The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-06-30
Love the Conqueror.

Copyright. 1907 by Homer Sprague.l
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 II" he asked fee
bly,.
You've been hurt, Mr.. Bates-down
on the keys, you know. You're at
Miami now. Don't you remember the
railroad extension and the hurricane?"
"Oh, yes The others saved?"
mot all. But I won't tell you any
more now"
PLY. The mere fact that the contract
or's daughter had felt sufficiently In
terested to come to him was enough.
At first 1t had seemed 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 f1imsy subter-
fuges. He OWNED that he was in a
critical condition. Then one day Miss
Stafford came again. The nurse was
standing near.
moments" he began. Then, as the
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. l 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 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 I going
to die?"
Her voice was very brave, but it hurt
her more to tell the truth than 1t 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 amputatei"
Eyes"
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 a time, his face
turned TO the wall Her whole heart
went out in surge of passionate
pity for the man SO stricken, struS
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 gripped
it strongly.
When he turned again toward her
she was amazed to find in his eyes
shining triumph. She had looked for
them to fly the flag Of despair. perhaps
or brave endurance, but certainly not
this.
Its all right, dear" he said con
tentedly. 81 have been too diffident-
too much of 4 coward ii may be. But
there was talk OF you and another
man. and-and | could see that he was
more suitable. | am poor man. with
just my salary. and you and he are
wealthy. l never spoke. scarcely dared
to look Yes I have been a coward
In time / might have won. have
Il think you are the braycst 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 / love
you. Kate: that I always have loved