Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-03-03

Piipto5iaPh pIOppeu against an empty
eonee-cup-a photograph of a woman
My friend reached for ii. gave it one
look, then quietly put it back, face down
ward, on the table.
! Digging digging - digging = ali!
the spade struck a rocki'
Fever, said the doctor; extreme
mental tension; outlook tedious prob
ably fatal"
The next morning the man was ra-
tional, but in his rational moments. as
well as his delirium, he talked always
OF Constance. He said that he was an
american architect, and in his haste
to get home and marry the woman he
loved, he had overwoFked himself in the
intense heat of Italy. They were not
engaged; she knew that if 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. Ii was a
short letter and to the point The
next steamer brought her reply. She
was distressed to learn of the arehi-
teets illness. She cared for him, be
leyed 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 q
CLEAN of hope. 1t was when he came
TO say good-by. Partly 10 silence him
partly because her heart was filled with
an infinite pity for him. she had prom
Used to listen when he came home
What the letter lacked in honesty it
made up in cleverness
i think, said the woman at his side
that | understand Constance.
The day my friend got the letter.
he buried the architect in the English
cemetery at Rome On his breast W.
the photograph of !he 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 on abruptly and there was
silence, save for the music of the wa
tiers. When he continued, a softer note
had crept into his voice
AT last a second woman came into
his lfe, bringing with her hope and
happiness. Then he found that the
boys love is not the mans love; thai
there is a love stronger. deeper, pro
founder"
Does the second woman love your
friend?"
Yes, he answered. looking steadily
into her eyes, his own shining. lie
would stake his soul on her love When
she becomes his wife"
But Constance? Surely your hon
orable friend answered her letter."
lie looked up with a frown. but
smiled as he caught her eyes full oi
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 where a Child
in a dirty pinafore was playing in the
hot. white sand "Diggin' frou TO
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 lifes happiness depended
upon the success OF the undertaking
After awhile the man spoke. The
architect, lying dead in Rome with her
picture under his clasped arms-,hat
was my friends release" He WINGED
a little under her eyes and continued.
When he found that this new love had
come into his life. he wrote a letter to
Constance, but the letter seemed use
less. and it was never mailed. It.
SHALL 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 sense
that he had played pitiful part
Tell your friend not to send that
letter The second woman will never
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 the
woman who is waiting for him-the
woman TO whom he belongs!"
Edith Do you know what you are
doing?"
4? Oh, | am simply living up to a
woman's code of honor!" She smiled
down into his white face Tell him
that this is my case in point. House
hold Ledger
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