The Face of Rosenfeld — page 213: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

906 THE FACE OF ROSENFEL. much surprise you. Lost to honor and self-respect and to every sentiment which makes a man a man, you will not be astonished when I tell you what I have come to tell. If, when I have told it, you wish to throw me to the street and break every bone in my worthless body, I shall not resist you. In fact, I could notif I would. I am too weak. Observe, for instance, that.” | He extended toward Maxey one of his lean and wy hands. It shook like a leaf. ‘< That is the effect of the whisky. As long as money remains to me to purchase oblivion I do not care for luck or the devil. Iam one of those uncongenial, soli- tary individuals who retire with a jug into an obscure place, lock the door and hide the key from myself. After I have became a maniac, a fool and an inanimate brute by turns, I emerge again into the lght, more emaciated, more broken down, one step nearer the much- to-be-desired rest that comes at the end for usall. A cheerful life, sir, is it not?” He turned his faded blue eyes with the bloodshot corners towards the startled artist, who vouchsafed him no reply, and continued: ‘¢ Sir, you are saying to yourself, ‘is this man seeking to excite my sympathy? or what is his object? What possible interest does he think I can have in his grue- some narrative?’ Very little, sir, indeed; only it will afford some excuse for me, perhaps, for the performance of the most heartless and despicable act of my whole accursed existence.” Mr. Dye uttered the last words savagely and vehe.~ mently. His speech, indeed, sounded so much like the mutterings of a broken intellect, that Maxey involun- tarily drew back a pace or two. ‘ hg é x ahead. ie ee " Ce 7 q Ne ie, . : P A - ‘Ane i : Ft Ae SP EN 2 . a ©, * set ie as ry pd . | 1 « ; » @ pee . wre 5 | aa » { i +a tt! ey ow APR ay “Vt f gl Sse ~f ea, > 7 pet + ate Y ¢ >| oe Mh, at gf r if ‘ Snel s pS : | of eh Oa Skeet He aioe ire sah i y TO ee , we Om ; ? a Ts Ne ; as .