The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-06-11

Yet he was so dear in his helpless
ness. He needed woman who could
love him sufficiently TO devote her life
to his happiness; e. woman whose
love was above any distracting art or
profession: q woman whose mission
it was to serve and be happy in serv
ing.
Dear WILL" she said, gently. '.you
are. not clod--your cheerfulness In
the face of all your trouble ID won
derful example OF fortitude to all the
rest of as who have not much more
than rude health. Think of the good
you did with your money oh, we all
know the donor Of those anonymous
gifts IN Wellspring. If you had had
health like, say. Dan, you would never
have had so much time to think Of
others And, besides, your music
brings SO much happiness--if you
would only try. am sure you could
become a great composer"
"A composer" groaned Win. when
all want to be is husky giant like
Dan and have fair chance to win a
girls love. am so weak, Alice, that
If any danger threatened you at this
moment would be powerless to save
you All could do would be to shout
for Dan to come and save you! There's
no chance for me to be a hero!"
Alice shook his shoulder impa-
tiently.
Aren't you satisfied with being a
moral hero without envying Dan his
purely physical courage? Don't break
down. Win, dear. Talk with me
about itand- I'm sure I can think
Of some way to help you. How do
you know that she--tIiat Ruth doesn't
care for you ?'6
VIII sat up and stared at her.
Ruth? You mean Ruth Clarl1son?"
he demanded. "You think I'm in love
with her, Alice?'
Under the STEADY glance OF those
thick-lashed. gray eyes, her own fell
until his face was hidden.
'sYes-I thought so,s she liesitated,
her heart wrenched with sudden pain.
TITS not Ruth Clarkson-it's some
one I've loved since was a little
lame boy and she. a sturdy little angel,
dragged me around on my sled-tr
pushed my wheel chair Someone
who has so grown into my life-that
life Is nothing without her. I've
wanted her all my days-but cannot
offer her broken husband, can Il?
And, besides, have no proof that she
cares for me more than a plying
friend! With Dan for contrast-Tm
poor object.- He turned his head
away from her, Il wouldn't beg for
her PITY"
THAT would be foolish, VIII. when
you have her-love.' whispered Alice,
her eyes still hidden.
Her loye-yours? Alice. darling
you can't make me believe it," he
cried, fiercely. There's Dan"
Dan--who is nothing to me-" she
sobbed. "AS if anyone could look
at Dan Linscott after knowing you!"
Then he knew and believed, and
took her in his long arms and pressed
his thin cheek to her round one
why. I'm the happiest man "A the
world in spite of everything he
Z cried at last, 'even if i never have
an opportunity to show of as a
hero!"s @ 4
''You poor, dear boy!" smiled Alice,
tenderly. Don't you know you are
la great hero inc spite OF yourself.
You would have hidden your love from
me to save me-if ], had not rushed
right in and made you say it,"
And you are something Of hero
inc yourself" laughed Win. happily,
for now, with Alice, he felt that the
whole world was his, and he would
not have changed places with any
man, not even Dan.
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newsla-
per Syndicate)
.