CHAPTER XLVII. TOM GORDON'S PLANS.

ovewhichdidnotappearinlife.Therearefewsohardasnottobetouchedbytherecordofthelasthoursofthosewithwhomtheyhavestoodinintimaterelations.Agreatmoralistsays,"Therearefewthingsnotpurelyevilofwhichwecansay,withoutemotion,thisisthelast." TheletterwasbroughttoTomGordononeeveningwhen,forawonder,hewasbyhimselfhisassociatesbeingoffonanexcursion,whilehewasdetainedathomebyatemporaryillness.Hereaditover,therefore,withsomeattention.Hewasoftoopositiveacharacter,however,tookeenlypercipient,nottofeelimmediatepaininviewofit.Amanofanothernaturemighthavemeltedintearsoverit,indulgedintheluxuryofsentimentalgrief,andderivedsomecomfort,fromtheexercise,togooninwaysofsin.NotsowithTomGordon.Hecouldnotaffordtoindulgeinanythingthatrousedhismoralnature.Hewasdoingwrongofsetpurpose,withdefiantenergyandhisonlywayofkeepinghisconsciencequietwastomaintainabouthimsuchaconstanttumultofexcitementasshoulddrownreflection.Hecouldnotaffordatête-à-têteconversationwithhisconscience—havingresolved,onceforall,togooninhisownwickedway,servingthefleshandthedevil,hehadtowatchagainstanythingthatmightoccasionuncomfortableconflictinhismind.Heknewverywell,lostmanashewas,thattherewassomethingsweetandpure,highandnoble,againstwhichhewascontendingandtheletterwasonlylikeatorch,whichafairangelmightholdup,shiningintothefilthylairofademon.Hecouldnotbearthelightandhehadnosoonerreadthenotethanhecastitintothefire,andrangviolentlyforahotbrandy-toddy,andafreshcaseofcigars.Thedevil'slast,bestartificetorivetthefettersofhiscaptivesistheopportunitywhichthesestimulantsgivethemtocommandinsanityatwill. TomGordonwastakentobeddrunkand,ifasorrowfulguardianspirithoveredoverhimashereadtheletter,hedidnothearthedejected