The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-16
THE MAN WHO FAILED
by VIRGINIA BLAIR.

Its ell up with me-" Stafford said,
duly; II have lost my money and l
have lost the girl
Durham smoked In sympathetic ST.
hence. IT she is worth her salt she
won't let you give her up"
II shant leave the decision to her."
Stafford said. quickly. Il wrote her
this morning that I couldn't drag her
down to poverty. Besides. she
couldn't love a man who has failed"
'.oh. look here" Durham expostu-
lated. You haven't failed in any
thing except an investment that has
taken all your money. But you've
got your profession"
Yes, Stafford laughed. bitterly,
land do you know what that means.
Durham? i have got to make good
appearance before the world. / have
got to keep my office up. and my auto
mobiles, although everything l have is
fnortgaged up to the limit. It's all
very we'll for q man living alone to
economic closely, but you can't ask
q woman TO do thing like that"
Then don't try TO blum 1t out"
Durham advised. biuntly. Wind up
your affairs and start in an humble
way in a different neighborhood."
.No,' wag the stubborn reply. DO
you think Margaret Dare would care
10 marry a man that the world called
q failure She IL toe proud for that"
she is a loving woman before she
Is a proud one" was Dunham's
shrewd estimate
''She is loving---f light came
Into Saffords eyes. then fiickered and
died---"hut | can't take advantage of
her affection. Dunham.'-'
'tyou have already taken advantage
Of IT," Durham said. quietly: you
won her love knowing that your in
sestnaeats were uncertain.
But / was so sure Stafford said
There was the doubt" Durham in
sisted. There is always doubt
when man puts money into gold
mines. And you we're too busy look
ing after other peoples Ills to watch
q the men who were managing your
affairs. It isn't your fault that you
lost--but il is Margaret's right to say
whether she will share your misfor-
tunes as well as your fortunes"
hut ! am as proud as Lucifer.
] the doctor began, and TO feel that
am dragging her down
II know" Durham smoked for 8
moment thoughtfully. his eyes on the
fire. then he said. with some hestta-
lion: That's the reason / never tried
10 win her. / am only half a man
EafYord. | am down and out, as fan
as my am billions are concerned. Since
the Gays you and ] studied medicine
together You have gone up. but / an
known as a man who can't be trust
ed-~-becanse he--driHks. "
His Voice sank and died away, but
presently he went on. But / want
Margaret Dare to be happy, and you
have no right to turn her away now,
Ehiiip.''
We'll. / won't let her marry "A man
who has failed" was Safford's logged
reiteration.
He was interrupted by the tinkle OF
the telephone. There was a baby Ill
!. somewhere in the suburbs He threw
on his coat and started. Good. old
gsan." he said before nc left, Il know
you want us both to be happy--but
somehow tife has cheated me Of hap
pinesa.'
Perhaps II Is we who cheat our
selves said Durham, wisely. and
stared once more into the dying fire.
There was "A fight for the bahy's
life and Stafford drove home at dawn,
He felt that the hleakness of the cold
morning was symbolic of the life that
4 stretched before him with Margaret
He had few hours sleep and came
down to find that the morning mai!
had come. There was letter from
Margaret. Come 10 me this morn
8 Ing" she said III you have ever
loved me--come"
His pride fought against going. He
felt that he could not face her. HI
had held his head so high. He hac
Iayished upon her all the bounty o.
his wealth and now he was to pre-