Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-21
The Argus Daily Short Story
Down and Out-By Agnes B. Coldwell
Copyrighted. 1910. by Associated Literary Press.

1t was the last day of Ehe year. and
Marcus Eldredge had determined that
its closing hour would mark the END
Of his earthly career.
III wait until midnight and 20 cut
with the old year" he muttered as he
pressed the weapon tentatively against
his head As he stood there in the
gasIight his Unmatched HIoor swung
slowly open, and girss face ap-
peared. startled and pale aas her eyes
met his reflection III thea glass. His
glance met hers deiantly-
Coward she said sharply.
How do you know thaf@I amp" he
demanded without turning eTOund. His
face slowly redeemed as the contempt
deepened on hers. and fnvoluntarily his
right arm was lowered ana the revolv
or was placed on the bureau. How
do you know that I'm cEEyardE" he
persisted.
Because you We're goingcO do that"
She nodded toward the weapon, and he
could see that she was afraid Of It.
mo one bat coward would destroy
himself"
What Go you know about it?" Ell
dredge flashed around and faced the
stranger who had so unexpectedly
meddled with his affairs. DO you
know what it is to try fort years to
reach a certain goal and theirs fail? Do
you know what it is to work and wait
and -starve and suffer privsFion-aEd
then fail In the end? Then. added to
the failure, do yOu know what it is to
tramp the streets looking for any sort
of work without even a measure of
success? What do you know about
these thingS?"
You are a coward. as I stid before
the biggest craven I ever met You're
'fraid catr" The girl endsh with n
childish angry sob.
You don't understand" Inc said.
sullen look creeping into his. face. IF
n fellow can't get work and Ehasn't got
a cent of money there's only one de-
cent thing he can do. and that is to
get off the earthr'
1.-The New Year holds no ;promise
for you" she asked softly, with
note of courage in her voice.
Not a thing
''Is there anybody dependent upon
your she asked.
81 haven't a relative or q friend in
the world-nobody who cares'a hang
what becomes of mer'
81 wonder If you've thought about
the trouble it would make If you
harmed yourself herein this board
ing house?' She shivered little, and
her eyes, evading the vicinity of the
AIr IL
81 suppose you mean it would make
Mrs. Jones a lot of trouble-notorlety
and what not"
Il wish you were not sucht a cow
ard"' she cried scornfully. "If you
only had the making of half al man In
your
II have the ingredients to SInake a
man if 1 can have the
chance" he retorted
What sort of a chance do you
want?" she asked. with sudden eager
ness. what is your business?"
He hesitated an instant, and ttf1en he
admitted half defantly. I'm an art
ist"
can artistr' she echoed dOuHtfully.
why have You not succeeded? What
do the critics say?"
The consensus of opinion vast that
I'd missed my vocation. One mant said
[ did chairs and tables so well in my
pictures Of still life that 1 really ought
TO go into the furniture business. /
That's a sample of the knocks I've
been getting"
What do you really think aboutitT'
she asked in n low tome
about my own work." he said,
looking up quickly.
She nodded,