Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-17
AWCE.


anu Two lANAtC III LILO GSc~
and could. without effort, expand his
chest Ave and a half inches. he was
not not sure quite how much he could
lift. how long he could run nor how
strong a man he could throw, because
his experience was naturally limited,
living as he did, in the heart Of a city,
where the proves of s~elishness n
greed and the ability to grind were the
things which counted. He had never
forded a river nor climbed a mountain,
nor faced the wilderness. He had never
killed a wild beast. He went his quiet
way from the house to the Office on a
warmed and lighted train, he pushed
an electric button when he wanted any
service performed, n was prevented
at every turn from showing that he was
at all superior to the common run OF
men.
But he felt that this superiority ex-
listed. He was always expecting that his
moment would come, and then he
would utilize the yet INFESTED strength
and courage which were his. He a
no doubt that he would yet know the
thrill which heroes feel. And without
being vain, it would have been impos-
sible for him to have been unconscious
of the great beauty of his face and
frame. When he swung down the
street men envied him for his vigor.
when he played cricket, or tennis or
golf. he knew Just as we'll as II he had
been told, that he did it with a nerve
which other men stroye in vain to iml-
tate. and which brought the admira-
ton of the women frankly into their
eyes.
He reckoned on this beauty and
strength and grace to help him to win
the love of Avice Ingersoll, and cursed
the fate which made the modern WOO
ing tame and dull. Why was he not
privileged to win this lovely girl by the
exercise of courage and skill? Had he
chosen his century better he might
have had her hand as the trophy or
successful joust. AS it was, there was
nothing from which he might even
protect her. The comfortable, we'll
ordered, lawful time, with its ingenuity
and wealth, was her shield and buckler
her strong tower and fortress. He had
nothing to do but tamely ask for her
hand, which she gave with perfect read
mess. He was deprived even of the
excitement Of overcoming her resist
ance. Truly it was a plant age!
Moreover, everyone approved or the
engagement. 1t was impossible to make
an emotional drama out OF the simple
comedy. They loved, they were en-
gagged, they were congratulated. ma
irons consulted Avice about her inten-
tions as to a menage, girls gave her
l%uncheons, fellows entertained him at
bachelor breakfasts, and when Av1ce
and he were together she talked about
her trousseau, or he planned their we'd
ding Journey. The stress of passion
the exquisite pain Of parting-he de-
sired nothin more of course than one
of those tentative partings which lovers
in search of emotion affect-were all
denied him.
At first it was a pleasure for hin to
know that Avice intensely admired his
physical attraction. If she was vexed
at him he had only to exercise a little
patience and she had forgiven him for
the sake of his smile, and because OF
that astounding, triumphant strength
of his, expressing itself in the outlines
and in movements of grace and power.
He attired himself very carefully, and
selected amusements which would make
his vigor conspicuous. and he fed on
the admiration of the girl he loved as
a bee feeds on honey.
The wedding drew nea and it seemed
as if the world Of material things was
giving the lovers the best it could.
Richard %prospered and built a home,
and within furnished it with glowing
colors. Presents were showered upon
them. The two appeared to be sub
merged in the pleasures of palpable
things-house, furnishings, garments.
plate, crystal-all of these beautiful
creations were theirs, and there seemed
to be no time to think Of anything
else.
The autumn came hard after sum
mer, and drove her breathless over the
stricken hills. Almost before the
grapes were ripe that year the frost
came. So it happened that one norm
ing when Richard was going to his
work he slipped on the inclined side
walk leading from the train yard to
the street and rolled under the engine
of one of the suburban trains The
b~ystanders were actually i~ncredulous
for a second. The man had been SC
-1- o-l all o-l