The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-28

81 care nothing for any personal
triumph-nothing at ALL said Mars
ten. IF 1 could change places with
your father and accept defeat for him
1 willingly would. But the men have
| trusted me-
The men, cried Edna, the scarlet
chasing the wfniteness from her cheeks
as her eyes flashed and her voice rose
What do the men care? Listen TO
them" She waved her hand toward
the hall. They would sing and shout
like that if their best friend was dy-
ing. Who has done more for his men
than my father? He risked his life
for them at the fire, and would do so
again. He has built up the works that
has given them employment. He has
kept the shops full at loss when the
times were bad, SO that they might
not starve. Every man was sure of
his place as long as he deserved it. and
no master in London was more loath
than he to discharge a man." She cast
down her eyes as She suddenly remem-
bered that one man had been dis
charged without cause by her father;
then, without raising them, she plead
ed again: Why will not real victory,
without the name of it, satisfy you?"
Because it is not alone for these
men who are now shouting that I am
fighting. The eyes of all England are
on this strike. An acknowledged vic
tory over so strong a firm as that of
Monkton & Hope will mean an easier
victory for every man who is now
earning his bread in this country, when
he is compelled to strike for his just
due. 1t will hearten every workingman
and be warning to every employer"
The chorus in the hall was broken
by three sharp raps of a mallet on a
table. The sound of the singing sub
sided, and the voice of someone call
ing the meeting to order was heard.
Edna slowly raised her eyes and
looked at him, with flash of fearing
defiance in them. She spoke in an agi-
tated whisper.
You remember what you said to me
in the garden at Eastbourne. If you
will do what l ask of you, l will do as
you wish when-when you ask me-"
The young man, his trembling right
hand clenching and unclenching ner-
vously, strobe a step forward.
No, no. she cried. Stay where you
are. Answer me, answer mel"
"Oh, Edna" he whispered, God
knows would do anything to win you
-anything-yes almost what you ask"
Yes or no?" she cried. Answer
me-
II cannot be a traitor to the men"
AS if in approval of this sentiment a
Someone was speaking, and even in
his misery Marsten recognized the
voice of Gibbons.
Edna turned without a word and
opened the door, Marsten followed her
out.
''stay where you are" she said, with
a sob.
Il will see you to the station"
mo, you must not come near me. |
hone never 10 see Won again..
Il will see you to the station" re-
peated Marsten, doggedly.
The girl said nothing more, but
walked hurriedly down the narrow
passage. the young man following her.
She sprang into the waiting hanson,
crying, Waterloo; quick.'
The cab whirled away, leaving Mars
ten standing bareheaded on the curb.
He remained there for some moments,
gazing in the direction the cab had
taken, then turned with a sigh and
walked slowly up the passage to his
room. 1t seemed more bare and empty
than ever it had been before, and he
could hardly realize that few short
moments since she had stood within it.
He heard, without needing, the noise
from the hall, like the low growl of
some wild beast He looked at the
papers on the table, wrinkling his brow
trying to understand what they were
all about. 1t appeared ages since he
sat there writing-now he heard moth
ing but the words Answer mel ring
ing in his ears. He was startled by
another knock at the door and sprang
toward it, throwing it eagerly open,
hoping she had returned. Monkton &
Hopes tall, grizzled commissionaire, in
his uniform, with the medal dangling
from his breast, stood there, perhaps
at the sudden opening of
the door, but not a muscle of his face
showing his surprise. He saluted
gravel.
"A letter from the firm. sir"
'.Ah, Step inside. Any answer re-
qvired?"
Il don't know, sir answered the
standing as straight
and as rigid as If on parade.
Marsten tore cE~n the envelope, and |
the reading of the letter brought him |
to his senses. 1t was a terse commu-
and informed him that Monk
ton & Hope agreed to the terms OF the |
men. Mr.. Sartwell would await at his |
Office until 10 O'Clock to meet Mr.. Mars
ten and arrange for the opening of the |
works in the morning.
Marsten dashed off an official reply I
and said he would wait on Mr.. Sart- |
well in half an hours time Giving /
this note to the commissionaire, who /
again saluted and withdrew. MarsteD. /
with the letter in mis- hand opened the /
door that communicated with the plat
form and stepped out in the sight OF /
the meeting. A howl of derision greet
ed his appearance, and the howl of an
angry mob is a sound that, once heard
a man never wishes 10 hear again.
There he is" shouted Gibbons.
whose speech Marsten's entrance had