The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-11-14

holding me uONu' INV
bury me-. 80. y.
There was a table by the bedside on
The table was half-burnt candle anu
photograph propped against an empty
,,ffse-cup-a photograph Of woman
- friend reached for ii, gave II one
look then quietly put it back, face down.
ward. on the table.
'Digging-dlgging - digging - an
the spade struck a rock!
Fever. said the doctor; extreme
mental tension; outlook tedious-prCo-
ably fatal"
The next morning the man was ra-
tional. but in his rational moments DIS
well as his deliriun, he talked always
of Constance. He said that he was an
American architect, and in his haste
to get home and marry the woman ne
loved. he had overworked himself IN the
intense heat of Italy. They were not
engaged, she knew that II she enSaseu
herself to him, he would never nave
strength to leave her. But she hau
promised TO wait for him-promised 10
listen to his love when he got back.
Sitting by the architects bedside my
friend wrote to Constance. IL was
short letter and to the point. me
next steamer brought her reply. She
was distressed to learn Of the aren't
tect's illness. She cared for him, be-
lieyed in him, was interested in MS
work; but she did not love him. she
had never listened to his love for her
and only once had she given him
CLEAN of hope. 1t was when he came
to say good.by Partly to silence him.
partly because her heart was filled win
an infinite pity for him, she had pom
Used to listen when he came home,
What the letter lacked in honesty II
made up in cleyerness
Il think" said the woman at his slue'
that | understand Constance,
The day my friend got the letter
he buried the architect in the English
cemetery at Rome. On his breast Wsa
the photograph of the woman who had
lied to him. He died trusting Con-
stance. After that, my friend round
chat life, when ROBBED of its glamour
il ugly business. All the old faiths
we're gone, the plans and dreams
He broke off abruptly and there was
silence, save for the music Of the wa
tiers. When he continued, softer note
had crept into his voice.
AT last a second woman came into
his life, bringing with her hope and
happiness. Then he found that the
boys love is not the mans love; that
there is love stronger deeper, pro
founder
Does the second woman loye-your
friend?"
Yes, he answered, looking steadily
into her eyes, his own shining He
would stake his soul on her love, When
she becomes his wife"
But Constance? Surely your hon
orable friend answered her letter."
He looked up with a frown, but
smiled as he caught her eyes full OF
eager interest
He sent her some drawings the
architect had requested to be sent, and
a paper announcing his death"
The hand holding the parasol trem-
, bled
Your friend was engaged to marry
Constance Did she release him.
Her eyes wandered to whore a Child
in a dirty pinafore was playing in the
hot, white sand "Diggin frou &c
China the tot had told her, as she
passed and she, pulling one OF the
brown curls, had laughed at him
Now she watched the tiny spade Just
as if her LIES happiness depended
upon the success Of the undertaking.
After awhile the man spoke. "rhC
4 architect, lying dead in Rome with hei
picture under his cla3ped arm5--,hat
was my friends release He wincet
little under her eyes and continued,
When he found that this new love hat
| come into his life, he wrote letter tC
Constance, but the letter seemed use
| less, and 1t was never mailed. 1t
snail be sent at once"
He had ended lamely and he knew It
Something In the attitude Of the WON
an gave him a grim, realizing sens,
that he had played piulul part
'Tell your friend not to send TIA
/ letter The second woman will neyei
marry him"
Edith he cried, sharply Edit
] She had risen and was slowly draw
ing on her long gloves,
Tell your friend TO go back TO IN,
woman who is waiting for l,lm-,h,
woman to whom he belongs,"
Edith DO you know what you ar,
doing?'
u? Oh, am simply living up to
woman's code Of honorl" She smile,
down into his white face. Tell hin
that this is my case in point."-House
hold Ledger