The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-03

success, he. too. had been at last out
| witted. and tonight he heheld himself
"a ruined man.
Who could have foretold that sud
den drop in B. G R.? Not he! But
it came-too late to close out, and
now-the end. How the hours drag.
ged! Tomorrow, all his little world
would know that he, Wainwright, the
| lucky, had forfeited his claim to the
title. had gone down, like many an
| other.
But, look like that of dreamer
rudely awakened, swept over the
mans face as, raising his head. he
exclaimed in an awe-stricken whis-
per: my God, Edith, my wife! And
l had not even thought of her."
How would Edith take this change
of fortune? Edith? Their lives had
drifted so widely apart during the
past ten years that he scarcely knew
or understood her. She had cared
little for luxury or social distinction,
yet how changed was the fair, self.
poised woman who bore his name.
from that young girl who had strolled
| with him on moonlit evenings, be7
meath the old elms, so long ago!
All, WE'LL She had still her small
Inheritance, for he had squandered
nothing which was net his own. lie
had fully intended to run down to
| Harport last week and see how she
was getting on, but it seemed impos-
sible then, and now.
There was rustic In the doorway,
and against the dark portiere a wOm-
ans slender figure was outlined, in
bold relief. The sensitive profile
quivered, and low voice, vibrant
with feeling, murmured: James,
James, l simply had to come, and so
took the evening train. am glad, oh,
so glad, to find you here! How white
and worn you look. though!
But this has been such sad--a
dreadful day."
The man WINGED as at touch upon
a wound, but the low voice continued:
LET me tell you. This morning
there was a terrible accident. l was
at the beach when a young doctor,
who had been stopping at the next
cottage, was drowned before my very
eyes. He was on his wedding trip.
and the little bride, poor girl! is fran
tic. But, James, the shock and pity
of it all made me see even more
clearly than ever before, how little
the world has to give us but these
II; ifa nd nd
Her voice trembled, but with a ges-
ture both winning and tender, she
held out her hands. "Is it too late
for us, even now, dear? You are an
ambitious man. but have you not yet
satisfied your pride? I'm not senti-
mentalist, but aren't we losing some
thing that is the best and sweetest
part of existence? Nothing counts,
you see, but these three facts, life,
love and death"
"And Death is swallowed up in vic
tory" repeated the man, in hushed
monotone.
But the heart of the woman still
sought expression. 81 have been lone
ly. so lonely, James. If / had had a
child" She turned her head to hide
the tears.
The man caught her in his arms.
"But, Edith, listen!" he spoke with
apparent effort, after long silence;
81 am ruined man. You have not
heard, but everything own is swept
away"
"a ruined MANI" she echoed, in per-
~ mi,
in dishonor, and you are not dishon'
ored." Proudly she raised her head.
and like beacon to a shipwrecked
mariner the light of her trust flashed
it's message of hope to the spirit OF
the man before her.
NO" rang his answer. thrilling with
the inspiring power Of reawakened
courage. Defeated, but not dishon'
ored"
A look of almost maternal Joy and
yearning was on the woman's face, as
she softly rejoined: "Then nothing
seems lost. All that is best remains,
and at last, oh, my dear! we know how
much we need each other. Failure
means so little. when it can bring even
greater joy than success"
The hearers glance kindled in re
spouse to her own. Edith. how often
have 1 heard your father quote the
lines: What is our failure here but
a triumph's evidenced" Never have
realized before how truly you are his
daughter in spirit, as in flesh"
They stepped to window, and rails
ing the curtain, looked out. See
she cried, in joyous exultation, "a new
I day is dawning The night is gone.
and the east is full of promise"
But the man looked not toward the
east but into the clear eyes of the
woman, for in their light he saw not
only the evidence but the way.
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz