The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-07-17
CONTINUED
CHAPTER XI.
A Tale Of Moral Heroism
In Overcoming the World.
A MOMENT OF DOUBT.

When he finished the letter from the
Boston magazine, he looked up.
"WellY said Dorothy slowly, as if
Malcom had asked a question.
Its great OFFER" said Malcom. He
was evidently very much moved by it.
And he rose and walked up and down.
Finally he stopped near the door.
81 shall have to go out doors and
walk off the excitement" he said, look
ing at Dorothy, with faint smiles She
was familiar with that habit. Malcom
had often done that when tired of the
cramped quarters of his little study in
the parsonage.
He walked to the table, took up his
hat and went to the door. He opened
it and then turned back to Dorothy.
who sat with her elbow on the table
and her chin in her hand thinking.
''Will you go with me. dear?" NAL
com asked quietly.
She rose without a word and, put
ting on her hat and cloak, went out
with him. They walked out of the
yard, and then, after moment of hesi-
tation, they turned and went down the
narrow board sidewalk toward the
main street of the town.
1t was almost IL O'Clock. Nearly
all the stores were closed, but every
saloon was wide open. AS they went
by one of the largest on the first bust
ness corner two or three men near the
door recognized Kirk and touched
their hats, saying very respectfully as
they did SO, Good evening. Mr.. Kirk. /"
Good evening, gentlemen" replied
Malcom, touching his hat. He passed
on with Dorothy. but with all the in
ner conflict going on she had time to
think Of the little incident and say to
herself proudly. Even the loafers and
drinkers respect my husband"
And it was true, because they knew
in their hearts that Malcom Kirk low
ed them, wretched. useless creatures
as many of them were, down at the
very bottom Of the human scale, down
where nothing but love could reach
them.
AS they went past one of the dance
houses they could hear the jingle OF
spurs on boots, the wild laughter of
the women and the clink of glasses at
the bar.
Dorothy shuddered and drew up clos
er to Malcom. To both of them it is
probable that there was borne in upon
them the lost abandoned life that al
ways goes with the liquor trade, the
desperate, lawless character of young
men and women who represented sc
large part of the social life Of the
town. What relief it would be te
get away from it all. back to the cul
ture and refinement of books and com
panionable people and the life of free
dom from moral struggle for the life
of others that awaited them in thai
New England home that might be
theirs for the taking!
They had walked through the street
and were out on the prairie road before
either of them said word.
Then Malcom said, while he pressed
Dorothy's arm close to his own:
What do you think had better do p
She was not prepared to have hin
ask question, and she was not ready
with an answer.
What would you do in my placer
he asked after waiting for her to an
swer his first question.
Don't ask me, Malcom," cried Doro
thy almost tearfully.
He bent his head and in the starligh
| saw her face moved with unusual ex
| citement.
''It is true" he began to talk to him
self, 'it is true, as he says, the press il
as powerful as the pulpit in thes'
days. I could certainly do as mucl
could use my pen for the good Of hu
manity."
"Yes, yesY' Dorothy cried eagerly
She spoke as If Malcom's words hat
been a great relief to her. Then sh
went on almost passionately:
what can you do here, Malcom
You can slave yourself to death GU
accomplish much. You cannot do th
church work and the writing too. Yo1
will break down under it. How cal
you ever build again, with the har'
times and so many families movin
away and winter coming on? An
your salary, little as it is, so cruelty dc
layed, it Is a humiliation to keep o
this narrow, pinched life, with no com
panionship to speak Of, no money t
buy new books, with dead lift on
poor struggling church that will wea
your life out before you have reache
your prime. don't mind for myself
Malcom, you know. 1t was for be-
ter, for worse, for richer, for poorer
bat it seems to me your life will b
simply thrown away if you remain OF
here. Such an offer as this will nc
come to you again probably. If wer
YOU
She stopped. and Malcom eagerl
, waited for the rest.
"If were you," Dorothy went Q
strongly, II would answer the letter {
once and accept the offer. | want
i see you succeed in life. | want
/ have the world know your strength &
Ido."
4 He made no reply, and they wake
on a little farther. Then MalcO
spoke as If again reasoning with hin
self: