Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1915-05-20
THAT HANDSOME MAN
BY JOHN DARLING.


Marian Hamilton had met John
Broadfoot 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,
were charming and he was a much
sought after guea. 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
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 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 a 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 81 shington Later. when a
girl chm decided to go on to the
scenes Of battle in Europe she begged
leave of her parents to accompany her
Therefore, 1t 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 fleeting 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 a message with the
girl with whom she had come across
the ocean.
That message conveyed to John
Broadfoot the hope that If 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 Hamiltons 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. "WiH
you see herr"
VIII 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 laid
'Now-and always, | hope he said
with altouch Of his old-time chivalry.
But it's 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.
YES, | remember seeing her
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 a nasty message for you. She
told me to 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 that?' 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 few
minutes. The other nurse had disap-
peared
Gould would you let me write
a cable message for her and-would
you send it for me?" 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
1t said to Marian Hamilton "Will you
have me now? | am no longer the
handsome man you refused My nose
is flattened and turned up like that of
Socrates; I've lost finger. Is that
enough? The battle did it, but if it
gives me you I'm happy"
1t was an extrayagant message. but
it meant much to the wounded man,
and when he received n reply to it 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
with the promise TO Mary Sprague
that he would bring his bride back to