Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-03-27
TRACK OF THE FIRE.
by JULIA TRUIT BISHOP.

The elder of the two men was still
young, but something had crossed his
face as a fire crosses a forest. sweep
ing but the lines and the looks that
had been. The younger was bright,
sb1pyant, self-satisfed. in love with
himself and the world. The elder
had a newspaper in his hand, and he
ceaselcssly rolled and unrolled it, with
an intentness that might have been
given to the calculation of eclipses or
to the evolving Of new systems Of
philosophy. The younger leaned lazi-
ly back in his chair with his hands
clasped behind his head
was good Of you, Howard, to
hunt me up as soon as you came back
to the city" the elder said for the
third time. 81 have missed you'll
have needed the old eompanionship-
l-somehow, / have seemed to be
Tther-rather alone, of late years"
There was hesitation in his speech
hat the other found very curious.
you've been sticking to the office
close, Morrison" he said, kindly.
VI course ambition, and building
IS self up, and hard work, and all
I are all right, but you've overdone
thing. It's taking good deal out
1ou."
sWintry smile flickered around the
tof the elder man, as he unfolded
paper and looked at it critically,
then carefully rolled il again.
Ambition" he said. "Yes-I
d to. be ambitious, didn't I?-and
.@s4her talented, too, people thought"
4 81 hope you haven't thrown it all
away" cried Howard, with a shocked
face.
''Thrown it away! On, no. Some
men would have done that. But / had
great deal of self-control. Iremem-
bered afterwards that had been am
bilious, with certain objects in view,
and so | put myself at the old task,
and have gone plodding, Flooding at
them with set teeth ever since. 1t has
made a difference, Of course. | am
plodder now, where / used to run,
with my soul on fire. But am proud
TO do thus much. 1t would have hurt
some men unalterably."
what in the world has happened
IT, ], old man." asked the younger,
rembled eyes on the face the fire
viwept.
he elder rolled the paper into a
tyr roll, and held il in both hands,
DSSugh it were his self-control, and
ght escape from him at any mo-
u
am glad you came to me as soon
IN reached the city," he said again.
iys with that curious hesitation
lis manner. Il have thought of
many times-and have wished
warn you-you are so very young,
ward-fully three years younger
IN land l know that ! ought to
warn you-against wOmenp
The younger, who had bent for
ward, leaned back again, and from
this time on he did not take his eyes
from his companions face.
against women" he repeated, me-
chemically, still holding tight to his
self-control. "Fryouare young, with
sensitiveness and delicacy of spirit
which often noticed when we we're
boys together. Ifsuch an-experience
came to you-why-it might wreck
your life. You might never recover.
Idoubt ifyou would even live through
it. / hsve thought of that often. As
for me, ] am not sensitive nor deli
--eate; and you see | have lived Not
only that, but have entirely recov-
cred. You could scarcely believe that
I can even laugh now when / think
oft"
He laughed then to prove it, and at
the sound of that laugh the face of the
other man grew white.
"Oh, yes, it is all over long ago" he
added. 81 have thanked heaven many
times that | was made of coarse fiber,
and could triumph over such expert
ences But as for you, my boy, don't
ever try it. Keep away from them
from women. They will not wait to