The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-20
NUMBER Is

me-" instead Of "us" And with the
word she flung her arms over the desk
and laid her head down on the book,
crying convulsively.
The magnificent surroundings of that
gorgeously furnished room cleaned all
around her as she kneeled there, for the
time being as wretched a soul as that
sorrow smitten city housed, sunk in
the horrible depth of a self accusation
that was already a present day judg-
ment, warning her of a future and
shifting her to the earth with terror at
the thought of a whole lifetime of
power misdirected, of a wealth and
social influence abused for selfish ends.
When Luella called next day, she
found Mrs. Penrose in fine spirits.
Archie had already arrived and was
nervously walking up and down the
drawing room.
There is no question about your love
for Luella?" Mrs Penrose asked as the
bell rang and Luella's step was heard
in the hall.
Archie gave his aunt a look that
made her laugh in his face.
Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow
we die" she said carelessly as she
turned to greet Luella.
| Luella was in a state of unusual ex-
citement. The prospect Of seeing John
Gordon and Hope House entered into
the situation. The prospect of seeing
Miss Andrews was perhaps a larger
factor, for Penrose had in his fashion
limited of a possible interest on John
Gordon's part toward this gifted wo-
man who had given her life to the peo-
pie. So. for these two reasons, Luella
was unusually excited. but in addition
was the whole situation, which she
realized was not yet by any means de-
cided in her relation to John Gordon
She was apparently no nearer the sac
rifice of her social position than when
he had made that the test Of her love.
But none the less certain was it that
she resented, as she had a right to do,
the suggestion that John Gordon might
give his love to some other woman,
possibly to this one whom she had
never seen, whom she was going to see
now, why she did not know. aside from
a certain curiosity that longed to be
satisfied.
As the carriage entered Bowen street
all three of them looked with different
degrees of interest at the sight of the
double decker. Heaps of rubbish still
covered the entire burned area, and the
same melancholy groups of children
were scattered about playing over the
ruins. At the farther end of the area
some men were taking measurements
and talked earnestly. Among the
men Luella thought she saw John Cor
don.
Going in through the archway which
had bent over so much human trouble
and sacrifice. they were greeted in the
broad hall by Miss Andrews herself,
who was just passing through to the
library and stopped to greet the Wis
itors as she SOW them coming in.
81 am very glad to see you." she said
simply as she shook hands with them
all "Will you come into the library?
Our little front parlor has been turned
into hospital ward since the fire"
They all went in and sat down. while
Miss Andrews thanked Luella Tor her
gift. saying. Il ought perhaps to have
called instead of acknowledging your
kindness by letter. but my excuse for
not doing so has been the work here"
''Oh, 1 did not expect anything more"
Luella murmured. What was the Sc
cret of Grace Andrews power? She
this woman at once. While she was
silently trying TO analyze the matter
Mrs. Penrose was asking Questions.
But you have not been here much
longer than twelve years."
Fifteen years next spring."
Pardon me. Miss Andrews. are you
related to the Clay-Andrews family Of
BaltimoreT
Mrs Ha milton Andrews Of Balti-
more was my fathers own cousin"
Then you belong to the Claytons Of
West virginia?''
"One branch of the Claytons married
into the family"
Mrs. Penrree pushed her inquiries
one question further.
Wasn't your mother known all
through the south as the beautiful
Miss Rodney of Baltimore?'
Yes" Miss Andrews answered quiet
ly. IF you know my family history,
Mrs. Penrose, why do you ask me all
this:"
The woman OF the slums and the
woman of the boulevard faced each
other. and it was the society woman
who felt abashed in the presence OF
her sister, who had given up so much
TO gain apparently SO little.
Pardon me. Miss Andrews. now that
have placed you. l cannot help won
lering how you came to leave such q
splendid social position for-for"-
For such a splendid social opportu
nityy" Miss Andrews smiled her rare
smile. And then in answer TO Mrs
Penrose she recited softly George Mac
Donald's verses with Il power thai
went deep home TO I.uella and made
,, even Archie PenrOsc step his nervou,
fidgeting. although he did not compre
hend the meaning of the verses to the
| three women.
] said, will walk in the fields God said
Nay, walk in the town.
I said. There are no flowers there. HI
said,
No flowers but a crown
! | I said, But the fogs are thick and cloud
{ are yelling the sun.
: | He answered, But hearts are sick ant
souls in the dark undone.
e | said, But the skies are black: there
, nothing but noise and din.
e | And he wept as he led me back There
o more,
v He said There is sin
1 said. I shall miss the light. and friend
will miss me. they say.
!. | He answered. Choose ye tonight IL mus
Q miss you or they.