Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-15

then she rose and walked out of the room, angrily saying as she went: Ross Duncan's son is not much like his father. That's true if you did say it."
 Stuart rose and went over by the window again. He was vexed not with Louise, but with the whole situation. Since his fathers death he had gone through a great many struggles, and each one had left him with the feeling of his responsibility heavier upon him. The strike was in the same condition as when it began. The different mine owners at Cleveland had~conferred to- gether and were united in their deter imitation not to yield to the demand for higher wages. Stuart had been asked to come down to a conference to be held in the city that week. He expect ed to leave the next day. As he stood looking out at the stock covered hills he knew that crisis was rapidly ap- proaching and that within the next few days events would be precipitated that would leave their mark upon his whole life. He was not q coward, and that was the reason he could not run away from the situation. The interests of the mines at Champion were all in his hands, but the other mines on the up- per and lower ranges were involved with his in the general strike. He was not at full liberty to act alone. Be sides, the men had within a week form ed a union and would not treat with the separate mine owners, insisting that the companies must recognize the union as whole.
 Meanwhile matters were coming to a crisis very fast. Stuart clinched his hands tightly and bit his lips neryously as he turned again from the window and paced the room. He was worth more than $2,OOO,OOO in his own right, and yet the possession of the money caused him little real pleasure. With all the rest he was having an inward revolution of education toward the en- tire problem. And he could not avoid the feeling that before the week was gone he might come face to face with the greatest fact of his'life.
 As he stood there thinking it all over the bell rang, and one of the servants came and said that Erie was at the door. Stuart went himself out into the hall.
 "Come in, Eric" he said quietly.
 Eric came in, and the two men shook hands silently. Since Ross Duncan's death these two had met several times, and it seemed as if the old family re- lation between them might be possible again. There was, however, still serious barrier, caused by the condi- tions that surrounded the two men.
 'I came up this morning." began Eric, with his usual directness, "to tell you that the men want you to speak to them at the park today at noon."
 Stuart was surprised. T thought the men would not admit any one to the speaking stand except those of their own number"
 ''They haven't so far. You are the only one, CT you will be if you come to the meeting today"
 "What do the men want?" Stuart asked the question not feeling just sure that he cared to go.
 Eric did not reply immediately. He seemed to be waiting for Stuart to say something more.
 Stuart sat looking at Eric with that quiet gaze peculiar to him. Do the men want me to make 8 speech on the situation?"
 T do not know just what they ex- pect. They simply voted to ask you to come this noon. It may be an op~ portunity for settlement"
 Eric spoke slowly. Stuart suddenly rose and went over and put 9, hand on his old acquaintance's shoulder.
 Erie he said, while sad smile crossed his face and died out in it's usual thoughtful quiet, doesn't it seem strange to you that we should be mak ing so much out of such an affair as g difference of few cents more for days work? Is life worth having if it must be spent in sesi2us quarrels over such little lnatterSw
 Do you call this little mater?'' Eric spoke almost bitterly. And then he added bluntly, "A few cents day may be little to a man who has plen- ty of money, but it may mean the diff ference between comfort and suffering