her enjoyment and looking serious. "And mummie and Willie and me used to ask God to send you back soon, and I used to say quietly, case mummy heard, 'and bring us lots to eat' — she gazed with mute satisfaction on the wellladen table — ' 'cos we^was very hungry.' " The man's eyes filled with' tears and he turned away and looked steadily into the fire. - >"But it's alfl. over now, darling,"' the mother said. "Daddy has a grand situation. When will you have to go Dack, dear ?■". she continued, . addressing herhusband, ' ' : "Very soon now," he answered quietly. "Any moment I may be called, and tben I should have to leave you" His eyes wandered around tenderly over the little group. "Fancy them giving you a .quarter's salary m advance. How good fbey ate !" "Yes, very good — abstractedly — "take care of the money, dear," m case I may not foe able to send you some lor a long time." She nodded a laughing reply; "I think I'll .just take a walk andlDuy. an evening paper," he said, after thecSiildren had been tucked away snugly, in bed. "All right, dear. Don't be long," the woman replied. > He went down the stairs and along the^ passage. He heard his TCime spoken m the street and shuffling of feet. Then he peered through the keyhole and saw the little group of police officers that had halted, and "were about to demand admittance. He 'placed his hand m his -waistcoat pocket and, drawing out a phial, drank the contents — and waited. Rat-tat-tat! The door was opened and a Lifeless body fell into the policeman's arms. • ' ■ . . ....■.- . "It was that rag of a handkerchief that j gave us 'the first clue," said the detect- ! tiveto a representative of the "Daily Veracity." A murderer invariably leaves something to guide us. This handkerchief not only had the man'l3 name m full on j it, but also a laundry mark. The rest was easy." x , He smiled confidently. ' "Of course, there is no doubt that he " began the reporter. "Not the -slightest. ' His very suicide condemned Mm."