Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-04-17


had said. To man living on the
verge Of eternity, as Mr.. Hardy was,
there was no time for evasions or the
postponing of bad news or the utter
ance Of soft speeches.
James took the news more calmly
than Mr.. Hardy thought he would. 1t
was evident he did not realize all that
was meant by II.
"Can you love Clara under these con-
ditionsl" asked Mr.. Hardy, looking
ut James with sympathy that the
young man could not help feeling.
Yes, sir; more than ever. Why, Is
she not more in need Of II than everT
"True. but what can you do with a
helpless creature like thatT
"Gold help US, sir! IL she were my
wife now and were dependent on me,
don't you think | could care for her
tenderly, better than any one else In
the worldT
Mr.. Hardy shook his head. This Is
hard blow 10 me, James. l don't
know just what to say yet But ii Is
possible the poor girl may not have to
suffer all that Let us hope the doctor
Is not justified In his supposition. In
deed, he said he could not tell for GER
tain that loss Of hearing and speech
would follow. IL II does, cannot see
how Clara can retain her reason when
she recovers from the shock. James,
believe you are a good fellow. have
not forgotten my own courtship.
will not stand In the way between you
and your love for Clara In anything
right and reasonable. l had hoped
we might have good talk together
over the matter. This accident has
made it impossible for a time at least,
but confide In you as an honest, true
man. We must walt for events to take
shape. Meanwhile let us pray God to
give us wisdom and lead us into the
way we need to CO."
James Caxton listened to Mr.. Hardy
with q feeling OF astonishment. This
was not the Robert Hardy he had
known all his life; this was a new
man. For moment his own hopes
and fears were almost lost sight OF In
the thought Of the great change in The
elder man. In n tumult OF feeling he
went home after begging Mrs. Hardy
to send him word II Clara became
worse or II there were any service he
could render the family.
Robert went back up stairs, where
his wife sat by the side Of the injured
girl.
MARY" he said, IL must go down to
the shops. You know left word with
Wellman 10 do what he could in the
office until I could get down, but this
accident has made II imperative that
be there myself There are details the
men cannot attend to. cannot do any
more here, and | must do what can
for the sufferers. God has been merci-
full to us, dear. Our dear ones are
spared to US. oh. when | heard Bes.
sizes voice In that helrs pit 1t seemed
to me God was taking pity on me for
the burden am carrying this week!
And II she had been killed | do believe
should have gone mad. Pray for me.
sweetheart"
And with a kiss and embrace Robert
left the house, and even IN the sorrow
Of all her trouble Mrs. Hardy felt a
great wave Of Joy flow through her at
the thought Of love come back to
her. and as she went TO the window
and watched the tall. strong figure
swing down the street she almost felt
a girl again and wondered II he would
turn around and see her there and toss
his hat to her as In the old days. Yes;
Just before he reached the corner
where he had to turn he looked back
up Mt the window, saw his wife stand
Ing there and took Off his hat, with n
smile, and she waved her hand at him
and colored as when her Robert used
to do the same thing while he was
courting her.
1.-Two foolsv' somebody says. Yes;
two children Of God who have seen
his face and learned what all this life
means.
He found much to do at the shops.
The accident necessltated special work.
II looked to him as II he must be down
there all day. There was almost pam
ic In the planning rooms. The air was
heavy with the horror Of the night be-
fore. Owing to the wreck there was
more need Of work In the shops than
ever, but along toward noon Burns
came into the office, pulling a long face
and asking Mr.. Hardy to step across
the yard and talk to the men, who had
threatened. Burns said, to do mischief
II they were not given the afternoon to
90 down to the scene Of the disaster.
Mr.. Hardy, with a sinking heart, rose
and followed Burns into the planning
rooms. He told the foreman to get the
men together In the center Of the room.
They stopped their machines and gath
cred in the largest open space between
the planers, and Mr.. Hardy addressed
them:
"What do you want? Burns tells me
there Is dissatisfaction. Speak out so
that we may know what the trouble
Is"
There was an awkward pause. Then
one man spoke up:
I'VE think the company ought to give
US the day OF"
"what forr asked Mr.. Hardy mildly.
Under any other circumstances he
would have told the men they might
leave for good IL they didn't like the
pay and the company. He had done
Just that thing twice before, but things
were different now. He looked at the
men In a new light. He was a new
man himself. Besides, 1t was impera-
tive that the work In the shops go on.
The company could Ill afford to lose
the work just at this particular time.
All these considerations did not blind
Robert to his obligations as an officer
Of the company. He was only anxious
that no injustice should be done, SD he
said, what forT mildly and quietly
and waited for an answer.
The spokesman was not quite ready
with an answer. The directness Of the
question and the mildness Of II also
surprised him. Another man spoke up:
"Our friends were In the accident.