The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-10-21
THAT HANDSOME MAN
eY JOHN DARLING.


Brosdfoot in Washington while that
young man had been attached TO the
British embassy. He had been no
ticeable even in Washington society
because of his handsome face and
splendid carriage. His manners, too,
we're charming and he was a much
sought after guest at social func.
tions
From the moment that he beheld
Marian he had loved her. And he was
not long In telling her OF his feeling
Marian had been very kind but very
sorry-she could not marry. him. She
had always said che could not be hap
by with a really handsome man. and
she had always said she hoped she
would not fall in love with one. She
recognized her own weakness-a tend.
ency to jealousy.
And II was not until John Broad.
foot was called back TO his own coun.
try to serve his colors that the sirl
realized that. in spite OF herself. she
loved him. She had hidden him a hasty
sood-by and there had been no time
for further explanation.
Following his departure she svaded
society; she was not happy And when
an opportunity came to enlist herself
for service in the Red Cross ranks she
cheerfully took 20 the preliminary
work in Washington. Later, when a
girl chum decided TO go on to the
scenes of battle in Europe she begged
leave of her parents to accompany her.
Therefore. It was not so strange
that she should one day find her old
3over, John Broadfoot, among the
wounded soldiers under her care. His
wounds had been so severe that there
had been little hope of his recovery
and che had fingered day and night
at the side of his cot so that she
might be near him when he reEained
.Qnsciousness And she had been
there only to receive the feetinz rec
ognttion and then TO have him sink
back again into the darkness.
Snangest OF all. followed the cable
calling her 10 Washington. She had
only time to leave message with the
girl with whom she had come across
the ocean
That message conveyed to John
Broadfoot the hope that II he still
cared TO tell her a story she would
listen. But the wounded soldier had
not yet received the message and he
looked forward to the time when he
could rejoin his regiment and fight at
the front.
I've found Miss Hamilton's friend.
Mary Sprague. who says she has a
word to whisper in your ear" his
nurse said to him one morning when
he seemed brighter and stronger. "will
you see herr"
"Will a thirsty man drink" he
asked her. smilingly.
And almost as he said the words
Mary Sprague appeared at the side of
his cot John Broadfoot-you know
me now" she said, taking his thin
white hand
"Now-and always. / hone" he said
with touch of his old.tlme chivalry
But it's long way-from Wash.
jngton, u. S. A., isn't it,"
Broadtoot nodded against his pillow
hen he seemed to wait for the mes.
fase.
Marian was with me-" Mary
Sprague began,
T-yes. l remember seeing her
standipg here" the patient said.
She and joined the Red Cross to-
sether and-she was suddenly called
Tome. Her mother was III. She
The left hasty message for you She
told me 10 tell you that" Mary
Sprague hesitated-"that there was
some story you wanted to tell her that
that she would be interested in
now"
The wounded man searched the face
of the nurse Marian told you to tell
me that7" he asked, unbelievingly
She told me that as she left to
catch the steamer back to America, /"
Mary Sprague repeated.
John Broadfoot was silent for a few
minutes. The other nurse had dlsap.
peared
Gould you-would you let me write
q cable message for her and-would
vou send 1t for me7" he asked. with
almost childish appeal in his voice
Mary got him pencil and paper.
Then she left him while he composed
his message.
When the cable letter was finished
IT said to Marian Hamilton: "Will you
have me now? | am no longer the
handsome man you refused My nose
ia fiattened and turned up like that OF
Socrates; I've lost finger. Is that
enough7 The battle did IL. but II II
gives me you I'm happy"
II was an extravsgant message. but
VI meant much TO the wounded man.
aud when he received a reply to II that
made him happier than he had ever
been In his life he took a wonderful
turn toward health and surprised the
nurses and doctors who we're attend
ing him.
When he left the hospital II was
wifi the promise to Mary Sprague