The daily Alaskan., 1909-04-05
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Partners to the End
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room next to his occupied. IL had been vacant for a year, and the colonel was not only curious. but ncttlcd The gar ret of the house was divided into two rooms. and his was onC 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 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. Ho had threadbarc 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 lis meals were always talk on at the cheapest restaurants. He was d man of dignity and education, and that he had once occupied place in the world could not be doubted.
 Mrs. Wilkins" began the colonel as he entered the landNdy'S presence, "l take It that you have rented the other room, and to female at thatE'
 "Ycs, colonel, but lt k to young woman who is trying hard to make a living"
 "But you should have consulted mo. l have been with you for year, and l should hate to remove to other quar- tcrS, but please remember that have certain rights and privileges, and they are not to be Ubroggtcd without my consent. l will think it over and con. Sidcr what steps Co takc.'
 Five minutes later he knocked on the dor of the other room, and it was opened to him by young woman of about twenty-five. He bowed stitlly, and she drew aside as an invitation for him Co cater AS he looked around the room he saw a cheap old trunk on the floor and few poor articles of wear ing apparel hanging up on the nails driven into tnc, wall. A second glance into the young woman'S face told him that she had consumption.
 "I came here to ask you why you rented this ruom," he said uS his face softcucd a lirtlc but can see with. out asking. Miss, let Us shake hands"
 "For why|" she asked.
 "BccauSc l occupy the next room; because We are both victims of fcklc fortune: because We should feel sorry for each other: because l feel more sorry for you than you can for mo"
 "I hardly understand you, sir she said as she slowly put out her hand.
 You are trying 10 make a living, l take it:"
 Yes
 And am fighting poverty in hopes to live few years longer, though why should care lo live another week do not know The bond of poverty IS between us. let Us he 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 q cheap place, she went out for d bit of butter and a jar of marmaladc. They had dinner together in her room. l. was the first of many meals
 The colonel and the young lady got Co be very gnrd friends. They coun. sclcd with each other; they chccrcd and encouraged each other; they deceived each other or tried Co. as Co what the future had in store. The woman sui frrrd most. and yet she was thc bray. est hearted. From almost the first Cay 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 a stranger for charity. Some day the disease eating at her lungs would de. mand the penalty, and there would be no avoiding it. They talked the mat ter over for an hour and then dropped 1t and never referred to it again. It was the blacl, shadow in their path, and vet they fought it away. One night. a yea? later the colonel came home aud 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 a softer light on his face than his partner had seen there for weeks. and there was touch of the cNultaDt in his voice as he said:
 "I have come home pcnnilcsS. The last of my friends has turned his back on me. lam no Ecggar of almS.'
 "T am so sorry" she sighed.
 Say rather that you are so glad. You may finger for a month. but you havC no hope of getting we'll"
 None whatever"
 You remember our talk of long ago? The time seemed far off then, but 1t is here tonight. Why should you be q month in dying? Why should seek to live for three or four years mOreF"
 "YcS, We had q talk" she quietly said.
 Have you any moneyT
 "A dime. Take 1t and buy you some thing to cat"
 Partners to the last" he said as he smiled and rubbed his hands together. "It makes it far easier where we are t, ,,n tn,,nthnr I will Inc hpck soon"