Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-10-29
see you sometimes, won't II"
ono how. think notn

see you sometimes, won't II"
mo, boy; think not
81 believe I understand" he muir
INJURED, land perhaps It's better 80"
He took her two soft hands in his one
good right and kissed them. God
bless you and keep you, dear, brave lit
tie Cherry"
She stood straight and still as he
melted into the shadows, and only the
moonlight heard her pitiful sob and
her hopeless whisper:
"Goodby, my boy, my boy"
He wandered down beside the sea,
for his battle was not yet won, and
until he was surer Of himself he could
not endure the ribaldry and rejoicing
of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting
for him in every public place. but no
one there could know the mockery OF
it, no one could gauge the desolation
that was his.
The sand, wet, packed and hard as
pavement, gave no sound to his care
less steps, and thus it was that he
came silently upon the one woman as
she stood beside the silver surf. Had
he seen her first he would have SUNK
! past In the landward shadows, but,
recognizing his tall form, she called
and he came, while 1t seemed that his
lungs grew suddenly CONSTRUCTED, az
though bound about with steel hoops.
The very pleasure Of her sight panied
him. He advanced eagerly, and yet
with hesitation, standing stiftiy aloof
while his heart futtered and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw his
bandages and her manner changed
abruptly. Coming closer she touched
them with caressing fingers.
Its nothing-nothing at all" he said
while his voice jumped out Of all con-
troll. when are you-going away"
| II do not know-not for some time.
1 He had supposed she would go to-
! morrow with her uncle and-the other,
to be with them through their travail.
With warm impetuosity she began:
ut was a noble thing you did to-
| day. Oh, 1 am glad and proud"
II prefer you to think Of me in that
way, rather than as the wild beast you
saw this morning, for was mad, per-
fectly mad with hatred and revenge,
and every wild impulse that comes to
a defeated man. You see, had played
and lost, played and lost, again and
again, till there was nothing left.
What mischance brought you there
1t was a terribly brutal thing, but
you can't understand"
"But I can understand. do.
know all about 1t now. know the
wild rage OF desperation; know the
exultation Of victory; l know what
hate and fear are now. You told me
once that the wilderness had made you
savage, and I laughed at 1t just as
l did when you said that my contact
with big things would teach me the
truth, that we're all alike, and that
those motives are in us all. l see now
that you were right and I was very
simple. learned great deal last
night"
II have learned much Also" said he.
II wish you might teach me more"
'I-I-don't think could teach you
any more" she hesitated.
He moved as though to speak, but
held back and tore his eyes away from
her.
"Well2' she inquired, gazing at him
covertly.
"Once, long time ago, read Z
lovers petition, and ever since know
ing you l have made the constant
prayer that l might be given the
/ purity to be worthy the good in you
and that you might be granted the
patience to reach the good in me, but
| it's no use. But at least I'm glad we
have met on common ground, as II
we're, and that you understand, in q
measure The prayer could not be an
wered; but through it have found
myself and have known you. That
last is worth more than kings ran
som to me. 1t is holy thing which
shall reverence always, and when you
go you will leave me lonely except for
its remembrance
"But l am not going," she said.
"That is-unless"-
Something in her voice swept his
] gaze back er~,~ 'hn ehirnmering cause