Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-01-13
ROCKVILLE. maryland. FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 49, 1911
Down and
Out
n Metz, Years n
Story
BY AGNES B. cOLDwELL
Copyright. lalO, by American Prose-
9Th Association az ,as r.t.5

Marcus EiureuBe mad determined tnht
its closing hour would mark the end
OF his earthly career.
I'll wait until rnidnight and 80 out
WITH tsie ia yea, no 1nuttefeu ~ no
pressed the weapon tentatively against
his head As he stood there in the
gasllght his Unattached door swung
slowly open, and girls face APP
peared, startled and pale as her eyes
met his reflection in the glass His
glance met hers defiantly.
Coward" she said sharply.
How do you know that ann" he
demanded without turning around. His
face slowly Redeemed as the contempt
deepened on hers, and involuntarily his
right arm was lowered and the revolv-
er was placed on the bureau. How
do you know that I'm cowardp" he
persisted.
Because you were going to do that!'
She nodded toward the weapon, and he
could see that she was afraid Of It,
mo one hut coward would destroy
himself"
what do you know about III" FL
dredge flashed around and faced the
stranger who had so Unexpectedly
meddled with his affairs. do you
know what It Is to try for years to
reach certain goal and then fail? Do
you know what II Is to work and walt
and starve and suffer privation-and
thnp all In, Nd Than a11n6 IN
the failure, do you know what 1t is to
tramp the streets looking for any sort
of work without even a measure Of
success? What do you know about
these thingsr
"You are coward, as said before
the biggest craven ever met You're
Il 'frad catr" The girl ended with a
childish angry sob
you don't understand" he said, a
sullen look creeping into his face. "If
a fellow can't get work and hasn't got
a cent of money there's only one de-
cent thing he can do, and that is to
get off the earth"
"'The New Year holds no promise
for you?" she asked softly. with a
note OF courage in her voice.
mot thingp
rs there anybody dependent upon
your she asked.
~ haven't a relative. .e--s-- - = : =
the world-nobody who cares hang
what becomes Of mer
81 wonder II you've thought about
the trouble II would make II you
harmed yourself herein this board
ing house," She shivered little, and
her eyes evading the vicinity OF the
revolver, met his lnquiring glance.
Il suppose you mean 1t would make
Mrs Jones lot of trouble-notoriety
and what not"
81 wish you we're not such COW
ardP' she cried scOrnfully. "If you
only had the making OF half man I'm
your
81 have the ingredients TO make a
successful man II can have the
chance" he retorted.
what sort of chance do you
wantT' she asked with sudden eager
ness, what is your businessW
He hesItated an instant, and then he
admitted half defiantly. "Pm an art
list"
"An artist" she echoed doubtfully.
why have you not succeeded What
do the critics sayP
"The consensus OF opinion was that
I'd missed my vocation. One man said
did chairs and tables 80 well in my
pictures OF still life that really ought
to go into the furniture business.
That's sample OF the knocks I've
been getting"
what do you really think about ItT'
she asked in low tone.
about my own work." he said.
looking up quickly
She nodded
81 know It's rank trash--no good" he
said honestly.
Now you've made new begin
ming. You can eliminate art Why
don't you 20 into the furniture bust.
ness-design chairs and tables or sell
them-or anything? You've got to
start somewhere, you know" she
urged.
you don't know the dlsappoint-
ments I've had" he objected uneasily.
"A girl doesn't understand what 1t IL
to have to face q blank destiny-on an
empty stomach"
"You haven't anybody but yourself
to take care Of, and I'm ashamed OF
you. SO therep'
Marcus Eldredge looked down at tho
graceful form In his doorway. II was
Il strange situation He who had been
isolated In the midst of the. great city,
friendlcss and forsaken, seemed to
have found friend In this eager, gray
eyed girl. who. passing his doorway,
bad CHANGED to see him rehearging his
cowardly part In the little tragedy he
had determined to play that New
Years eve.
I'm ashamed Of myself" he said
suddenly. II don't know what has
made me so blue unless He bit Off
the words and evaded the questioning
Of her eyes.
"Tts getting late, and ! must be 20.
ing. wonder II you'd sell me that
revolver! want II for a certain pur.
pose" she said, ignoring his confusion
He placed the weapon In her hand
pIthOut "a tsnrI httt ah1 a......a "A