Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

k ending °r5 8<"> PICI'l'KHS AND DIE PIC I i Kr.ijUF.R id ill lIlAiiJ J'iu \i:m OF THE Law . Dick's first more was to give up his expensive flat in town, and in clearing u[> lii papers be came across bis share certificates in the A. and C. Company. With a sigh he threw them into a corner of the room and dismissed them from his memory. A little later he left, giving his valet the task of disposing of the remainder of his furniture. At Barbara's suggestion her father took her to call at Dick's flat in order to condole with him on his reverses, and to assure him of their continued friendship, hitt only the valet was there. I don't know where Mr. Barrv lias gone." he replied to Mr. Weston's questions. "He seemed very much upset, and told me he couldn't leave any address, and that I was fopaymy wages out of what T got for the furniture. He left these papers, too." he added, handing Mr. Weston the share certificates. Ah! now I see." exclaimed Mr. A\ eston. " It was in A. and C.s that he lost bis money. That is not so bad.'" " How is that. Father:-'" iiupuredBarbara. eagerly. " Why. I now hold a majority of the shares in A. and C. and the concern is practically mine. They are going to be h'iv valuable soon." "Oh:" she replied, reproachfully. yon are getting richer by poor Dick s losses : 1 don't call that fair." _ Silly child." remarked her father "Don t you see that. as Dick hasn't sold his shares, he will profit by the rise and they are going to he more valuable than ever they were. l"il takecharge of these, he added, tu: nins to the servant •and when you learn .Air. Barry's address you can let him know." Unhappily f„r Dick, he never thought of sending the servant his address The struggle for existence that followed i-hed all his energies, and to little purpose; for l.efore long he was redr.eed to living with his mother in a garret uul so )U came the time when hislast penny gone, he found himself unable to obtain the medicine that would save her Who can birme him if. desperate at ■is mother s ll ness and his own poverty, finding uo chance toearn even a copper, he placed his mother's lite before the law ? He robbed a purse-proud plutocrat who had ihe'eringly refused his request for aid. and with the m<5nej he purchased what his loved one" needed Hut Dick lacked the criminal's instinct to cover his tricks! The1 arm of the law descended on him, and he purged his offence in prison. Released, lie found his mother dead, and his heart almost failed him at the thought of struggling along' without her companionship; but after a time he pulled himself together and commenced afresh his wearisome search for work. Barbara, meantime, had found if. weary work waiting for Dick, and had finally concluded that he did not care for her. She gradually weakened as Lyston redoubled his attentions to her; and at last, though unwillingly, she consented to be his wife. Lyston 's hostility to Dick was still as but. i and thou ah I I to help lii iii to obtain • 1 * • j » in-iit . he eized • •> > i ) i si lj himlei in ■ him bv ■' lilt li it lie had I ii in A ml i fri 'in daj i' ■ daj I >iek Bn 1 1 j plight grew ivoi l • ■ no punned to ah olute w ant and I ion ; he was glad e\ ell | t lie cisiaj m hich a child hnfl giv«'ii I w :i Ii v\ Ijicji she tvii pin) Iiil: ; and >\.w . feeling i li.ii t he ertd ol In si reugl Ii li.ol cone, le crept 1 1 > i ► ■ : 1 1_1 ■ the open d< " * i 'i a '-Iiiiic-Ii a nd sa uk i" his kn in an obscure corner Present!) the church !>■■..■. i» i.. till with men and women in 1 -st i \ •■ attire and when all Ii ad taken <tl] .1 ml the strain of ' he " Wedditffl March lilbul the ,iii bin vlaile.' t'-!l on t le figure of Lyston standihgul the'fdol ot the altar ; and as he turned le beheld Barbara liarbara iii -her wedding dress advancing up the aisle on hei father's arm. Dick's feelings overcame him, He buried his face in his hand and wept for the first time since his mother's death The sen ice commence I. The solemn exhortation over, the'qnestioife and 1 spouses followed. After Lyston'a "I will. ' the elerLr\ man turned to Barbara and repeated tne'questiSh. " Wilt thou. Barbara, take this man : . . As it suddenly .awaking from a trance; Barbara shrank back to the shelter of her father's arm. Lyston. impatient at the suggestion of a scene, seized her wrist and muttered, "Answer, Barbara." Hut she only recoiled further, and cried " Xo. no : I cannot marry him." In a moment, the guests, scenting a mystery, had fixed their gaze on tie figures by the altar ; the elergyma.i moved the principals into the vestr.v. and there every effort was made to persuade Barbara to go on with the ceremony. Seeing that she was immovable her father spared her further annoyance by informing the vergers and attendants that the wedding would not take place {Continued on page 91. 1 No. NO! I CANNOT tt&BKl JUM.