The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-27

uneasiness.
In twenty minutes a good deal can
be said TO affect the future Of two peo-
pie who for various reasons have not
fully understood each other and are
still conscious of an. interest In each
other that separation seems to inten-
sify.
What will you do with the money
that has been given you If you do not
succeed In stopping Mr.. Randalrs
building his tenements?" Luella had
asked when Gordon had first stepped
up TO the window near her.
1--WE shall succeed in stopping him."
"Howy'
81 don't know But IL there is God.
and IL there is conscience in this city
and l am spared to do the work God
has called me to do. Tommy Randall
shall not go on defying all heaven, as
he has done these many years. Does
that sound like boasting. Luella?"
He used her name so naturally that
neither gave it any significance at first.
Then slowly Luella blushed and looked
down. She had never admired Gordon's
mo. / don't think it's boasting. 1
like to hear you'll mean l like to hear
any man speak as If he expected to do
great things"
John Gordon bent over little nearer.
Mrs. Penrose had risen and was, lead
ing the way with Miss Andrews and
Archie out into the hall.
"Luella. is it too late? have thought
I might possibly have frightened you
by too sudden a test He spoke hur-
riedly. then, as he saw the room was
empty of any but Luella and himself.
he spoke with more reserve. but with
more freedom as well-.Luella l can
not give you up. You see something Of
our great problem here. It's a gigantic
struggle: it is apparently hopeless. But
think of the children, Luella, whose
lives are at stake. Isn't ii worth a life
like yours? l never meant to speak
like this to you, least of all here. But
the sight of your dear face in the sur
roundings has told me again how much
need you. God surely did not wish us
to go on or ways alone. The fight is
so hard, Luella. alone. l need compan-
ionship."
He laid his fingers gently on her arm
as he finished. Luella was leaning to-
ward him. Their faces almost touched.
But his action at once brought up to
Luella the incident out in Bowen street
when he had placed his fingers on Miss
Andrews arm. Was 1t that or was IL
some caprice that dangerously dallied
with your own happiness, Luella, that
made you say:
-Companionship? You seem to be
pretty good friends with Miss An.
drawsw
John Gordon spoke slowly and as II
he did not understand. Miss An
drews? Luella, do you
He was angry with her. And she
was apparently determined not to un
derstand the reason for II.
"She seems to accept your leadership
here. You are evidently not alone sc
far as companionship goes"
She spoke lightly. but her Jealousy
was apparent. John Gordon smiled
Luella cared for him. His anger van
ished.
Miss Andrews and are goot
friends. She is a noble woman. There
is not a nobler in the city. But
"But you are blind not to see thai
she cares for you Luella spok'
quickly. Afterward she regretted tha
little sentence more than any other.
Cares for meY' Gordon asked
slowly.
"Yes. Any stranger can see It."
81 think you are mistaken. 1t is i'm
possible"
Nothing is impossible when people
are in love"
II refuse to discuss the matter. 1t !:
not right toward Miss Andrews"
Luella was silent. John Gordon was
readjusting his basis of appeal to her
What she had said about Miss An
Irews disturbed him tremendously.
"Luella, Can you not see that I-tha
you-are the one l love? This is thu
last time / shall speak"
Luella looked out of the window
The most desolate sight she had eve
seen was out there, The background
Tor the horrible piles of rubbish wa
.he dismal row of tenements with TIL
back yard staircases like eXterna
skeletons proclaiming the degradation
OF the tenement dwellers in the tat
tered clothing hung out to dry. Tn
drearlness of it all smote Luella like
horror. To live in an eternal confiic
with evil like that represented by Tom
|, my Randall: TO miss the bright, pretty
comfortable life into which she ha'
|, been born; TO spend her days an
nights in trying 10 love disagreeabls