Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-11-29
"A FRZEND!2"

Jack, | want you to stay after my
other guests have gone. | have some
thing to say to you that must be said to-
night"
| Jack Fortescue, a veritable son of
Anak, strong in wind and limb, rich and
| handsome-in short, q mans man and
| woman's idol-was a great contrast to
| the slight and, if understood, graceful
! figure of his friend and host, Lawrence
| Lorraine.
! Shortly after the above conversation
the guests rapidly thinned, and eventually
Larraine was free to join his guest in the
i room which was usually designated Lar
rvs den."
Whatever is the matter, LarryT
queried his friend, anxious to break the
painful and awkward pause.
Jack. tonight ends it. We two have
been friends always-since we were quite
| little chaps at school-let us continue SO
until the end, whatever that may be.
i After years of absence in India you re-
! turned to England rich, to find me mar
| ried to one of the best and prettiest Of
J women We both loved her as boys
! you remember how we wrestled as to
! who was to carry her books home? Dead
! ly in love as | was with my wife, and
/ still am, | know that it always has been
but scantiy returned; but, loving her as
/ | do, | have hoped always that my love
would eventually breed like reciprocal
affection, but now on the day Of the tri-
umph of the school / have founded /
| find that my wife is lost to me forever.
/ Oh, the cruelty of it.''
AS he said this he covered his face in
his hands and groaned aloud in his an
guish After little time, during which
his friend remained silent spectator Of
| his agony, he recovered himself sufficient
ly to continue.
/ "Why-why was l such fool to bring
you to my house? | might have known
| that there could be but one ending to it,
! pretty but unloving wife and hand
some friend"
1--WE could not help it, Larry; we could
| not help it. God help u.s." almost walled
| Fortescue. Il have striven against the
unworthy passion with an almost super
human strength, but neither could help
her seeing it-for women are too acute in
! these matters-and for me not to perceive
that it was returned was well nigh as i'm
! possible Thus far, old friend, have !
| transgressed against the honor OF friend
2
! In words have not spoken, but as surely
as the language of love is not to be
taught so certain is it that we cannot
prevent il declaring itself by actions and,
If we curb them. by some occult means.
Larry, old friend, believe me- | speak
the solemn truth, and nothing but it,
said Fortesque. and, arising from his
chair, he walked over to his friend, and,
holding out his hand, he grasped the one
stretched out to meet his as men do when
| their emotions are too strong for mere
words.
Il understand" said the one.
Thank you," briefly replied the other.
The ensuing silence was a long and a
! painful one for both men, and when it
was broken at last by the husband For
tescue sighed with relief.
! Jack, it must end tonight. | cannot
endure the strain. | blame myself most.
! for had | paused to consider I might
have known that your calf love was as
likely to develop into u mans passion as
/ my own. Oh, that ! could have foreseen
+ this day and the awful consequences Of
| the marriage of the three of usp'
II will go back to India, Larry" ex-
/ claimed Fortescue, "and then you may
| possibly gain your wife's affection"
"No, Jack: it is / that must go some
where, anywhere. but | must leave you
two to come together" replied his friend.
Il cannot stoop to compromise myself
and let the divorce court effect the sepa-
| ration. | would rather kill myself Yes,
that would be a merciful ending to it.
| To make an end at once both of trouble
and life III do if"
| Larry, you must not talk in that aw-
full fashion," said Fortescue but in a
| strange, cool voice that showed that he
| thought that such an event would not
| cause him an irremediable sorrow. LET
me say good night, and perhaps cooler
| thoughts tomorrow may enable us to
! find, if not Il modus yiyendi, at any rate
Il more satisfactory way out Of it than
the death of one of u.s."
| A strange change seemed to have come
| over the two men. The one physically
strong seemed to be becoming morally
the weaker and vice versa
Good night, Larry; take good stiff
| peg before turning in and perhaps you
| may sleep somewhat decently. Good
| night"
As he turned toward the door he saw
| the window curtains separate and Mrs.
Lorraine step out from their shelter into
! the room. AT sign from her he stood
| Still.
| "Lawrence," she said in a quiet voice
MARY" was the surprised eXclama-
| tion. Where have you been and what
| have you heard?"
Il have heard everything" she replied
II heard you ask Mr.. Fortescue to wait
| after the others, and | have heard all
| the rest. Perhaps" she continued, ''as
| one of the interested persons | may be
| allowed to have voice in the matter, us,
| however it may concern you men, ii con-
Germs me equally il not to a greater de
| gree"
YES, Mary" said the husband "you
| are right; you can settle it. If you love
| Jack, | can go out of your lives and-but
| why waste words? ] know you do. |
saw it in your face as he entered the
room tonight
Lawrence" said his wife, 81 confess
| must have loved Jack always, but until
he returned from India i thought it was
dead But it did not die until tonight.
Perhaps that loving look which you OBJ
served was the last dying flicker of it, rs
since ! have seen that your unselfish
thought was only for my happiness and
your friends calIous acquieschnce to your
suicide-for he knew that you would kill
YOURSELF now know that / have wor-
SHIPPED an idol of clay when might have
devoted my attentions to worthier OBJ
ject. Let no man put asunder,' said the
priest at our wedding, and don't intend
they shall
Jack Fortescue went to India-Scot-
tish Life.