The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-21
THE EVENING STORY
Love the Concueror.
(By Frank ii. Sweet.


(By Frank H. Sweet.)
The pay clerk came to himself while
the doctors were working over him.
He looked around, mildly curious,
You here-but, say, what's the
matter? Where am II" he asked
feebly.
You've been hurt, Mr.. Bates Down
Miami now Don't you remember the
cane?"
...oh, yes. The others saved"
more now
He closed his eyes YEARLY, but hap
PLY. The mere fact that the con-
tractors daughter had felt sufficiently
interested to come to him was enough.
At first it had seemed a simple
fracture of the arm, but as the days
passed complications developed. There
were consultations of doctors, and the
question of an amputation was dis
cussed. 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
he was in critical condition. Then
one day Miss Stafford came again.
The nurse was standing near.
Il would like to see you alone few
nurse slipped from the room: "Kneel
down, Miss Stafford, please-so that
your eyes will be on a level with
mine"
She knelt. wondering.
That's right. Now look straight at
me. I want you to tell me how badly
hurt am"
Her troubled gaze met his and wav-
cred.
1.-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 a
definite answer.
Come, Miss Stafford-Kate. It's no
use lodging. Look at me and out with
it. I'm not a schoolgirl. Am going
to die?"
hurt her more to tell the truth than it
did him to hear it.
1--WE hope it is not SO bad as that.
You have been badly shaken, and
there are internal complications; but
the worst trouble is your arm"
Are they going to amputate?"
yes"
His eyes WINGED, but he held his
voice steadily. They're afraid the
shock will kill me-is 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 to him in a surge of passion
ate 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 well
hand sought hers, found it, and grip
ped 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, per-
haps or brave endurance, but certain
~ not this.
IT'S all right, dear" he said, con-
tentedly. 81 have been too diffident-
too much of a coward, it may be. But
man, and-and could see that he was
more suitable. am poor man, with
just my salary, and you and he are
wealthy never spoke-scarcely
coward. In time 1 might have won,
'I think you are the bravest man I
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 1 love
you, Kate; that always have; that it
Is In keeping with my weakness that
pressed boldly forward to win you"
She was silent a moment; then, !
Yes, I know you love me-" she said. |
Almost without hope 1 have loved. |
1t has been the weakling's part I have |
played desiring much hoping little,
nothing. Isn't that a quo
alton %
81 don't know" she answered soft |
y. Love Is not like other things. 1t |
s not to be compelled. 1t goes it's
,wn way"
His eager eyes shone.
DO you mean His voice was
7ery wistful.
Her gray eyes came UP steadily to
meet his. Always and always
You mean it, Kate? This is no
alse kindness because 1 am so HIP"
For answer her full rich lips kissed
lis pallid ones. He drew long
breath.
81 shall not die. I have too much
o live for now. You will see that I
hall come back from the shadowy
ralley after all. Love will conquer
ieath this time
And it did Against all the proba-
,ilities of science, against the predic-
ions of the celebrated surgeon, he
allied from the shock slowly and
teadily. Love had conquered
Copyrighted. 1907, by Homer
,prague.)
GLOBE SIGHTS.
rFrou1 the Atchisop Globe