Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-11


the way4f It was love that Fitzgerald
needed to guide him to peace IN the
straight and narrow path. why should he.
Dennis Riordan. stand In the way?
At last he rose. and as the first ROSY
beams OF daylight pierced their single win
dow. stood at his full height before the
younger man.
Arthur. there's somethin. between me
and you'll can feel 1t. It's about Jennie
Morris. There was nothin' passed between
US, Arthur. nothin'. No promises. She
never showed me by word or look that she
cared for me. If you love her, Arthur. there
amt thing standin' In your way. Don't
you let no foolish idea Of gratitude to me
spoil things. My foolish dream about Jen-
MES been dead these six months. my boy
She's for gentleman-the likes Of you, moi
for me-"
Fitzgerald listened to the words like one
in dream. and when Riordan finished
sprang up with an oath.
stop that d-n nonsense. To HI with
the girl"
What was coming next Riordan did moi
walt to hear. He drew himself up until
the room seemed to shrink and dwindle. His
stern, set face was close to Fitzgera Id 8
But he was not looking into the latter.
moody eyes, nor did he see the haggarc
| lines in the face he had learned to love. He
saw only, as In a vision. the tired, grtevec
expression on Jennfes face.
you'll marry her Arthur, by God: you'll
not break her heart and mine. I've lovec
loved son. I've staked my honor on yours
and you've got to make good"
Fitzgerald seated himself on the corner
of the table with an assumption Of his ole
carelessness.
Just as you say, Riordan. Only think
it's hard on the girl. A disinherited young
er son, with a record none too nice q,
twenty-three: but II you like
Riordan's jaws snapped hard.
II do like. You'll marry her Easter Mon.
day, when Father Murphy will be comm &c
camp"
Fitzgerald glanced out of the window The
cut.
IAN right. old man. Perhaps you'll fix II
up with the Whites for me. don't think
they will exactly approve of me as broth
er-in-law. And while you're about 1t. you
might put the case to Jennie
And he was gone. leaving Riordan to
stare after him with unseeing eyes.
With a sad heart Riordan pursued his
daily routine, and late In the afternoon
made his way to the White cottage. The
first John Alden did not plead more elo-
quently than this rough master mechanic.
Jennie heard him quietly to the end.
She raised her eyes to his honest face.
And 1t would make you very happy"
Every happy" answered Riordan. bend
ing with a grace which, IL not courtly, was
at least sincere. and kissing her hand. Then.
without another word. he walked away.
leaving her alone in the living room, with
it's homely attempts at decoration and its
echo of a baby's fretful cry from the rear
apartment.
When Riordan came to the cabin Easter
eve. he found Fitzgerald hurrying into his
best clothes.
I'm going down the line. Don't worry,
I'll be on hand tomorrow night. all right.
I've got to get ring and some flowers for
the bride. you know
IF it's flowers you'll be gettin' make it
them tall white lilies they use in the church
Easter Sunday-that is, If they keep EN- in
Boone. Need any money!"
Fitzgerald shook his head, and reached
for his hat.
We'll. I'm off. old man. See you tomor-
row night"
The morrow was dull indeed for Dennis
Riordan The only suggestion of Easter lay
In the vile egSnog brewed al the saloon
There were no duties to distract his mind !;
no inattentive engine men upon whom he
could vent his vague irritability. He spent
most of the afternoon within doors brood
ing. Torn by love of the girl and love fur
the boy, writing under the sacrifice and
yet eager to see Jennie happy with the man
she loved. it seemed to him that contend
ing emotions must choke him and leave
him PROSTATE. When he hea I'd the whistle,
faint but clear. he sprang to his feet
with cry of relief. 1t was No. Z, the
same train that had first brought FitZger-
aid into the camp He stood in the door
way. watching for the 1.-the, graceful fig
ure to emerge from the gloom. but instead
he heard measured. careful tramp Of feet.
And SO they brought Fitzgerald in, and
laid him, mangled, but still conscious, on
the cot Riordan, swaying, leaned over
the pitifuliy crushed figure. Fumes he
knew rose and struck him full in the face.
Fitzgerald stirred and opened his eyes.
ITS all right. old man: they say ith be
over before l feel the padn. 1 had to take
another fling! l was going mad here-mad!
The deadly sameness Of it-that's what
drove me from college-from home-fron
Ireland. Change! change! l didn't mean
to drink another drop-for your sake, but
Of me again. She's better off without me-
You've been good to me, old man, but
you-couldn't make-a man out of-af-"-
Rfordan gave a great cry that made the
quiet group standing In the shadow shud-
der and a slender. girlish figure leaning
against the outside OF the door shivered
and clutched for support. Fitzgerald
reached out hand gropingiy. and died
with Riordan's tears falling like a last
blessing. on his lips, which turned strong
and noble in death.
She stood by Rtordan's side. Her arms
were full Of fiowers-a motley COLLECTION,
but the best Fitzgerald had been able to
pick up during his sober hours in Boone.
Ihey were to be our wedding flowers, -
She said quietly, as Riordan took them
from her and arranged them tenderIy. He
seemed unwilling that any one else should
touch the quiet form.
Iney were found near the spot-where-
he slipped
Still Riordan did not speak He sat down
again. his eyes fixed on the calm face.
from which every trace of unrest and dis
sipation had faded.
HOW you loved him. and there was a
trace of bitterness in her voice so well
mat you'd have sacrificed me to his well
fare-even me-"
Riordan turned toward her sharply.
Jennie. You don't mean"
" eS, l would have saved bi,p-for
sake. II could, but 1t wasn't INV work.
nor yours, dear. 1t was beyond us both.
NOW he understands 1t all-what manner
of love was yours"
Rlordan had risen, and now he held both
her hands fast In his
thought-God help me-Jennie. girl, I
did 1t for the best '
You thought?' she asked wonderinely.
-. mat you loved him. You'd an educa-
, oaon anu genue manners, and he was a
Dennis Riordan. only the angels In
heaven know what you really are"