The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-02-20

70 Imagine Cne CQardCIeE OF the udu
who might possibly win such great
and affectionate nature
The other event was an unexpected
interview with Luella Marsh. The
Rev. Paul Falmouth had come down
30 see Gordon and offer help of various
kinds to Miss Andrews from his church
young peoples society. AS he was
getting ready to leave he said to Cor
don: "It seems to me now Is the time
for Miss Andrews and you to bring
pressure to bear on Mr.. Marsh. While
the horror Is still keen and public
sentiment is favorable you ought to
persuade him to do something. He
will probably rebuild. Do you know"
81 don't know anything about it.
Why has he not been down here"
Gordon spoke with quiet
earnestness-"do you know Mr.. Marsh
Intimately? I understand your relation
to the family. l believe l know his
characteristics better than you do. At
least know this-he is morbidly sensi-
tive in the matter Of viewing human
suffering. Do you suppose
Gordon's face darkened. Was It pos
hble that any man would run away
from duty like this? All his respect for
Marsh and his feeling for him as the
father Of Luella were at once swept
away by the thought Of the mans con-
temptible cowardice. A tremendous tide
Of indignation took possession Of him
as he recalled Marsh's pitiable action
ut the time he visited the tenement.
Would he deliberately shirk his respon-
hbility in the matter Of the fire and the
opportunity now offered him to re-
build?
'Tll go and see him If you say SC"
Falmouth volunteered as he went
away.
II wish you would" Gordon replied.
And he added in tone that spoke Of a
personal passion that was nearer anger
than any feeling he ever experienced:
IF he doesn't come down here before
night, mean to go and see him myself.
I want to know from his own lips the
cause Of his absence"
The day went by, and Mr.. Marsh did
not appear. That evening Gordon told
Miss Andrews his intention. She made
DO comment of any kind. Gordon wait
ed moment and then asked q ques.
ton:
'How far is Mr.. Marsh responsible
for all this suffering, for these deathsY'
"God will judge him, not l." she an
swered, her blue eyes filed with light
that more than once during the week
Gordon had noticed as peculiar to her.
81 want to say the right thing to him.
But am afraid shall lose my judg-
ment in the NATTER" he said as he hes
itated. Miss Andrews did not offer any
suggestion, and Gordon at once went
out and took the first car that made
connections with uptown lines.
1t was not until he stood on the ia
miliar steps that he realized in some
degree what he was about to do. The
chance Of meeting Luella was so small
that he had not given it any thought.
He had not seen her since his inter
view with her, and while he was heart
hungry for the kind Of love that was
being denied him, the experiences
through which he had been since 60
ing to Hope House. the appalling char
acter Of the disaster for which Luella' s
father was at least in large part re-
sponsible, for the time being obscured
his personal affairs. 1t can truly be
said that as he gave his name to the
servant and asked to see Mr.. Marsh
he was nerving himself for the inter.
view, with Luella in second place at
least.
He went into the hall reception room
and had only just sat down when Lu-
ella entered. He rose and faced her
and saw at once that some mistake had
been made by the servant. Luella was
deeply agitated. She was hardly able
to say:
81 was told visitor wished to see
me-
81 called to see Mr.. Marsh" said
Gordon quietly, but his pulses were
beating high.
For a moment they stood looking at
each other and each noted something
even under the stress Of the situation.
John saw that the proud attitude was
marked by sadness that had left its
mark on a beautiful face so clearly
that he said to himself, "She loves me
still" Luella noted in her former lover
an added dignity and nobility and said
to herself, "He is man; not store
model like Penrosev' And there were
two hearts beating high In the short
silence.
Father is not at home. He is out Of
the city," she managed to say, but her
lips trembled in spite of all her efforts.
Gordon took step toward the hall.
May ask when he went awayT
II believe he left three days ago."
''The morning after the fire around
Hope House?'
Yes
There was another silence. Gordon's
mind went into a tumult.
May 1 ask when he expects to re-
turn"
Il think tomorrow or the next day."
She was recovering her equanimity,
but she resented his questions.
"Will you kindly ask him to come
down to Hope House and see me on a
matter of business when he returns?"
"Will you state the business" She
put the question as coldly as he had
put his.
Certainly" Passion had the reins
now and was lashing him hard. please
tell your father want to ask him how
far he considers himself responsible for
the murder Of over sixty children and
the manning of score more on ac-
count of the illegal tenement he con-
structed on Bowen street." 1t was
the severest thing he had ever said