Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-18

L.-nstz%;IIssr.~A John Gordon asked
!, MI>>EJ// the question grave
ly, bur his look did
not betray any anxiety yet. He had
lvcn talking to Lucia Marsh for sey-
riul minutes. His face also was grave,
almost solemnly so. but there was a
growing expression of uneasiness upon
II rs she turned her head toward her
lover.
Il think so-ycs," she said slowly.
an ether words. you mean no." said
John Gordon. smiling slowly.
Luella Marsh returned the smile and
thcn became instantly grave again.
IL would like TO ask you a few more
questions. May ~
"Of course
"Then | don't know that I am quite
clear in my mind as to your exact rca-
sons for leaving your own home. VIII
You try TO make me understand that "
'Luel.a'- He paused, and for the
first time fear grew upon him that
lie was going to fail to make her IN
C"rstand the real crisis in his life.
Was this the attitude Of the woman
who could prove to be the companion
lie would need? Would she hesitate
and demand all these proofs and rea-
SOUS, all these explanations? And yet
b felt the need of her She had thus
far satisfied him, ard as he faced her
now there was only one prayer in his
heart, ana that was that she would
finally cast in her lot with his and say:
'Whcre thou goest viii go. Thy peo-
pie shall BE- my people and thy God
my God"
He began his explanation while Luz
ella leaned her chin on her hand and
watched him with deepening serious
ness.
Il am thirty years old From the
time Of my birth | have been used to
every luxury. | have enjoyed all the
elegant comforts Of a rich, exclusive,
proud family, My fathers ambition,
as you know, has always been the am
bition of man who has lived Il life
Us remote from the common people as
4 he had been born in some other
world. l have grown up in this at.
mOsphere. ! have known as little of
The people and their real life as my
Father. Up to the time Of my religious
experience | cared as little for the PEG.
pie rs knew about them. Since that
experience my whole object In living
Us changed. | find myself longing to
know the people as much as ! already
love them. II IS not enough that l
love them at a distance. | must know
srom close personal experience their
daily life. AS near as possible | must
parlake OF their sorrows, their priva-
Tons, their misery DO not answer
ne yet" John Gordon eagerly re.
strained movement on Luplla's part
% interrupt with word. "Why should
] not do this, | who have all my life
tasted the luxury Of soft and easy
physical living? There is only one
ching for NE to do If accomplish my
lifc's ambition now. and that is ~
leave the surroundings that are so
completely opposed to all the life Of
the people ! have come TO love in order
i""t | may know. if possible. as wcll
as love with intelligent power to help"
ANA YOU ask me 10 leave my home
as Won leave yours"
She ala not lock ut him while asking
the question. but in the silence that
followed before he replied she turned
her face full toward him. His answer
came very calmly. but his voice in
spite of him trcmblcd little.
The woman who becomes my wife
will make her home with me. We shall
share alike whatever the future CON
tJiHs.'
Ii was perhaps at this moment that
Lucia Marsh had her first GLIMPSE
'tn John Gordons real character She
hed never given him credit for much
Imagination or poetic feeling In real
itY he had a great deal Of both. But
she did not change her position Of Sc.
ripus thoughtfulncSs. She only turned
her head a little ms she said:
Where do YOU intend to make your
homer VIII you tell me in dctailF"
Il have not fully decided, probably
in Hope House"
And you expect me to live with you
thcrep
"if you marry mo, yes John Cor
uon spoke with effort. His fear had
grown with every word she uttered.
win every new question she put to
him.
i Will never'- she began and roS
10 her feet. Gordon rose instantly.
wait moment" She sat down and
motloned him to be seated. wait. | |