The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-21

Miss Cranston had met Mr.. Gordon
While he was a student i'm the univer-
sity. John stood chatting with her
awhile, and was still talking with her
when dinner was announced. He took
her out, In obedience to nod from
Mrs. Penrose, and when once at table
he looked, quietly enough outwardIy,
but with inward tumult at the guests,
and noted Luella seated by young Pen
rose at the farther end, but facing Cor
don, while Penrose was almost wholly
obscured by Gordon's right hand neigh
Dor.
The dinner proceeded as usual with
such dinners, only the gifted art Of
being all things to all guests that Mrs.
Penrose possessed In such a large de-
gree saving the occasion from the IN
suherable dullness Of many similar
gatherings. A seven course dinner In
q rich womAn's house may and often
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 brllliancy. II 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 conyersa-
tlonal 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 variety of topics, but did not
Introduce any mention of his own
work. Mrs. Penfose, who sat at his
right, once or twice alluded to Ger
don's residence at Hope House, but no
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, If you will
not roar In the presence OF this au-
dience will you favor me some time
with what am dying to know2 1t Is
not idle curiosity" she added I'm a
lower tone. Il really am interested IN
your plans. | want TO help"
Gordon looked up at her quickly.
The thought OF what this woman, with
her wealth and social influence, might
do If she would to bring life and light
into the dead, dark places of the city
klndled his Imagination. 1t was an
other ray of hope to place alongside
Mrs. Efingham's letters.
"Thank you," he said gratefully. u
will come and talk II 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 II swept pas
all the guests and stayed just mo
ment with him.
Just how II all happened John Cor
don never knew. The last course ha
been served. There was the ineyitabl
settling back OF people who had sue
cessfully observed one OF the rites o
polite society and were ready TO enJo.
the programme OF the evening In an
other stereotyped direction.
The voice Of Archie Penrose ros'
over the well modulated conversation
tits a dangerous move for any on'
20 make, think, professor TIT
classes are too much at war now Al
these anarchists ought 10 be hunteC
out OF society like wild beasts. Sh'
is encouraging anarchy when she en-
courages those people TO discuss theii
views"
Miss Andrews"-the bland voice ol
Professor Emory smote John Gordor
like blow-"ls 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 e
many theories of government, but th'
free speech that Miss Andrews encour
ages among them Is not dangerous u
society. AS / understand II, she dis
courages all expressions OF vlolence
ana Is really doing good service TO lh'
city In educating a group Of men wh'
might be dangerous into good citizens
BLESS you, professor" John Gordor
said 20 himself "You are formal
! pedantic, heartless, professional soci
Ologlst. with no more real knowledge
Of the humanity you are writing about
than a mummy, but I'll forgive al
lhat for what you have just said. You
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