Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-08

earth again, would he not say 10 the
rich men and women in the cities:
"Woc unto you, hypocritesl Calling
yourselves. many of you, by my name.
yet living in needless luxury, pamper-
ing your bodies. seeking pleasure and
ease, while the blood of little children
epattcrs the wheels OF your carriages
rs YOU drive haughtily through the
streets! And We cry: Lord, Lord, have
not gone to church? Have I not paI
the highest pew rent and attended Ill
vine service regularly in my own
church and given something annually
20 support missions?' Yea, verify, you
have done these things, but for every
dollar to religion and charitable work
you have spent hundrcdfold on your
own self satisfied existence. Verify We
have received your reward. But the
time is coming when there shall be
weeping aud grinding of teeth, when
you see little ones you have despiscd
entering into the kingdom of heaven
aud you yourselves shut out and hear
me say; Depart from me. l never
knew YOU!
Before The letter TO the old lady had
gone its way to do its errand, while the
settlement workers waited in suspense
for its results Miss Andrews received
letter by messenger She read it and
quietly placed it in John Gordons
hands The letter was from Luclla.
My Dear Miss Andrews inclose a
check for $1,000 which may be of use TO
you in relieving some of the distress
caused by TIE recent terrible disaster in
Bowen street | hope TO be able soon 10
add to this. VIII YOU kindly inform Mr.
Gordon that my father returned this
morning and is at his Office? With best
wishes, l am heartily yours.
LUELLA MARSH
Gordon read the letter through with
out looking up. lie knew that Miss
Andrews had heard Of his former rela-
ton to Luella through the sensational
accounts printed by the News.
He handed the letter back, simply
saying:
The money will be useful Just now"
In reality he regarded the gift ms con
science money. Luella was disturbed
over her fathers responsibility for the
whole unnecessary horror She sent n
thousand dollars to ease her feelings.
But would a hundred or even million
times thousand dollars ever bring
back to life the creatures that went
down to death with the tenement?
Would it ever restore to health and JOY
the scores Of manned ana broken
wrctChes that fingered on in torture
and lifelong dependence?
Ills heart was cold toward this wom-
an who had once been dearer than all
the world 10 him. At the same time
lie knew that the sight Of her beautiful
face would appeal to the old feelings.
II am going to see Mr.. Marsh" he at
last said briefly as if he felt the silence
was becoming embarrassing.
Can you persuade him to give US
the site of the double decker for Il part
of our proposed park Miss Andrews
asked calmly.
Il don't know. He has acted the
coward in running away. | don't know
how deep his feelings have been
touched. whether they have worked
down TO his pocketbook or not but III
20 and see him
You will not lose your temper:'
The question came with quiet tone
of gentle caution that Gordon felt
sounding in his ears as he entered Mr..
Mnrshs Office 1t guided him with un.
usual influence TO check the indignant
impulse that otherwise might have
made him say or do the unnecessary
thing,
Mr. Marsh greeted him with evident
embarrassment
clad to see you, Gordon" he said,
shaking hands cordially.
Are you:" Gordon thought. But be
rmpy said;
Il don't need TO tell you what my err
rand IS, Mr.. Marsh.'
"That unfortunate fire; I-ycs--o of
course-I know. Business interests
called me out Of town that morning
OF -
The older man was speaking hastily
and his eye wandered uncasily. Cor
don wanted to say you iie." but in,
stead he replied:
Every sorry you had TO go away
For many reasons l wish you might
have seen some things. There are sights
that
For Gods sake. Gordon don't tor
turc me by cnumerating thcm-wil
you? Just as if ! had not seen them il
my dreams every night since reading
the account the man calculated. "Ol
course | lied To YOU just now. hat
no business to call me out Of town.
simply ran away from the horror O
the thing, that's all
john Gordon rose up and his eye
CLEANED; but it was with hope.
MIR. Marsh, TIC past cannot b,
changed, but it can lac atoncd for
What viii you do now
81 d|n't know; what can | dof"
"Giye us the site Of tine old dumbbel
tenement for playground; or, bette
still, help US transform the whole o
the burned district into a park"
1T will be very cXpcnsiNc"- M
Marsh faltcrcd.
1t has already been very cXpcnsiv
I'm the cost Of life. Was Louic's dealt
necessary? Were all those Deaths
Gordon was beginning to grow eS
cited when the thought Of Miss Al
drews stopped him. But he had bee
on a great strain for many days an
nights, and this rich mans eviden
hesitation to incur any financial los
10 save life iTritatcu him. 1t WAS mad