The daily Alaskan., 1909-02-16
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Partners to the End .
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IcOpyrlEht, lN8, by T. c. MccurOl

One uOy WGeh NOloAel AoN N"Ai' back to bis top story room at Mrs, Wilkins rooming house he found the room next to his occupied, It 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 ns he had so long been the sole tenant of tho top story he felt that he ought to have been consulted as Co a new comer When he heard n person nov ing around in the other half Of his do- main he went down to Mrs Wilkins.
 The colonel was 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 hls rent. while his meals were always talk on 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, q take 1t that you have rented the other room, and to female at thati'
 Yes, colonel but 1t is to a young woman who is trying hard to make a living"
 But you should have consulted me. . have been with you for year, and I should hate to remove to other Quar. ters but please remember that have certain rights and privileges, and they arc not 10 be abroEated without my consent. will think lt over and con. slider what steps to take"
 Five minutes later he knocked on the door of the other room, and lt was opened to him by a young woman of about twenty-five. He bowed sudly, and she drew aside as an invitation for him to enter. As he looked around the room he saw cheap old trunk on the floor and a few poor articles of wear ing apparel hanging up on the nails driven into the wall. A second glance into the young woman's face told him that she had consumption.
 q came here to ask you why you rented this room," he said as his face softened little, but can see with. out asking Miss, let us shake hands" "For whyT" she asked
 Because occupy the next room; because we are both victims Of fckle fortune; because we should feel sorry for each other: because l feel more sorry for you than you can for me"
 'I hardly understand you, slr," she said as she slowly put out her hand.
 You are trying 10 make a living, | take ItT"
 "Yes."
 And I am fighting poverty in hopes to live a few years longer, though why I should care to live another week I do not know. The bond of poverty Is between us. Let us be friends"
 That night instead of taking his meal 0t cheap restaurant, he brought home loaf of bread and some sau. sage. Instead of going out to hunt up cheap place, she went out for a bit of butter aud a jar of marmalade. They had dinner together in her room. It was the first of many meals
 The colonel and the young lady got to be very good friends. They coun. seled with each other; they cheered and encouraged each other: they deceived each other. or tried to, as to what the future had in store. The woman sui fercd most. and yet she was the bray est hearted. From almost the first day of their meeting they looked for. ward to certain things, Some day the last of his friends would disappear and his prccarious income would cease al- together He would die before asking stranger for charity. Some day the disease eating at her lungs would de. mand the penalty. and there would be no avoiding 1t. They talked the mat ter over for an hour and then dropped It and never referred to it again. lt was the black shadow in their path, and vet they fought it away. One night. year later, the colonel came home and found the young woman in bed. The doctor had been there, and the landlady had done all she could do. It was the beginning of the end. The colonel sat down with softer light on his face than his partner had seen there for weeks, and there was a touch of the exultant in his voice as he said:
 "I have come home pennllesS The last of my friends has turned bis back on me. am no bcggor of aims"
 q am so sorry" she sighed.
 Say rather that you are So glad. You may finger for a month, but you have no hope of getting well"
 None whatever"
 "You remember our talk of long ago2 The time seemed far or then, but 1t is here tonight. Why should you be a month in dying? Why should seek to live for three or four years moreT
 "Yes, we had talk" she quietly said.
 Have you any money?"
 "A dime. Take it and buy you some thing to cat"