Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-09-26
/ LOVES VICTORY {
Z BY Elizabeth d. Gfttings.
tOopyriaht 1901 by Autkor, sxndtc.teA
kHRs. OSCAR REID had been 70,

eOPbiSNss ohN b'ftitNh W a ANpt III WV
club cnlled "Sons and Daughters OF
Progress It's watchword was THE
SGbordination Of the Individual TO the
Good of The Whole" From this point Of
view it discussed the leading issues Dt
the day, and arrived at some remark
able conclusions. 1t held, for instance,
that the claims Of youth were IN every
way paramount 10 those OF advanced
age, inasmuch as childhood held un-
told possibilities of rich fruitage ye,
in bud, while old age was but a ripcned
and emptied seed pod, and even middle
life had in most cases past the zenith
OF fruition. Some of the most progress
sive members even went SO far as 10
nver that when public sentiment had
been sufficiently educated 90 overcome
sentimental prejudice regarding the
value OF human life, It might be pos
sible and wise to dispose of the senile
or hopelessly diseased in as summary
way as we treat the cnptied pod or
the blighted plant.
Mrs. Reid Joined the club as the wife
Of well-to-do stock broker who had
come west for "a slight throat trou-
ble." The same winter tumble
In stocks and an attack Of la grippe
had left him penniless invalid. They
removed TO two-roomed house in the
South end and Mrs. Reid took In fine
sewing and embroidery. A few months
after this change their daughter Al
berta was born. A week previous TO
her birth wealthy customer came
to consult about an infants wardrobe.
Il will do what | can for you, but can
promise nothing ahead. /"
Her lip quivered and sudden pallor
followed the thought Of what she
must soon face and the slender sum
laid by for the emergency Her Gus
toner wns politely sympathetic
81 am sorry" she eaid 81 would Ike
everything done by your hand; your
work is exquisite"
That evening, when her husband was
asleep, Mrs. Reid took out the dnlnty
little clothes which she had fashioned
before university overwhelmed her.
They were fine enough for the child Of
millionaire. After kissing each tiny
garment and crying quietly awhile,
she replaced them. The next morning
she telephoned the wealthy customer.
who came and examined the wardrobe
critically and took II away In her car
riage. After Mrs. Reid had bonght
cheap, rcady-mode outfit there was
enough money left TO double the ener-
gency fund. But she cried good dsal
nights, which was bad for Alberta.
For Alberta was not only delicate
sensitive child, but very early devel.
oped craving for things dainty and
fine, which her mother could not SUP
ply Imbued with the club theories OF
the supremacy Of childhood, Mrs. Reid
began to grow bitter over Albertns
defrauded childhood. Her husband,
cough began 10 exasperate her In.
stead nrousing her sympn thy Every
dollar she spent for medicine seemed
stolen from Alberta. She found herself
vaguely wondering how long a con.
sumptive could live. or course there
were times when these feeling,
shocked and panied her, and she would
then redouhle her devotion 10 her hu.
band and try 20 forget club theories.
Sometimes she almost wished she
had withdrawn from the club when
their change OF fortune came. but II
seemed the one link with her happy
past, and she could not let It 90.
Her husband shnred.-or tried 90
share-the remarkable beliefs OF the
Sons and Daughters Of Progress"
DO You know, dear" he said. ss
she was dressing Tor the club one
evening, that you would he quite
justified In suing for divorcep"
Mrs. Reid started Divorce was the
subject for discussion that night.
Yes" he continued. "as the laws
are now, you could get one easily
enough-nonsupport you know-and
unhampered by me you could give
Alberta the privileges which should
be her birthright. have thought
often that | ought-to take-myseIf
away-but I am too oowardly I'm
too sick TO be hrnve-and II love
you and Alberta So"
"But not well enough 10 die for N.
-harkl there is my car. lie sure Al
bertn keeps covered, but dent sit MP
for me. Good-byl'
Mrs. Reid's words were lightly
spoken. She meant them as a jeat.
but they entered her husbands soul
like red-hot iron
At the club they took the same
view OF divorce suggested by Mr..
Reid II for any cause a man failed
20 support and properly educate / 3
children and the mother could do this
better alone, she was amply justified
in seyering the marriage tie. In fact,
1t was her plain duty to do so.
"But II the husband was sick and
helplessP" vcntured Mrs. Reid, tim
Idly.
Harmon Hale shot her q keen in
terrogating glance, which so discon-
certcd her that she but half needed
the answer 10 her question.
There ale hospitals and sanitari.
ums. A rirht-mindcd man would
rather himsel become a public charge
than risk the future OF his children"
Harmon Hale was bachelor mil.
lionairc who made no secret Of his
admiration for Mrs, Reid. although
he never gave her offensive attcu-
tions AftY~ The gluh d. ,g.r.I D..