Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-04-16
THAT HANDSOME MAN
BY JOHN DARLING.

because of his handsome face and
splendid carriage. His manners, too,
were 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 she could not be hap
Ply 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 1t was not until John Broad
foot was called back to his own coun-
try to serve his colors that the girl
realized that, in spite of herself, she
loved him. She had hidden him hasty
good-by and there had been no time
for further explanation.
Following his departure she evaded
society; she was not happy. And when
an opportunity came to enlist herself
for service in the Red Cross ranks she
cheerfully took up 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
lover, 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 she had fingered day and night
at the side Of his cot SO that she
might be near him when he regained
consciousness. And she had been
there only to receive the fleeing rec
ognition and then to have him sink
back again into the darkness.
Strangest of all, followed the cable
calling her to 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 il he still
cared to tell her 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 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, hope" he said
with touch of his old-time chivalry
But it's a long way-from Wash.
ington, U. s. A., isn't it?"
Broadfoot nodded against his pillow
Then he seemed to wait for the mes
sage.
Marian was with me-" Mary
Sprague began.
I-yes, / remember seeing heI
standing here" the patient said.
She and Joined the Red Cross to
gether and-she was suddenly called
home. Her mother was i'll. She
she left hasty message for you. She
told me to tell you that" Mary
Sprague hesitated-"that there was
some story you wanted to tell her tha
that she would be interested in
now"
The wounded man searched the face
OF the nurse. Marian told you to tel
me that?" he asked, unbelievingly.
She told me that as she left t.
catch the steamer back to America,
Mary Sprague repeated.
John Broadfoot was silent for a few
minutes. The other nurse. had disap
peared.
Gould you-would you let me writ,
cable message for her and-wcult
you send it for me?" he asked, will
almost childish appeal in his voice.
Mary got him pencil and paper
Then she left him while he compose,
his message.
When the cable letter was finishe,
1t said to Marian Hamilton: "Will 70,
have me now? I am no longer tn
handsome man you refused. My nos
Is flattened and turned up like that O
Socrates; I've lost finger. Is tina
enough? The battle did it, but IL
gives me you I'm happy"
1t was an extravagaHt message blu
1t meant much to the wounded man
and when he received reply to 1t tina
made him happier than he had eve
. been In his life he took wonderful
turn toward health and surprised tn
nurses and doctors who were attend
ing him.
, When he left the hospital it wa
: with the promise to Mary Spragu
| that he would bring his bride back t
, help with the splendid work that sh
had been pursuing and that he woul