Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-24
CHAPTER IV-CoNTINUED.

repulsed.
CHAPTER IV-CoNTINUED.
81 will attend to my affairs as
think best and without any meddling
from any one"
But, father, all this has nothing to
do with our difference Of opinion as to
my choice Of q career. 1t is simply an
appeal in the name Of common hu-
manity. Will you not do this much at
least? Will you 60 down to Bowen
street and see things for yourself"
81 will not! My agent attends to all
the business"
Have you ever been there? Have
you ever looked at the misery with your
own eyes?
"It is none of your business" Rufus
Gordon started up In his chair and
confronted his son. This time the mans
cheeks had deep red spot on them,
and his fingers twitched nervously. The
stoop Of his shoulders. the wrinkles
about his eyes, the whole pose and atti-
tude, revealed to John Gordon even
more than during that memorable In
terview when his father had refused
to give his sanction to his sons choice
the aging Of vital forces that once had
seemed incapable Of weakness.
John Gordon clinched his hand and
repressed the words that trembled on
his lips. If he spoke. he knew he would
say too much. After all, was he his
fathers judge? Yet If the property
owners refused to act what redress,
what hope for the future? 1t was a
horrible commercial system that per-
mitted, with the municipal authorities
sanction or Indifference, the brutal vio-
lation Of ordinances that were on the
statute books, but never executed, spit
upon by officers and citizens alike. q
mockery to all decent government.
For a minute father and son faced
each other silently. Then John Gordon
turned and without another word went
away, but as he walked down the
steps Of the massive stone building his
heart was sore within him.
my own father! My own father!
he repeated over and over, md tears
dimmed his eyes and sobs choked his
throat as he said the words.
Nevertheless. with that fiXity OF pur-
pose which always ignored private
feelings in the face Of public duty. he
considered his morning task oaly just
begun. He must sec Mr.. Marsh, and
he walked straightway to his office,
which was near by.
Mr.. Marsh had just come, and when
John Gordon appeared at the door OF
his private office he greeted his visitor
heartily, saying as he motiOned Cor
don to q chair: "Glad to see you.
Where have you been lately? Been on
the point of dropping you a note ask
ing you to come and dine. You and
Luella haven't quarreled, have you!
Come to thing of it, she's looked rather
sober lately"
Mr.. Marsh was a large, handsome
man Of fifty-two. His manner was
hearty, his whole bearing confident,
with the air Of one who has succeeded
in every business enterprise he ever
undertook. AS q man Of large wealth
of university training and some degree
of culture. Of which perhaps he was
unduly conscious, he was reckoned
among the solid business men Of the
city and was always proud to see his
name used in that connection.
"Luella has not told you, thenP
John Gordon asked in low tone.
"Told me what|
"She refuses to marry me-"
Refuses to marry you?" Mr.. Marsh
spoke in astonishment.
"Why-why-why, how Is that, Cor
don? You are old enough to know YOU
own minds"
81 thought so, sir" John Gordon re
piled almost bitterly, "but Luells
thinks otherwise. She will never bt
my wife"
"It's not so serious break as that?
The older man spoke with great kind
ness and came nearer. He was reall!
fond Of Gordon, and the unexpected
news affected him deeply.
Eyes, sir. To make long story short
I asked Luclla to go into Hope Hous'
as q resident with me. She refused
and
Into Hope House! And you ex
pected her to live there with you"
81 certainly asked her to. Whether
expected her to or not, am not quit
so certain"
"You asked too much! The word
came sharp and incisive, and John Cor
don at first shrank back as If from
blow. "You had no right to expect
girl brought up as Luella has been t