Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-26
pencil. He had hoped to do great
things. and others had prophesied them
of him, for he had no little talent. and

OF him, for he had no little talent, and
before he enlisted his clever sketches
had attracted wide attention. Original
and spirited as they were, he and his
brother artists had regarded them as
only the earnest of what was to come.
Nothing will come now" he said to
himself, bitterly. 'All is ended. AT 80
Ihave practically lived my life. l shall
drag out miserable existence on a
beggarly pension. Yet were 1t not for
that pension should starye. Perhaps
1t would be better not to have 1t,
though. I had rather die than live "a
dogs life. with NO work TO do-nothing
to look forward to-"
Tom eyed the passers-by as though in
dream. He saw weary Cooking moth
ers carrying babies, or trundling baby
carts, with other tots, hardly more than
infants, clinging to their skirts.
Bronzed young men and sunburned
girls sped by on their bicycles; lovers
strolled along, oblivious of everything
but their own happiness; and innumer-
able other people, In quest of fresh air
and GOODNESS, sauntered idly past.
Presently young woman, quite diff
ferent from all the rest, came into
view. She was tall, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ing, and faultlessly dressed. She start
ed as she caught sight of the dropping
figure on the bench and turned quickly,
coming impulsively toward him.
"Why, Toni" she cried, holding out
her hand, Il am SO glad to see you.
You have made all your friends proud
Of you. How long have you been
home? Why haven't you been to see
us? You know mother never leaves
town in August. It's one of her hob.
bies that home is the best place in sum-
mer."
Tom had risen awkwardly and taken
her extended. hand. He had not yet
learned to use his left arm gracefully.
He could not speak, although he felt
that she was talking to cover his con-
fusion.
Miss Hunt sat down on the bench, as
naturally as though she had come there
for that purpose, and Tom resumed his
seat.
81 must congratulate you, Miss Hunt.
ON your good fortune" he said at last
II know Of no one who deserves wealth
more than you"
The girl blushed. "Thank you, Tom,
but you didn't answer my question.
why haven't you been to see us?"
30, I'm back number. had better
learn to keep in the background"
"You, a hero! exclaimed Elizabeth.
with shy glance at the empty sleeve.
~, useless man, Miss Hunt; without
profession and almost beggar."
There was a long silence. Tom looked
on the ground, ashamed of the words
almost wlung from him. Elizabeth
stared fixedly before her. keeping back
tears.
'"Tom," she said, with great effort,
do you remember what you asked me
before you went away?'
elizabeth
do .ou remember. Tom, and do you
still love mel"
"Good God! Elizabeth. Don't you see
the difference between us now?"
do you love me, TOMB"
Elizabeth, you torture me-"
you must answer, Tom"
Tom looked at her, his soul in his
eyes.
~ love you better than life," he said
Then he added bitterly: 81 forget; my
life is worth too little for me to put 1t
that way"
"Do-do you-will you-won't you
marry me, Tomi"
You love me, then? Is 1t possible!
It can't be. You are sacrificing your
self because you pity me, Elizabeth.
Do not tempt me. / am still man."
"Tom, you make it hard. could not
talk to you this way unless loved
you" and the girl covered her face with
her hands.
"You are an angel, dear, but cannot
take advantage of your goodness. You
young. happy, wealthy-I, mutilated,
with only my pension, my future blight
ed. should be coward to listen to
you"
II am not happy. l am wretched.
o. why didn't marry you when was
poor7 But thought . wife would