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

recently deceased. had left him. Archie
Penrose had never made n cent Of
money by n stroke of labor of any
kind, but that was nothing against
him in the eyes of fond mothers with
marriageable daughters. There were
thousands of women i'm the city who
would have counted themselves or their
daughters as specially favored II
Archie Penrose had come into the
house as suitor. II made no differ
ence that his reputation had suffered
in various ways. lie had money, he
was of n distinguished family. his man.
ners were regarded as elegant. and he
had an aunt who gave the most select
receptions and entertainments In the
city. In the sight of any man or wom-
an of right definitions of manhood this
young figurehead of an aristocratic
family was simply one OF the ciphers
OF civilization. He made nothing that
added TO humanity's comfort or knowl-
edge. He contributed absolutely not
one grain of helpfulness or comfort or
hope TO suffering. struggling. needy
world. He lived to get all the pleasure
he could himself. much If not all of 1t
gained with a total disregard for any
one else's pleasure. and yet he moved
through what is called the best society.
courted, admired. fawned on. eagerly
| invited out to an endless round of So
cial functions which a certain class Of
rich people In America make the most
important business of their lives.
| Mrs. Constance Penrose was person
Il nf 1nn har a f.-l.,
nephew. She was rich. but not given
over altogether to society and its shall
low enthusiasms. There were other
things In which she was genuinely in
terested. and among them was the ca
reer of John Gordon. She had known
him as boy. had watched him through
his college course and his trip abroad,
and, being a woman of very decided
and individual opinions. she had more
than once expressed her interest in the
experiment Gordon was making. More
than once she had compared him to
her nephew. to that young mans great
disadvantage
The note which Gordon found at
Hope House was an invitation to an
evening at the Penrose mansion in
Park avenue.
Why have you cut yourself of from all
OF your former friends? Do you owe
nothing to US rich sinners. as well as to
the poor ones2 Come and reform the
boulevard IL you are really in the reform
business for we need IL as much as the
slum. Why are there no social settle
ments among US? 1t strikes me that peo-
pie like your Miss Andrews are living at
the wrong end of the problem. II we
could only be saved, we have tho means
and ability to save the other end: but
want you to come and see me and tell me
about Miss Andrews. Have you fallen in
love with her? And how about Luella
Young man. come and give an account OF
yourself. Luella will be here. and Mary
and the Lowells and the Cranstons and
that graceless nephew of mine, who. by
the way. now that you are out OF the
way. is paying court to Luella. You have
neglected us all shamefully. We will for
give you IL you appear among us again.
1t will not be a large company-about
twenty-five. Surely you have not cut US
all out of your acquaintance forever. II
you don't care for the rest. come to salts
fy my curiosity about your future You
know j was one of yoa- best friends when
you were boy in the university. l have
q real interest in your future and ] am
not all frivolous or given UP to the whirl
of the world. as hope you know. Hop
ing to see you I am your friend and wei
wisher. CONSTANCE PENROSE-
Gordon thoughtfully considered tn
invitation and finally accepted it. Whel
the evening named by Mrs. Penros,
came. he went up on the boulevard
There was nothing particularly un
, usual in the situation, and yet I'm som'
. unexplained manner as he entered tn
Penrose mansion he was conscious o
strange excitement, as II before tn
evening was over events would occu
that would make serious history 70
more than one of the guests.
Mrs. Penrose met him with genuin
friendliness.
, "Ah. welcome. Mr.. Reformer, I an
preciate your coming out of your socia
dungeon to see us. You cannot alway
be living OH heroics. There must b
|, some comedy TO relieve the tragedy
eh?"
Some kinds of tragedy canno; be n
lieved by any kind of comedy" Gordo
replied grimly. But Ill promise nc
to talk shop unless am drawn in;o il
, | You didn't ask me to come for thai
did your"
Didn't L? You are the lion OF the o'
! casion. Everybody is talking abou
, you"
Let US change the subject then"
"Apd talk of Miss AndrewsT
"No." Gordon said coldly.
"No? Is that forbidden ground
; She spoke seriously. Il am actuall
. interested I'm her and in all you al
doing. Some time you must tell M
, Will you?'
: "Yes," he answered earnestly, Ii
!, tie ashamed OF his curtness. &C
q course / believe In II all. only l didn
:. wish to seem to lug 1t in on this occi
!, sion"
n 81 understand" Mrs Penrose al
4 swered brightly. and as Gordon passe
r on she introduced him to Profess
o Emory of the university.
4 Gordon had heard of Professor Ell
A ory and ird read two of his book
4 The man was scholar and had res
a everything in his own line of sociolog
=. Without meaning TO do so Gordon SOC
a found himself deep in a discussiC
4, with the professor over one phase
Y the social question. which one of Il
II professors books had touched on-"Tl
n Personal Element of Responsibility F.
Relief of Unjust Social Conditions"
q Gordon disagreed totally with Il
y professors conclusions and frank
/ told him so. The professor bland
n smiled and laid down another propo'
v ton to which Gordon found himse
totally opposed. The professor aga
smiled in such an exasperating mann
that Gordon almost lost his femme