The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-17
James trusted friend and companion,
m rriad off tho pr;za ha covesad?


the sun, whose bright rays seemed to
| mock al my misery, and sat down with
the intention of thinking out the Stu
alton. Hour after hour passed. l took
no heed of time, for time loses its hold
when the soul is filed with despair.
My good and evil angels waged desper-
ate war. Each in turn strove for su-
premacy. The one urged me to give up
Mary-to cease my attentions and let
her suppose that the affection which /
had hitherto shown was of a tickle and
unstable character; the other coun-
seled the immediate declaration of my
love and the liberation of James feel
ings, in order to secure my own happi-
ness.
For long while, and to my everlast-
ing shame, listened to the voice Of the
Tempter. Ey and by the sun sank be-
hind the grimy chimney pots opposite.
The roar OF traffic in the street below
began to subside. Twilight stole over
the heated town, and laid her soft cool
fingers upon 1t.
The sky grew deep and tender. One
by one the stars sbone out. The still
ness, the relief from the MONDAY
glare, and blessed quietude, Gained
the fever Of my brain, Little by little,
ny thoughts became less personal and
material
If James were happy-James, and
Mary too, what did it matter about
me? I was strong. whereas James was
delicate; and surely God meant the
strong to help the weak along the
weary road of life. The spiritual por-
ton of me spoke aloud. would be
brave and self-sacrifcing. and James
should never know that, whilst he had
spent the afternoon in sunshine, had
passed it prey to the most bitter
anguish which mortal man can ex-
perience.
Thus resolving, arose, and with a
great sigh stretched my limbs, like one
who has borne heavy burden and glad
Iy lays it aside.
Just then heard voices beneath tho
window. The beating of my heart
told me to whom they belonged. The
mans voice was very tender, and the
woman's soft and sweet as she made
sound suspiciously like a kiss. 1
laughed aloud. Fool, fool that I had
been to think that she cared for me,
when she could forget me SO quickly
and easily.
And yet would not blame Mary.
She was an afectionate, clinging
creature, and James had ways with
him which appeal to a woman's nature.
He was not rough and masterful like
me, but Of gentle speech and manner.
All! my little bird, my darling. if in
the weeks that followed / wounded
you by my seeming Indifference and
reserve, the Lord in Heaven knows
that my intentions were good.
sought only your happiness, and also
my brothers.
So fierce was the struggle fought
with myself that it proved almost re-
lief when. one autumn day, James an
nounced his engagement took Mary's
hand in mine, and, forcing faint
smile, said: Dear Mary, 'henceforth
Jet us be as brother and sister"
They were married in the spring.
Four years passed away, and two chill
dren were born to them-a boy and
girl
People often wondered why I re-
manned bachelor. For answer would
take Mary's female child on my knee,
and say: "This is my sweetheart. I
want no other"
For many months past trade had been
in most depressed condition. All the
big employers of labor were parting
with their hands owing to terrible
of business. James and 1
lived on in constant dread Of receiving
notice. Our spirits were affected by
the prevailing depression. and matters
looked serious indeed when the bank
broke in which we had stored our earn
ings.
James worried himself into gravel ILL
ness. Things were bad enough for both
Of us, but they were worse for him than
for me. since he had wife and two
children to support.
He had barely recovered when for
NAL notice to quit was served upon
him. Our employers were obliged to
shut up half their works, owing TO
lack Of orders. and, unluclsily for James,
he had been accustomed to work in the
portion now to be closed
It was useless to seek employment |
elsewhere, for every factory in the |
kingdom was similarly affected. Star
vation stared James, his wife and fam
.ly in the face.
At this juncture came forward and |
offered James my place.
was single man. I said, and could |
shift for myself: The bad times must
surely pass. and at any rate 1 had no
helpless beings depending on me for
livelihood.
James was profuse in his thanks.
The next day he stepped into my shoes
and was left without means of sub |
,istence-
One week passed after another, my i
little stock of ready money became ex- !
and still was unable to meet
with a fresh situation. All! what suf-
Tered God only knows. The pains of
hunger are inconceivably cruel; the
Itch have no idea how cruel. Hunger
and i became intimate acquaintance;
grew gaunt and thin. The strength
If which l had formerly been so proud
deserted me. / was not yet thirty, but
ny beard already showed streaks Of
gray.