Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-06-29
Love the Conqueror.

Copyright, 1907, by Homer sprague.I
The pay clerk came to himself while
the doctors were working over him.
He looked around, mildly curious, and
his eyes fell on Miss Stafford
"You here! But, say, what's the
matter? Where am IT, he asked fee
bly,.
you've been hurt, Mr. Bates-down
on the keys, you know. You're al
Miami now. Don't you remember the
railroad extension and the hurricanew
ooh, yes. The others saved?"
mot all. But I won't tell you any
more now
He closed his eyes YEARLY, but hap
PLY. The mere fact that the contract
or's daughter had felt sufficiently in
terested to come to him was enough.
At first it had seemed a simple frac-
ture of the arm, but as the days passed
complications developed. There were
consultations of doctors, and the ques-
ton of an amputation was discussed.
An attempt had been made to keep the
gravity of his position from Bates, but
the quick brain and keen eyes of that
young man pierced the flimsy subter-
fuges. He OWNED that he was in
critical condition. Then one day Miss
Stafford came again. The nurse was
standing near
II would like to see you alone a few
moments" he began. Then, as the
nurse slipped from the room, "Kneel
down, Miss Stafford, please so that
your eyes will be on level with mine"
She knelt, wondering.
"That's right. Now look straight at
me. want you to tell me how badly
hurt am"
Her troubled gaze met his and wa
vered.
'|The doctors do not know yet ex-
actly," she told him gently.
He smiled family, but with some
thing in his eyes that called for
definite answer.
"Come, Miss Stafford-Kate; it's no
use lodging. Look at me and out with
it. Pm not a schoolgirl Am I going
to dep
= Her Her voice voice was very brave, but it hurt
her more to tell the truth than it did
him to hear it.
"We hope it is not so bad as that.
You have been badly she'-~n- and there
are internal complicaI7 ~ 1t the
worst trouble is your arm"
"Are they going to amputateT
Eyes"
His eyes WINGED, but he held his
voice steadily. They're afraid the
shock will kill me-ts that it?'
She nodded, her throat swelling to an
impossibility of words
He lay quiet for time, his face
turned to the wall. Her whole heart
went out in a surge of passionate
pity for the man so stricken, strug
Cling along in the grimmest fight of his
life. The girl had the insight to re-
frain from words, but under the strong
impulse she leaned forward and touch
ed his cheek with her lips His we'll
hand sought hers, found it and gripped
it strongly.
When he turned again toward her
she was amazed to find in his eyes a
shining triumph. She had looked for
them to fly the flag of despair, perhaps,
or brave endurance, but certainly not
this.
tits all right, dear" he said con-
tentedly. 81 have been too diffident--
too much of a coward, it may be. But
there was talk of you and another
man, and-and | could see that he was
more suitable l am poor man, with
just my salary, and you and he are
wealthy. l never spoke, scarcely dared
to look. Yes, l have been a coward.
In time might have won, have
II think you are the bravest man
know" she interrupted simply.
They were silent for many minutes
after that, both thinking of what the
end might be, the likelihood that he
might be going to his death. OF the
two he faced the contingency the more
calmly.
after all, death is not the greatest
evil that can befall one" he told her.
The tide of her emotions was full
"You know, of course, that I love
you, Kate; that always have loved
you. 1t is in keeping with my weak
ness that 1 have stood back while 9TH
ers have pressed boldly forward to win
YOU"
She was silent a moment, then, Eyes,
know you love me-" she said.
almost without hope 1 have loved.
1t has been the weakling's part have
played-desiring much, hoping little,
compelling nothing. Isn't that a quo
tation?"
Il don't know" she answered softly.
"Love is not like other things. 1t is
not to be compelled. 1t goes it's own
way
His eager eyes shone.
"Do you mean His voice was
very wistful.
Her gray eyes came up steadily to
meet his. always and always"
"You mean it, Kate? This Is no false
kindness because l am so illF'
For answer her full rich lips kissed
his pallid ones. He drew long breath.
T 81 shall not die. l have too much to
live for now. You will see that shall
come back. from the shadowy valley
after all. Love will conquer death this
time"
And 1t did. Against all the probable
tiles Of science, against the predictions
of the celebrated surgeon, he rallied
from the shock slowly and steadily.
Love had conquered.