The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1910-07-29

cent Tor long while, out when ulu
saw that his face wore a troubled,
hopeless look, and that his whole at
titude indicated profound detection.
Vincent" | said, leaning over him,
what's the trouble?" | had been
noticing of late that he had been sub
iect to fits of melancholy altogether
out of keeping with his character and
| had come to the conclusion that he
had some trouble on his mind. l
wanted to know what it was, so that
| could help him. When l spoke he
turned his head slowly and looked at
me a moment solemnly, then smiled
family, the very ghost of that splen-
did, boyish smile of his, so that 1t went
to my heart.
"Oh, Arch" he burst out, every
things wrong! But it's not my fault;
how could help loving herr"
l was amazed. What was the boy
talking about, and who was it that lie
loved?
Yes, sir" he went on; 81 met her
| four miles from town carrying an old
beggar-woman's bundle because the
poor old thing had hurt her foot. And
when drew up the dogcart and asked
her to get in and take the bundle too,
she shook her head, and, by Jove, she
wouldn't get in till l let the old beg
gar-weman get in, tool" Vincent
turned to me positively radiant. "Ah,
Terhune!" he cried, you don't know
what it is. love her SOL"
And as he stood there, his face
| TRANSPORTED, l grasped in a moment
the meaning of the whole thing and
the understanding struck like blow
at my heart and knew how dear the
welfare of this boy was to me. Some
how, Vincent represents to me the
things 1 might have been, and am not,
the things l might have won, and
have lost; he represents the first flush
Of my own youth. And now that
had wasted those opportunities to lead
the selfish existence of the average
bachelor, found a certain joy in
again experiencing those first throbs
of living that had been mine, in the
person and life of young Vincent
AS he stood before me, glowing with
feeling, l felt that it was for me to
wipe that look from his face, cruel as
it seemed. and my anger at the wom-
an who had so deceived the boy by
withholding from him the knowledge
that she was married helped me to do
the deed.
Vincent" l said, slowly, do you
mean-dO l gather from your rawlings
that you hOnestly-er-care for this
person.? l had risen to my feet, and
as l spoke Vincent's whole express
sion changed in flash.
Your inference is perfectly cor
rect" he said. His face went white and
there was war in his tone, for he
perceived that l meant trouble
The necessity of saving the boy
loved from the consequences of his
own folly took possession of me, and
l was full of rage at Vincent and at
that constituencies woman in the gray
gown who had entrapped him.
You foel," l said, putting my face
close to his square, cleft chin, why dc
you throw away your chance in life
like that2 What do you want to lei
yourself get entangled with an ad
ventures for? Don't you know the
woman's married.? She confessed tC
having one husband; she may have q
dozen, for all know!"
The inevitable happened, for Vim
cent. with a half-articulate cry like
a wild animal, raised his clenched fist
and struck at me. Fortunately for us
both, he struck wildly in his anger ant
caught the blow on my arm.
You liar!" he shouted, "oh, yor
har!" and in rage that shook hin
from head to foot he rushed from the
room and slammed the door.
, was sick at heart as l stood starins
: ; after him to think that matters haC
come to such a pass between Vincent
and myself Although no man car
r hear himself called a liar, even BY
his best friend, without resenting it
still, when the first flash of my wratf
had passed, l fOrgave him for it, for
knew that the heat of his passion
would permit no satisfaction but VIC
lence, and, of course, if he really cared
for the woman, the words l had useC
were about the most insulting possible
! However, l had done what seemed Il
be my duty, and only reprnached my
self bitterly for not having told hin
{ of the secretary's marriage before hi!
unhappy infatuation had gained sucl
Roadway. But he had disarmed M
r first suspicious and had never
dreamed that anything so serious wa.
I on foot. That was a restless night fol
me and 1t was dawn before | fell int
: light sleep.
: CONTINUED