The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-09-14

the table was a half-burnt candle and o.
photograph propped against an empty
cohee-cup--a photograph of woman.
My friend reached for 1t, gave it one
look then QU!etlyput 1t back. face down
ward, on the table.
Digging digging digging - ah!
the spade'struck roek!'
Fever said the doctor; extreme
mental tension; outlook tedious-prob-
ably fatal"
Ihe next morning the man was ra-
tional, but in his rational moments. as
well as his delirium, he talked always
or constance. He said that he was an
american architect. and in his haste
10 get home and marry the woman he
loved, he had overworked himself in the
intense heat OF Italy. They were not
engaged she knew that II she engaged
herself to him, he would never have
strength to leave her But she had
promised to wait for him-promised to
listen to his love when he got back
Sitting by the architects bedside, my
friend wrote to Constance 1t was a
short letter and to the point The
! next steamer brought her reply. She
was distressed to learn of the archi-
tects illness. She cared for him. be-
lieved in him, was interested in his
work; but she did not love him. She
had never listened to his love for her
and only once had she given him a
CLEAN OF hope. 1t was when he came
to say good-by Partly to silence him,
partly because her heart was filled with
an infinite pity for him, she had prom
iscd to listen when he came home.
What the letter lacked in honesty 1t
made UP in cleverness
Il think" said the woman at his side,
that | understand Constance"
THE day my friend got the letter.
he buried the architect in the EnSiisb
cemetery at Rome. On his breast wSs
the photograph Of the woman who mad
lied to him. He died trusting Con
stance After that. my friend found
that life, when robbed OF its glamour
is ugly business. All the old faiths
were gone, the plans and dreams"
He broke off abruptly and there was
silence. save for the music of the wa
ters. 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; thai
there is love stronger. deeper, pro
founder"
Does the second woman love-yOui
friend?"
Yes" he answered, looking steadily
into her eyes, his own shining. "HC
would stake his soul on her love. Wher
she becomes his wife"
But Constance? Surely your hon
orabie friend answered her letter."
| He looked up with frown. bu
smiled as he caught her eyes fuli-o
eager interest
He sent her some drawings tn,
architect had requested to be sent, ant
paper announcing his death"
The hand holding the parasol trem
hlad
Your friend was engaged to MARI,
| Constance Did she release him."
| Her eyes wandered TO where a Chile
in dirty pinafOre was playing in tn
hot white sand "Diggfn' frou [,
| China" the tot had told her, az sh
passed, and she. pulling one OF tn
, brown curls. had laughed at him
Now, she watched the tiny spade jus
as If her lifc's happiness depende,
upon the success Of the undertaking.
After awhile the man spoke 9TH
architect. lying dead in Rome with he
picture under his clasped arms-tha
! was my friends release" He wince+
| little under her eyes and continued
When he found that this new love ha
come into his life. he wrote a letter t,
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 II
Something In the attitude of the WON
an gave him a grim, realizing sens
that he had played pitiful part.
Tell your friend not to send tina
letter. The second woman wiu neye
marry him"
Edith" he cried, sharply. "Edith!
she had risen and was slowly draw
ing on her long gloves
Tell your friend to go back to tn
woman who is waiting for Ninth
woman to whom he belongs!"
Edith! DO you know what you ar
doing?"
Il? oh. am simply living up to
woman's code Of honor!" She smile
down into his white face. Tell hin
that this is my case in point."-House
hold Ledger -.
How 10 Press CIoth.