Paul had long promised to marry Clara.But at thirty-three he met and married Alice.Clara was driven mad. Paul was taken to court.The judge ordered him to pay Clara$600 because of the broken promise.Paul had to borrow the money from a moneylender.He agreed to pay back$5 a monthfor twenty years.His wages at the time were$16 a month. Paul and Alice were poor but not unhappy.They had little enough food,certainly,even before the children began to arrive.Each month Paul paid$5 to the moneylender.He worked hard, never taking a holiday.In time,there were seven mouths to feed. Illness was always with them.It grew serious when the oldest child was eight.The years of hunger weakened the family, because each month Paul paid$5.The details of the sickness were ugly, but the result was this:after twelve years of family life,Paul was alone in the world. He lived alone.except for memories.Work was not now a god for him:it was a pain-killer.Each month he paid,and in time the twenty years ended.From that moment his wages were his own. One day, It was a holiday went to the seaside.He sat down on a seat by the sea.A middle.aged woman came and sat down near him.They recognized each other at once. The woman said.The$600 has been in the bank since the day it was paid to me.It is now $6,000,and I have kept it for you.Will you let me share it with you? |