The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-03


was my hero, as she was my darling9
Besides they has met and were such
good friends. Ruth had attended events
at the university, and during the past
summer Frank had visited me at our is
land home and had sailed with us over the
bar and through the bay and out on the
broad surges, OF all our happy days those
when Frank had been with us We're the
happiest How versatile, how brilliant,
how charming he had been For once he
had tried all his gifts to their utmost, out
of loyalty to me, his friend,
And yet Ruth hGS written this note OF
warming Could she b6 iealousY l laughed
at the thought, Ruth was Ruth, Besides,
if such an impossible emotion had entered
her dear little heart, perfect love would
have cast it forth Immediately, No, there
was no explanation. twas simply mis-
apprehension 4 mistake. kissed the lit
tie note and laid it away in my pocket
case, resolved never to think Of it again.
Should l doubt friendship, might not my
faith be SO shattered that would even
come to doubt love also?
Preached the city station at eventide,
and there was Frank Awaiting me, quiet,
self contained us ever, but, oh, 50 glad to
sec mel
my dear boy, what happiness to have
you with me againn he exclaimed. "Aud
how brave and bonny we've grown, to be
sure. Right foot forward aud ON to sue
cess, hey Well, we'll! Oh, fortunate
youth" And tears shone in Franks
eyes, /, too, was moved Who wouldn't
be Indeed by such manifest affection?
"Some Of the fellows are around at
Blang's," said Frank "A nice quiet
place, most respectable We might join
them for awhile and renew old times"
Agreed. We went and spent such u jolly
evening Of song and reminiscence and
good cheer! But the next morning when
awoke with such a dizzy head there was
Frank, cool and alert, pegging away at his
desk
Il must do it, " he said apologetcally.
"rhank your stars you're not tortoise
and take another doZe. ~
The next day | started briskly at my
studies, determined to master the law
For weeks Frank and | worked steadily
|
me, for felt was doing my duty and
pleasing Ruth The little note didn't dis
| turb me / never referred to it in my daily
letters. My present course seemed its best
answer. After awhile, though came in
| terruptious. Our merry friends OF the first
| evening began to drop into our rooms.
| believed that most of them were not pru-
dent companions, and told Frank so.
YOU'RE right" he replied. "Still,
they re such dear good fellows. A little
reckless perhaps, but it's mere froth, and
beneath is worthy substance. Because We
are fixed we mustn't bepharisaical, Ralph.
| We owe duty to our old comrades, don't
you think?'
did think and with shame. How open
and manly Frank was in every way! Sc
evenings there was apt to be ioyial gath
ering in our rooms. No one would be SC
jolly, SO full Of suggestions Of sport d,
Frank, until suddenly he would clutch hi,
hair with mock gravity and shout
Now clear cut, you fellows, every ont
of you. Ralph can 90 with YOU. He take,
to the law like duck to water, but am tn,
piowmau who must llod his weary way.
Aud OF we'd 20, at heart quite sorry fol
Frank.
One day he said to ne, noticing that
was yawniuS over my books as l haC
yaWued much of late:
'How's the epic, Ralph"
There's no need Of ridiculing il, - re
piled rather sharply. You know very
well what | hope some day to do-'The
Adventures of Alyarado, in heroic verse
Doubtless it will never see light, but re
specJ its prenatal condition.
MY dear boy, don't ESQ touchy Yor
wrong me. You know what faith haY,
in your genius. want you to takeup TIM.
subject in all seriousness. Let me do til,
bOning; you can achieve success in a leap.
''Or fall in the ditch"
cor wake some morning like Byron t
find yourself famous"
But the lectures, the examining, thu
moot courts. What would Ruth thinl
should neglect these obligations?"
"What would she think should you re
ceive your due and be hailed as America
laureate before you are 25? 'Tis woman
truly who clings to the young knight anC
entreats him to stay from the wars bu
when he returns glorious she is the first t
crown MIN. be8Ides law is so natural n
you. You know that your Judgment ex
Ceeds your industry. You can readily
make up the work Of a quarter in fort
night. But the profession will never b,
even an incident to you, believe me. NJ
man will grub if he can fly"
Oh rare and beautious vision that ros,
before me! The little cottage with Ruth il
the quiet university town, the delightful
toll in the study, With Ruth bymy side a
an inspiration; the society Of the cultured
the praise Of the worthy
Surprise her, suggested Frank.
Aye, would IwOuld refine the gold 0
my intellect. / tossed Justinian into
corner behind the lounge, and there he la
until the dust was az thick as his age nigh
warrant. Thereafter l dreamed an
dreamed until / was aroused.
How careful Frank was Of my moods, 70
Of course became moody He taught IN
that poet must be child of impulse
not a man Of habit; that when the spiri
moved him he must drive his thought
, until Iuey tOJJeIeu from WEAKNESS, DuJ eS
Cept when that mysterious spell settled h
must suffer them to recruit in apparen
idleness. He led me to believe-oh, so eas
ily-that l, poor /, indeed was as one sc
apart and chosen, not answerablo TO tn
call Of duty nor accountable to foibles.
lie would instance Horace and Dryde
and Chatterton and Savage and Shelle
, and Byron. Byron especially he consit
cred my prototype, and / was dolt enoug
to think so too, "Ilcrc, you fellows!" h
would cry "take Ralph out Of this rus
for hurroh. Pegasus wings are drooI
ing" And the lively, generous hearte
lads would oil the downward grade wit
, sincere adulation.
l did work feyerishly, unnaturally, tuu
, ing night into day and burning the cand
, at both ends. became nervous, irritabl,
OyerwrouRht but each manifestation wa
greeted az proof of the divine afllatu
which filed me grew careless Of my aI
, pearance. My collar was rolled back, IN
hair disheyeled-- what an egregiou
f asst
; As for money, disdained it as dros
, When | had it, flung it broadcast, bit