The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1901-12-27


and now at 81. sick. broken-spirited
hopeless. and almost penniless. he lookes
what he was. dispirited. hesrt-brokeI
man. old before his time.
Five years ago he had sent Msrvis
Belknap her freedom. He was prous
as well ~ an humble man. and wouls
not ask her TO accept poverty; for ever
then he was losing hope. Since then hs
had heard of her falling heir TO largs
fortune. and later OF a trip abroad. Only
| a short time ago, when the Big Penny
seemed 10 offer hattering prospects. be
fore his Illness. be had seen Boston
newspaper which mentioned. her as being
present 1T some social furNuon at the
Hub. and she was still unmarried. He
had dared hope little then. Ii the Big
Penny should turn OUT Welt She had
loved him once. and she was still unmar-
ried. But now
He grosaed aloud and his quivering
lips whispered brokenly:
'Marvia. Marvis.'
1t was Christmas eve Chinatown was
all abla.e with light. The glare OF the
electric lights mingled with the more
subdued Eight OF innumerable Chinese lam
terms presented striking. fantastic scene
as quaint and novel to unaccustomed
eyes as il was picturesque.
A gay party of Eastern tourist. visit
ing San Francisco were STUNNING" in
Chinatown.
-Oh. Marvia. do look at that odd little
mite Of humanity" cried bright-faeed
girl as a toddling Chinese baby. gorgeous
in magnificent attire. was led past by his
proud mother.
A tall woman wrapped in silks and fur
turned With swift smile at the impetu-
Gus exclamation and said In a sweet.
well-modulatsd voice;
lie 10 an odd little mite. certainly"
At her words 4 man, shabby 10 the last
degree. standing in the shadow OF the
Chinese thsater. started suddenly and
leaned forward The light fell full upon
his white face and smaciated form He
tremblsd violently and involuntarIly
stretched out his hand A passionate
hunger burned in hi. sunken eyes Sud
denly he withdrew his hand and shrsnk
ed with pain.
'Marv.ar' he whispered. but It was
only a whisper. s ti
What is it. Maryis, You look as il
you had seen a ghost cried the bright
faced girl Ia astenishment- go !
But Msrvia Belknap did not heed the
eusstio~- Her eyes werc dark with exrI
citsmsr, and her face white TO the lips. |
ahs pusn<d her friends hand aside rana
stepped within ths shadow OF the thea
TER. ste
Philip she cried In a low voice.
But che man who had stood there but
a moment before had vanished
PHILIP Bronson dragged himself wear
is up she rickety stairs to his wretehed. |
room. A week before he had 1
tr1fted aimIessly to San Francisco. where
4 relapse Of his illness had taken his lit I
70 remaining strength and money. And
tonight he had looked into heaven-one
brief lo,k, and then. like the brave man
hat he was. he had turned resolutely 1
away from it, He had not heard that
,ry, he had not seeu the tenderness ia the
yes OF ;he only woman he had eyer loved.
lie had only seen her in her beauty. pros
,erous. sappy and beloved. while he was
IN outcsst- rs
How long and steep the stairs werel
lie clirioed on YEARLY. hopeless look
u his rres. His face was set and pitt
III. He entered his room aud threw him
elf on the bed. Suddenly he gave
nirthIe~. laugh. II
1T is Bronson's luck again." he NUT
cred. rrd fell into weak sobbing-the
obs OF heart-broken man.
He did not hear the steps on the stairs
or the sound Of low voices outside, nor
id he know. that the door was pushed
oftly cpen- He did not hear the rustic
I siIken garments on the bare floor. as
wom.n with the divine compassion of
ngels sr her face. and great lighr OF /
we shining in her eyes, CROSSED the room.
A moment later she was on her knees
y the led.
Phil Pr she whispered
He started and turned in amazement {
lis fare worked piteously. and a cry
roke from him, a cry OF lore. humilia- t
on. shame and longing. c
"Marvia, II saw you'll could not o
ay-
He broke off suddenly. the tears rolled n
,wn hts shrunken face. "
She took his hand and held it tightly, 7
Grid OF tenderness and reproach in her a
es.
How could you run away from me, a
hilip? Did you not know I wouId fol.
W you? Why have you not allowed g
e to know where you were-thst you
ere iii and in trouble? Why did ron
We me back my freedom? | did not $,
k for it." az
FL failed in everything. Marvia.' . he
id chpkingly. II was always in hard
tx. | had nothing to offer you. am al
hopeless failure. But-thank heavea- 1T
have teen you once more. Marvia-and v
W, dear, I thank you for coming. but II
cannot accept yonr pity" I'll
She bent over him suddenly, and put al
Ig her arms about him. drew his bead OF
her srezst- e stsfe ~ re