PARTING OF THE VEIL.

Western Star, Issue 2251, 28 October 1898, Page 6

PARTING OF THE VEIL.

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CHAPTER XVI. AN UNFORTUNATE WOOING. Pinnie has a home. He soon enters the Office of Conrad North, broker, and while performing slight tasks and going out on simple commissions, he is rapidly acquiring a business education. Helen Lamout alone holds the secret of the vault, aud her cunning wit has revealed the fact that Piunie's first name is Hubert; and that in some close tie that old man is bound up in the destiny of her protege. And she, too, has a secret—two of them; for the manifest design of Spanero to sue for her hand is known in her breast, though too repulsive a fact to be spoken even in meditative thought. But the evident devotion of North, whom she has seen but three times, and but twice practically, is not so regarded. She was prepared to hear his suit—but felt that while he may have regarded the matter for weeks, it was too sudden to herself. And when he came to her, as come he did, the method of his wooing was not fortunate. The old, old way, of tender sighs, of little attentions which speak of chivalry, and of warm glances which make the heart beat faster, are still the most succ-ss-ful. Conrad North, with his fine form and open face, his strong eyes and chiseled mouth, his social breeding and splendid bearing, loved the girl truly aud profoundly. It was a clear case. His judgment, his feelings, all his activities wore involved. Her sweet beauty, molded in such dignity; her queenly form, and her evident genius in thought and art —all dwell with him in busy hour and idle moment. Indeed he was very seriously in love. And when persons like Conrad North love in that way, it is a life matter—unless the revealing of fruition unveils a terrible disappointment, and even then the effects are disastrous. His mother was aware of this, aud sought only to moderate his affection, while hoping for a successful issue to his suit. It was the strong judgment, the balance, of Conrad's mind that made his situation perilous—because such people are not apt to cast anchor twice. And Conrad North knew well the position that he occupied. The point which he did not well vnderstand was that Miss Lamout had not known him as ho had her, and he was therefore too precipitate. But the general situation of the affair led to the rather remarkable step ho felt himself compelled to take to win his cause. A Van der Nort rarely failed in an undertaking. A man who can sell futures by the shipload, without moving a muscle, is not always the least tremulous when he storms the divine citadel of a woman's heart. So foolish was he that, unknown to Miss Lamont, he had even sought her pathway home, and followed her for many blocks—a thing he would rather have burned all his ledgers than have it known or suspected of a Van der Nort. Hence, from his very anxi°ty he was unfitted for wooing. The passion was too overmastering. On the evening when the assembly was to meet with the "Do Briggses," Mrs. North was to come after Helen in the family carriage. The "lie Briggses" wore ''swell people," and Helen would not have ventured out again without some one to stand sponsor to her. What was her surprise, that evening, to see Conrad drive up to the landing in a light carriage. He stated that his mother was suffering from a severe headache, and would be unable to attend the assembly. Would Miss ijamont kiudly consent that ho should take her to the De Briggs mansion? Helen was dumbfounded. At first, it is true, there was a little flutter about the outside of her heart —for a moment; but the coldpalorof her face told too well to Conrad North that she resented the invitation as an improper one. "Mr. North, I—I —cannot put you to so much trouble." "It is no trouble, Miss Lamont. I was going myself." Perhaps the reader is not a dweller in the city and does not realize that the proposition of Mr. North was not in "good form." He certainly must have been out of his head at the time. "Mr. North, perhaps I am not right about the matter, not being accustomed to your social customs; but I think this is not right —did your mother provide for me in this way?" "No, Miss Lamont, she sent her regrets only. But I have an object in having you drive with me, or porhaps I would havo. looked at it differently —and then you must know that our assemblies are not like evening parties." Helen liked his.freedom of speech well enough, and in her mind felt that Conrad North, the trespasser, was superior to Conrad the host—under the spirea tree. People will love the weak at times and turn their backs upon the strong. A mother carries the crippled child near to her heart. "I will be very happy to ride with you, Mr. North." And so for an hour she rode with him in the then dimly lighted streets of the city. "Miss Lamont, did you meet the committee to-day?" "Yes, but I supposed that you were one of the executive committee of the academy." "Yes, I am, but I "could not meet with them to-day. Did they make a proposition to you? Of course. I ask as a committeeman." This was making love with a vengeance! Young ladiesdo not usually mix up love and business to any great extent. "They did," she replied. "It was very kind; and I recognized the fact that to savo me from a feeling of obligation they hid their generosity under the cloak of purchasing my picture at an enormous price." "May I ask how mat was?" "Certainly. They gave me five hundred dollars for the 'Angel of Smypathy' and orders for two more pictures at the same price." "And you are to go to Europe to study?"' asked Conrad, ns if he did not know of this before it was suggested to the girl! "For two long years—but it made mo so happy that I went home and had a good cry." "And you accepted? - ' he asked coolly. She was nettled at this. As the kindness of the committee was being told she bent her dark eyes upon his dimly lighted face, expecting to see both surprise and admirgtion. Could she then have known what he "few about the matter she would have understood his manner; but it might have delayed her trip to Europe! She did not know, and so she swallowed her disappointment and said: "I did. That was right, was it not?" "It certainly was, Miss Lamont." "I trust their faith in mo is justified. I will work hard to win their commendation." "Then we will send over a committee to prevent you from working too hard." Then it was his turn. Ho looked into her eyes, and she blushed. But it was all right, 'He did not sco it. The condition of the street lights would not permit of it. "You will soon leave us then; and many who have learned to—to—to respect and admire you, will see you only in dreams." This was a very bad shot. People do not usually have dreams over those whom they simply admire and respect.

All that she could think of as proper to say was an exclamation, with a defensive accent—" Mr. North!" But the poor fellow was in for it—aud could only stumble forward. So he continued: "Yes, lam oue of those who will miss you —and mother is another—yes, another "friend who will keep you in mind. - ' Miss Helen Lamont was a lady, and a generous lady at that, and her good breeding lifted her over any disposition to notice the stumbling of her companion. She closely replied, however: "I know that when I am alone, in a world of strangers, I shall look back upon these good friends with little less than worship." "Probably you do not remember our first meeting, Miss Lamont." "I remember—and shall not forget it." "From that time till to-day I have been searching for you; and now that I have found you, I am to lose you." "Mr. North, p!ease do not speak of it in that. way. Had we better not return?" The apparent indifference of her manner was a sore disappointment to him. But ho turned his eyes inward aud rose above himself. "Miss Lamont, it is better to speak • f tucu things it we feel them. It seems a$ though I had known you longer than these few weeks. Wo have talked of you much at home, and other circumstances, which you can recall, draw us together as friends." "I feel honored, Mr. North, to have you speak so." "Then I will not delay the word, which I may utter under the protection of friendship —that I love you." "No, please do not say that, not now." "Yes, it is better to say it. I ask nothing in return as yet; but I am happier and freer to have said it. I will return you to your home now." "You pain me, inexcessibly," she said in a low voice, as full of feeling as her own beautiful painting. "Yes, I know, I know," he replied. "It is unfortunate that I have not the command of language to tell you in warm words the history of the past few weeks. I cannot —nor would another understand so suddenly." "I think —yes, I think I understand." "No, Miss Helen, it is impossible. Mother does—she has seen it all, and at her hands I can always find consolation." This was most painful to the girl. Here he was, assuring her that he would ask nothing from her at the present time—and then bewailing his utterly cast-away condition. She saw the situation and wisely said nothing. He continued: "All I ask is that during your long absence you teach your heart to look upon mo as a patient watcher of your star, believing in your destiny—and if you ever paint an angol of love, as you have an angel of sympathy, let me be somewhere in your heart when the 'theme' is revealed." "Mr. Northl" "Yes." "You take for granted that I do not love you. It is true. But amid all the struggles of a working soul, whose wings are yet unused to flying, how could I suddenly awaken to a new passion ? How could 1 lot all my life hopes and pleasant dreams, which all artists have, fly away, and be lost in a new cloud, however bright it may be? It is too sudden. Then, do I not see in you aud your dear mother two sacrificing friends? If to love you would wrong you anil her, how cruel would it be to so betray you! Let us bury the matter now—for a little time, at least. You do not know the barrier which lies between us." "Barrier?" he asked. "Yes, for to pretend thus suddenly to answer the demands of your regard, would be base and mercenary upon my part. You are too" great, too—too—may I say, good—in a broad sense—for me to permit the work girl at the art factory to drag you downl" "Miss Lamont!" "No, no,- dou't. Please don't —my heart is burning now, lest I should be so base!" "That it what mother said—that I could never get beyond that barrier in your charactor. It is a noble sentiment—but it is fatal." "No, Mr. North; no. Lot me have time to rise—so that my wings may not, be so weak." "Yes," he replied, slowly, "but a love that is not intuitive is quite impossible; is it not so?" They had reached her home. Ho took her ha nd. "I fear it is. But I shall remember your Instructions about the new picture." And then she smiled, a smile of the face of boautty which was born of hope and tenderness. She withdrew her hand, and they alighted. Helen was not suro but that she had promised more than she could fulfill. Yet there is that about the first assault upon the citadel which carries a mystic power with it. Helen almost loved, and that carried infintto possibilities with it. "Before wo part," urged Conrad, "give mo a word of encouragement." "Mr. North, I now fool a gratitude toward you which overweighs any other feeling. Let me say that to have you ask a favor of me seems wrong—that I should rather ask of you. So please let me havo time aud 1 willtry to be just and true to both of us. This is not love—but it, is close by." He shook her hand warmly, both smiled pleasantly and he departed. Helen thought that she had confessed. Her words did not say it —but it, was her mind aud not her heart which had spoken. She loved the man. CHAPTER XVIT. THE HOSPITAL IDEA WAS PEIIFECTION. It was a miserable, misty day in Boston. A heavy fog tilled the city and the air was chilly with September's early warning of winter. Spanero sat in his office, at the samo old desk where we havo seen him before. The Spaniard was low-spirited. A certain raid on a certain mansion had failed. Why, Speters had not been able to inform him, owing to a difficulty with Htub —which difficulty had no existence in fact. But what troubled Spanero more than the failure of the robbery was the fact that Pinnie had been installed in that very house, and in the broker's office. He naturally connected the events together. But with all his secret agencies, he could not ascertain the underlying cause of these events. Conflicting thoughts were running through his brain—and this was a rare circumstance with him. All men who are thoroughly bad men, oxeept in the line of sensuality, are in a certain dark sen-e great men! The elements of greatness, taken singly, aro clearly defined. Courage, coolness, continuity, calculation, comprehensiveness, and the elements which make up sagacity, all must be a part, of the development Of a strong bad man. A housebreaker who does not comprehend multiple emergencies and sequences would be a failure. A master-spirit in crime must be Napoleonic in his combinations on tbo secrot diass-board of evil. A man with the qualities of some villains, and, added thereto, good, brave, generous and reverential regard for justice, will bo a great man. This Spanero was great in

I villainy. His life was a problem of darkness. And now this man loved— Bah! In the dark, damp cellar, where noisome vermin creep, foul odors taint the air, and poison germs whiten the walls —there a seed falls and germinates. In sickly whiteness it grows, aud stretches out its slender stems and bleached leaves to some shadowy window whence comes the thin light—yearning for better things without knowing it—but all in vain. So, iuthe prison house of Feeling, amid the brutal passions, that seed which in the light springs into beauty still struggles into an unconscious being and lifts its nerveless arms to a throne it has never seen. And thus Spanero loved. Ah! But the sickly feeling was scarcely reeognixed by himself. Ho knew that into the life which made crime its being, a new element had lifted a feeble hand. But he only her. Spanero's criminal life had been a brigandage upon the commercial rights of others —lust had never moved him to criminal conquest—it was not a passion in his nature. And hence, while foul deeds had marked his course, tho lower aud bestial appetite had never obscured the clear field of his generalship. There are such men. The condition j is necessary oven to an evil greatness. He had lost his balance through the rare beauty of Helen Lamont. She was no longer j in the workroom. She was not even under ; the shadow of his control. She had not, < inly j gone to a land where ho did not dare follow, j but she had gone in tho company of, and I under the guardianship of, a lawyer by the name of Wilkins, whom he hated and dread- ! ed! "D n him!" After which tender exsought to feed the new feeling on the husks j of evil—as beforo. He figured on Helen's monetary value as a ! genius. Aud yot, at this time, with Helen on tho ocean, seeking Italia's cloudless skies, had she been a beggar, ho would havo sought pression he mused again. "If God doesn't remove him, I must!" And with this explodent, Spanero viciously punched tho coals with the poker and jumped from his chair. In tho midst of his confused dissatisfaeti' n a smilo broke across his face. And then he stopped in his walk to and fro aud smiled again—and laughed. "It was a royal thought." Ho said it aloud. His perturbed thoughts gathered up the threads of that last meeting with the young woman: "The hospital idea was perfection. Henceforth lain not satisfied with escaping the French pistols —I am to be a holy man—a miracle of goodness—bring forth the holy water and tho altar cloth! Lamont will never take Spanero, but sho will welcome tho groat archdeacon of mercy and builder of hospitals! She will come like a rainbow? Jesu, but how she did plead for the little stump-foot. What a power weakness has over some people! There is no paradox." And so the idea of his building a hospital as an investment on Cupid's account grew on him. He struck the idea in chaffing the girl—but, he finished up with tho impression that tho building of a hospital would be just, the thing to do—for Helen. At their last meeting he succeeded in making the girl think that the action of the academy was largely duo to his exertions. Ho then called her attention to tho project of tho hospital and trifling with the girl, took her advice upon the matter! Now, what wore fifty thousand dollars to him beside that transcendent genius and marvelous beauty? Thus weighing lucre against love, ho seated himself again. But soon he broke out afresh. "Gad, but that legal friend of hers who is just married—l will have him thrown over the tafixail into the sea. I'd give a thousand dollars to boon that committee that sent her abroad—gad. Why' not bo? That's it. I will bo. "There's web-foot. If I could do something for her she would fill forty pages witli , praises and a tub full of tears. Mother of God, but I'll fix it." Ho opened the door, stepped across the hall, and entered the school. Ho returned with Minnie Webb. She was not quite tho same as when we last saw her. Her eyes were red as with weeping. Sho was now truly alone in the world. Her angel of light was on the ocean, and years lay between them. Piunio had not forgotten her, but they were really separated f»y barriers difficult to pass. Her brother, for whom she had cared for so long, had boon buried within tho week. And now, sho did not even havo a burden to love and loan upon! It was true that, when Pinnie had not called upon her—on her way home—which he did with some circumspection—he did write her delightful and delicate little notes, the construction of which it would bo base 'treason to reveal. And then how often and how earnestly she would write to him, when all other resources failed her, that ho must never come to the school, because she knew that ho would never get out alive! When the girl and tho master entered the room Spanero turned suddenly upon her, ns if to speak to her in his usually harsh tones. Ho immediately dropped his impatient manner, and in a voice n.s smooth as the—breathing of a shell—to tho ears of the girl —bade her sit down.and "rest." The girl. with surprise on her face, obeyed. Spanero tumbled a book for a moment, hitched his chair, cleared his throat, and entered upon a dramatic performance in which he was clearly inexperienced. "Miss Webb," ho said, at last, when ho had planned his campaign, "I suppose I havo boon very cross and stern with you at times. 1"—long and painful period—"l am not always so. I have been unkind to yon, my lass." "No, sir; not as I think now of," said the girl, with a terrible untruth laid on the altar of a female heart. Then opening her gray-blue eyes wider, as if seeking for something good to say, she added in clear Gaelic accents: "You iss paying mo more as you wass—lt iss more than 1 work to ' «*"_»•" To this ho replied with skillful and pleasing tenderness. "Well, girl, I am a hard man, but sometimes 1 think better than 1 do. Now I havo often thought"—and here his skill deserted him—"of that foot of yours—the one that is turned." ( In he roniiviu,/ 1