Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-13

NIL go and take tea at Hope House,"
he said to himself, and took the car,
noting, by the time, that he would
reach the house just as the little family
of residents were In the habit of sit
ting down to their evening meal.
Hope House stood in the midst Of it's
desert of tenements and its corner sa-
looms and vaudeville halls like an oasis
Of refuge and strength. Saloons to
right and left and front and rear, with
piles Of brick and wood and rubbish
flung together In chaotic, tumbled
heaps, with openings for human be-
ings who streamed in and out Of court
and alley and doorway or sat in pallid,
huddled masses on the stoops or curb
ing formed the frame In which Hope
House was set, unique and alone.
John Gordon left the car one block
from Hope House and walked down
past five saloons in the block until he
came to the arched entrance Of the
house. Going into the little court, he
breathed a sigh Of relief at the sight Of
the familiar oleander tubs that stood
against the outer wall Of the court, and
marveled at their ability to blossom
with such freshness in such surround
ing.
IF oleanders ever had any fragrance
in this part Of the city, they must
almost smell Of beer and sewer gas"
he said to himself as he went on into
the broad hall that opened on the court.
He was by no means stranger to
Hope House. Since his return from
abroad he had been frequent visitor
and had been welcomed with that in
ner welcome that springs from well
known common purposes.
"You are just in time" called out
quiet but cheerful voice as John Gordon
stepped into the doorway of the dining
hall. Miss Manning is absent. You
may take her seat by me-"
II count myself fortunate" John Cor
don replied as he took the seat, re-
turning the greetings Of those at the
table.
1--WE were talking about you," said
the head Of the house. with her quiet
but earnest manner.
"I'm sorry to interrupt the converse
tion," replied John Gordon.
"No interruption, we assure you. We
are glad you came in, for you are tie
only person who can answer ques-
tion Mr.. Ford Just asked"
Rather a personal question. Mr..
Gordon" said Ford, a student from
the university. who was resident of
several months standing. "The ques-
ton I asked Miss Andrews was this:
What Is Mr.. Gordon going to do? VIII
he possibly come In here with usP"
John Gordon did not answer the
question ut once. He knew the com.
plete freedom Of the social atmosphere
Of Hope House. especially at meal
times, and understood well that his 81
lence would not be misconstrued as
discourtesy.
He looked around the circle Of ear
nest, friendly faces ut the table, and
his gaze included. as 1t had many times
before, the room itself, with Its high.
dark wainscoting, its few but choice
portraits, its plain but attractive home
likeness; but, as on every other occa-
sion. his look finally came back to the
face Of the head Of the house, for she
was the genius Of the place.
Grace Andrews was In her thirty
sixth year. At the time John Gordon
irst met her at Hope House she had
been In charge of the settlement for
twelve years. Twelve years Of asso-
ciation with desperate human prob
lens such as those that swarmed like
the people themselves had left on her
face marks of that human. divine
calmness that all great women bear
who have loved the people. If Grace
Andrews did not impress strangers or
visitors as being great in any real
sense, 1t was because the look Of her
face spoke Of a quiet peace that 80
| many people specifically associate
with meekness, but do not consider as
an element Of power. The residents Of
Hone House understood all that. and
the oldest residents understood 1t bet
ter than the youngest and had more
unquestioned reverence for the great
| ness Of Grace Andrews than those
who had less knowledge Of her.
It was with q deepening conscious
ness Of what this woman was and OF
her wonderful life and influence that
Junn Gordon came into her presence.
He had met her during his university
career when some special studies had
taken him down to Hope House. And
one of the first places he had visited OH
his return from abroad had been the
dining room with its fellowship life
presided over by that central figure
that dominated the entire group. 1t
was Mt that first meeting that he had
frankly told her and the residents
something of his religious experience
and it's bearing OH his life work. 1t
was that frank confidence that had led
up to the question by Ford.
'.Well?" Miss Andrews finally said
rs John Gordon seemed ready to speak
after looking at her 50 intently. Dur
ing his silence the conversation ut the
table had gone OH in Il quiet but nat
ural fashion. Every one in Hope House
always gave every one else perfect
freedom for his personality. and no
one felt ut all disturbed when John
Gordon did not reply at once to the
students query. They all paused IN
their talk when he spoke.
"I've been thinking Of 1t. would
count 1t an honor to be part Of your
family" He spoke to Miss Andrews.
but included all the table with ges-
ture. "I'm still in some doubt concern