The Democratic advocate., 1909-08-06

never learned
~. Is a pity" said the other
Granted. But now it Is too late
to undo what has been done. | have
certain amount OF brains. l have
earned sufiiciency OF money, at one
time ! had much cheap fame. But
now all seem valueiess. Life does
not hold much Of Joy for me. my
friend"
Il am sorry. fancy you have
missed the human side Of life"
1T has eiuded me- Once I strove
to pursue lt--in vain"
Have you ever loved woman or
child?"
Children are strangers to me.
Women? There was one woman
once. but she was false"
And who was she? May ask -
She was my wife
Your wIfeg" The friend OF old
days was filled with great astonlgh-
ment. Il had no idea that you had
ever married.
1T was many years ago. souEht
happiness: as I told you. for me Il
proved elusive"
She rs dead?"
y neither know nor care. She left
me one year after marriage
"Aioney"
4 have never even troubled to In
quire She was Roar. ] would not
bring her back-n by ono word.
one glance, one uncontrolled desire.
she died 20 me when she destroyed
al my faith ia woman"
You had been happy with herr
Her mere presence made my hap
pluess"
And herr
Il Judged her BY myself I always
imagined that | made her life happy
I was mistaken
There was certain pa,hoa In this
sudden revelation OF an unsupported
humanity The thought that love
had ever laid her magic hand on this
cold man OF work and loneliness was
passing strange.
How long ago WAS All thlst' The
old friend put the question diflident-
~ and there was very real sym
paihy underlying bis quiet tones
Eight years ago she left me. II
seems 10 mo lifetime All the
youth and the brightness left my
house with her l was old. she waA
SO very young Al, my dream was
In truth fooliahueas"
Your life must be- very lonely. old
ffiend Whom have you 20 nurse
you and care for your"
Ny servant He ~ n good lad
Six years be has been with me. and
in all that time he has never left me
once. Yes. his II the only faithful
ness that J have known have
erown fond Of him"
a soft tap az The door had passed
unnoteed. and now slim youth came
into the room. bringing tea tray
with him. Very softly and carefully
he moved about. arranging little
table by the fireplace, and setting
out all sorts Of delieaeies thereon
Then quietly be handed his master
the cup of cocoa which he made for
him every afternoon.
What else will YOU haye7" be In
quired
My usual toast. Butter IL for me =
the Professor said shortly. Pour
out tea for my friend also. before you
go"
And the friend sat watching silent
ly, and he thought how wiatful were
the lads fine eyes, how much sad
nesa their depths seemed oonccaiing
II must be a dull life for boy"
he thought TO himself HE lE GER
iainly extraordinary faithful" And
once the subject ~ HIS thoughts had
left the room, he spoRe aloud some
OF these ideas concerning him.
u like your lads face; he has eyes
like faithful dog But be has
wonderfully sad expression, don't you
think sog"
Il cannot see II" said the Profess
sor grayely.
Not see Il! But"
II am nearly blind now" ....
My friend, had no idea; you did
not tell me-"
4 had a long illness after she left
me" came the slow. sad answer. MY
sight was affected. ! am not yet To-
tally blind; but cannot see TO do
thing for myself"
Il am truly sorry. should never
have fancied t."
No; ! believe you would not
tell from the outward appear
ance OF my eyes; but the sight Is
practically gone. So. you see,
faithful servant Ia real necessity"
II Is a mercy you have got him"
III Is. ] am utterly dependent on
him now. And am not ungratefnl
for his faithful service. have left
him everything possess In my will.
lie is giving me all his youth. you
see"
All his youth All his heart, all
his life, might perhaps have been
nearer the truth. For at that very
moment the Professors servant was
standing with quiyering lip and tear
filled eye, because he had at last
heard words of appreciation Of him
self He had overheard that simple
remark. Il have grown fond OF him"
And so evening drew on, and the
Professor and his old friend still sat
talking In the dancing glow of the
hrelight. And at last the friend took
his leave with promises of future
visit. Then quietly the servant came
again to ask HIS master II lights were
not needed. And still the tears we're
In the lads eyes. and now his voice
was husky.
what is the matter?D asked the
Professor shortly. That voice was
ever calm. and cheerful; 1t was full
Of sadness now, and a struggle for
composure.
II am sorrs He tried to am
swer steadily; but again his voice