The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-01-03
Down and
Out
II Metz Years
Story
By AGNES B. cOLDwELL
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
By AGNES B. cOLDwELL

| Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
1t was the last day of the year. and
Marcus Eldredge had determined that
its closing hour would mark the end
of his earthly career.
"Pll wait until midnight and go out
with the old year." he muttered as he
pressed the weapon tentatively against
his head AS he stood there In the
gaslight his Unmatched door swung
slowly open. and a girls face APP
peared, startled and pale as her eyes
met his reflection in the glass. His
glance met hers def1antly.
Coward she said sharply.
How do you know that amp" 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 a coward :" he
persisted.
Because you were going to do that"
She nodded toward the weapon, and he
could see that she was afraid of it..
"No one but a coward would destroy
himself"
what do you know about itT' 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 a certain goal and then fail? Do
you know what 1t is to work and wait
and starve and suffer privation-and
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 coward. as l said before
the biggest craven ever met. You're
a 'fraid 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!''
1.-THE New Year holds no promise
for your she asked softly, with a
note of courage in her voice.
mot a thingi'
''Is there anybody dependent upon
your" she asked
81 haven't relative or a friend in
the world-nobody who cares a hang
what becomes of mey'
81 wonder If you've thought about
the trouble 1t would make If you
harmed yourself herein this board
ing house?' She shivered little, and
her eyes, evading the vicinity of the
revolver. met his inquiring glance
II suppose you mean 1t would make
Mrs. Jones a lot of trouble-notoriety
and what not"
Il wish you were not such a cow
ard" she cried scornfully IF you
only had the making of half a man in
your
II have the ingredients to make a
successful man if l can have the
chance" he retorted.
What sort Of a chance do you
want?" she asked, with sudden eager
ness What is your businessY'
He hesitated an instant, and then he
admitted half defantly, I'm an art
list"
IAN artistr' she echoed doubtfuIly
"Why have you not succeeded? What
do the critics say?"
1.-The consensus of opinion was that
I'd missed my vocation. One man said
I did chairs and tables so well in my
pictures of still life that really ought
to go into the furniture business.
That's a sample Of the knocks I've
been getting"
What do you really think about itY'
she asked in low tone.
about my own workY' he said.
looking up quickly.
She nodded.
II know it's rank trash-no good" he
said honestly.
Nov you've made new begin
ming. You can eliminate art. Why
don't you go 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 disappoint-
ments I've had" he objected uneasily.
"a girl doesn't understand what 1t is
to have to face a blank destiny-on an
empty stomach"
you haven't anybody but yourself
to take care of, and I'm ashamed Of
you. So therer'
Marcus Eldredge looked down at the
graceful form In his doorway. 1t was
a strange situation. He who had beer
Isolated in the midst of the great city,
friendIess and forsaken. seemed to
have found friend in this eager, gray
eyed girl. who. passing his doorway.
had CHANGED to see him rehearsing his
.cowardly part in the little tragedy he
had determined to play that New
Years eve
''Pm ashamed of myself" he said
suddenly. Il don't know what has
made me so blue unless He bit off
the words and evaded the questioning
Of her eyes.
''It's getting late. and / must be 60
ing. ! wonder if you'd sell me that
revolver. / want 1t for a certain pur-
pose" she said. ignoring his confusion
He placed the weapon in her hand
without word. but as she dropped il
into a little bag at her waist and drew
out purse he waved 1t away.
please do not No. shall get along
all right. l understood why you bought
the revolver and | appreciate your del
icate kindness, only you must not let
me act more like cad than | have
already done. can get Job as wait
er in some of the restaurants till after
New Years; then Pm going into the
furniture business-going to butt right
in. Wish me luck?'
Il do. most heartily" she said, hap
ply holding out small glOved hand
for his large clasp. % know you'll
succeed. and hope you'll forgive my
presumption in speaking to you as
have done. | opened your door by
mistake for the one on the floor above.
At the end of the new year l shall
send for you to come to me, and If you
want the revolver then you can have
it,"
81 shall never forget your coming"
he said, bending low over her hand,
land l shall not fail to keep any ap-
pointment you may do me the honor to
make" An instant later the door
closed and she was gone.
by Jove! Think of little slender
ho hor .