Daily camera., 1901-05-31

b LOVES VICTORY, /
By Elizabeth B. Gittisss.
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Copyright 1901, b. AutAon syndisAss.,
MRS. OSCAR REID had been 70,
lvI some time In the hands of the
Nophists. She belonged to Q North end
club smiled .Sons and Daughters y:
Progress It's watchword was "The
S,.bordination Of the Individual to the
Good of the Whole" From this point OF
view 1t discussed the leading issues oI
the day. nnd arrived at some remark.
able conclusions. 1t held. for instance
that the claims OF youth were in every
way paramount to those of advanced
age, inasmuch as childhood held un
told possibilities of rich fruitage YET
In bud, while old age was but riponed
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 10 far as tc
aver that when public sentiment had
been sufficiently educated to overcome
sentimental prejudice regarding the
value of human life, 1t might be pos
sible and wise to dispose Of the senil.
or hopelessly diseased in as summar,
a way AZ we treat the emptied pod OF
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 q tumble
In stocks and an attack of la grippe
had left him q penniless Invalid. The,
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
berts was born. A week previous to
her birth wealthy customer came
to consult about an infants wardrobe
II will do what can for you. but can
promise nothing ahead. L.
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 was politely sympathetic.
II am sorry" she said; II would like
everything done by your hand; your
work is exquisite"
That evening, when her husband was
asleep, Mrs. Reid took out the dainty
little clothes which she had fashioned
before adversity 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 It away in her car.
riage. After Mrs Reid had bought q
cheap. ready-msde outfit there was
enough money left to double the emer-
gency fund. But she cried = good deal
nights. which was bad for Alberta.
For Alberta was not only delicate.
sensitive child. but very early devel.
oPed craving for things dainty and
hne. which her mother could not sup
ply. Imbued with the club theories OF
the supremacy of childhood, Mrs Reid
began to grow bitter over Alberta's
dcfrauded childhood. Her husbands :
cough began to exasperate her in
stead OF srousing her sympathy. Every
dollar she spent for medicine seemed
stolen from Alberta. She found hersel,
vaguely wondering how long a con.
sumptive could live. OF course there
were times when these feeling.
shocked and pained her. and she would
then redouhle her devotion to her hus.
land and try TO 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 il go.
Her husband shAred-or tried to
share-the remarkable beliefs Of the
-Sons and Daughters of Progress"
DO you know. dear" he said, -
she was dressing Tor the club one
evening. that you would be quite
justified In suing for divorce?"
Mrs. Reid started. Divorce was the
subject for discussion that night.
Yes" he continued. "ss the laws
are now, you could get one easily
enough-nonsupport, you know-and
nnhampered by me you could give
Alberta the privileges which should
be her birthright- have thnught
often that l ought-to take-myself
away-but I am too cowsrdly-rm
too sick to be brave-and IL love
you and Alberta So
"But not well enough to die for US
-hark! there IL my car. Be sure Al.
bcrta keeps covered, but don't sit up
for me. Good-by!'
Mrs. Reid's words were lightly
spoken. She meant them ~ a 1est,
but they entered her husbands soul
like q red-hot iron.
At the club they took the same
view CT divorce suggested by Mr..
Reid. II for any cause a man failed
to support and properly educate l. J
children and the mother could do this
better alone. she was amply justified
in serering the marriage tie. In fact,
it was her plain duty to do SO.
but II the husband was sick and
helpless?" ventured Mrs. Reid. tim
idly.
Harmon Hale shot her . keen in
terrogating glance. which 10 discon-
certed her that she but half needed
the answer to her question.
"There are hospitals and sanitari-
lums. A right-minded man would
rather himself become . public charge
than risk the future OF his children"
Harmon Hale was . bachelor mil
lionAire who made no secret OF his
admiration for Mrs. Reid. although
he never gave her offensive atten-
lions. After the club he offered to
drive her home In his trap and she
accepted. He had . daring scheme to