River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-10-20
Y.gZ5S.yZ5y.y5
/ THE LOVE 4
| THAT ENDURED |
By CHARLES Usage


his plaudits and the gateway to the
highest triumphs opened before him, his
health broke down under the terrible
strain he put upon himself, and the
physicians imperatiyely ordered long
sea voyage. No excitement, no society,
no study, or work, they said. So it was
decided that he should take sailing
vessel bound for the orient on six
months cruise.
Then came the catastrophe, the news
Of terrible storm and the wreck OF the
Davy Jones, the rescue Of three starved
sailors who told the story of the disaster,
and finally the finding Of lot of the
debris of the wrecked vessel.
The news had thrilled the country and
made a ten days sensation in the news
papers. Then it was forgotten and the
world turned to living idols, and sought
another upon whom to place the laurel
crown
There was one, however, who did not
forget and who hoped against hope, that
was his wife Their married life had
been singularly happy. 1t had been
love match between two people with
been happy mixture of passion and re-
spect and tenderness which made har-
moniOus atmosphere seldom to be found.
The world saw the brilliancy and power
Of the man and yielded to it. She saw
all this and thrilled with pride at his
triump hs, but she saw, besides, his great
heart and his unselfish tenderness.
She could not believe the disaster.
Providence had no right to let such a
man die in the flower Of his usefulness
nor fate to disunite so perfect love.
For months she was confident it was all
a mistake and that he would appear
eventually. One boat had been found.
There were six, Mahap some of these
had been swept ashore in some isolated
place He would appear some day. The
elements would not destroy one so in
harmony with them.
AS the months faded into years, she
began to doubt and finally to half be-
IieVe. Ultimately she was compelled to
give up hope. When she finally admitted
it to herself it tore from her nature every
anchor and mooring. Life without him
she could scarcely conceive of. 1t was
new and strange misunderstanding to
hope for, nothing to DO no interest in
life A sense of utter lOnliness oppressed
her. She craved companionship, love,
human interest. But they had been so
entirely wrapped up in one another that
she had driven all other relationships
and friendships out of her life.
1t was then that Herbert de Kraft
flashed across her horizon. He was a
man of great brilliancy and wit and as
handsome as Apollo. He amused her
and made her forget. He evidently adj
mired her greatly. Herbert de Kraft
possessed much the same sort of wit her
husband had had, but lacked his dOmi
mating purpose and sincerity. He saw.
all there was on the surface, but de-
clined to delve down into the depths.
Presently the world began to talk about
them and to predict an end for the weeds.
Meanwhile an emacated wreck, the
wreck and remnant of man was spend
ing a dazed existence in far off cline.
All that was known of him was that he
was picked up at sea by vessel, strapped
to an improvised raft, Crazed for want
of water and nearly dead from exposure
and want of food. There was no clue
to his identity and his memory was a
blank. He was left at the first port.
where he slowly recovered his faculties
all excepting his memory. Try as he
would he could remember nothing of
the past His unusual talents manifest
ed themselves and he became a useful
member of the community upon which
he was thrown. One Gay several years
later an American newspaper fell into
his hands. A certain story attracted his
attention-the story of notable decis-
ion in a great law case which had been
pending for years-together with a his
tory of the case. In flash all the past
came back to him. 1t was his case, and
he read his own name as the great at
torney who had boldly advanced the
theory which had been affirmed by the
supreme court. A thousand conflict
ing emotions surged through his mind
He had been gone from his former home
five years What changes had the years
wrought? The cable was put into re-
QUESTION and helearned that Everett Ma
son was dead. that his estate had been
administered and that his widow was I'M
married. The next vessel toward the
states bore him as passenger
A terrible shock awaited him. Ablaze
with the anticipations which had been
growing during the voyage, on the Pull
man car as it neare6 the old home town
he oyert card a conversation which froze
ais heart. Two women in an adjoining
seat were talking. He heard the name
of his wife mentioned Then:
''Oh, yes, she's going to marry again
Perfectly infatuated with Herbert de
Kraft"
We'll l don't blame her. He's the
handsomest man in town and. the most
brilliant. And she's worn her mourn
ing long enough"
1t was like driving a knife into his
heart. Immediately upon his arrival
he made searching inquiries and all he
learned corroborated the gossip of the
train. He spent days and nightsin keen
mental anguish. He looked at himself
in the glass and saw his emaciated form,
sunken cheeks, thin haIr and realized
that he was only the ghost of the old
Everett Mason. Had he the right to
project this ghost between the woman
he loved so well and her happiness.
Finally he resolved to make the supreme
sacrifice
Everett Mason is deaf" said he, re-
SoIuteiy SCI of the grave hold SIC own