Evening journal., 1908-12-29
PARTNERS TO
THE END

room next to his occupied. 1t had been
vacant for a year. and the colonel was
not only curious, but nettled The gar.
ret Of the house was divided into two
rooms, and his was one, and he had
never even looked into the other, but
as he had so long been the sole tenant
of the top story he felt that he ought.
to have been consulted as to a new
conner. When he heard a person NOV
ing around in the other half of his do
main he went down to Mrs. wilkins.
The colonel was a man of sixty. He
had threadbare garments and an empty
purse. While he occupied the cheapest
room in the house, it was well known
that he was often hard put to pay his
rent. while his meals were always tax
en- at the cheapest restaurants. He was
a man of dignity and education, and
that he had once occupied a place in
the world could not be doubted.
Mrs. wilkins" began the colonel as
he entered the landlady's presence, 81
take it that you have rented the other
room, and to female at thatT
"Yes, colonel, but It is to a young
woman who is trying hard to make a
living"
But you should have consulted me.
l have been with you for a year, and 1
should hate to remove to other quar-
ters, but please remember that 1 have
certain rights and privileges, and they
are not to be abrogated without my
consent. 1 will think it over and con.
slider what steps to take"
Five minutes later he knocked on the
door Of the other room, and it was
opened to him by young woman Of
about twenty-five. He bowed stinly,
and she drew aside as an invitation for
him to enter AS he looked around the
room be saw a cheap old trunk on the
door and few poor articles of wear
ing apparel hanging up ON the nails
driven intOdhe wall. A second glance
into the young wOman's face told him
that she had consumption.
81 came here to ask you why you
rented this room," he said as his face
softened little, but L can see with
out asking. Miss, let us shake hands.
For why?" she asked.
Because l occupy the next room;
because we are both victims Of tickle
/ fortune; because we should feel sorry
or each other; because l feel more
sorry for you than you can Tor me-"
Il hardly understand you, sir" she
said as she slowly put out her hand.
"You are trying to make asliving, ]
AXE it?"
eyes"
"And l am fighting poverty in hopes
to live a few years longer, though
why l should care to live another weeh
l do not know. The bond Of poverty
is between us. Let us be friends"
That night. instead Of taking his
meal at a cheap restaurant, he brought
home a loaf Of bread and some sau
sage. Instead Of going out to hunt u.
a cheap place. she went out for {
bit of butter and a jar Of marmalade
They had dinner together in her ROOM
1t was the first of many meals.
The colonel and the young lady go
to be very good friends. They coun
seled With each other; they cheered anC
encouraged each other; they deceive,
each other, or tried to, as to what th
future had in store. The woman SUI
fered most, and yet she was the BRAY
est hearted. From almost the frs
Gay Of their meeting they looked for
ward to certain things. Some day th
last Of his friends would disappear an
his precarious income would cease al
together. He would die before askln
a stranger for charity. Some day th
disease eating at her lungs would &c
mand the penalty, ard there would I
no avoiding It. They talked the mat
ter over for an hour and then droppe
It and never referred to it again.
was the black shadow in their pat,
\ and yet they fought it/away. On
= night, a year later. the colonel cam
= home ard found the young woman i
bed. The doctor had been there. an
the landlady had done al she could d
1t was the beginning Of the end. Th
! colonel sat down with a softer light O
d his face than his partner had see
there for weeks. and there was n touc
e Of the eSultant n his voice IS lie said
. II have come home penniless. Th
'' last OF ny friends has turned his bac
on me. am 10 beggar Of aims"
'I am 60 sorry" she sighed.
. "Say rather that you are so gla'
n You may linger for q month, but 20
have no hope Of getting we'll"
"None whatever"
"You remember our talk Of long age
$ The time seemed far Off then. but it
= here tonight Why should you be
r month in dyirg? Why should seek
T. live for three or four years more"
:, eyes, we had q talk" she quiet
!, said.
"Have you any money"
!; "a dime. Take L ard buy you som
y thing to eat"
Z Partners to the last he said as
70 smiled and rubbed his hands togethe
y 1T makes It Ear easier where we a
20 go together l VIII be back soon."
\ "And It is going TO happen?" 81
- asked as he returned with n bull
Ia package.
5 1T must. Why should it not?"
g. "Yes-why not;'
se Half an hour later the colonel S
down beside the bed and kindly said;
llss I'VE have been partners-true pal
~ ners. I viii sit here and hold 70
$ hand while we sleep"
n. They found them thus-the police