Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-29
Downright. 1918. by ". wernero


wearied out. Warner sat down behind
the counter of his little grocery store
and looked out into the village street,
rapidly growing dim with the twilight
A passerby. glancing in and seeing him,
threw open the door and said Sid
who do you think has landed" Fred
Lambert. Came up from the city in his
big car: looks the millionaire all over.
We're going to have little celebration
at the hotel tonight at $50 You and
Fred were great chums in the other
days so they'll have you down for a
speech. So long,.
Warner sat silent, a little startled with
the news. and sobered with the thought
of what ii meant Lambert had left the
small village ten years before. and In the
city field which he had chosen he had
! found success with his string of stores
His name had become favorite one on
the lips of the village.
He and Warner had been close friends
in the old days and keen rivals in only
one effort-the effort to win the love OF
| Ellen Randolph. In that contest Lam.
bert had lost. but the friendship had not
been ruptured
The rivalry had been noted with inter,
| est by the village; it had smiled and
congratulated Warner over his victory.
| But Warner knew. as the years had
gone. that the village had begun to tax
! of what might have been. WORD hau
come of Lambert's increasing wealth and
| influence of his continued bachelorhood.
and the village had said in secret that
/ Ellen Randolph had made mistake In
not choosing Lambert. With her DARK
| beauty. she would have graced rich
mans home Instead, she lived in gray
little house on side street, had become
| the mother of three boys. and beneath
| the burden of their appearing had faded
as rose fades.
Warmers thoughts were not bitter he
went over these things. She had been
happy with him and he with her and
the boys; but 1t was true what the VII
lage said in it's confidential moments-all
i'true. He was far from being success.
His clerks shuffiing uneasily near the
coat closet told Warner that 1t was after
closing time. and he got up slowly Inc
boy went with rush at the signal, and
Warner drew on his faded coat. locked
the old store and started homeWard
AS he entered the house there was a
shout of Here comes daddy. and the
thump Of hurrying feet, but his wife
dered as he looked into her dark, shin
ing eyes, saw the roses in her cheeks,
heard the lifting note in her voice; but
he did not wonder when she spoke. His
thought that her pleasure at seeing him
had stirred him to such glow OF race
and eye.
"Eidney, guess who's here?" she said.
smiling.
He smiled in answer. and said as
cheerfully as he could: Its Fred Lam
BERT
The next moment he was shaking hands
with his old friend. They looked at each
other, but neither made any comment
why Lambert did not for any word of
congratulation Lambert could give him
would ring false; he looked gray and
tired, and old. Lambert was just the
opposite, but Warner could not bring
himself to speak his thought.
At the supper table Warner did not
take part in the conversation. and he
did not need to. for his wife. bright-eyed
and happy-voiced, had many things to
ask of Lambert and he. with his old.
warm friendliness, had as many 10 ask
back. Warner gave his attention to the
boys. who. hungry from their play. de-
manded some time before their needs
were appeased.
When they were busy eating, he leaned
back and listened as he ate, adding
word when questioned. bu- striking him
with repeated force, almost like a blow
in the face. came the thought of how
we'll she and Lambert were fitted Tor
each other. She had always been beau
tiful and now under the glow OF her
pleasure her girlish face. softened and
haioed with motherhood. was more beau
grayness and weakness beside the hearty,
vital strength of Lambert.
He was glad when the supper was
over. He and his wife had taken turns
in putting the youngsters to bed and it
was her evening, but he offered, and
she gave ready assent when he did, TO
see that they were piloted to dreamland.
As the three tow-headed lads followed
him up the stairs. a sudden JOY went
through him, and he gathered them all
In his arms-rather a large armful they
We're but they had learned how TO cling
like burrs In their room he helped
undress them. and the joy came again.
He tucked them in the wide bed, and
the old hurt came again-the knowledge
that he was not going 10 have the
power to give them what he had once
dreamed they should have. education,
opportunity to enter the big fields of life
and business. He put his face down
against one soft cheek. and a small pair
of arms went tightly around his neck.
Why. daddy. your face is wet" his
little lisper said.
II know. kiddie." Warner answered,
setting his Jaws in the effort TO control.
I'VE want story. daddy: don't forget!
the smallest one warned
Warner hesitated. but the boys were at
him in chorus. and he sat down to tell
the story.
Through the open door came from be-