Putnam patriot., 1915-01-15
Soldier of Fortune


Copyright. 1912. by
 e.1 u.st was not altogether Sor- ry. l thought it would toe easy 10 find work l WAS not af aid Of that but but it was not easy. Oh. how hard l tried, 1 faced open insult. eoward!y insinuation. brutal eoarseness. II had been skilled in any business line my reception might have been differ ent: if 1 possessed recommendations or could have frankly confessed the truth perhaps might have been given a chance. 1 endeavored 50 hard to dis cover some opening: even sought do- nestle service and was examined as though 1 was Il horse on sale l walk ed the streets. 1 refused to despair or permit myself to believe failure possi- ble. l went home at night. tired out. To little rented room in Forty ninth street, prayed as used to when child. cried myself to sleep. only to wake up the next morning determined 10 continue was not weak then; was as strong as any girl could be. II 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 it 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 1t was too late. l spent all tine little money 1 had and pawned my rings. 1 had married against my mothers wish l could not Ca tsaT I ed: think you must know what mean. You realize what temptation show it weakens and eonqaers the soul?'
 closed my hand firmly over hers.
 ''Yes, 1 know
 Her sensitive face frightened, her eyes clearing of mist.
 1t is comfort to speak with gen. tleman again l--I had almost begun to believe there were none lett in the world. You give me courage to go on. 10 acknowledge everything. MT. Craig, l was a soul tottering on the brink when 1 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.
 The landlady had turned me out speaking now aittefly and swiftly. re taining my few belongings. had noth- ing left-nOthing For week l 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 spar
 "I found myself ont among the resi- slences where everything was still and lonely. walking. walking walking. ey- cry shadow appearing like Il ghost sat down to rest on the curhing. but policeman drove me away. Once l crept into darkened vestbule in q big apartment building but another dis covered me there and threatened to take me to the station. The night grew misty and damp. but l found no shel- ter | had no will power left. no wom anhood. no remorse. It was thus l came there to that corner l heard the policeman approaching along the side street and. terrified. sprang into the yard to escape; theD-then I met you.'
 Tell me-" I questioned earnestly, what caused you to interfere between me and the officer?"
 What, Oh. hardly know" touch of hysteria in the nervous exclama tion "l was compelled to choose in- stantly between his mercy and yours. The-the difference seemed small enough then. but-but l realized you were frightened also. and-and so l preferred to trust you. That was all. It was my fate. and-and. well didn't care much how it ended.
 But you endeavored to escape from me You sought to compel my leav ing you?"
 She lifted her face again. flushing. saddeneG. slightly indignant, the brown eyes widening
 Perhaps the soul was not all dead" she returned gravely. Perhaps wom anhood was not all gone did not know you l was in terror. But now am nOt aIfalu DelleNe nave found a man-and a friend"
 was conscious of a sudden wild throb of the heart. q swift rush of blood through my veins.
 "l might have doubted that myself awhile ago." l acknowledged almost bitterly but now l am going to make good. Lord how fellow can run to seed when he lets himself go, Don't you know you are helping me as much as I am you? You didn't find much ont there-only a drunken discharged soldier. an ex-hobo with laborer's job. I've wasted my chance in life and been an internal fool. l can see that plain enough and despise myself for it l knew it before you came The difference was then l didn't care. while now I do You have made me care. Yes. you have. girl. as she glanced up again. plainly startled by this unexpected ayowal You see. you belong to my class. little girl. and and you are the first of them to speak a kind word to me in five years It's-it's a bit tough to be cut dead by your own class"
 It was her hand. white and slender. which reached shyly across the table and touched mine but her eyes alone made answer.
 That ts all right" 1 continued. my voice shaking. T understand how you feel. But this is no tit place for
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