The Shadow-Third

THEY met in the old conventional way, And married, and that was the end Of a little matter that touched three hearts — A girl, a man, and his friend. You see, when he saw her great blue eyes The love of his life began, And — well — it was money the woman craved, Not flesh and blood and a man. She married, for money, her lover's friend — And thus it came to be That the man went out of life one night As a wind goes out to sea. She did not smile nor sorrow, they say; She showed no sign of care, But, ever since, 'twixt the wedded twain There stands a vacant chair. And when they stroll through the street at times, Or pace some garden green, They walk so spaced, it will seem to you That a man might walk between.