The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-07
MY FRIEND F1TzG ERALp.
Harper's Weekly.

am alittle fellow with insignificant shout
ders and legs not worth considering. l have
no talent, and no distinguished eccentrcity.
My manner, what there is of it. is timid and
awkward. / know that mankind as a species
does not regard me at all, and that only mer-
cenary motives restrain my tailor from ex
pressing his contempt for me. There is
nothing more to say about myself, except
that have no Imagination, which may serve
to substantate the facts I am about to mar
rate.
My friend Fitzgerald was my antipodes
He was tall and strong and winning. His
name betrays his nationality, and his ma
tionaiity furnishes the keynote to happy,
fun-loying nature.
For six years, at school and at college, We
we're close companions, and then for four
years We were separated. ], being by lucky
accident rich, travelled for improvement and
amusement; Fitzgerald worked for hislivlng
He chose to be an engineer-I say chose, for
whatever he had set his mind to do he would
90 brilliantly
When had got round the world back to
my point of departure, l found Fitzgerald
ada where he was to conduct a 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 filled M with disappointment
When he suggested that should accompany
the expedition l agreed joyfully The day
before that fixed tor our departure he came
to my rooms, looking nervous and excited.
Eeigning not to notice his perturbation, [
began running over memorandum OF things
TO be done. He interrupted me sharply
'Look here, Jack, 1 want you to go out
with me at 3 o'clock this afternoon to -"
mentioning a small town some twenty miles
distant 1--WE will get there at 4, leave again
at $50. and reach home in time for dinner"
My time being precious, objected.
DO it, Jack. The matter is of vital inn
portance to me-"
appeal from FITZGERALD was irresistible
Iagreed at once. At 3 o'clock 1 met MIN at
the railway station.
We had been ten minutes on. our way when
he said abruptly: Jack, l am going to be
married"
1.-THE devil"
MY emphatic expletive echoed through the
car, and then he added: II should not feel
quite right about it if you were not there
and that is how persuaded Emily. Besides, Z"
he continued, after short pause, ~ want
you TO see her. 1t will be much TO me dur
Ing two years of separation to have some one
near me who has seen her"
Then, the gates of his confidence being
opened, he plunged into lovers hyperbole.
Ilistened silently, my hat slouched over my
eyes and my hands thrust deep in my peck
cts. / could listen and at the same time
mentally review the years OF our friendship.
Ithad been my habit to scoif-an envious
scoff, of course, at his love affairs 1 knew
now that the time Of soothing was past, and l
realized with more than n W0man'S jealousy
Il confess it) that his love for his family
would endure, and henceforth be the guild
ing influence of his life, whether Cor good or
On arriving at nur station FITZGERALD went
at once to the ladies' waiting-room. He re-
turned with young girl on his arm, whom
he introduced to me rs Miss Emily Gordon.
shook hands with her vigorously. and
stretched on tiptoe to get a nearer view of
her face, for she was very tall. As stared
at her chilled with dlSappointment-not
vague sentiment, but n decided opinion.
that the face was not worth what Fitzgerald
would sacrifice for it. The face was fair and
fnely-featured flushed just now with ex-
element. The eyes were dark, and though
their wayering regard was childish and pref
ty and, under the circumstances, to be eX
pecied, THAT it was which made my heart
sink The restless glance struck ME not as a
trick OF the moment demanded by the situa-
ton, but as expressing undesirable charac-
teristics 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 a Methodist parson-
age by very old man, and the marriage was
witnessed by the clergynan's wife and my
self. Mrs. Fitzgerald insisted on her has
bands taking her marriage certificate, affirm
ing ciildishly that she would surely lose it.
She had left her home 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. shook hands with
her at the parsonage gate, saying with elab-
crate tact that had always longed to pry
about this peculiarly interesting town. She
was crying and clinging closely 10 Fitzgerald.
Size held my hand moment.
"He is going SO far from me, and two years
are so long! You will take care OF him.
Promise me-oh, promise me!'
~ do, with my whole heart" / answered
and turned away from them.
liked her better The tears and the sob in
her voice had touched me, almost won me.
My dull senses we're partially wakened to
the attractions which such creature might
have for n man of strong passions and imag-
ination. II it had not been for that first
wretched impression. l should have been in
love on the spot with Fitzgerad's wife.
We were on our way home when he asked
me what thought of her. praised her in
the best words l could find, and thought
was acquitting myself we'll. Fitzgerald's
hand fell on my shoulder.
SWhat are you saying, JackP You are as
cold as ice"
'sYou forget. You are at fever heat"
Then what are you feeling?" he burst out
ifritabiy. What are you thinking that de-
tracts from her?''
had been coldly thinking the worst OF
her. 1 was startled into an unequivocal
answer.
II am thinking that she has not the
strength to appreciate You, or to be true to
you. am fearing that nothing but ill will
come to you of what you have done to-day"
Expected that he would turn upon me
furioasiy, but lie did not. His face lost its