The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-04-06
Partners TO the End
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
copyright. 1s0e. BIZ =. 9. McClure. ]

copyright, 1903. by 7. c. McClure.l
One day when Colonel Day came
back to his top story room at Mrs.
Wilkins rooming house he found the
room next to his occupied 1t 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
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 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, 1t was well known
that he was often hard put to pay his
rent, while his meals were always tax
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, II
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.
have been with you for year, and
should hate to remove to other quar-
tiers, but please remember that have
certain rights and privileges, and they
are not to be abrogated without my
consent. VIII think it over and con.
slider what steps to take"
Five minutes later he knocked on the
door Of the other room, and it was
opened TO him by young woman of
about twenty He bowed sttfiy.
and she drew aside as an invitation for
him to enter. AS he looked around the
room he saw cheap old trunk on tie
floor and 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.
Il came here to ask you why you
rented this ROOM" he said as his face
softened little, "but l can see with
out asking. Miss, let us shake hands"
For why?" she asked.
Because l occupy the next room:
because we are both victims of f1ckle
fortune; because we should feel sorry
for each other; because / feel more
sorry for you than you can for me-"
Il hardly understand you, sir" she
said as she slowly put out her hand.
you are trying to make a living, 1
take it?
Eyes"
"And 1 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 sau-
sage. Instead of going out to hunt up
cheap place, she went out for a
bit Of butter and a jar Of marmalade.
They had dinner together in her room.
1t 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
Gay Of their meeting they looked for
ward to certain things Some day the
last of his friends would disappear and
his precar1ous 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 the9mat-
ter over for an hour and then dropped
1t and never referred to it agafRS<. 1t
was the black shadow in their patazr
and yet they fought It away. One
night, a 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.
1t 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 a touch
Of the exultant in his voice as he said:
Il have come home penniless The
last Of my friends has turned his back
on me. am no beggar Of aims"
st am so sorry" she sighed
Say rather that you are so glad
You may linger for a month, but you
have no hope of getting we'll"
None whatever
you remember our talk OF long ago2
The time seemed far of then, but it is
here tonight. Why should you be a
month in dying? Why should 1 seek to
live for three or four years more?"
Eyes, we had a talk" she quietly
said.
Have you any money!"
"a dime Take it and buy you some
thing to eat''
Partners to the last" he said as he
smiled and rubbed his hands together