Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-31
MY FRIEND FITZGERALD.

am little fellow with insignificant shoul-
ders and legs not worth considering. have no
talent, and no distinguished eccentricity. My
manner, what there is of it, Is timid and awk-
ward. know that mankind as a species does
not regard me at ALL and that only mercenary
motives restrain my tailor from expressing his
contempt for me. There is nothing more to say
about myself. except that l have no imagina-
ton, which may serve to substantiate the facts
am about to narrate.
My friend Fitzgerald was my antipodes. He
was tall and strong and winning. His name be-
trays his nationality, and his nationality fur
nishes the keynote to happy fun-loving
nature.
For six years, at school and at college, we
were close companions. and then for four years
we were separated. l. being by lucky accident
rich, travelled for Improvement and amusement;
Fitzgerald worked for his living. He chose to
be an engineer say chose, for whatever he
had set his mind to do he would do brilliantly
When l had got round the world back to my
point Of departure, found Fitzgerald about
setting out for the northwest of Canada, where
he was to conduct q government survey. He
expected to be absent at least two years. Since
coming home had meant little more than coming
back to him, this plan of his filed me with dis
appointments. " ueu ue suggested LnaC i SQOutO
accompany the expedition I agreed joyfully.
The day before that fixed for our departure he
came to my rooms. looking nervous and ex-
cited. Feigning not to notice his pertur-
baton, began running over memOran-
DUN Of things to be done. He interrupted me
sharply:
''Look here, Jack, want you to 20 out
with me at three o'clock this afternoon
to-, mentioning small town some twenty
miles distant. 1--WE will get there at four,
Leave again at flve-thirty, and reach home in
time for dinner"
My time being precious, objected
1T, Jack. The matter is Of vital import
ance to me-"
An appeal from Fitzgerald was irresistible. 1
agreed at once. At three o'clock met him at
the railway station.
We had been ten minutes on our way when
he said abruptly, Jack, I'm going to be mar
ried."
''The DEVIL"
My emphatic expletive echoed through the
car. and then he added: ~ should not feel
quite right about it if You were not there. and
that is how persuaded Emily. Besides" he
continued, after a short pause I" want YOU to
see her. 1t will be much to me during two wears
OF separation to have some one near me who
has seen her."
Then, the gates Of his confidence being opened.
heplunged into lovers hyperbole. / listened
silently, my hat slOuched over my eyes, and nv
hands thrust deepin my pockets. Icould listen,
and at the same time mentally review the years
of our friendship.
It had been my habit to scofr-an envious
SCOT, Of course-at his love affairs. knew now
that the time for scoffing was past and realized
lWlth more than wOman's jealousy-I confess
IT'D that bis love for this Emily would endure, and
whether for good or ILL.,
On arriving at our station Fitzgerald went at
once to the ladies' wating-room. He returned
with young girl on his arm, whom he intro
duced to me as Miss Emily Gordon.
.. IL l. shook hands with her vigorously, and
OF her face, tor she was very tall. AS
l stared at her i chilled with dsappoint-
ment-not vague sentiment, but decided
opinion that the face was not worth what
fitzgerald would sacrifice for it. The face
was fair and finely featured, flushed Just now
with excitement. The eyes were dark. and
though their wayering regard was childish and
pretty, and, under the circumstances to be ex-
pected, that it was which made my heart sink
The restless glance struck me not as trick Of
the moment demanded by the situation, but as
expressing undesirable characteristics in the
woman. There was not CLEAN of the steady,
spiritual light such as it would have pleased me
to see In the eyes of the woman who was to be
Fitzgerald's wife.
They were married in the Methodist parson-
age by very old man, and the marriage was
witnessed by the clergymans wife and myself
Mrs. Fitzgerald insisted on her husbands taking
her marriage certificate. affirming childishly
that she would surely lose it. She had LETT her
nome that morning with the avowed intention
of visiting friends.
She was now to proceed on her journey, and
her train would leave twenty minutes before
ours for the city. I shook hands with her at
the parsonage gate, saying, with elaborate tact,
that had always lOnged to pry about this pecu.
liarly interesting town. She was crying and
clnging closely to Fitzgerald. She held my
hand moment.
"He is going so far from me, and two years
are so long! You will take care of him. Prom
ise me-Oh promise me-"
81 do. with my whole heart" I answered. and
turned away from them.
liked her better. The tears and the sob in
her voice had touched me, almost won me. MY
duli senses were partially wakened to the at
traction which such creature might have for a
man of strong passions and Imagination. If it
had not been for that first wretched impression.
l Should have been in love On the spot with
Fitzgerald's wife.
We were on Our way home when he asked me
words 1 could find. and thought was acauit-
ting myself well. Fitzgerald's hand fell on my
shoulder.
What are you saying, Jack? You are as
cold as ice"
You forget. You are at fever heat"
Then what are you feeling?" he burst out
irrItably. What are you thinking that de-
tracts from her?'
had been coldly thinking the worst of her, I
was startled into an unequivocal answer
81 am thinking that she has not the strength
to appreciate you, or to be true to YOU am
fearing that nothing but i'll will come to YOU of
what you have done to-day"
I.expected that he would turn upon me furi-
ously, but he did not. His face lost its color.
and he said, as if reasoning to himself, not in
answer to me:
lit was her own wish. would have trusted
her without any pledge It will be strange If
she does not regret this day, yet stake my soul
that she never will"
said to myself, "He has given her his best
surely that cannot have been unworthily be.
slowed" dug grave for my doubts and sus-
picions, and tried to cover them deep.
II.
We were In winter quarters in canon of the
Fraser river. We had had no mail for several
weeks, and toward the end of the year we
concluded that there were q noble army of mar
tyrs and an accumulation of mail-bags beneath
the snOWdrifts which stretched almost unbroken
for hundred miles, the distance to the nearest
post station. One day, after week of almost
unlnterruptedly fine weather, the welcome mes
senger arrived ARRIVED on his low sledge drawn
by eight surc-foOted dogs-arrived in hot haste.
with bells juggling, and frost-powdered beard,
and bright eyes cleaning out from frame OF
fIlrs. for all the world like q belatad Santa