The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1920-11-03
Kind Fate
By AUGUSTUS G. sHERW!N
20. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.)

(G. 1870. western Newspaper Ohioh)
A man with cane, dog leading
him at the end of rope, slowly, car-
tiously crossed the road feeling his
way, his ear bent at painful tension to
catch the merest echo that might in
dictate danger in his uncertain course.
Albion Drake, one-armed only, has
tened to guide him safely over the
street. The helpless one smiled his
gratitude and went his way CROP
ingly. 80 ~
A bird with a broken wing f1uttered
down from tree bough, clumsily
dropping rather than flying, secured Il
stray piece Of bread in its bill, and Ia
bOriously assembled to it's nest by climb
ing. Its infant brood hungrily well
coined it and the mother bird, proud
and triumphant at accomplishing Its
purpose, crippled as it was burst forth
into full food Of glorious, triumph
ant song.
"A double lesson. FL take 1t to
heart" Albion Drake told himself.
There were scars on his face besides
the empty sleeve that cOmmemOrated
the Argonne He had left the service on
the shelf so far as active warfare was
concerned, and it was a gloomy out
look ahead. He had given up his posi-
ton to offer his services for his coun-
try, and there was no nook or corner
in the old place Of employment. For
time the home coming seemed a
fiowery path. There were arches and
wreaths and music for the returned
heroes, receptions, newspaper men
ton, the. warm plaudits Of friends.
Then, as if the public had done its
duty, many like himself We're allowed
to drift. The unfit were relegated to
forgetfulness.
The brightest spot in the situation
was Myrtle Farr. She and Albion had
been nothing more than very dear
friends when he went overseas, but
she had been a faithful correspondent
and the cheering. encouraging words
she had written him had meant long
ing and love. He had come back to
find her orphaned, cast on the world
homeless and his spirits glOOmed as
he realized that he could offer her no
glowing promise Of fortune in the
present, NO. assurance Of care and sup
port in the future.
Like a broken reed he must seek sup
port from others instead of hoping to
be able to take his place In the world
as helper. He felt that he stood in
the way Of Myrtle by remaining in his
home town, for she loyalty favored no
companionship among the group of
young men except his own. She loved
him, this he knew, and although he
knew that she would smllingly meet
0bscurity and poverty with him If he
asked her, he was too much of a man
TO risk becoming possible burden to
her.
II have a chance to superintend a
small business in Dover" he told
Myrtle that evening, with prospect
Of finally securing share in IT,"
"You are going away?" voiced
Myrtle in a desOlate tone.
II must. There is nothing here for
me. People are kind enough. bur they
do not know where to fit me In for
work. Don't look forlorn. Myrtle.
You shall hear from me regularly.
And I've brought you some mementoes
that l want you to keep" and Albion
placed a parcel on the table. 'They
are queer remembrances of the last
dash we made at Verdun. A poor fet-
low, I think he was a Persian, had
taken great fancy to me for some
little kindness showed him, and after
he was dead from a terrible wound his
captain brought me his kit as right
full Inheritance. There Is an oriental
prayer rug and an idol Of some kind.
learned that he was young man
of some importance In his own coun-
try, and suppose his relatives cherish
additionally such objects as the rug
and the idol, but did not know who
or where they Were"
Albion went away and the first let.
ter Myrtle received from him was
quite encouraging. Albion regretted
that he had not certain comparative.
ly small amount Of capital that would
purchase an interest in an enterprise
IL which he could be useful. and where