The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1915-12-02

ner, once she gets you at her side.
Understand? 2"
Jim understood. The thought OF the
Dale millions at his command was
paralyzing; it galvanized him into life
He looked up, to see the young man
reading his face.
Here's ten dollars!" he said sud-
denly. "No--wait!' He pulled out
the pocketbook again. Here's a hun.
dred. Do you think you can get
washed and cleaned and have a new
suit and good linen on your back,
ready to sail on the ship tomorrow p"
Jim pocketed the money mechan-
ically. II suppose so," he muttered.
Whats your hurry?"
Because" said the other grayely,
Miss Dale is on board. That's why.
And the best man in the world couldn't
deserve your luck"
Somehow the new clothes, the lux
ury Of bath, had put new manhood
into Jim. He lay in bed early in the
morning in the hotel and speculated
what he would do with the Dale mil
lions. He would go to San Francisco,
of course. He would build a palace
there. He would have automobiles,
line clothes, cigars, all the physical
luxuries which he had been denied
so long. And-he would marry Elsie
at the first opportunity, to keep his
hold on her.
He got up and dressed. He was
Just about 20 leave the room when the
young man entered. He surveyed Jim
with q grimmer smile than before.
"You haven't shaved off your beard, I"
he said.
NO" said Jim tnoughtfully. ct
looks-more manly, think"
The other looked at him in con-
tempt. 1t penetrated the mans skin.
Jim WINGED. 1t was the first moment
OF self-realization in many g year.
why have you done all this for
me?" he asked, looking at the other
curiously. do you know, believe
believe you are in love with Elsie
yourself"
Miss Dale from you, please" re-
piled the other. Yes, am in love
with her, IL you wish to know it. And
If l hadn't found you I think she
| would have married me-"
"Then why did you find me?" NUT.
tered Jim.
The other choked down an expletive
IF you're ready" he said coldly
well start right away"
jim went out with him. And now
| surveyed by the curious inhabitants
OF the little settlement, the target OF
their sneering glances, Jim felt sud
denly more ashamed than he had ever
felt before in all his life. And for
| the first time he really understood the
depths of his degradation.
He had been a worthless beach
| comber, while she had waited for him
believed in him. He was utterly worth
less. He could not degrade that pure
life to the level Of his own. He had
thought of nothing but the Dale mil
lions, nothing at all of the love that
had been true to him.
| Unconsciously he held his head
higher and flung back the scornful
gestures, the looks, the thinly veilel
jeers. They should learn some day
that there was that spark OF manhood
in him which would kindle the ole
fires!
He knew that his past was utterly
dead. And SO, walking at the side. Of
his companion, he boarded the boat
There was a delay, brief delay
The young man turned to him ant
said:
Remember, Bennett, my lips are
sealed forever. You have your owl
future and hers to make or mar.
know her love for you, and that /.
why l shall remain silent. Can yo,
honor it? Promise me that from thi.
day forward you will strive with NIGH
and main to be worthy of her."
u promise" answered Jim humbly
and the man at his side looked at hin
strangely. This seemed to be a new
mamie had known nothing of him
Along the deck came a white-robet
figure, tripping gladly. Jim knew he
at once. All his heart went out I,
her. Elsie had not changed bit dur
ing those three years, except tha
there was more of the woman in he
poise, her thoughtful eyes, and jus
as much Of the happy girl in her smil
ing face
john" she exclaimed where
where is Jim, then? And who is thi
gentleman"
Suddenly Jim realized that she ha,
not recognized him. His tan, hi
beard, the ineffaceable marks Of thos
three years on his face.
| He turned little away.
Jim died last week." he said qu
etly. I'VE didn't dare to break tn
news to you at once. He died. wa
his friend-he wanted me to tell you.
He turned and walked with stead
steps to the ships gangway, and alon
the wharf.