Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-07-24
PRIVATE TUCKER.

- -
He was "a plain man, with a plain
name. Before William Tucker, ESQ,
became known to the world of men he
had been a plain boy, very good, very
tender hearted and very much in earnest
about nothing in particular. Smaller
boys checked him with impunity and
made him fag for them; bigger boys
simply ignored him. Grown to man
hood, there was but little change in
him. His juniors snubbed him and vot-
ed him a fool; his seniors for the most
part imposed upon him. He submitted
to il all with the best possible grace,
glad only to be taken notice of in any
way and apparently considering that it
was the only thing he could expect.
Then, as though life itself, as it stood,
did not hold sufficient bitterness for
him, he fell in love.
He must have known from the very
first that it was all hopeless and that it
could at the best only disturb his peace
of mind. But he went on nevertheless
in his own dull, stupid fashion, content
only to touch her hand occasionally, to
ktN a Bull VI HtGbllu laAG IL lIOLl utIs
1t is probable that there was no thought
of any future in his mind.
He would turn up quite unexpectedly
at any place to which he knew she would
be going. He would linger about nerv-
ously and unhappily in corners, so that
he might have the opportunity of look
ing at her. He seemed to ask for moth
ing more.
He would carry parcels and run mes
sages for the pretty child-she was but
little more-and considered himself
well paid if he received only q smile in
return.
Once she was i'll, and he scarcely left
the house in which she lay until she
was well again. Ho haunted it by day.
He fingered about aimlessly at night.
He ruined himself by his lavish pur-
chases of flowers and dollhouse fruit.
When at last one summer day he was
told that she was convalescent, and that
she would sec him, he felt that heaven
was within sight.
He was shown out into a garden,
where she was seated in a great chair,
with all her delicate beauty thrown into
stronger relief by the white bearskin rug
against which she leaned.
She looked so pale and weak that, if
anything could have increased his love
for her, her appearance alone would
have done it.
"You have been very kind, Mr.. Tuck
en-, " she said in a low voice, land l am
very grateful. You have done so much
for me, and your flowers have been with
me every day"
There were tears in her brown eyes as
she finished speaking and held out her
hand to him. Then it was that William
Tucker made the one chief mistake Of
his life, and, in stammering ~utterances,
tried TO tell her of the emotion which
possessed him. But she staid him with
a light hand upon his lips.
II am more grateful oven than be-
fore, " she said slowly, "but you offer
me a gift which i cannot accept. l can
not tell you how sorry l am or how
much / believe in all that you have told
me. But / love another man, and l love
him very dearly"
He was silent for a few moments,
standing there with his eyes cast upon
the ground like a scolded schoolboy.
But he looked up at last, with some
thing of a smile breaking across the
whiteness of his face.
II might have known, " he said slow
ly. II might have known, above all
things, that it is not for such a man us
l am to snatch so great a prize. l might
have known that il was tho best and
wisest thing for me to remain only your
friend-only your faithful dog, who
may try to be of service TO you some
times. Can you forgive me sufficiently
to let me still hold that place in your
thoughts?"
al shall hope that You win be my
very good friend always, Mr.. Tucker, "
she said gently. Il am TO marry Lieu
tenant Lacey. l should have told you
before"
believe me, / q nm very glad, T" he re-
piled. II am only "a dull dog, but l
should DO a poor sort Of fellow indeed if
l did not appreciate your kindness and
your confidence"
Thereafter the dull, stupid, common
place man showed so delicate "A tact and
was also so cheerfully generous 10 the
man who had taken the place he had
hoped to occupy that she grew to have
a regard for him that was almost like
that Of a younger sister for a brother in
whom she implicitly believed and trust
cd. For his part he was proud of tho
position and would not have lost II for
anything else that The world might ~