Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-12-03

and pride doesn't count. She knows
what you must have been through
and she's going to ask you to marry
Ter. once she gets you at her side.
Understand"
Jim understood. The thought of the
Dale millions at his command was
paralyzing; it galvanized him into life.
He looked up. to see the young man
reading his face.
Here's ten dollars!" he said sud.
denly. "No-wait!" He pulled out
the pocketbook again. Here's a hun.
dred. Do you think you can get
washed and cleaned and have a new
suit and good linen on your back,
ready to sail on the ship tomorrow? ?"
Jim pocketed the money mechan.
ically. Il suppose So" he muttered.
What's your hurry"
Because" said the other gravely,
Miss Dale is on board. That's why.
And the best man in the world couldn't
deserve your luck"
Somehow the new clothes, the lux.
ury of a bath. had put new manhood
into Jim. He lay in bed early in the
morning in the hotel and speculated
what he would do with the Dale mil
lions. He would 60 to San Francisco.
of course. He would build . celace
there. He would have automobiles.
fine clothes. cigars, all the physical
Injuries which he had been denied
SO long. And-he would marry Elsie
at the first opportunity. to keep his
hold on her.
| He got up and dressed. He was
just about to leave the room when the
young man entered. He surveyed Jim
with a grimmer smile than before.
You haven't shaved of your beard, %
he said.
NO" said Jim thoughtfully. 1T
looks-more manly. think"
The other looked at him in con-
tempt. 1t penetrated the mans skin.
Jim WINGED. 1t was the first moment
of self-realization in many a year.
why have you done all this for
me?" he asked, looking at the other
curiously. do you know. l believe
l believe you are in love with Elsie
yourself"
Miss Dale from you. please" re-
piled the other. Yes, / am in love
with her. if you wish to know it. And
If l hadn't found you l think she
would have married me-"
Then why did you find met" NUT.
tered Jim.
The other choked down an expletive.
III you're ready" he said coldly.
well start right away"
7 Jim went out with him. And now.
surveyed by the curious inhabitants
of the little settlement, the target of
their sneering glances, Jim felt sud.
denly more ashamed than he had ever
felt before in all his life. And for
the first time he really understood the
depths of his degradation.
He had been q worthless beach
cOmber. while she had waited for him,
believed in him. He was utterly worth.
less. He could not degrade that pure
thought of nothing but the Dale mil
lions, nothing at all of the love that
had been true to him.
: UnconsciOusly he held his head
higher and flung back the scornful
gestures. the looks. the thinly yelled
jeers. They should learn some day
that there was that spark OF manhood
in him which would kindle the old
fires!
He knew that his past was utterly
dead. And so. walking at the side of
his companion. he boarded the boat
There was delay, a brief delay.
The young man turned to him and
said:
Remember. Bennett, my lips are
sealed forever. You have your own
future and hers to make or mar. {
know her love for you. and that is
why l shall remain silent. Can you
honor It? Promise me that from this
day forward you will strive with might
and main to be worthy of her."
Il PROMISE" answered Jim humbly,
and the man at his side looked at him
strangely. This seemed to be a new
mamie had known nothing of him.
Along the deck came a white-robed
figure. tripping gladly. Jim knew her
at once. All his heart went out to
her. Elsie had not changed bit dur
ing those three years. except that
there was more of the woman in her
poise. her thoughtful eyes. and Just
as much Of the happy girl in her smil-
ing face.
eJohn!" she exclaimed. "where-
where is Jim, then? And who is this
gentlemanw
Suddenly Jim realized, that she had
not recognized him. His tan, his
beard. the ineffaceable marks of those
three years on his face.
He turned little away.
Jim died last week." he said qui-
city. 1--WE didn't dare to break the
news to yeu at once. He died. was
his friend-he wanted me to tell you"
He turned and walked with steady
steps to the ships gangway. and along
the wharf.