The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-26
LOVE THE CoNQUERoR.
BY FRANK H. SWEET.

Copyrighted, 1907, by Homer Sprague.)
 The pay clerk came to himself while the doctors were working over him. He looked around, mildly cur ous, and his eyes feil on Miss Stafford.
 You here--but, say, whats the mat ter? Where am I?' he asked feebly.
 fou're been hurt, Mir. Bates. own on the Keys, you know. Yo4 e A Miama now. Don't you rememDet the railroad extension and the hurricane?
 sOh. yes. The others saved?n
 Not all But l won't tell you any more now"
 He closed his eyes wearily but hap plly. The mere fact tn, t the contract "rs daughter had felt sufficiently inter- ested to come to him was enough.
 At first 1t had seemed a simple frac- tura of the arm but as the days passed complications developed. There were consultations of doctors, and the oues- ton of an amputation was discussed An attempt had been r de to keep the gravity of his position from Bates, but the quick brain and keen eyes of that young man pierced the dimsy subter- fuges. He divined that he was in a critical condition. Then one day Miss stafford came again. The nurse was standing near.
 T would like to see you alone a few moments" he began. Then, as the nurse slipped from the room. "KneeI down. Miss Stafford. piease--so that your eyes will be on a level with mine"
 She kne't. wondering.
 That's right. Now look straight at me. want you to tell me how badly hurt I sm,"
 Her troubled gaze met his and wav- , cred
 The doctors do not know yet exact lv." she told him gently
 ::e smiled faintly, nut with some- thing in his eyes that called for a def mite answer
 Come Miss Stafford -Kata It's no use lodging. Look at me and ont with it. I'm not a schoolgirl Am going to die?" '-'''S ''
 Her voice was very brave. hut if hurt her more to tell the truth than it did him to hear 1t.
 We hope it is not so bad a9 that You have been badly gnaxen and the~e are internal complications. 3rt the worst troublefs your arm
 gre they going to amputate"
 His eyes wincsd. but he held his voice steadily. They're afraid the shock will kill me--is that it7"
 She nodded her throat swelling to an impossihility of words
 He lay quiet for a time. his faco turn ca 10 tHe wall. Her Whole heart went out to him in a surge of passionate pitv Tor the man so stricken. struggling along in the grimmest light of his fife. The girl had the insight to refrain from words, but under the strong impulse she leaned forward and touched hls cheek with her lips. His well hand sought hers. found it. and gripped it strong ly When he turned again toward her she 1 v,RI fA 6r,1 i,, hG t,t~ ing triumph. She had looked for them to fly the flag of despair, perhaps, or hr""" endurance, nut certainly not this.
 Tt $ ali rlRht, dear" he said con. tentefly I have been too difndent-- too much Of q coward, it may be But there was talk of you and another man. and--and l could see that he was more suitable I am a poor man. with just my salary and you and ne are wealthy. ! never spoke scarcely dared to look. Yes, ! have been a coward. In time I might have won, have----"
 '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 he going to his death. Of the two, h" faced the contingency the more calmly
 After all death is not the greatest evil that can hefall one,' he told her.
 The tide of her emotions vas full.
 You know. ot course, that love you, Kate th9' ' olwavs have; that 1t is in ',eooinr with my weakness that have 'stod hack while others have press ed boldly forwa rd to win you"
 She was silent moment; then. i'Yes. I know you love me-" she said
 Almost without hone have loved IT h7e been the weaklinR's part I have played deqirino much horing little. compellir: nothing Isn't that a quo tation?"
 "I don't know" she answered softly Love Is not like other things. It is not