Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-02-04

ieslly II suppose So" he muttered
What's your hurryT
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 Id bed early 10 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 a palace
there. He would have automobiles,
fine clothes, cigars, all the physical
luxuries 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 off your
beard" he said.
NO" said Jim thoughtfully. "It
looks-more manly, I 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 year.
why have you done all this for
mef" he asked, looking at the other
curlously. "Do you know, 1 believe
l believe you are in love with Elsie
yourself"
Miss Dale from you, please" re-
piled the other. Yes, l am In love
with her, If you wish to know 1t. And
II hadn't found you ! think she
would have married me-"
"Then why did you find mef NUT
tered Jim.
The other choked down an expleuye.
IF you're ready" he said coldy,
well start right away"
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 worthless beach
comber, while she had waited for him,
believed In him. He was utterly
worthless. He could not degrade that
pure life to the level Of his own. He
had thought of nothing but the Dale
millions, 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-veiled
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, 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 1t? Promise me that from this
day forward you will strive with might
and main to be worthy of her."
81 promise" answered Jim humbly,
and the man at his side looked at him
strangely. This seemed to be 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.
john" she exclaimed. where
where is Jim, then7 And who is thii
gentleman
Suddenly Jim realized that she haC
not recognized him. His tan, hi
beard, the ineffaceable marks Of thos'
three years on his face.
He turned a little away.
Jim died last week." he said quiet
ly. I'VE didn't dare to break thu
news to you at once. He died. wa
his friend-he wanted me to tell you.
He turned and walked with stead.
steps to the ships gangway, and alonl
the wharf.