The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1903-09-12

| IVA ~ ptb"e wa 'iOiL't Dt.t IGt !
was IL least, something definite to be
gin with. Since he might not have
Mary-a wife to cherish and protect
he had extended his protection ever the
great, ~hirlins world OF machinery
He promised himself the pleasure Of
setting thousands OF machines going
in an easier, more nearly perfect man
ner, as lover promises himself to
perfect his lady's charms with ropes
Of pearls.
When his employer and former friend
came to him, demonstrating. agitating,
he found him utterly immovable.
Mary's husband offered him the largest
sum at his command for the suppress
sion Of the discovery; but money was
nothing to him, his discovery was
everything. and he was not to be
bribed. He was offered partnership
in the business and its entire nanage
ment THAT, indeed, he had already, ex.
cept In Acknowledgement in return for
his silence alone, but, although he had
liked the work well enough while lie
believed 1t served good ends, was in
GispenSable, he had no interest what
ever III 1t as a mere means Of ltyeli-
hood.
Then, as last resource, Mary's hus-
band tried taunts. Michael had done
this thing out Of spite; had deliberately
planned to ruin his rival and his lost
love. and the devil had helped him In
the execution Of his foul design! This
moved him most, but he knew 1t to be
as false as It was ingenious, ard he
only momentarily wayered under its
sting. So, having vainly spent his last
word, Mary's husband left him. The
man was facing ruin, and If he left
with curses on his lips he was not
without excuse.
sessed Of something less than the aver
age aptitude for business. He had in
herited all lie possessed, and he had no
pra actical knowledge Of the work. He
had always depended on Michsel. and,
now that Michael had failed him. he
was utterly at sea as to what to 60
next The dlscovercr knew that, of
course, but he was not prepared to set
the welfare of one man before the well
fare Of thousands Of machiEes-that
was all it meant to him, all he thought
Of 1t. His manner Of mind was one
somewhat rare in our Western world.
He rated the value Of the individuals
life so low that he was obliged to leave
out of count altogether the individuals
comfort. He looked to the prosperity
Of nations-a prospect never conduc-
I've to sentiment. Yet, as has been
shown. he had the one weak spot IN
his armor. only Mary's husband had
singularly failed to reach it
Thus Mary was forced to come to
him herself: 1t was simply because size
was Mary that her coming was lightly
touched With the theatrical. the b.
z0rre. She was wearing long, loose
cloak, and she paused. to fling Il off
before she spoke. standing before him
in trailing black dress. her beautiful
bare neck innocent of ornament, her
blue eyes full Of pleading, her bare,
white arms extended imploringly.
Michael. you cannot mean it-you,
cannot" she said. :. -
"Why not Mary?" he asked. He. at
any rate, remembered that they ad..
dressed each other by their Christian
names for the first time.
Eve should be penniless, Michael.
Frank and I! What could Frank do?
What has be ever Gone? You cannot
mean to leave us penniless What will
your riches be worth to YOU when you
think of our poverty?"
II am not considering the making of
money at ALL" he said, but she did not
appear to heed him. -
"You have full control Of the busi-
ness now; as partner, you might make
1t anything. You have such a head
for it-understand It all so. l believe
YOU would be q richer man like that
than by following up your discov-r
cry" -
"Oh, very likely" he Interrupted
'1Then why do you want to ruin us
with no gain to yourself:"
But gain to the working OF ma
chinery is an immense gain to me-" he
explained with painful Intellectual
ness.
"You could get rich without" she
persisted.
II am fairly certain to acquire riches
anyhow" he said. Il have mania for
work that is sure to bring them in its
train, but have no personal predilcc-
ton that way. 1 have no particular
use for money. as-as you see." He
looked round his bare, comfortless
room, her eyes following his. The room