Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-12

yes. he will tell me-" she said.
Even as she spoke Craig came up the
steps. I passed into my studio and
went on with my work, for my days at
Black ROrk were getting few. and
many sketches remained to be filed in.
Through my open door I saw Mrs.
Mavor lay her letters before Mr.. Craig,
saying, Il have call too They
thought not OF me.
He went through the papers. careful
ly laying them down without a word
while she waited anxiously, almost i'm.
patiently, for him to speak.
WELL" she asked, using his own
words to her, should l go?"
Il do not know" he replied. "That
is for you to decide. You know all the
circumstances"
The letters tell ALL"
Her tone carried a feeling Of disap-
polntment. He did not appear to care.
"The estates are large?" he asked.
Yes. large enough-twelve thousand
a year"
And has your mother-in-law any
one with herr"
"She has friends, but, as she says
none near Of kin. Her nephew looks
after the works-iron works, you know.
He has shares in them"
"Shc is evidently very lonely" he an
swered gravoly.
"What shall do?" she asked, and I
knew she was waiting to hear him
urge her to stay, but he did not see or
at least gave no heed.
II cannot say" he repeated quietly.
There are many things to consider.
The Estates
The estates secm to trouble you"
she replied almost fretfully.
He looked up in surprise. wonder
ed at his slowness.
Yes. the estates" he went on, "and
tenants suppose; your mother-in-law,
your little Marjorie's future, your own
future
THE estates are IN capable hands I
should suppose" she urged, land my
future depends upon what l choose my
work to be-"
bilties," he replied gravely. These
estates. these tenants. have come to
you, and with them come duties
II do not want them she cried.
That life has great possibilities Of
good" he said kindly.
Il had thought that perhaps there
was work for me here" she suggested
timidly.
Great work." he hastened to say.
You have done great work, but you
will do that wherever you go. The
only question is where your work lies"
You think l should GO she said
suddenly and little bitterly,
II cannot bid you stay" he answered
steadily.
How can I go?" she cried, appealing
to him. Must go?'
How he could resist that appeal I
could not understand. His face was
cold and hard and his voice was al
most harsh as he replied:
IF it is right, you will go, you must
60"
Then she burst forth:
Il cannot 90. shall stay here. My
work is here. My heart is here. How
can I 90? You thought it worth your
while to stay here and work. Why
should not 2"
The momentary CLEAN in his eyes
died out and again he said coldly:
This work was clearly mine. am
needed here"
yes, yes" she cried. her voice full
Of pain You are needed. but there is
no need Of me-"
"Stop, Stop" he said sharply. "You
must not say So"
II will say it, must say in she
cried, her voice vibrating with the in
tensity of her feeling. II know you do
not need me- You have your work,
your miners, Your plans. You need no
one. You are strong. But" and her
voice rose to cry, II am not strong
by myself. You have made me strong.
came here foolish girl, foolish and
selfish and narrow. God sent me grief.
Three years ago my heart died. Now
am living again. am a woman now,
no longer a girl, You have done this
for me. Your life, your words. your
self-you have shown me a better.
higher, life than l had ever known be-
fore, and now you send me away"
She paused abruptly.
"Blind, stupid fool" said TO myself
He held himself resolutely in hand,
carefully. but his voice had
lost its coldness and WAS sweet and
kind.
"Have I done this for you? Then
surely God has been good TO me. And
you have helped me more than any
words could tell yoH'
"Helped" she repeated scornfully.
"Yes, helped" he answered, wonder
ing at her scorn.
You can do without my help" she
went on. You make people help you
You will get many 10 help you. But
need help too"
She was standing before him with
her hands tightly casped Her face
was pale, and her eyes were deeper
than ever, He sat looking up at her
in a kind Of maze as she poured on,
her words hot and fast
Il am not thinking Of you" His cold
ness had hurt her deeply. 81 am self
ish | am thinking OF myself How
shall do? have grown to depend or
you, to look to you. 1t is nothing u
you that so, but to me-
She did not dare to finish.