Gilpin observer., 1901-02-14

1ho hiC betduSe vi tHe uCClueut
of birth or the circumstance of wealth
or difference in surroundings? Have
we not already proved that it can e--
ist?'
YES" replied Eric slowly. at can
exist, but it is in one sense an uunatu.
raj existence. You represent capital
represent labor. Take the present sit
uation of the strike. l believe as much
as 1 believe anything that it is right
and even religious that we do rs we do.
Deep in your heart you condemn US for
the movement. If you We're in your ia
ther's place, you would feel exactly as
he does about it. How, then. can we
expect the old relation between Us to
be continued" 2"
Stuart sat silent. looking cut over the
beautiful valley. The town looked very
pretty in its setting OF hills and pines.
His fathers house was TIE most con
spicuous residence to he seen. From
where the two men sat it looked pala-
tial. Down at the ether end OF the
town among the l.iners' houses Stuart
could distinguish Ei'ic's home. Il little
two story cottage, not different from
hundred others. he did good deal
of hard thinking IN a few minutes;
then he said
! Eric, you began the talk about the
difference between US. Do you want to
break off anything? Is that your in
tention?'
Eric for the first time grew flushed
beneath his dark bronZed face. NO"
he said. Il simply wished to state the
conditions under which we now live.
There is no change in my feelings to-
ward you and cannot be-
Neither is there in mine toward you,
Eric. Why do you place the RESPONSE
bility so wholly ON me. as If would be
the one to change or rs if it rested with
me to say that our friendship was pos
sible or not:'
Because it does rest with you. Are
you not representative of riches. pow
er, intelligence. all the great machinery
which sets things in motion. society,
that world by itself leisure. culture
advantages? And is ii not for you as
representative of all these things to
bear the responsibility which must al
ways rest on the strong and the educat-
cd and the wealthy" Eric paused on
the crest of wave of speech that
seemed about to break over all his self
control.
! Stuart after awhile said doggedly:
ut comes back to the question, Is our
friendship to continue on the old ba-
sis! l can be no other than am. II
have been born to wealth and leisure
and education and society and travel
and all that. l am powerless to change
1t. And you are what you are because
you have been born into it and choose
to continue there. though you know.
Eric, you could rise out of it II you
only would"
1T is useless to discuss that point"
replied Eric quietly. But tell me. Stu
art. in answer to the main question, do
you believe in this striker"
NO; can't say I do" said Stuart,
with his usual frankness.
There. You see where the difficulty
lies" replied Eric sadly. THE very
nature of the situation compels
breach in our cid relations with each
other. or course | believe in the strike
or wouldn't he the leader of It,"
lit seems like bad way to get at
what you want" said Stuart.
Have you studied into the details
OF the situation? Do you know all the
facts which have led up to this move
mcnti'
IL know what my father has told me.
lie says the men did not consult with
the companies and went out without
warning or notice of any kind"
Eric rose to his feet. ITS lic!" he
exclaimed. with n sudden passion that
no one would suspect existed. Ii was
like an explosion that transformed the
man into another being.
Stuart also rose. DO you mean to
say that my father lied to me about
the facts?"
81 do" rctorted Eric. "IIe lied. and
he knows he lied!'
Stuart took one step toward Eric, and
the two young men confronted each
other. Suddenly Eric turned on his
heel and without a word walked down
the hill. For moment Stuart seemed
on the point OF going inter him or call
ing out for him to stop. but the next
moment he stepped bnck to the stone
and sat down. When Erie had disnp
peared behind n clump OF trees Stuart
rose and went toward home by another
Iath.
When he reached the house. Louise
met him and told him his father want
cd to see him mt once. He went In and
stood by the bed. his whole being STIR
red by the Interview with Eric. 1t
was the first real passion to speak Of
that had reused his self controlled ma
ture. His father spoke with the blunt
ness that always marked his speech.
''Stuart. want you to go TO Cleve-
land FOR the company. This strike has
caused complications with our local
agents. There Is important business
that I ought IN goo 10 I'm Dprson. Can