The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-30

IN her black hair. and there were deep
circles beneath the dark eyes-eyes that
were dull from looking without seeing
anythiH: in particular.
1T was best for Henry" she added
quietly. He is restless over here
You see. he foryets everything SO
quickly now. 1t has been SO for nearly
a year"
There was the story of her days-the
watcher and keeper of this childish
man whose mind was fading away be-
fore his time. With a sense Of the
cruelty in 1t l turned away from her
hastily and looked out OF the window.
Il Go not mind most times" she said
gently as in answer to my action. 1T
IS easier to bear than some things Of
life"
Shame" I muttered.
But there are days" she burst out,
more like her old self, when l simply
cannot stand it. But let US not waste
these precious minutes with my trou-
bles. Let US talk of you You are still
young in spite or
The gray hair and the 24O pounds:
l don't feel so young as l might. Jane"
But you have got much for your
gray hairs. You have lived more than
most men"
Tell me-" I demanded suddenly-"I
know 1t was your hand that pulled me
from the last hole. 1t was your money
that Carboner risked? l knew it. Old
Gardener wouldn't tell, but ! knew it,"
And you were on the point of re-
fusing my help" she added. with an
accusing smile. II should have scorned
you If you had gone away without itr'
''Oh. didn't hesitate long! And l
am glad now it was yours In more
ways than one" added quickly. 1T
was profita BILE deal. Gardener wrote
you the terms?'
Yes. but it would have made no diff
ference II 1t had come out badly. You
can't know what 1t meant to me to do
that. To work with you with all my
strength! 1t was the first real Joy l
ever got from my money and perhaps
the last. too. for you are beyond my
help now
How did Gardener get hold Of your
husbands stock" persisted curiously
That is my secret" she smiled back,
with a look Of her old self why
should you want to know? That is so
like man! Always wanting to know
why. Believe in the fairies for once"
1T was a mighty clever fairy this
time. She had lots Of power. Do you
see that. after all. in spite Of all the
talk about genius and destiny and be-
ing self made and all that. l did not
win the game by myself! would have
been broke now, a discrelited gam
bier, II 1t hadn't been for your helping
hand. 1t was you! And 1 guess. Jane.
we all have to have some help"
You don't begrudge me the little
help l gave you-the small share 1 had
in your fortune?"
mo, don't mind. am glad of it."
That was sincere enough. l had
come to see that no man can stand
alone. and was not ashamed to have
taken my help from the hand Of a
woman.
But suppose I had gambled with
your money and lost it? l might have
easily enough"
do you think l should have cared?"
mo. Jane. 1 guess not. But 1 should
have.'
Its been the Joy Of these terrible
years knowing that you were here in
the world accomplishing what you
were born to do. And that l had a
little-oh, such q little!-share in help
ing you do it. Poor l, who have never
done anything worth while!"
1T seems queer that q woman should
does"
"It's beyond q mans power to know
that! But try to think what you would
be IL you were a helpless cripple, tied
to your chair. Don't you suppose that
when some strong. handsome athlete
came your way with all his health you
would admire him. get interested in
him and like to watch those muscles
at work. Just the muscles you couldn't
use? l think So And II a good fate
put 1t In your power to help him-you.
the poor cripple in your chair-help
him to win his race, wouldn't you be
thankful? can tell you that one
cripple blesses you because you are
you-a man."
The excitement of her feelings
brought back the dark glow to her
face and made her beautiful once more
Ideas seemed to burn away the faded
look and gave her the power that pas
sion gives ordinary women.
You and I think alike. love to be-
lieve Start US from the two poles.
and we would meet midway. We are
not little people. thank God. you and L.
We did not make a mess Of our lives.
My friend. it is good to know that"
she ended softly.
YES" admitted. understanding
what she meant. I'VE parted"
1--WE parted! We lived a thousand
miles from one another What mat
tiers it? I said to myself each day. Out
there in the world lives a man who
thinks and acts and feels as l would
have a man think and act and feel
He is not far away"
She laid a hand lightly on my arm
and smiled. And we were silent until
the voices Of the others in the hall
above reminded us Of the present
Jane rose. and her face had faded
onee more into it, uSra, caln