The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-09-24
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tCopyrtght. 1896. by J. B. uppineost Col

tory does not always rest with the
strongest. l wish, sir, you could trus,
ire. My friendship is worth having
Give me your word, Mr.. Livingston, that
you will not smirch my character. and
make me your friend for life"
The oily smoothness of his tones dis
gusted me, and answered, roughly:
"Your friendship, Demetrius, has no
value in my eyes. And tell you frank
ly that one night will make no breach
standing here shall tell Mr.. Gerard the
truth the very first thing tomorrow
morning."
$50 be it," he answered, sullenly.
Watched him as he strode to the boat,
q stately figure, but personality that
aroused in me nothing but distrust and
aversion. He united the painter, pushed
OF from the shore. pulled across the
marrow channel, made fast the boat to
the post, and entered the house. Then
/ swung upon my heel and walked
rapidly away.
Mark Gerard, found, had not left the
dining-room. He had sat there smok-
ing cigar after cigar, and the air was
fectos. The contrast between the salt
breeze from the ocean and the overpow-
ering atmosphere of that close dining
room was no more salient, perhaps, than
the adherence between the Hugo Living
Eton of n week ago and the tired, distrac-
ed individual of to-day. l accepted a
cigar, in self-defense, and q chair.
well, my friend. you've seen Deme-
trius?"
'Yes."
Hes not quite the coward you
thought, eh? I told you-didn't I?-
that was a coward myself, and can
recognize the symptoms in others.
Demetrius does not know the meaning
of the word fear"
THAT remains to be proved"
'Just so. VIII you give him the
chance, and take my people to Europe?
and Mark as you can 1 should think
you'd jump at such an opportunity"
"You are very generous, sir"
"Of course l am. like you, Hugo. 1
recognize in you the qualities which 1
lack myself-strength, courage, infiexi-
bility. 80 it's settled, eh ?"
'I'm at your service, Mr.. Gerard"
"And can use you to the best of ad-
vantage. 1 like to use men. And pay
them Handsomely. There is Demetrius."
"He must have grown rich in your
service; and yet"
$ Speak out. And yet-what?"
''He hns brains" said, land he might
have aspired to be something more than
your mere servant"
HE aspired, once, to be my partner.
Lucky for him that chose another
man."
waited, and the explanation came.
between puffs of smoke:
II educated Demetrius to assist me in
my business. was not 30 when 1
found him running barefoot in New
York; but I recognized at once in him
those qualities and faculties which,
properly trained, bring man to the
front. But Demetrius proved too smart,
much to my disappointment, and had
to show him his place. We were at
Black Gulch then; and was engaged in
the most extensive mining operations.
Demetrius was my right bower, but he
continually overstepped instructions.
He thought he knew il all-eh? Well,
had to have partner; a man whom I
could talk to and control; a CONSERVE
tive man, who would furnish the motive
power, the running here and there, ard
let me do the planning in peace. Such
n fellow was right to my hand-poor
Ferdinand Perkins. It must haze been
p heavy disappointment to Demetrius,
but he stood it like Trojan. Then came
-
lowed. Demetrius himself applied for
his present post, which he has kept. As
you say, he's a rich man. He has no
kick coming"
glanced at my watch and rose.
II sit with Burlington tonight, Mr..
Gerard"
"Yes, yes" He WINGED at the mans
name. Il don't envy you. Well, I'll
60 to bed. Tomorrow 1 shall spend
with Mark"
His softened tones as he finished the
sentence provoked the exclamation:
"You're devoted father, Mr.. Gerard"
He sighed.
II live again, Hugo, in the person of
my child. I've had n hard life-plenty
Of shadow, lad, and little sunshine. I've
peeped into most things and found them
hollow. Even my love for Mark. as you
know, has been my greatest joy and my
greatest misery. Good night
l pitied him profoundly as / walked
upstairs. Community of suffering, ac-
corsiing TO George Eliot, is the root Of
risy; and, smartipg beneath the knowI-
edge that Nancy could never he mine,
realizing that life without her would
prove saltless and sterile, could put
myself in the place Of Mark Gerard ana
say with him, all is vanity.
What paradox the man was! What
bundle Of contrasti He possessed in
many material respects q mind Of the
largest scope-and also Of the smalleet
- mind at once of the finest and