Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-07-30
"Oh, my God, how am I going to
face ttris?" he said suddenly. II have

''Ol, my you, now Ulu ! BOluk "
face this?" he said suddenly. II have
been blind, stupid idiot. She has sim
ply been treating me as she has out OF
pity. She'll marry that man; she'll
do it. It's the way Of the world-her
world oh, God, give me the man
hood to meet itv'
Suddenly Hillyer doomed up in the
outer doorway and came into the office.
He had heard nothing that had fallen
from the lips OF ias Clerk, but he saw
his gloomy face. Somebody's told
'im," he thought. He started to speak,
but changed his mind and sat down,
his countenance very grave. There
was one subject he had never preached
to George Buckley-a subject that the
young man had made him feel was not
to come up between them, and yet
George" was the result of the old
mans sudden impulse, and he stood
near Buckley's elbow, II axed the Al
mighty fer a sign that was on the
right road to peace o. mind an got
it. want to say to you now, my boy.
that in every prayer I send up from
this minute on I'm goin' to plead with
i'm to give you all you want in this
life. Do you understand? All-every-
thing!'
George turned; the tensity Of his
features had given place to an mex
pressible softness, into which deli
cate flush was rising. He laid his
hand on the old mans shoulder and
smiled.
I'm getting already more than I
deserve, Mr. Hillyer," he said. Don't
bother about me-"
1--WE told you what my prayer Is
to be, George. we'll see il God as
good as ourn is won't grant It,"
"a fellow can stand great many
disappointments, Mr.. Hillyer. when he
has as good friend as have in you"
The old mans lower lip was CULVER
Ing helplessly. ITS awful-simply
awful" he said, ITO want to help folks
you love an cayn't, an have to stand
by with hands an feet tied. An,
George, that fellow they're oil maxim
so much over today is low ring poll
tician without any honor or soul big
germ a gnats. He heads the process
sion, with his white shirt full o. dia-
mond studs, shiny broadcloth an silk
hat, an weak women fawn on i'm an
think he's God Almighty, but I tell you
he's as empty as bottle O. wind. Hes
goin to make a speech to the children
at Sunday school, an the programme
is fer 'em to decorate the altar with
flowers. haint a-goin', George. That
hain't what Gods house Is fer. an eff
I went I'd set thar with heart full O.
rebellion"
George stared at his friend with an
expression on his face the old man had
never seen before. 1t contained frank
admission of his helpless captivity to
Lydia Cranston's charms, and yet 1t
reflected tense manliness-manliness
bound, bowed and beaten.
"He has been counting her over q
year, Mr.. Hillyer," Buckley said I'M
der his breath.
$50 I've heard, George"
''She writes to him-she mentioned
that to me once. She showed me some
presents he had sent her-fiowers from
his own dollhouse and other things.
He's followed her everywhere: she &C
cepts these attentions. Her family all
favor the match"
''She's Jest woman, George-jest a
woman, after all-and they are all pine
blank alike except In the sight Of the
different men who dote on 'em."
George Buckley's face hardened as II
under sudden reflection. "In all your
hopes for me, Mr.. Hillyer," he said,
don't forget that am the son Of
Georgia convict Remember that. and
don't be too ambitious for me. was
stupid and blind to allow myself toto
become her-f1end under the circum-
stances. ought simply never to have
entered that house. But-now listen,
and let's never allow this to come up
again. No matter what suffer now
or am to suffer In the future, shall
never, never be sorry knew her. You
say women are all alike. can never
agree with you, but even If she be-
comes his wife. and is proud in way
to bear his name, there will still be
something, sir, Misunderstanding that
have almost seen and grasped-some-