The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-09
THE EVENING STORY

(By Jerome Sprague.)

| house was not a tragic one, but it
was sentimental one. The man who
lived there was not young. nor could
\ he be called old, although there was
| a lock of white above his left temple
| and his shoulders were slightly bent.
But he was a hermit in his habits,
| and it was whispered that he had
loved in his youth, and that the wom-
| an had Tilted him. He was known to
have money, but he kept only one
| man servant, and, with two dogs for
company. went back and forth to the
| little town, nodding to those who
spoke to him, but scarcely raising his
eyes to look.
One day the whole neighborhood
was stirred over the news that big
motor car had stopped at the gate of
beautiful lady had stepped forth and
had gone in and had remained ten
minutes and had come out with her
cheeks as pale as white roses.
What happened ?" asked the neigh
bors. No one could answer the ques-
ton, for the hermit's man servant was
as still as the grave, and the hermit
himstlf made friends with no one.
When the beautiful lady stepped
over the threshold of the hermit's
study, she held out her hand and said,
"I have come to ask you to forgive
me-"
The hermit looked up at her in a
startled way, and deep flush crept
said quietly, There is nothing to
forgive. you told the truth"
The beautiful lady began to cry,
the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"But 1 spoiled your life," she said.
Think of what you were and OF what
you are now
"You told the truth" he said. you
told me that l was a coward-and
was-nothing can soften the facts in
the case"
But have learned that there were
extenuating circumstances. My brother
has told me that you tried to save
others, but that you tainted"
would a strong man have faint
ed?" he asked scornfully- II was
weakling, and you told me the truth
II know now how the horror of 1T
all overcame you." she said.
st was not brave-and I tainted"
"My brother told me something
else" she faltered. HE said that in
your weakened state of health my dis
trust of your courage had ruined your
at such a time-and I know now
was the coward-to say the things 1
did-to a sick man.
you told the TRUTH" he reiterated,
drearily. You are kind to try to take
the blame, but all that is past and
gone-why bring it up?'
because II can't stand it any
longer. 1 want to share the life that
have broken. I want-to come to
you here-Donald-as your wife"
nance. Then he shook his head.
what would you do here? You with
all your beauty-your love of life
gayety-in this dull spot?"
ct should be-with you" She
at is your pity which makes you
so kind" he said, steadily. II can
not imagine you in my little green
house, Katherine" |
And that was the reason that the
beautiful lady remained only ten min !
utes in the house of the hermit. be-
cause he did not ask her to sit down, |
and he did not ask her to come again.
But she came again, though not
until six months of tragedy had inter-
over the remote little town swept
an epidemic OF the most ma
lignant form of diphtheria. Whole
families died and their friends were
afraid to go near them.
But the hermit in the green house
was never afraid. From place to place
he went, ministering. He sent for
to the town 1t dawned upon the peo-
Die gradually that the man who had
been among them was rich, and that
he was now their saviour. The little
green house became the source of
supplies 1t was there the nurses and
doctors gathered as at dispensary,
to give out the food for the sick, and
the medicine for those who could not
have immediate personal attention.
One of the doctors warned the her-
nit. You are not taking proper pre-
"a ution against contagion, ne SAID.
you may come down at any moment
But the hermit smiled. my life is
If little value" he said. There is no
one to care whether I live or die"
The doctGT put kind Se h neo65e on on the the
own will care-everywhere hear of
your goodness and bravery"
The man looked up startled, then !
suddenly his shoulders seemed to
straighten.
people need me-"
And after the scourge was over, he '
came to the doctor one morning and {
stated his case. ears ago, ne salo'
It was in a theater when 1T burned. 6
Before 1 could help any one, tainted I
md was carried out. was engaged to I
! high-spirited girl, whose ideal man i
s one who had strength, courage
,he told me that had failed to meet
Ter ideal. I accepted her verdict, and
,ince then 1 have felt myself out off
rom association with men-I have 6
elt myself a weakling-but what you !
aid the other dey has given me hope
II want TO be a man among mem
lot a sulker in the shadows. Tell me
what can DO
you have money?
''Yes-enough and to spare"
srThen work for boys and with them. :
There's need in the town for gymna-
Iiun. Put your heart and soul into
he building of it. Get vital. vivid in
erests. And forget yourself"
That very night the hermit went
o the house of the beautiful lady.
Come and help me-" he said II am
soing to live again. I'm going to- I