Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-31

heaps, With openings for human be-
1ngs who streamed in and out of court
and alley and doorway or sat in pallid,
nuddled 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 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
ner welcome that springs from we'll
known common purposes.
"You are just in timer called out a
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
turning the greetings of those at the
table.
'We were talking about you," said
the head of the house, with her quiet
but earnest manner.
"T'm sorry to interrupt the conversa-
tion," replied John Gordon.
.''No interruption, we assure you. We
are glad you came in, for you are the
only person who can answer a Ques-
ton Mr.. Ford just asked"
Rather a personal question, Mr..
Gordon" said Ford, student from
the university, who was a resident of
several months standing. ''The ques-
ton asked Miss Andrews was this:
What is Mr.. Gordon going to do? Will
he possibly come in here with us?"
John Gordon did not answer the
question at once. He knew the COM
plete freedom of the social atmosphere
of Hope House, especially at meal
times, and understood we'll that his ST.
lence would not be misconstrued as
discourtesy.
He looked around the circle of ear
nest, friendly faces at the table, and
his gaze included, as it had many times
before, the room itself, with it's high,
dark wainscoting, it's few but choice
portraits, it's plain but attractive home
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
first met her at Hope House she had
been in charge Of the settlement for
twelve years. Twelve years Of asso-
citation 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, it was because the look of her
face spoke Of a quiet peace that so
many people specifically associate
with meekness, but do not consider as
an element Of power. The residents of
Hope House understood all that. and
the oldest residents understood it 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.
1t was with deepening conscious
ness of what this woman was and of
her wonderful life and influence that
John Gordon came into her presence.
He had met her during his university
career when some special studies had
one of the first places he had visited on
his return from abroad had been the
| dining room with it's fellowship life
presided over by that central figure
that dominated the entire group. It
was at that first meeting that he had
| frankly told her and the residents
something Of his religious experience
| and its bearing on his life work. 1t
was that frank confidence that had led
up to the question by Ford.
"Well?' Miss Andrews finally said
as John Gordon seemed ready to speak
after looking at her so intently. Dur
| ing his silence the converse ton at the
| table had gone on in quiet but nat
ural fashion. Every one in Hope House
| always gave every one else perfect
freedom for his personality, and no
one felt at all disturbed when John
Gordon did not reply at once to the
students query. They all paused in
! their talk when he spoke.
1--WE been thinking of it. would
count it 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
ing my future. I am sure you are
enough interested in me to care to
know that have left my own home,
I am just at present without per-
manent place Of abode. Perhaps you