The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-05-02

ID like something almost, human A. he
closed that door behind him and walk.
ed away. He knew the truth now. AT
last there was no doubt in his mind
that Louise had been denied a shelter
in her greatest need BY this society
woman. who would risk hell itself rath-
er than the possible loss Of society
standing and her own selfish ease and
pleasure. And that he was right in
believing the servants story was shown
by after events a. well as BY items of
news which came to him from various
sources through New York acquaint.
ances. '~
Putting all he could gather into a
connected series. he managed. before
returning to Champion, to learn In gen
eral what must have been Louise's ex-
perience after Vasplaine had ruined
her financially and then brutally aban,
doned her.
She had found herself practically
without friends In New York. The only
relative there was Aunt Royal. She
naturally turned to her In the hour of
her trouble. She was probably at that
time well nigh crazed with the success
sion Of blows that had fallen upon her.
1t seemed to Stuart incredible Mt first
that Vasplaine In SO short time could
get possession Of Louise's money and
squander i. But the more he learned
Of his career the less he wondered.
Louise had trusted him. fascinated by
a certain attractiveness such men Of
ten possess. And when he finally left
her she found herself alone in a great
city, ruined.
Her aunt's refusal to receive her add
ed the final stroke to the weight Of her
shame and misery. Stuart never knew
what Louise had done after leaving
her aunt's house before she appeared
so Unexpectedly in Champion. There
were at least two days when he sup
posed she must have wandered about
or taken the wrong train to get home,
all that time fast losing her reason
and yet with enough left to shape her
way back to the old home. The shock
Of her experiences told the story Of
her condition as Stuart found her when
he lifted her up from the doorstep
that rainy night.
All this gave Stuart bitter thoughts
as he hurried back to Champion. He
almost dreaded to get of the train for
fear the doctor would meet him. as he
did before when his father had died.
| h,,x
and when he reached the house he was
surprised to fnd Louise sitting up and
looking no worse than when he went
away. He tried to take courage for
her. The doctor said she might linger
on through the summer. but gave no
hope of mental recovery. With this
constant shadow of death In their
home, therefore, Stuart and Rhena,
with thoughtful and serious hearts,
their love for each other refined and
strengthened by this affiiction, went
forward with their great plans for the
brotherhood Of Champion.
The Hall Of Humanity was going up
rapidly now. Stuart had determined
to have 1t ready for dedication before
winter set in II possible. He had em.
ployed q very large fore Of the best
workmen he could nnd. All this, OF
course, meant that he and Andrew,
Eric and Rhena and the doctor. togeth.
er with other good people In the town,
had given a vast amount Of thought to
the plans and purposes OF the building.
At the same time Stuart was beginning
the foundations of his own home down
In the town. The Hall Of Humanity
stood ON one side Of the square nearly
opposite st. Johns church. Stuart had
owned several small buildings there
and had torn them down to make room
for the new building. His own house
was to be near by.
A few days after Stuart's return
Eric and Andrew had come up al
Stuart's request and with him an6
Rhena were sitting In the library at the
Duncan mansion discussing the plans
that were now beginning to take visi.
BILE shape. Eric had gone back ints
the mines with the other men and
0ecNSu " w RDOsn8 soAVo0h oA Ca
perience Of bitterness. He had not
yet recovered from his humiliation q,
the loss of his influence over the men.
He was able to be present at the con.
ference on this occasion. owing to q
half holiday which the miners wers
celebrating In one Of the numerous
lodges.
II don't understand this arrangement
here" said Andrew. who was examin.
; ing the plans Of the hall. which lay
spread out on the table.
Stuart explained the particular point,
and then they all began to talk about
the building.
what is your exact idea about the
use Of the big hallr' asked Eric as he
pointed at the diagram marking the
place Of an immense auditorium.
| II don't know that have very many
exact ideas about any Of the uses Of
the building except that l want 1t to
represent In general the great word
helpfulness. have thought Of great
singers and players and lecturers who
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