Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-12-09
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Lies Possibilities
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uniformed attendants new mere ana
there in breathless haste, walters and l
''omnibusses" lowered distractedly I
about the flower-bedecked tables in the
grand dining salon and the palm gar
den, and through the rich corridors
flowed ceaseless stream of elegant
women in trailing sill0en gowns and
prosperous-looldng men in Tuxedos or
swallow-tail coats cut to reveal dazzling
segments OF shirt front
The riot of luxury, feasting and en-
joyment was at its height when two
men met in the Objective men of 40
or whereabouts, with that indefinite air
of self-conscious power that marks the
successful business man.
by the gods, if it isn't Ned Frink!"
exclaimed the taller of the two. stop
ping suddenly with outstretched hand.
"rellerl" cried the other, joyfuily,
selling the proffered hand. I'm glad
to see you. old mani"
In another moment the two, seated
IN a couple of big throne-likc leather
chairs which the Astor millions have !
provided for the purpose of at once |
comforting and impressing the hotel |
patrons. and were giving an account
of themselves in true American fashion.
They had not seen each other since
15yenrs before they had separated after
four years OF intimate companionship
at fresh-water college to go out and
seek their fortunes, after the impetu-
Gus fashion of western youth
"You have prospered, l hear" said
Frink, land have become an out-and-
out New Yorker in fact and senti-
ment."
.Oh. I've had my ups and downs" re-
piled Teller, with a little laugh, but
I'm on top now. AS for being con-
hrmed New Yorker, well, Mrs. Teller,
like most eastern women, doesn't care
for the west We've never even done
the conventional trip TO California. She
prefers crossing the pond when we
travel"
In the last words was all the COM
placency of the man who has had a
hard fight of it and won, but Frank
easily forgave the little touch of van
ity. He had been through it all him
self.
Then, there's Mrs- Teller" he said,
smiling.
"Oh, yes, and Jack Teller the sec
ond," replied the other. You must
see that boy, Ned"
II want to-" said Frink, but some
thing wistful in his Voice struck his
friend.
ard you," he asked. quickly. Sure
lyyou've not remained single, my boyY'
1--WE never married" was the briei
reply.
"Why, you're the very fellow to have
a romance. I should think" went OF
Teller. You used to be a sentimental
chap at college. always writing verses
and ali that"
Frank laughed
Eyes, had my romance" he said.
''Well, I'm sorry it doesn't seem t
have had happy ending" said Teller
sincerely. "a wife is a great help L
a man. I'd like to tell yOu before yo'
meet her. he went on, bending for
ward earnestly, what mine has don
for me. She's made man of me an'
proved that was worth the job. She
been more than a wife to me. She's bee
my good, honest, loyal chum- Their
are not many men who can say tina
of their wives"
mo, / fancy not" assented Frinl
smiling.
she had of. the ways man feels, an IL
experienced girl like her." proceede
the other. You see she was stenol
rapher in our Office when / first ms
her, and / fell in love with her at firi
sight, almost. I'd made little pill
and when we were married though
things were coming pretty much IN
way. But hard times settled in and
lost everything. For long time it WI
hard work to get bread and butter, b.
that girl stood by me through thiC
and thin. When 1 was sick for We:
with rheumatism she went back to G
flee work and kept me and the boy Wi
what she earned, with never wol
of complaint or regret through it a
/ tell you, my boy, she's got the stu
in her that heroes are made of. Goo
ness knows where she got it, that cou
age of hers. 1 never asked her abo
her family, and she's not one to ia
much. but / fancy they were ordina
enough. l believe she came from sor
little town in New York state, and
know she never had anything much
her life But now the struggle is ov
and 1 can give her about what S
wants. thank God. l tell you, Ned, {
-H-s~-sry ~
pity you let one disappointment sp
your life. There's nothing so swe
ems existence as the cOmpanionship
a good woman"
And nothing poisons it like a
one" said Frink, bitterly.
But surely the good ones outnamt
the bad. Forgive me, Ned, but isn't
rather narrow to let one woman pre-
dice you against the whole sex2
course, don't know your story
ITS not pleasant" said the otl