Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-17
under the vicious wheels one leg wa.
found to be severed near the bin.

\ lOulQ NC CCttl<o ACai WIG UP 81
They took him to the hospital arf
for two days and a night he did no.b.
ing but begged to be killed.
skill me ana put me out OF m,
paint" he cried, and then: Kill me-
and let me be ri. OF myself! l can't
live to be a burden on others. I'll te O.
no use to anyone nowi No one will
want mel" And suddenly he realized
the folly OF building his house Of love
on the sands. He had counted on his
physical attractions 10 persuade his
love. and now he was MANNED, ineffec.-
i've, piteous thing, "Avicei Avleel
Avicei" He callea through the night,
half in delirium.
He remembered the words she whis-
pered to him in their happiest hours
those hours of enchanting folly TO
which the world cedes lovers the right.
No one is so strong as you, dearest.
You are like a god among other men.
What a pity we are not early Chris
tiansl / should so like to be saved
from a devouring ton by you!" 1t had
been a great jest. Now it was the most
| serious thing In the world TO him.
Well, he wished it was all over! He
wished she would ONE and that he
could speak the words releasing her,
! and see her go out OF the door and
know the supreme pang was past, and
that the time for patience and endur-
ance was at hand. He began to realize
that there were forms of courage de-
I manded which did not involve a trium-
plant body.
Word came finally that Avice wa at
the hospital.
The young lady has been here three
times before. sir" said the attendant.
but the doctor would not allow her to
be admitted. she can remain fifteen
minutes only"
Fifteen minutesi 1t would be long
enough-it would serve.
He set his teeth hard and fixed his
eyes upon the door. The minutes drag
ged along like wounded snakes, ard
| then the door opened and she stood
in it, a bird Of glowing plumage, all
brown and scarlet. Her face was white
with pity, but her eyes shone with
something which was not pity. Richard
would not see this look. He was firm
in his despair. She came softly toward
him opd cank 1oup hy fha had and
laid her cheek against his. For a mo-
ment he permitted himself to enjoy tho
ineffable delight of this embrace. Then
he pushed her away feebly.
The Don it's over the better,
Avice," he said, through his set teeth.
I'D rather say the last word the first
minute and-and know the amputation
was through with, so to speak"
The last word, Dick? Why, you're
going to get well, dearest. The doctor
said there wasn't a doubt o. it. You'll
be we'll in time for our wedding, love.
l asked the doctor If it would be neces-
sary to change the date, and he said he
thought not"
Richard shook his head.
Il know" he said, 81 know. You
are willing to be sacriiclal and all that.
my dearest, but l have no intention OF
letting you. l know what you have
loved in me. You have often told ne,
you know. You have been pleased be-
cause l was taller and stronger than
other men. No people viii, pity ne
l shall be a cripple-an1 they will never
be through with plying you if you mar
ried me. So it's goodbye that we are
to say to-day, and I'd rather if you
don't mind, that it was said quickly"
Il shall never say it, Richard Dun
kirk! I've no desire to commit suicide,
and that is what it would mean to
me. If you don't love me that's an
other matter"
'Oh," he interrupted. 'If I don't
love you!" lie caught her hand and
/ held it as In a wise. She went On:
"Or perhaps you think "a wife will be a
burden. But I'll work, and I'll be
economical, Dick! I'll do anything, so
you won't send me away"
The tears which she had meant to
keep back out of consideration for his.
weakness streamed over her cheeks.
why, you mean it," he cried.
Dearest heart, you mean it! You will
take M as I ANA fragment OF a
man? l thought he hesitated.
sit is hard to say It, but recently I
have feared that you did not find me
%congenial. 4 feared that it was mot
myself you loved but" he blushed.
To have completed the entence would
have been to have said something
which might have been mistaken for
vanity. Avice made a quotation.
IF there is enough of your body left
to hold your soul, l will marry you"
she said.
CRUSHED TO DEATH.