The Elbert County tribune., 1906-12-20
A Triun1ph's Evidence
By HARRIET f. ABBOTT

exclaimed. in an awe stricken whis-
per. My God. Edith. my wife! And
| had not even thonght OF her"
How would Edith take this change
of fourtune? Edith? their lives had
drifted so widely apart during the
past ten years. that he scarcely knew.
or understood her. She had cared
little for luxury or social distinction.
yet how changed was the fair. self
poised woman who bore his name,
from that young girl who had strolled
with him on moonlight evenings, be-
meath the old elms. so long ago.
All, welll She had still her small
inheritance. for he had squandered
nothing which was not his own. He
had fully intended to run down to
Harport last week and see how she
was getting on. but It seemed impos-
sible then, and now.
There was a rustic in the doorway,
and against the dark portiere wom-
ans slender figure was outlined, in
bold relief. The sensitive profile
quivered. and low voice. vibrant
with feeling, murmured: james.
James. simply had to come, and SO
took the evening train. am glad. oh.
SO glad, to find you here! How white
and worn you look, though!
But this has been such a sad-a
dreadful day"
The man WINGED as at touch upon
a wound. but the low voice continued:
Let me tell you. This morning
there was a terrible accident. l was
at the beach when a young doctor
who had been stopping at the next
cottage, was drowned before my very
eyes. He was on his wedding trip
and the little bride. poor girl is fran
tic. But. James, the shock and pity
of 1t all made me see even more
clearly than ever before, how little
the world has to give us but these
three things. life and love and death.
Her voice trembled. but with ges
ture both winning and tender. she
held out her hands. rs IT too late
for us. even now. dear? You are ar
ambitious man. but have you not yet
satisfied your pride? I'm not a senti
mentalist. but aren't we losing some
thing that is the best and sweetest
part of existence? Nothing counts
you see. but these three facts, life
love and death.
And Death is swallowed up In vic
tory. repeated the man, in hushet
monotone.
But the heart of the woman still
sought expression. 81 have been lone
ly. SO lonely, James. If ! had had 4;
child She turned her head to hid,
the tears.
The man caught her In his arms
But. Edith. listen!" he spoke will
apparent effort, after long silence
II am ruined man. You have no
heard, but everything | own Is Bwep
away"
"A ruined MANI" she echoed, in per
plexity. There can be no ruin say,
in dishonor. and you are not dishon
ored." Proudly she raised her head
and like beacon to shipwrecket
mariner the light of her trust flashed
its message OF hope to the spirit O
the man before her
NO" rang his answer, thrilling will
the inspiring power of reawakenet
courage. Defeated, but not dishon
ored."
A look of almost maternal Joy enc
yearning was on the womans face, n.
she softly rejoined: Then nothini
seems lost All that is best remains
and at last. oh, my dear! we know
how much we need each other. Fail
ure means SO little, when It can brinf
even greater joy than success"
The hearers glance kindled In re
sponse to her own. Edith. how Otter
have | heard your father quote the
lines: What is our failure here bu
a triumph's evidenced Never have
realized before how truly you are his
daughter in spirit, as in fiesh.'
They stepped to a window, and rails
ing the curtain. looked out. See.
she cried, in joyous exultation. "a new
day is dawning. The night is gone
and the east is full OF promise"
But the man looked not toward the
east. but into the clear eyes of the
woman, for in their :'ght he saw moi
only the evidence but the way.
Copyright, 1906. by Daily Story Pub. Co,