Short Stories for English Courses

to young Rainer not to follow. He stammered out something about a touch of dizzines

inst a servant. "I should like to telep

been trying the last hour to get

rom, and with the covering of his eyes oblivion and reassurance seemed to fall on him. But they fell for a moment only; then his lids opened again to the monstrous vision. There it was, stamped on his pupils, a part of him forever, an indelible horror burnt into his body and brain. But why into his-just his? Why had he alone been chosen to see what he had se

wn and join the smokers. Cautiously he opened his door; yes, it was young Rainer's step. Faxon looked down the passage, remembered the other stairway and d

ntered. It was empty, and on a long table he recognized his coat and cap among the furs of the

e avenue dimly marked his way as he hastened with long strides over the beaten snow. Gradually, while he walked, the tumult in his brain subsided. The impulse to fly still drove him forward, but he began

urse; but, though he had joked with Rainer over Mrs. Culme's forgetfulness, to confess it had cost a pang. That was what his rootless life had brought him to: for lack of a personal stake in things his sensibility was at the mercy of suc

st because he was a stranger-a stranger everywhere-because he had no personal life, no warm strong screen of private egotisms to shield him from exposure, that he had developed this abnormal sensitiveness to the vicissitudes of others. The

m in its grasp again, and he stood uncertain. Should he put his sanity to the test and go back? He turned and looked down the dark drive to the house. A singl

ce in the road, he had the gale in his face, and the wet snow on his moustache and eye-lashes instantly hardened to metal. The same metal seeme

if an invisible hand had tightened an iron band about his body; then he started again, stiffening himself against the stealthy penetration of the cold. The snow continued to

a lift to the village! Fortified by the hope, he began to walk back toward the light. It seemed to come forward very slowly, with unaccountable zigzags and waverings; and even when he was within a few yards of it he could catch no sound of sleigh-bells. Then the light paused and became stationary by the roadside, as th

on earth are y

o know?" he retorted; and, scrambling to his feet with a clutch o

, his heart sinking. T

dness-"

at on earth did

I was just taking a walk. ..

a laugh. "On such nights

lte

hing to offend you? My

rm. "Did your uncle

n you said you were ill. And when we found you'd gone we were frightened-and

he lantern. "Come; let's go back. It was a

ped it was

a few minutes; then Faxon quest

ot easier with th

Don't talk

ad walked alone into the gale. The fact of his companion's stumbling against a drift gave hi

Who woul

t hadn't been for one of the s

And now, won't yo

g on him. "Oh, the col

hem nearer to the spot he had been fleeing, the reasons for his flight grew more ominous and more insistent. No, he was not ill; he was not dist

what could he do or say? At all costs he must get Rainer out of

open fields the wind took them at an angle, lashing their faces with barbed thon

e, can't we telephone to

ot all asleep

talk!" Faxon ordered;

wed ruts that curved away fro

here's the gate! We'll b

dark avenue. It was the same light that had shone on the scene of which every detail was burnt

oor. He said to himself: "I'll get him inside first, and make th

g, and after an interval Rainer sa

N

, perf

ounded on the stairs. Rainer was leaning against the lintel, and as the door opened the light fr

e shears at a single stroke had cut every muscle in his body, he swerv

d somehow, between them, lifted him into the

t heeding them: omens mattered nothing now, beside this woe fulfilled. He knelt down to undo the fur collar abou