The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-28
Gordon a19 Soldier of Fortune - by Randall Parrish
by Randall Parrish

IAe N<e 4V4%>-<AtA4 D - fS-sASs to it, although our relationship re mained pleasant. A few months ago while playing in Omaha I met Fred Bernard. I knew little of him, but he appeared gentlemanly and well to do and was presented to me by one in whom had confidence He was pleas ant and apparently in love with me. liked him, was fattered by his atteny tions and discouraged in my ambition. When he asked me to marry him con t1itions were such that accepted. even. consented under his urging to an im-. mediate ceremony We came to this city, were quietly married here and occupied a flat on the north side My
 husband did no work, but received re.
 mittances from home and apparently had plenty of means. He told me lit.
 tle about himself or his condition. but
 promised to take me to his people in a
 little while. He said his father was
 wealthy hut eccentric; that he had
 told him Of our marriage, but there
 had been quarrel between them' and
 he could not take me there without an invitation. was never shown the let
 ters, but they bore southern post.
 marks
 She paused, hesitating, her eyes full Of pain.
 ssf--I was afraid to question, for for
 he proved so different after our mar
 r1age. He was a drunkaEd, abusive and quarrelsorne had never before
 been in intimate contact with any one like that and was afraid of him.
 Whatever of love I might have felt died within me under abuse. He struck me the second day, and from that moment dreaded his homecom- ing. For weeks scarcely saw him
 sober, and his treatment of me was
 brutal.' 2
 Tears were in her eyes, but she held them back, forcing herself to go on.
 Then he was gone two days and
 nights leaving me alone. He reap peared the third evening in the worst
 condi ton I had ever seen him. He acted like veritabie savage, curslng and striking at me and finally drove me from the house. fourishing a re- volver in my face and locking the door
 behind me. II sat there on the steps
 an hour and endeavored to go back
 but there was no response. walked the streets and then-ha wing a little
 money with me found place to lodge The next day went back. but
 the flat was locked still, and neighbors said my husband had left with a trav- cling bag. I-I was actually thrown out upon the streets to starve.'
 Her voice lowered so that was compelled to lean closer to catch the rapidly spoken words.
 At first III was not altogether sor- ry. 1 thought it would be easy to find
 work. was not afraid of that, but
 but it was not easy. Oh, how hard ! tried. T faced open insult, cowardiy insinuation, brutal coarseness. If l had been skilled in any business line my reception might have been differ ent; if I possessed recommend dations or could have frankly confessed fl1e truth perhaps might have been given ] a chance endeavored so hard to dis cover some opening; even sought do- nestle service and was examined as though I was a horse on sale. I walk Led the streets; ] refused to despair or permit myself to believe failure possiz ble. went home at night, tired out, to a little rented room in Forty ninth street, prayed as used to when 8 child, cried myself to sleep, only to wake up the next morning determined to continue. was not weak then; E was as strong as any girl could be- I I fought it out to the very last''-- her head suddenly dropping but but the end came just the same Perhaps should never have hung on so long; perhaps 1t would have been better to have sent word to my mother and ask ed help to go home. But-but 1 kept hoping to succeed until it was too late. I spent all the little money had and pawned my rings, had married against my mothers wish. could not turn to her for help. Oh. was tempt ed; think you must know what l meant You realize what temptation is-how it weakens and conquers the soul?''
 closed my hand firmly over hers, 5 s'Yes. I knew.
 Her sensitive face frightened, her eyes clearing of mist.
 ssIt is comfort to speak with a gem t1eman again I-I had almost begun to believe there were none left in the world. You give me courage to go ou, to acknowledge everything. MT. Craig. was soul tottering on the brink when met you out yonder-a desper- ate, disheartened girl. tempted to the point of surrender"
 My fingers closed yet more tightly over the small hand, but her face re-
 mained rigid, the lines deep about the
 mouth.
 AAS@AdAuAduy Hdu luIHeu AHe out speaking now bitterly and swiftly, ire taining my few belongings. had noth-
 ing ieft-nothing. For week had
 listened to no kind word. met with no kind act was upon the street alone
 at night, purposeless. homeless, wan dering aimlessly from place to place,
 weakened by hunger, stupefied by de-
 spair.
 tsI found myself out. among fha resi- dences, where everything was still and lonely, walking, walking, walking, ev-
 cry shadow appearing like a ghost. I
 sat down to rest on the curbing. but a policeman drove me away. Once I
 crept into q darkened vestibule in a big ] apartment building, but another dis f.nverefi me there a nd tlaroe tn,ao.1 tc