The Washington weekly post., 1900-06-05


admit We are az nature makes us. I
TAKE IL In the long run IL is about alike
We go up, We come down, We make what
y called success or what is called
failure: one man IL president an
other man is street sweeper. The pres
ldent sees IL as the president sees II. the
street sweeper a. the street sweeper. Il
Is pretty much OF a muchness all from
the point 9f view. No. I'm about as 1
used "a be"
She grew warmer and warmer.
Al least she said, you are working
! now"
He struck one hand against the other.
The same old Matty." he laughed, al
ways harping on the practical Yes. am
working now. working on a boat. and /
can't swim a stroke. Isn't that Just like
ne; Work, But then / always did Work
when / couldn't help myself. You're
/ thinking I've come down, Matty. But
what is up or what Is down in this life?
/ A question Of degrees-the president and
| The street sweeper. you know. But m
glad 10 see you. / didn't think I'd be- very
welcome. All the same ! made up my
mind 10 look you up. You know | always
! did what | made up my mind 10 do"
His words seemed 10 TepTOach her, o.
was II his manner?
! Il don't say you're not welcome" she
/ managed TO say.
NO" he took her up, that wouldn't be
/ your way You never blamed me when
went back on YOU even"
This was too much; IL was brutal, ana
\ he saw it,
! There" he said. Il didn't near thot
/ It's my old habit Of saying what comes
( first. the first being easier"
! Il don't mind" she answered.
/ He wrung one hand with the other with
a grating sound that told of the density
I OF the cuticle.
/ yes. you do mind" he retoTted. Il like
TO think that you do. That would be
/ quite like your old self"
Very we'll then" she said. Suppose
! do mind, what then2'
] lie shifted his position.
You have changed" he said. "YoJ
didn't use to get angry so easily. Won't
. YOU sit down.
But she had determined 10 stand while
he was there.
He rad left the lid off the rose jar. She
went and put il on.
Il hope" she began, but she did not
finish.
Tie was looking past her, out the WIZ
bow.
How strange II is" he said. "the sight
OF one thing brings up a whole troop Of
! others. All the way down here thought
off and on OF looking you up. Then got
to thinking Of things connected with you.
/ thought of Marcy"
Miss Martha said not a word, but her
lips spanned a little across her teeth i
silence fell. lie looked out the window.
"Of course" he said, Il know she died
years ago-her husband too-and she left
daughter"
With passionate movement Miss
Martha threw her sewing on a chair.
II think" she said. you are shameless
to speak that way of the poor woman
who because of your treatment Of her,
: had TO get a divorce from you. She mar
ried a good man. and she lived down good
deal of what she suffered through you.
She left a daughter. Helena is with her
fathers people here"
Here" He slowly moved his eyes in
her direction. Here
"Ycs" Miss Martha said. Her fathers
brother lives here. Helena is the only one
! have in the world, and when her mother
died it was only natural that l should
want to be near her"
$50" he smiled, that is why you came
mere to live, TO be near Margy's daughter"
Miss Martha was more angry still. She
seemed 10 quiver. She went quite close
10 him.
Il know what is in your mind" she sail
. with the suppressed voice of a woman
! who is determined that she will not be
misunderstood. "You think ii spiri;leSs.
dumb whipped animal in me 10 want 10
De with the child of the woman who re-
/ placed me In the affections OF a man.
I You had asked me TO marry YOU. and /
/ | vas only eishteen-aCcepted YOU. Then
Marcy came and her beauty made me Of
no account 10 you. You acted falsely to
ne. but ! gladly let you go. l was not
/ even angry with Marcy. Her sufferines
! as your wife made ne thankful for what
/ ] had escaped and made me feel almost
/ guilty Of having made her acquainted
with YOU | greatly admired her second
( husband. and their daughter is like my
/ own child 20 me You were always false.
. You taught me 10 b. false in that small
matter Of hiding the cards. You had
. taught me 10 deceive Margy's mother
who gave me a home. You were false
/ when YOU used To leap into Margy's par
/ lor as you leaped in here. Your handsome
. face, your bold. reckless manner, made
I fools of both Marcy and me-"
Borland's eyes were once more directed
10 the window but deep fuTroW had
! come between them. Miss Martha let her
glance fail on the man. Something o.
/ what she took in in that glance made her
say, Il didn't mean 10 make such fool
OF myself. And after all these years
/ to"
That's all right" he interrupted placid
ly. 1t Is Just as | say We change very
little"
Meaning that l was always q fool?'
That's about il maybe"
Miss Martha gave little choke AT this
comprehensive analysis Of her character.
Maybe yoA'ye right" she said "Au
the same, l didn't mean TO make sucn a
fool OF myself to-day. l haven't thought
OF those times for years"
Il know how il is, he returned, 4
know"
Then there was another silence. Miss
Martha grew uncomfortable.
PERHAPS" she said, Ill was kinder than
l thovShg-yOur coming TO See me"
Il beli-ye I thought more OF myself than
Of YOU" be replied frankly Al which
she laughed little
THAI almost makes me agree with you
about our not changing" she retorted.
lie nodded dryiy.
'MaJty." he said, seeing you thinking
OF You. seems 10 have set a good deal in
motion. l suppose / must have been
scamp in those old times.
God knows" she replied. He made
you"
Meaning that I was as ! was intend
20 90 be- he said.
On the instant there flashed across her
the thought Oi the sermons she had Of
late listened TO- wherein mans personal
responsibility Tor his own life vas 20
dwrlt upon.
No" she answered; we are intended
10 make the most Of our lives
For ourselves or othersT he asked
her
She cleared her throat
.lf Ne live tor ourselves alone" she
said. I'VE are surely not making the most
~ our lives"
Il suppose you are right" he returned.