Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-06-10
SPEAKING OF CHANGES
BY cosrER HYLEs.

There was not wilder boy in town
than young Cuthbert Tanhurst. All |
the mothers with manageable daugh-
ters held up their hands in horror at |
the mere mention of his name, and |
the men-about-town were unanimous |
in pronouncing him a thoroughbred. |
1t was partly the fault of his educa-
ton. His father had been most sue
cessful Spectator. and had taught his
son that he must spend his money
like gentleman or'not at all.
The young fellow had imbibed aris-
tocratic desires FROM his earliest days.
he had learned never to stint himself,
never to do anything himself that
others could be hired to do for him,
and to believe that the one great OBJ
ject of living was to extract from
each day as much pleasure as the
hours would hold.
Then his father dropped suddenly
from the position of millionaire to
that of pauper, rot unusual change
on the stage of speculation. A grand
coup went wrong, and Tanhurst, Sr.,
shock killed the old gentleman, and
when the lawyers were done with the
settlements, Cuthbert found himself
penniless.
1t was against his grain to go to
work, SO he became an habitue of the
poker rooms at fashionable clubs, and
prominent figure at the race
courses. 1t was at this time that his
name became as a red rag to the
good people of'thestown. With a very
few exceptions alItthe strictly proper
folks who had been glad to accept the
hospitality OF Tanhurst, ST., turned
away their heads when they saw the
son.
At the close ofta summer day he
was walking homes in sullen mood.
1t had been a bad day, misfortune
had logged him persistently, and he
was asking himself what was the use
of continuing it all He was of no
good to himself. and there was no one
else in the world who cared for him,
or of whom he dared Think as caring
for him. In the ODD days of luxury he
had always hoped TO call Marie Fair
born his own, but now it was too late.
He had said to himself in the years
past that after a. taste of life there
would be notAing like quiet home
shared with Marie. She had never
disguised her liking for him. But
now? He had not dared to go near
the Fairborn house for over year;
when he had seen Marie he lodged
round corners and avoided her. Now
she was in has thoughts as a prize
that he had Ilong ago forfeited and
must forget with other things. His
thoughts, encompassed him in such a
mist of gloom that he hardly looked
where he was going. The lake was
beforei him and:he was walking toward
1t. He never noticed the figures that
we're, approaching him. A sweet voice,
like the. memory of an old perfume,
aroused him.
why. Cuthbert," Marie Fairborn
stood before him. He saw a look OF !
wonder and pity within her eyes.
Il beg your pardon" he exclaimed
confusdfy, 81 was not thinking
never noticed" he moved as though
to pass on. bat the girl stopped him
"Cuthber." she said, why won't
you speak to me? I haven't seen you
for ever so long"
Marie" he returned desperately,
I'm rot fit. If.peopis should see you
talking 20 n>e: Really, I'd better go"
What nonsense. Cuthbert. You're
fit enough for me. Come, you shall
walk with me and tell me every
thing"
With much ,incoherency Cuthbert
told the story OF his downfall. OF as
much of it as he could relate without
breaking Somehow the sctt eyes of
the girl by his side led him to tell the
story as he would have told Il to no
other human being. lie spoke OF his
sins. his aorrows, his hopes and OF
his present despair.
$50 ycu fsee, Marie. ".he said at the
finish, I'm of no use at all. l might
as we'll get EFT Of the running alto
gether. Whyishould Il ta&ne the trouble
to work and) struggle? / do not care
enough flor .myseaS. now, to, do that.
But IL there was someN one else
that You lcared Tor. some one who
would try to teach you to win back
your selfrespeck would you not try
them"
''Butthere issno one" he.responded. /
Perhaps, IL there was-but why !
think, of it,"
But there4is some, one, Cuthbert.
A little handl touched his gently, and |
he turned from his moody gazing to |
look down. ct thssgtd.
Marie, 'ThsaxrEAtmed, ;, almost fierce
ly, don't play With me. Are you In |
earnest? You don't really mean that |
you VIII be that some one, do you
on cant-you c&n't-what-g He |
stopped and kissed the gloved hand |
ferventfy
'Nowftcaa'...be,& an absurd boy said
Marie But for ne rest OF the walk |
Cuthbert, behaved himself like q boy |
Just out iof BchDuA 4
AboutAa !yeariMzK asnamber Of men