For many years he works in obscurity. The work is a consolation to him, but one day his only friend, a young woman, becomes sick with the plague.
He spends all his money taking care of her, and falls in love with her. But then he hears that she is engaged to someone in the army, so when he sees she is getting better, he decides to leave town.
On his way to find work, he sees some soldiers, and asks if he could join their company. He is accepted and goes with them on their mission to defend a weak country. He spends the rest of his life in the army, defending defenseless countries. He is recognized for his bravery, and respected by the other soldiers. He dies in the defense of a woman.
At the end of the story, the Colonel says he wished the man hadn't died, but had lived and been promoted. John asks whether the story is true. The Curate answers that only the first part is true, about a young man being discharged, the rest is what the Curate supposed could have happened.
Mrs. Bloomfield, the schoolteacher's wife says she only wishes the story was more Christian, to which the Curate answers that he thinks his story is Christian in fact, if not in word. Then John sees Adela's face flush, and looks up to see that Harry has just arrived.
Everyone asks Harry to be the next to read a story, but he protests his story is not quite ready. Instead, the Curate convinces his wife Lizzie to read a story of hers at their next gathering.
