Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-04-19

let eyes was dissertation.
Il went away at last. I caught I
look on her face one night. and knew
that she was beginning to care FOL
me. | had been my better self. al
that was good in me-not that thai
was much-to her. How could bs
anything else? | drank heavily that
night The next morning | kept out
Of her way. Then went"
And your aunt?" I asked.
my aunt-poor old auntl-followed
me. | told her. She cried a good
deal. | might come back some day.
she said. II | tried and succeeded"
He laughed savagely. Il never went
back" He lifted up his head. Look
at me! You can see why"
Gould you not keep straight" |
asked, 'for her sake? Why didn't
you think Of herr"
Think of heri How could | not
think of her? oh, you good peoplel
You good. passionless peoplel" His
bloodshot eyes fiared. shall tell
you how | think OF herr" He poured
out another glass of spirits and drank
1t eagerly.
When ! have money for drink, and
money to gamble" he said, Il do not
think Of anything. But when II is
gone--it is soon gone-do you know
what | do? Just one thing all these
six years live out my life-her
life-our life-as It might have been.
] go over 1t piece by piece and day
by day. from the last good night.
when looked down at her | fancy
that have wooed her, won her
worked for herr" His voice broke
into a sob.
my poor fellow" said There is
no need to say any more" He did not
seem to hear me.
I'VE 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- am pros
porous and respected. We have just
moved to a larger house, with big
garden. She is fond of flowers. I
used to give her violets. II 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 fool" he said, "a d fooll
don't know what made me tell you"
He took another glassful Of spirits
and gulped It down.
Cant you hsgan.
NO." he said. quickly; II can't.
Look at me. You can see" | looked
ct him and saw.
God help you," | said "Good-by."
gave him my hand; for, after all,
who was to Judge him?
Il need not ask you to forget what
| have said?"
81 shall forget" | promised.
you see her sometimes?" he asked,
as my hand was on the door handle.
81 see her sometimes" answered.
81 hope she has forgotten?"
IL 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 | went.
The next morning the "violets"
came to see me. She did not ask IL
had been to him. only watched my
face; and | nodded.
rs there any hope?" she inquired,
Anything, any influence,
any sacrifice. that could save him?"
! took her hands tightly in mine.
am three times her age. +
my dear little lady" | said very
gently. There is none" She cried
bravely, under her breath. +.
''If there were, I-I-ohi I know !
there is good in him. II could get
him to think Of what he might have
been; Of what H. She looked at me
for grain of hope. but shook my
head. What shall do?"
Forget, my child. forget" She put
her head on my shoulder and sobbed.
II shall never forget" she said;
'neverl II only he would remember"
This was long time ago, and she
is happily married. as is her due, and ,
forgets; and he is a drunken wan
derer on the face Of the earth, and
remembers. Which is his due alsol