The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-27
b CsAufs NJ SKlDON
Author Of in His Steps" Robert
II. 49, IN. ~

There was a moment or intense still
ness when she had finished. There
was n hint OF tears in Mrs. Penrose's
eyes Luella sat with her hands il her
lap gazing at Miss Andrews ir.tehtly.
Ii John Gordon should love this other
woman, would il not be the simple at
traction of one soul that has obeyed
the voice that says follow me-" at the
cost of physical things. drawing an
other soul that is also living in obedi-
ence to the same voice?
Miss Andrews suddenly rose and
went to one OF the windows that looked
out over the burned district
Excuse me. am. of course. spe-
cially interested in our plans ut pres
ent- Mr.. Gordon. with some Of the
residents, has been looking over the
ground with reference to our new
park You have heard of our recent
good fortune? We are living in a high
state of excitement down here \
friend has given US $2Oo.OOO. and we
are trying to see how much fun we can
have i'm spending it. If you will come
here. can point out our proposed plan,
or would you like to go out there? We
can look over the house when we come
back"
I'VE shall be interested to go outside
and look over the plan there" Mrs
Penrose assented. and they all passed
out and walked slowly down toward
the group of men who were at the end
1f h. orrxnsfSa he hlorI- that
had been the last to burn As they
drew nearer one of the men left the
group and came down toward them
II was John Gordon. and even at that
distance il was very evident that he
was unusually reused about something.
He was so absorbed in the matter
that was exciting him that when he
met Miss Andrews with her visitors
for the first moment he spoke to her as
If he did not recognize the others.
THAT scoundrel. Tommy Randall.
Miss Andrews, Do you know what he
has succeeded in doing?"
He had said that much when he real
lied who the visitors were. But even
then the passion of the information he
had come to give Miss Andrews was so
strong thst lie simply bowed to Mrs.
Penrose and Luella as if he were in the
habit of meeting them every day in
Bowen street. and nodded to Penrose.
as if Penrose was familiar sight in
the neighborhood Of Hope House.
What has Tommy Randall done
nowT Miss Andrews questioned. with
a faint smile Tommy Randall does
the heavy tragedy i'm Ward lS." she
said to Mrs Penrose.
Randall has bought up lots all over
this burnt district. He has closed con-
tracts for half a dozen double deckers
like the one Mr.. Marsh had put up"
John Gordon continued. entirely I'M
| mindful of Luella. or. at least. careless
Of the effect of what he said upon her.
He has worked all this time we have
been discussing the park plan. But
how could we do anything:" Gordon
spoke in despair. addressing Miss An
drews as If no one else were present.
I'VE only had the money TO purchase
| anything last night We never dreamed
that anything would get in the way of
| Cur purchase of at least half the area.
Randall has secured his lots all over
the district If he puts up those dou-
BILE deckers. he ought to be arrested for
murder. That is what the buildings
result in"
| Luella flushed and then defiantly
looked ut Gordon as.he unconsciously
said the last words looking at her. The
| expression on her face smote John Cor
don into a sudden realization of all his
surroundings. Miss Andrews stood
| quietly gazing over the drsary pile OF
rubbish. 4 man left the group at the
point where Gordon had been standing
and came walking deliberately toward
them
Its Tommy Randall. If he attempts
to insult you. Miss Andrews
As he spoke Gordon laid his finger
for a second on Miss Andrews arm
He was standing close by her. and the
movement was perfectly natural. Lu
ella noticed II and WAS also quick tC
note the color in Miss Andrews face rs
she moved a little away from Gordon
and said:
4 He will not insult me"
L dIulOeI WISH ne WOulI Insult some
one so that could have some excuse
for knocking him down." Gordon an
swered- Neither Miss Andrews moi
Lnella had ever seen him so angry.
Mrs PenroSe watched all this Will
cleaning eyes 1t had become exceed
ingly interesting to her. Archie was
divided between his disgust at the hOr.
rible surroundings and his wonder al
what would be the result of the en-
counter between Randall and Miss
Andrews. Luella had no thought fol
anything except that movement which
John Gordon had made as il to protect
Miss Andrews. And all of them facet
the man as he came up. entirely igno
iant of his purpose in seeking an inter
view. but two of them at least fully
aware that. whatever it was. it con
cealed some evil, and one of them pray
ing in her great, strong heart for som,
way of deliverance. that her love fo
the children of her desolate parisl
might find expression before God
sunlight and flowers closed to some
them on this earth forever
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