Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-07-18

THE BETTER MAN |
by Gilbert Dayle.
Tr WAS a perfect moonlight night.
by Gilbert Dayle.


TT WAS a perfect moonlight night,
and two people were slowly pacing
secluded path in the grounds OF the
narncomhc Clin hotel The man was
about 95 years Of age, powerfully built
with strong, good face and
hronzcd complexion, His companion
was young and rediantly pretty girl
not more than 81,
They strolled for some moments In
silence. Tho man, with his hands
thrust deep Ia the pockets of his jack.
ct, was thinking hard. thinking OF the
thing that had happened To him.
He was In love in love with the girl
who was walking SO calmly by his
side. And il could have no result 1t
was mposSihlcl
They had come TO scat on the oliif,
and the girl touched him lightly on
the arm. lie awokc from his rcverie
with a start
"Shall we sit down FOR moinontp"
she said "You haven't told me half
OF what want 10 know. yeti"
lie dropped into tho seat by her
side. Below them was the sea, It's rip
pling surface gllttering under the light
~ the moon.
you can't think" she continued,
smiling at him frankly, how dread.
fully nervous | was when Cyril told
me you were coming 60 England"
Dalycll forced a smile.
Had he drawn such a terrible pic.
ture of me, then2"
"oh. mo- lie Is very proud Of you
proud Of what you have done. but |
though, that perhaps She hesi.
tatcd, and hcr eyes fcll on her engage.
ment ring, "that perhaps you would
not approve " his choice"
\ sudden cold feeling crept over
him,
"Who could help loving him9" she
cried. eagerly. "llc is SO cnes 50
clever. 81 handsome" She paused.
"Wcrent you pleased, after all these
years, 10 find him as he iss'
Her face. sparkling with cnthusl-
asm, was turned appealugly 10 him,
lie hooked at her for a second. then
pulled himself together and lied
bravely,
"Nes; he ia = brother any man would I
be glad 20 owni" he said, in voice I
that seemed strange TO him.
She did not notice Il, however. Her
checks were flushed, and she laughed 1
softly.
Il didn't know the world held such I
happinessl" she said, in a low tone
As whatG" lie could Rot resist the /
question.
THE JOY % being loved by Cyril and /
the prospect Of being his wifel" she 4
said, proudly.
lie turned his face away. that she |
misAi not see the bitter look that had |
cropt 10 It, Years ago, when hardly /
more than boy, he had gone abroad 4
he had worked hard. was clever, and, /
best of all. lucky In few wears his |
means were considerable, and. his faith. /
er dying, he had made an allowance
81 some hundreds year to his aunt /
FOR the purpose ~ educating his young.
er brother. With these funds he was
sent 90 college, but his career there
was not particularly hrilnaat Then
IL was discovered that he had a crav-
ing Tor art, and he was given the best
opportunities nalycll. TO whom
money Was now hut a secondary ob.
leeL gocd'nstured)y continued the 81.
lowsnce Occasionally Cyril wrote en-
thusiasiio letters about his progress
but they always contained request
for more money, and nalyell sitting
alone in his bungalow some thousands
Of miles away, would smile contemptu.
ously and sign a check.
Immediately on landing. Cyrl had
insisted on dragging him down %
narncomhe. where Nadcc Escoit 90
whom he had lately become engaged.
and her aunt were staying They had
been together a day or two. then C,rl /
had gone 90 london 90 execute a com
mission FOR a portrait, leaving him he.
hind, and TOR ten days he had prsc.
ucally been alone with her She fcIt Z
that Cyril had lcfi him iu her care.
and had devoted all her time toh.m.
and This had been The result he had
fallen msdly 10 lcse with her'
May 7 tcl you q secrrte"
he gave slight start as her gentle .
voice ttn on Dis ears. Tie turned Als
head, and saw a shy ,mlc had crspi
over her pure youDc face.
DO" Ae said With an effort
"tNrl ssiJ last week" she went on.
that he Is making so much money
at his painting that DC want, tAe mar.
rage to De neat month";"
Re teu slight ,A.vcr run through
him. His brother vas Wing even Ia
her, Re kucv very vrU that h.s earn.
ings from his hru>a formed hut The
slightest part of DIS Iucomc par the
rest he was dependent upon him
"Nou Wlll of course. Dc his best
man" she cried. cByN. and vsuw
have % coms and stay Nth us-ycry.
very oreni"
ns,ycu made up his mind.
u am very sorry, " De began. haluUc-
y. "Rut I'm afraid shah not hs
able 10 stop Cor the marriage"
her eyes opened u sma4cment
"Noi stop Cor thc marrlAceg- ,At
repeated "WNy""
he hcVtAtc5 for moment then
faced hcr reeaigtely
81 hnd , shan have to 81. back DO
India" he saio between A> teeth
There are a Dot 80 Important .h.HF,
10 D. seen t1 ans u.H". n... ......
to leave next week" Dc tu..hra
Ahrupty
he saw her face sl,as v.tA d.sap
poiutmrDt
q bad been hoping sr.... sse De.
gan. then she broke - v.th a. ,ry sf
surprise WAY heres C,1s" she s