Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1903-02-07


fathers office greatly sorrowed. True,
he did not have a thing, possessed
not a single professional accomplish
ment that was convertible into cash
But he was strong, he said to him
self; he could do something; his
father should not want in his old age
if he could prevent it. So thinking,
he went to one of the most prominent
law firms in the city and offered his
services as a clerk. A clerk? No
one knew of the elder Herndon's
financial straits except his creditors
in New York. Why, they would be
glad to take the young man in as a
partner. And so, the following morn
ing another name was added to the
influential firm of Caruthers & Lee,
attorneys at law.
A month elapsed after his return be-
fore young Herndon saw Miss Mckee
Sne was at the residence of Mr. Ca
of Miss Caruthers.
q am delighted to see you home
again. she said, with cordial frank
ness. Really 1 have missed you. We
have discussed you quite often and /
have never forgotten your excellent
voice"
Her smile, the cordial grasp of her
hand, the honest look of her clear
eyes, went through him like a volt of
electricity. In twenty minutes he
was as deeply enmeshed as he was
the night he left for Europe two years
before. That night, while tossing be-
tween the sheets. he cursed himself
until he was black in the face; he
should have remained in Africa; II
not that he should have married
Sioux squaw. Then he would have
neen at least free from Misg Mckee.
Now the disease was on him again
with full force, and he could not
leave again, run away from her as
he had done before, for the crash in
his fathers affairs was expected at
any minute. But before the morning
he had made resolutions; he would
steel himself against her; he would
avoid her; he would learn to hate
her. All of which resolves were
broken within fourteen hours, for at
o'clock that evening he was violently
ringing the bell at her fathers door.
He proceeded with his case as if he
were a lawyer at the bar. He told her
of his love; why he had gone away;
his determination not to see her
again; the sufferings he had expert
enced. Il have loved you with a pas
sion that knows no understanding.
For why, do not understand nor do
1 try to understand. We have seen
little of each other and l am, know,
presumptuous in speaking to you as
l am doing, have followed you, un-
observed by you, with doting persist
ence; have engrossed opportunities to
meet you; have pursued you as love
has pursued me, which has been on
the wing of all occasions. The result?
Scant courtesy. 1 have had nothing
from you unless it be experiences
jewel that I have purchased at an in
finite rate, and that has taught me
to say this:
Love, like a shadow flies when sub
stance love pursues,
Pursuing that that flies, and flying
what pursues.'
'tYou have dwelt so securely upon
the excellency of your honored fam
ily's name that 1 have braved myself
that my soul should now present
ITSELF
While Herndon spoke Miss Mckee
stood with bowed head. When she
looked at him her eyes were dim
with tears. She struggled with her
self for a moment before. replying.
''You do me great honor, Mr.. Herndon.
This confession was not unexpected.
By a woman's intuition l have known
that you love me. But to marry you
is out of the question. At first / i'm
agined you uncouth; that riches had
made you vulgar; that associations
had caused you to forget the finer
sensibilities, qualities that are essen
tial to a gentleman. But 1 know bet
ter now. sincerely and honestly
prize your friendship. Ours is a poor
family; yours at the top of fortunes
wheel. 1 have heard of the many gen.
erous and noble deeds you have done;
I know your worth as man, and
were our stations equal / should hesi-
tate before sending you away But as
it is you must go. Please leave me-"
When Herndon reached his fathers
residence, he saw that a number of
men were in the study. When his
father came out his face was blanch-
ed. AS he went upstairs to his room
tears were flowing freely from his
eyes while he muttered to himself,
''all gone; all gone; my God, my
Godi"
The morning newspapers were filed
with news of the crash and long be-
fore noon arrived the failure of Hern-
don had been flashed to the world.
In the midst of his duties that after
noon, young Herndon received a note.
After reading it he called meSsen-