The sea coast echo., 1903-01-10
LOVE THE LEVELER.
The Romance of Machine Room.
BY W. WENDHAM.



"Oh. sir, want to say that you are
the bravest and strongest and quickest
man | ever saw. | cannot thank you
too much. was afraid he would be
crushed 10 DEATH"
He flushed to the roots of his hair.
1T was nothing. MISS" he said.
Amy of the men would have done It,"
That evening Ida went over the
scene with ner father. He knew all
about and told her that the rescuer
was Joseph Madern.
zone OF the best mon we have" he
said warmly. "A thorough mechanic
and an inventor. We keep him at the
forge because there is a particular
Part OF the machine that has to be
dcne by hand, and Madern does 1t bet
ter than anybody else. Few men have
the strength and skill combined to do
it. We pay him as well as though he
we're a foreman, but have to keep him
at the forge. have ordered that he
be handsomely rewarded for his hero
ism today"
Papa, want you to invite him to
dinner" suddenly said Ida, after some
minutes spent In thought.
"Who?" asked Mr.. Norton looking
UP from lis paper.
"Mr. Madern. | think 1t would be
much nicer way to show apprecia-
tion Of his heroism than merely to
give him money"
Mr. Norton smiled. He was not
wholly undemocratic in his Instincts
but your mother" he said.
She mad an answer, and the result
was that Joe Madern found himself
with FACILITATING heart going up the
steps OF the Norton mansion one even
ing.
He was neatly dressed and bore him
self with dcmeanor that charmed the
girl as much as his exhibition of
strength.
Mrs. Norton absented herself from
dinner with cold disapproval
After dinner Miss Norton took her
strange guest to the hurary, and was
aStonished at the wide knowledge he
displayed OF books and the strong opin,
lens he held on economic topics
He told her of their worKlngmen's
cub and the discussions they had.
You should attend one Of our open
meetings; 1t would interest you" he
said.
Il will" she replied, and she did,
and was still more astounded to hear
him in debate where he stood like
lion to fight for his opinions, using
always the most forceful language and
displaying the widest reading and in
formation.
She invited him to call, and he did
once or twice, AS he was about to
take his departure en- the second occa-
sion he said:
Il think this is the last time, Miss
Norton. that will see you, and want
to tell you how thoroughly appreciate
your kindness and how much | have
enjoyed the evenings have spent
here"
THE last time!" she repeated the
blood rushing to her face. What
dc you mean? You are not going
away?"
mo, but 1t is better that should
not see you. We belong to different
worlds. They do not mix. The very
keenness Of the pleasure feel in com
ing here warns me that | had better
rot"
There is only one world for kindred
spirits she said impusively.
DO you mean that? DO you know
what you are saying?" he demanded
coming close to her.
She stood with downcast eyes, Then.
Strengthening his broad shoulders anu
throwing back his head, he said:
miss Norton, | am plain. blunt man
OF the people and not versed in the
ways OF society. | have discovered
| that | love you and | know ii would
| be presumptuous to propose for your
hand. do not quite understand what
you mean by your last remark. If YOU
|
on social equality. want to say that
love you with a love as deep and as
honest as man ever had for woman
| can offer you nothing but that which
my arms may earn, and that is moi
what you have been accustomed to
Still. II it should so happen that your
exceeding kindness to me means thai
you love me. all that is nothing"
He stood looking at her as in a
dream. She swayed. and fell into his
arms.
That's what 1t does mean." she
whispered, you are the only rea
man ever saw"
There was a dreadful scene when
Madern spoke to Mr.. Norton, but he
sturdily told his employer that he had
been accepted by Ida and they were
gcing to harry with or without par.
entail consent.
Mr.. Norton summoned his daughter
and she corroborated the statement ol
her plebeian lover
Then Mr.. Norton told them that the
| girl had not penny IN her own right
and If she married Madern she never
would have,
To which MaGern replied that thai
pleased him exactly.
They were married. Madern left thu
employ of the Norton works and found
another position.
The Nortons were unrelenting unit
some three years later, Mrs. Nortor
being dead and fine baby boy having
been born in certain rose-covered cot
tage in the suburbs, Mr.. Norton soft
| ened.
Now Madren is superintendent Of the
Norton works and a still better posi-
tion may shortly be his.-New Yorl
News.