The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-11

| tented. l am happy. Hear me laugh.
| Ha, ha! Who is more contented than
John Hammond the successful man?
1 Success! What a grand word is sue
| cess!"
He lapsed into silence and watched
the flames brighten and fade and
brighten again. Twilight came; the
shadows in the dingy room deepened
and spread. But still he sat gazing into
the fire, his chin in his hand, thinking,
thinking, thinking.
A knock sounded on his door--a timid
knock.
Come in" he said, without looking
up.
The door opened and a woman en-
tered-a delicate, pale-faced woman
dressed in calico, a thin shawl thrown
ly in the gloom.
"Well?" he demanded.
Mr. Hammond" the woman said,
feebly, 81 have come She choked
and hesitated, bowling her head. Il
have come to ask assistance. | have
tried to get along without help; l have
striven to keep the wolf from the
door without asking aims, but can
battle no longer. Hunger and cold.
Mr.. Hammond have driven me here, I
do not ask for myself. I ask for my
children"
AS she spoke she advanced into the
room, and now stood in front of the
man seated in his chair. He raised his
eyes to hers and then sprang to his
feet.
my Cod" he cried. 'Ida!"
Yes" she replied, quietly. Il did
not think il would ever come to this.
John. But have tried so hard since
my husband died-I have tried to pro-
vide for my children, but have failed.
! You do not understand, John. Your
life has been a success, and you can
not realize the anguish of asking for
assistance. But have laid aside
pride, John, and for my children's sake
have come to say that l am in need.
You in need?" he answered. MY
God, Ida, it is you who do not know
what 1t is TO be in need. You say my
life has been a success, but it has been
poor, and you are rich, but you do not
know it,"
He began pacing the floor, his hands
clasped behind his back, his head bow
ed. The woman stood and watched him
in wonder.
II, rich?" she asked.
He paused and faced her.
Ida" he cried, almost fiercely, 'for
one short hour of what you have en-
JOyeu lot years. WOulu give ali my
wealth. / am alone-alone, while you
have dear ones to love you, Ida; you
have dear ones who put their hands in
yours and smile into your face-who
put their arms around your neck and
leave the dew of their kisses on the
flowers of your cheeks. You watch
them in their. play; you bend over
them while they sleep. Their love-that
is the priceless wealth you have; that
is the riches that are far more golden
than are mine. Hunger? Cold. What
| are they--God, what are they, to lone
| liness?'
He paused a moment. Then, taking
| her hand in his. he continued:
Ida, never in my life have l admit
ted l was wrong. But listen. Years
ago, do you remember, we sat together
for the last time under the apple trees
in your fathers orchard, and / asked
to be released from our engagement?
| did not tell you then that l wanted
to be free because I thought that
loved gold better than / did you, and
| that I had determined never to marry.
You did not ask me why. Your pride
kept you from showing the pain that
knew was In your heart, l turned
away from you to seek what l believed
was happiness--to md that which /
believed | loved better than | did you.
But l was wrong; l was wrong, l tell
you. What ! pursued was folly; what
I found was misery. My God, Ida, my
life is empty, desolate. l need you,
I Heaven knows ! need you. Can YOU
can you love me after all these years?'
He held out his hands to her pathet-
ically, and she placed her toE-wOrn,
red hands upon his shoulders and
smiled up into his face.
John" she said. tenderly, 81 have
always loved YOU"
Long after she had gone he sat gaz-
| ing into the fire. And there was a smile
| upon his face.
II am rich" ne said, the ring of
thankfulness in his voice. Il am the
richest, the happiest man on earth!"