The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-01-04

pnotoktapn pfOpped against an empty
coffee-cup--a photograph Of woman.
My friend reached for II, gave II one
look, then quietly put II back. face down
ward. on the table.
Digging digging - digging = an,
the spade struck a rockl'
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. rs
we'll 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 overworked himself in the
intense heat Of Italy. They we're not
engaged she knew that II she engaged
herself to him. he would never have
strength to leave her But she had
promlsedrto 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 archi-
tect's illness. She cared for him, be-
lieyed 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 It 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 pom
ised to listen when he came home.
What the letter lacked In honesty II
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 English
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
we're 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 e second woman came into
his life, bringing with her hope and
happiness Then he found that the
boys love is not the mans love: that
there is a love stronger. deeper. pro-
founder"
Does the second woman love--your
friend7"
Eyes" he answered. looking steadily
into her eyes, his own shining. He
would stake his soul on her love When
she becomes his wife"
"But Constance? Surely your hon
orable friend answered her letter."
He looked up with a frown. but
smiled as he caught her eyes full of
eager interest.
He sent her some drawings the
architect had requested 10 be sent. and
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 child
in dirty pinafore was playing In the
hot. white sand. ''Diggin' frou 10
China" the tot had told her. as she
passed. and she. pulling one OF the
brown cufls. had laughed at him.
Now, she watched the tiny spade just
as " her life's happiness depended
upon the success Of the undertaking.
After awhile the man spoke "rhe
architect. lying dead in Rome with her
picture under his clasped arms-that
was my friends release" He WINGED
little under her eyes and continued:
when he found that this new love had
come into his life. he wrote letter to
Constance, but the letter seemed USE
less. and II was never mailed. It.
snail be sent at once"
He had ended lamely and he knew IT,
Something In the attitude OF the wom-
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. "EditL!'
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 nim-the
woman to whom he belongs!"
Edith! Do you know what you are
dolng?"
II? Oh, am simply living up to a
womans code Of honorl" She smiled
down into his white face. Tell him
that this Is my case In point. House.
hold Ledger