Connecticut western news., 1909-01-07
Partners to the End |
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W hOdoC hC 40hAo AAS room next to his occupied. It had been vacant for 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 new conner. When he heard a person IKov- 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, 1t was well known that he was often hard put to pay his rent, while his meals were always talk en at the cheapest restaurants. He was 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, "I take it that you have rented the other room, and to female at that?"
 ''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 year, and should hate to remove to other quar- ters, but please remember that I have certain rights and privileges, and they are not to be abrogated without my consent. I will think it over and con- sider what steps to take"
 Five minutes later he knocked on tho door of the other room, and 1t was opened to him by a young woman of about twenty-five. He bowed stifily, and she drew aside as an invitation for him to enter. AS he looked around the room he saw a 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. a#
 "I came here to ask you why you rented this room," he said as his face softened a little, but can see with out asking Miss, let us shake hands," \, ''For whyT' she asked.
 Because I occupy the next room; because we are both victims Of tickle 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, sir" she said as she slowly put out her hand.
 ''You are trying to make living, take it?' .a
 "Yes.'
 And I am fighting poverty in hopes to live a few years longer, though why should care to live another week do not know. The bond of poverty Is between us. Let US be friends"
 That night, instead of taking his meal at cheap restaurant, he brought home a loaf of bread and some saul sage Instead of going out to hunt up cheap place, she went out for a bit of butter and 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 suf- fered 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 precarious income would cease al- together. He would die before asking l e. o1,a~ 6n 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 l it and never referred to 1t again. It was the black shadow in their path, and yet they fought 1t away. One night, a year later, the colonel came home and found the young woman in bed. The doctor had been there, and 1 the landlady had done all she could do. It was the beginning of the end. The colonel sat down with a softer light on his face than his partner had seen there for weeks, and there was touch of the exultant in his voice as he said: ''I have come home penniless. The last of my friends has turned his back on me. am no beggar of aims"
 "I am so sorry" she sighed.
 Say rather that you are so glad You may finger for month, but yo'I have no hope of getting we'll" 1 "None whatever"
 You remember our talk of long ago The time seemed far off then, but 1t i; i. here tonight. Why should you be d month in dying? Why should I seek to live for three CT four years more"
 "Tes. we had talk" she quietly said.
 Have you any moneyr
 "A dime. Take 1t and buy you some thing to eat"
 Partners to the last," he said as he l smiled and rubbed his hands together. Tt makes it far easier where we are to 20 together will be back soon."
 And 1t is going to happenT" she asked as he returned with a bulky package.
 Tt must. Why should it notP'
 'Yes-why not?"
 uo1f on bour Iatpr the colonel Sat