The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-22
On a Pa TX Bench.

coin Park, a picture of dependency.
! Only q few days before he had been dis
charged from the hospital after being
invaded home from the Philippines.
I His brief soldier career was over. but
/ he could not return to his beloved pro-
fession, for his right sleeve hung empty
at his side. Never more could he wield
brush or pencil He had hoped to do
great things, and others had prophesiad
them of him, for he had no little talent,
and before he enlisted his clever
sketches had attracted wide attention.
I 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
T himself. ''All is ended. AT so l have
practically lived my life. I shall drag
out miserable existence on a beggarly
pension. Yet were it not for that pen
sion / should starve. Perhaps it would
be getter not to have it, though. I had
rather die than live dogs life, with
no work to do-nothing to look forward
to-
Tom eyed the passers-by as though in
a dream. He saw weary-Iooking mothers
carrying babies, or tdundling baby carts,
with other tots. hardly more than in
fants, elinging to their skirts BronZed
young men and sunburned girls sped on
their bicycles; lovers strolled along, OBJ
livious OF everything but their own hap
piness; and innumerable other people, in
quest of fresh air and GOODNESS, sounter-
ed idly past.
Presently a young woman, quite differ
ent from the rest, came into view. She
was tall, MISUNDERSTANDING, and
faultlessly dressed. She started as she
caught sight of the dropping figure on
the bench and turned quickly, coming
impusively toward him.
"Why, Toni che cried, holding out
her hand, 81 am so glad to see you. You
have made all of your friends proud of
you. How long have You been home?
know mother never leaves town in
August. It's one of her hobbies that
home is the best place in summer"
Tom had risen awkwardIy 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 confusion.
Miss Hunt sat down on the bench, as
naturally as though she had come there
for that purpose, and Tom resumed his
seat.
Unjust congratulate you, Miss Hunt.
on your good fortune" he said at last.
81 know Of no one who deserves wealth
more than you"
but you didn't answer my question. Why
haven't you been to see us?''
go, I'm a back number. I had better
learn to keep in the background
you, a heroi" exclaimed Elizabeth,
with a shy glance at the empty sleeve.
st, a useless man, Miss Hunt; without
a profession and almost a beggar."
There was a long silence. Tom looked
or the ground, ashamed of the words
ALMOST wrung from him. Elizabeth star
ed fxedly before her, keeping back
tears.
"Tom," she said, with great effort, ''do
you remember what you asked me be-
fore you went away?"
Elizabeth"
do you remember, Tom, an6 do you
still love me?"
Good God. Elizabeth, don't you see
the difference between us now?''
do YOU love me. TOMB
Elizabeth you torture me-"
"You must answer me, 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 it
that way"
"Do-do you-will you-won't you
lnarlv me. Tom?"
''You love me. then? Is 1t possible?
It can't be. You are sacrificing yourself
tecaOse you pity me, Eliza beth. 10 not
temnt me. I am still a man"
tom, You make 1t hard. I could not
talk to you this way unless I 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. I should be a coward to listen to
you"
II am not happy. am wretched O.
why didn't l marry you when 1 was
poor But thought wife would ham
per you in your art. I believed so in
your future and would not for worlds
nave held you back from success
The man rose from his seat, forcing
himself to be calm. Il must leave you,
Elizabeth. You tempt me past endur-
lnce."
You are dreadfully unkind, Tom.
It's mean for you 10 tell me that I am
can't help it. It's your
'ault. What made you make me love
you so? And stately Miss Hunt burst
nto tears, regardless of a hundred spec
ators.
Utterly aghast. Tom sat down and en-
to comfort her. In ten minutes
ime he was her abject slave, and they |
lad pledged thei rtroth.
AS they left the park Elizab beth de- /
cended from the heights 80 Tom"
he cried suddenly what must all those |
people have thoucht Of me?"
Darling" said her happy lover odd !
-ou never hear of being alone In a /
rowd? Each little group was busy with !
Is own tragedy or comedy" -Chicago /
/