The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-13
NUMBER l3

does afford as much real misery to the
assembled company as can well be
packed into bad hour and a half.
With Mrs. Penrose as hostess affairs
went on with more brilliancy. 1t is one
thing to talk yourself, and another to
get other people to talk The latter
gift, allied to species of social genius,
Mrs. Penrose possessed, and the din
ner was progressing finely. seasoned
with just that right degree of converse
tional interest which at times included
every one at the table and then broke
up into little groups of talk between
two or four.
John Gordon talked with Miss Grams
ton on a variety of topics, but did not
introduce any mention of his own
work Mrs. Penrose, who sat at his
right, once or twice alluded to Cor
don's residence at Hope House. but he
answered briefly and at once reverted
to something else. Evidently he did
not intend to be drawn into any dis
cussion or description of his work.
Mrs. Penrose was too shrewd as well
as too courteous to insist in asking
questions she plainly saw were not
agreeable.
"very well. she said good naturedly.
"As the lion of the occasion, il you will
not roar in the presence of this au-
dience will you favor me some time
with what l am dying to know? 1t is
not idle curiosity" she added in a
lower tone. Il really am interested in
your plans. l want to help"
Gordon looked up at her quickly.
The thought of what this woman, with
her wealth and social influence, might
do il she would to bring life and light
into the dead, dark places of the city
kindled his Imagination. 1t was an
other ray of hope to place alongside
Mrs. Effingham's letters.
THANK you" he said gratefully. II
will come and talk it over with you"
As he finished and turned his face
again toward Miss Cranston he en-
countered Luella's glance. She in
stantly looked down. Once again, to-
ward the close of the dinner, Gordon
intercepted her look as it swept past
all the guests and stayed just a mo-
ment with him.
Just how it all happened John Cor
don never knew. The last course had
been served. There was the inevitable
settling back of people who had sue
cessfully observed one of the rites OF
lpolite society and were ready to enjoy
the programme of the evening in an.
other stereotyped direction
The voice of Archie Penrose rose
over the well modulated conversation
Its a dangerous move for any one
to make, I think. professor. The
classes are too much at war now. AL
these anarchists ought to be hunted
out of society like wild beasts. She
is encouraging anarchy when she en-
courages those people to discuss theiI
views" ----r
Miss Andrews"-the bland voice OF
Professor Emory smote John Gordor
like a blow-"is not encouraging an
archy, Mr.. Penrose. You do not un
derstand the exact situation. The mer
; she invites into Hope House to discuss
government may be mistaken as Il
many theories of government, but thu
free speech that Miss Andrews encour
ages among them is not dangerous Il
society. AS | understand 1t, she dis
courages all expressions Of violenc'
and n really doing good service to tn,
. city In educating group Of men wht
might be dangerous into good citizens.
"Bless you, professor" John Gordor
said to himself. "You are a formal
pedantic. heartless. professional soci
| ologist. with no more real knowledg'
of the humanity you are writing abou
, than a mummy, but I'll forgive al