Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-04-20
THE LAST FARTHING


ing the waves flash opalescent tints, in
the moonlight The notes of the Marine
band, struggling through the evening
concert on the piazza of the San Marco,
came family out to them.
Don't you feel the least qualms at the
thought of leaving tomorrow" the girl
asked lightly.
"rhe deepest" the man responded
! gravcly. But then the end comes to
all things you know-and it comes
rather quickly to ones funds at these
winter resorts"
The girl laughed.
For a man that has thrown his money
about broadcast, as you have, it seems
to me you're growing very saving all at
once" she said.
Il sha'n't throw much more money
broadcast" he said grimly,
Good for you, Tod!" she cried approx
ingly. It's really time you took life
seriously"
81 sha'n't waste any more money" ne
said slowly, ''for the simple reason l
can't, and | shall take life seriously be-
cause I'm forced to it."
Tod she said quickly, catching some
| grim hidden meaning III his words, what
is it? What has happened?"
ooh, nothing much,'' he said quietly,
except that after tonight you will be
relieved of my society. Tomorrow l face
the world with a clean slate. l shall
have a taste of earning my daily bread"
you don't mean'-shc began IN
amazement.
That's Just what / do mean" he said
Those western failures have wiped me
clean off the map. | haven't cent in
the world, and consequently l can't al
ford to stay any longer at an expensive
place like this"
The girl clasped her little hands to-
gether and Knit her brows. She seemed
| tying to grasp the full import of his
words
'1ts awful" she exclaimed
Isn't it 2" he said dryIy.
And NeH're going home tomorrow"
! she asked.
+ Homer He laughed reeklessly. My
dear child. why on earth should | go
home? There's absolutely nothing there
for me. Even worse; there are hun
bred and one men who have been waiting
for the chance to Jump on me when Pm
down Home? Well, | should rather say
iOl bNHtltN Has Oltfcu iiiN d iOD OH Ills
rubber reserve in South America I'm
going there tomorrow"
The girl looked at his face turned 20
hers in the moonlight. 1t was a strong,
determined face-the face OF a man who
asks odds of no one. She felt sudden
tightening of her throat
"Whcn did YOU know this ?" she asked
him.
'''Fhc day after I came here" he said
Perhaps YOU recall it We went to
Spider Pond that afternoon, and YOU
rallied me for being stupid
And yet you have stayed OH here
for two weeks" she said accusingly.
Il have stayed as long as the money
[ had with me-all the money | had
in the world, for all that matter lasted
he said.
Wasn't that rather imprlldcnt?" size
asked.
going to a perdition of wilderness to
diain his cup OF happiness to the last
dregs before he leaves?' said he
Perhaps not" she admitted
He threw his cigar into the water and
watched it float lazily away on the tide.
Il wanted you to know all these
Ii-iiS5o OVIOiC l. NSllC, SttII lie, anu
wanted to tell you some other things.
That is why | brought you out here
where it is quiet. First, will you kindly
slip off that ring and give it to me?"
do you think l am that sort?'' she
asked hotly. do you think l promised
to marry You to desert you at time
like this!''
Il know" he argued, ''that is very
noble of you But remember what this
means years and years of waiting, prop
ably. A man can lose in a day what it
takes lifetime to replace--what can
sometimes never be replaced [ can't
subject you to such conditions. You are
young and the doors of the world are
open to you. 1t may be hard now, but
you'll forget me presently. 1t is better
that YOU should
'Tod!' There was a world of reproach
in her voice
Better give it back to me-" he advised.
She covered her face with her hands
and began to sob. He watched her with
all a mans helplessness at such a mo-
mcnt.
II thought you cared more than
that" she said, chokingly.
"Cared?'' he said, wildly, cared?
Good God! Have you any idea how
much | "are? Let me tell you, then. [
have cared SO much | have stayed here
until | am well-nigh penniless. Come
what might, [ was bound to lie with you
until the last cent was gone. l have
stayed until there is nothing left-until
1T becomes necessary for me to 90 over to
the town tomorrow to pawn my evening
clothes and watch to get my passage
money down there. / have cared like the
desperate gambler who plays the game
to his last farthing. That's the way
care" he ended hoarsely.
The man and girl faced each other in
silence; ne with tense, drawn face; she
with wonderful light in her eyes. She
Grew the ring from her finger and laid it
i'll his big, brown hand.
on are wise" he said heartily
She looked at him scarchingly.
Il give it back ON one condition. She
said.
''AO,I tbot