The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-12-12

to 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
thing for me to do II l accomplish my
nfe's ambition now, and that is to-
leave the surroundings that are so
completely opposed to all the life of
the people / have come to love In order
that l may know, If possible, as well
as love, with intelligent power to help"
And you ask me to leave my home
rs you leave yours?"
She did not look at 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 trembled little
'sThe woman who becomes my wife
will make her home with me. We shall
share alike whatever the future con-
tains"
1t was perhaps at this moment rnar
Luella Marsh had her first glimpse
into John Gordon's real character. She
had 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
rious thoughtfulness. She only turned
her head little as she said:
"Where do you intend to make your
homer Will you tell me in detailT
81 have not fully decided: probably
In Hope House"
"And you expect me to live with you
there?"
eff you marry me, yes" John Cor
don spoke with effort. His fear had
grown with every word she uttered,
with every new question she put to
him.
81 will never she began and rose
to her feet Gordon rose instantly.
"Wait momentp' She sat down and
motioned him to be seated. "Wait!
want to think awhile"
She put her hands over her face, and
| John Gordon watched and waited. His
heart was hungry for her love, but his
soul trembled for what he thought was
| to be her decision. AS the minutes
went by and she still made no motion
his conviction deepened 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. He knew she could not be
moved by pleading. If she would not
60 with him out of love that pleaded
its own cause, John Gordon knew that
no other motive would prevail.
| When she finally lifted 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 final answer.
You used the word people good
many times in what you said about
your reasons for leaving your fathers
house Tell me what you mean by It"
"By the word" He was doubtful as
to her meaning.
Eyes, just what do you mean by say
Ing you are moved by love for the
people"
81 mean the masses, the multitudes,
the people, the humanity that works
with its hands for living, the human
| fly that tolls at the furnace and the
loom and the machine, the humanity
that lives on days wages and lives to
produce the things that give persons
like you and me pleasure, the things
we say we must have for our luxurious
tastes, Luellar' John Gordon spoke
for the first time with the same pas
sion he had used in the interview with
his father, passion that sounded the
new note Of his redeemed manhood.
What have we known or cared for
humanity? Our days have been vast
ed In selfish and foolish qualification
Of the senses, while these, our brothers
and sisters, have been not only uncared
for by US, but actually unknown. OF
what value our boosted culture, our
elegant houses, our fine spun clothing,
our fastidious habits, IL In the refine
ment of civilization that is veneered
selfishness we play our little plays like
children and never wake to the power
Of usefulness as grownup men and
women who have giants work to do
for the weak and less fortunatew
Luella Marsh listened in genuine sur
prise. This was another new 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. II did
not know he had any gifts as speak
er that would bear developing"
Looking up at him, noting the flush
Of feeling on his generally pale face
she spoke the first impulsive thought
reused by what he said.
do you really classify lives like
yours and mine as 'uselessY Are the
people, then. the only useful beingsi
Or is it true that the people as you
have defined them are such a needy
and suffering quantity as 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 each
Of them that they had much to learn
Of each others personality. Still. he
was resolved not to argue matters. He
had come with one clear, simple pur.
pose in his mind. He did not wish to
have 1t obscured or put into second
place. If Luella Marsh would go with
him into the life he had chosen, he knew
enough Of her to feel certain that both
their lives would be strengthened and
beautified; that If she once cast in heI
lot with him she would never look
back, but would go on clear to the end
and bear all things with growing Joy
and peace. If she decided to reject
him and his career because Of details
In 1t that were unknown or questions
BILE, then he had no calm answer to his
own heart as to the result on himself
except to say that his path would be a