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

, went ~ and she still made no motion
his conviction dcppcned that his knoWl-
edge of her character and motives was
superficial. All that he really knew
was to some degree the strength of her
personality lie knew she could not he
moved by pleading. If she would not
go with him ont of love that pleaded
its own cause, John Gordon knew that
no other motive would prevail
When she finally Fitted her head. she
put her hands behind her and looked
full and frank into his face. But what
she said surprised him at first until he
saw its bearing on her iiNal answer.
You used the word people a good
many times in what you said about
your reasons for leaving your fathers
house. Tell me what YOU mean by it,"
"By the wordT He was doubtful rs
to her meaning.
Eyes, just what do you mean by say
ing you are moved by love for the
people
Il mean the masses, tie muttudes.
the people, the humanity that works
with its hands for a living. the human
ity that tolls ut the furnace and tie
| loom and the machine. the humanity
that lives on days wages and lives to
produce the things that give persons
like you and ne pleasure, the things
we say we must have for our luxurious
tastes, Lucia" John Gordon spoke
for the first time with the same pas
sion he had used in the interview with
his father, a passion that sounded the
new note OF his redeemed manhood.
What have we known or cared for
humanity? Our days have been west
ed in selfish and foolish qualification
of the senses while these. our brothers
and sisters have been not only uncarod
for by us, but actually unknown. OF
what value our boosted culture, our
elegant houses, our fine spun clothing,
our fastidous habits. if in the refine
ment Of civilization that is veneercd
seltlshness we play our little plays like
children and never wake TO the power
of usefulness as groWnup mon and
women who have giants work to do
for the week and less Fortunately"
Lucia Marsh listened in genuine sur
prise. This was another now phase Of
her lovers character But there were
things said by him that angered her.
although while John Gordon was talk.
Ing she was saying to herself. Il did
rot know he had any gifts as speak
er that would bear devcloping."
Looking up at him. noting the flush
of feeling Oh his generally pale face,
she spoke the first impulsve thought
reused by what he said.
do you really classify lives like
yours and nine as 'u@eles>T ArN tie
people, then, the only useful being?
Or is it true that the people as Won
have defined them are such needy
and suffering quantity a. you say?
Are they not as selfish in their way as
we are in ours"
He heard her in surprise. It was
quickly becoming more clear to cacn
OF them that they had much TO learn
OF each others personality. stu. he
was resolved not TO argue matters. lie
mac come with one clear. simple pur-
pose IN his mind. lie did not wish to
have II obscurGd or put into second
place. II Luclla Marsh would 90 with
him into the life he bad chosen. be knew
enough of her TO feel certain that both
their lives would be strengthened and
beautified that if she once cast in her
lot with him size would never lool,
back, but would go on clear to the end
and bear all things with growing ioy
and peace If she decided to reject
him and his career because of details
a. II that were unknown or questiona-
Tile. then he had no calm answer to his
own heart as 10 the result on himself
except to say that his path would be a
lonely one. But he was Of determina-
ton not to leave the matter unsettled.
They We're not children, but grown
Glan and woman, and should be able
to know their own minds
"Luella, ] did not come here to argue
with you"-he spoke with great gen.
tleness in reply to her Questlons-"I
want you. | love you. That means |
would not hide one particle of the truth
from YOU II you marry me, it will |
be life OF burden bearing. it will be
future full Of pain in many ways, it |
will mean very largely total breaking
away from all the soft, easy, pleasant
social relations we have both known |
since we were born. All this is true |
would not try to soften il for YOU. |
But it will be Il joyful life. q life Of |
satisfaction, life full OF the conscious.
ness of helping to make Il better world |
OF doing something besides playing, Luz
ella! lie forgot in his feeling what he |
had said ever since he knew her, that |
she could not be moved by pleading |
and, rising suddenly, lie went over and !
knccled beside her "Luella. Tell me
this slmldy: DO you love me enough
10 share the unknown future with me?
VIII YOU not come with me, trusting in
our love for each other TO bear us over
hard places and explain new expert.
cnces rs fast as they become real TO
u.s.
She tremblcd ana hoeltatod. She had
but to reach cut her hand and put it in
John Gordon's and say one word. She
dId not move nor speak for almost
minute. Then she said looking straight
in front Of her:
"Alust | give nm answer noWf"
"Lurlla, yOn have already given mo
answer! You have promised to he my
VIE" The words were spoken by
nm in a motnput of ,,ront lnrrinor a -