The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-12

sorry for him; but to couple him. even
in thought, with the lady with the vio-
let eyes was dissertation.
II went away at last. caught a
look on her face one night, and knew
that she was beginning to care for
me. had been my better self, all
that was good in me-not that that
was much-to her. How could l be
anything else? l drank heavily that
night The next morning l kept out
Of her way. Then l went"
"And your aunt?" I asked.
"My aunt-poor old aunt.-followed
me. 1 told her. She cried good
deal. l might come back some day,
she said, If l tried and succeeded"
He laughed savagely. 81 never went
back" He lifted up his head. Look
at me! You can see why"
Gould you not keep straight" I
asked, ''for her sake? Why didn't
you think of her?'
Think of herl How could not
think of her? Oh, you good people!
You good, passionless people!" His
bloodshot eyes flared "Shall I tell
you how 1 think of herr" He poured
out another glass of spirits and drank
1t eagerly.
when l have money for drink, and
money to gamble he said, Il do not
think of anything. But when it is
gone-lt is soon gone-do you know
what l do? Just one thing all these
six years. l live out my life-her
life-our life-as it might have been.
go over it piece by piece and day
by day, from the. last good night,
when l looked down at her. I fancy
worked for her" His voice broke
into Sob
'My poor fellow" said There is
no need to say any more" He did not
seem to hear me.
1--WE have been married three years
now, pretend" he continued dream
lily. There Is a little son. He has
eyes like hers. We are very proud of
him. She Is proud of me. l am pros
porous and respected. We have just
moved to larger house, with a big
garden. She is fond of flowers. l
used to give her violets.- 1t kept me
from spending my money on worse
things. The boy is fond of them too
clutches at them with his baby
hands. She looks at him and smiles;
and looks up at me and smiles. She
she"
He stopped suddenly and laid his
arms upon the table, and his head
upon his arms. After a few minutes
he looked up and laughed an ugly
laugh.
81 am a fool" he said, "a d fool!
don't know what made me tell you"
He took another glassful Of spirits
and gulped it down.
Cant you" l began.
NO" he said, quickly; 81 can't.
Look at me. You can see." l looked
at him and saw.
God help you," I said "Good-by."
gave him my hand; for, after all,
who was l to judge him?
81 need not ask you to forget what
1 have said?"
81 shall forget" l promised.
"You see her sometimes?" he asked,
as my hand was on the door handle
81 see her sometimes" l answered
81 hope she has forgotten"
81 hope So" / told him, steadily
"You are, at least, man enough never
to remind her" He drew himself up
81 love her enough not to remind
her." he said.
Then l went.
The next morning the "Violets"
came to see me. She did not ask If
had been to him, only watched my
face; and I nodded.
'Is there any hope?" she inquired,
wistfully. Anything, any influence,
any sacrifice, that could save him."
took her hands tightly in mine. I
am three times her age.
my dear little lady" I said very
gently. There is none" She cried
bravely, under her breath.
eff there were, I-I-oh. l know
there is good in him. If l could get
him to think of what he might have
been; Of what Z" She looked at me
for grain of hope, but I shook my
head. What shall I do?"
Forget, my child, forget" She put
her head on my shoulder and sobbed.
81 shall never forget" she said;
never! If only he would remember"
This was long time ago, and she
is happily married, as is her due, and
forgets; and he Is drunken wan
derer on the face Of the earth, and
remembers. Which is his due also!
WHAT A COPY READER KNOWS