The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-06-22
| LOVES VICTORY {
BY Elizabeth b. Cuttings.
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Copyright. 1901. By Authors syndicate.)
MRS. OSCAR REID had been for

MRS. OSCAR REID had been for
NI some time in the hands of the
sophists. She belonged to North end
club called "Sons and Daughters .:
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 of
the day. and 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, inasmueh as childhood held un-
told possibilities of rich fruitage yet
In bud, while old age was but ripened
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 to
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 senile
or hopelessly diseased in as summary
a way as we treat the emptied 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-
BILE" 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 a 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 sha
must soon face and the slender sum
laid by for the emergency. Her Gus
toner was politely sympathetic.
Il am sorry she said; 81 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 fashio ID
before adversely overwhelmed her.
They were fine enough for the child of
a 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 a
cheap, ready-made 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
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 Alberta's
defrauded childhood. Her husbands
cough began to exasperate her in
stead of arousing her sympathy. Every
dollar she spent for medicine seemed
stolen from Alberta. She found herself
vaguely wondering how long a con-
sumptive could live. OF course there
were times when these feelings
shocked and panied her, and she would
then redouble her devotion to her hus-
band and try to forget club theories.
Sometimes she almost wished she
had withdrawn from the club when
their change of fortune came. but it
seemed the one link with her happv
past, ana she could not let it go.
Her husband shared-or tried to
share-the remarkable beliefs of .he
"Sons and Daughters of Progress"
DO you know, DEAR" he said as
she was dressing Ior 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, "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-myself
away-but 7 am too cowardly-I'm
too sick to be brave--and IL love-
you and Alberta So"
But not well enough to die for us
-harki there is my car. Be sure Al
berta keeps covered, but don't sit up
for me. Good-by!'
Mrs. Reid's words were lightly
spoken. She meant them as a Jest.
but they entered her husbands soul
IKE a red-hot iron. i.
At the club they took the same
view of divorce suggested by Mr..
Reid. If for any cause a man failed
TO support and properly educate his
children and the mother could do this
better alone, she was amply justified
in severing the marriage tie. In fact,
1t was her plain duty to do so.
But If the husband was sick and
helpless?" ventured Mrs. Reid. tim
idly.
Harmon Hale shot her a keen in
terrogating glance, which so discon-
certed her that she but half needed
the answer to her question.
There are hospitals and sanitari-
ums. A right-minded man would
: rather himself become public charge
than risk the future of his children 4.