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

terested, and among them was the ca
recr of John Gordon. She had known
him as n boy, had watched him through
his college course and his trip abroad,
and. being 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 Pcnrose mansion in
Park avenue.
Why have you cut yourself off from all
of your former friends? DO you owe
nothing TO us rich sinners. as we'll as to
the poor ones? Come and reform the
boulevard if you are really in the reform
business, for we need it as much as tho
Stun 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 the 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 Luclla?
Young man, come and give an account of
yourself Luella will be here. and Mary
and the LowelB 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 If YOU appear among us again.
II will not be a large company-a
twenty-five. Surely you have not cut us
all out of your acquaintance forever. If
YOU don't care for the rest come to salts
fy my curiosity about your future. You
know | was one Of your best friends wher
you were a boy in the university. | have
"a real interest in your future. and ! am
not all frivolous or given up to the whifi
bf the world. as hope you know. Hop.
Ing to see you, I am your friend and well
wishcr, CONSTANCE PENROSE.
Gordon thoughtfully considered the
Invitation and finally accepted it. When
the evening named by Mrs. Penrose
came, he went up on the boulevard.
There was nothing particularly I'M
usual in the situation, and yet in some
unexplained manner as he entered the
Pcnrose mansion he was conscious of
q strange excitement. as if before the
evening was over events would occur
that would make serious history for
more than one of the guests.
Mrs. Penrosc met him with genuine
friendlncss.
'Ah welcome. Mr.. Rcfurmcr. l ap-
prcciatc your coming out of your social
dungeon TO see us. You cannot always
be living on hcroics. There must he
some comedy to relieve the tragedy
Ch:"
Some kinds Of tragedy cannot be re
llcvcd by any kind of comedy Gordon
replied grimiy But Ill promise not
to talk shop unless l am drawn into it.
did YOU"
Didn't |? You are the lion of the oc-
casion. Everybody is talking about
you
Let us change the subject then"
"And talk Of Miss Andrews:'
NO" Gordon said coldly.
NO: Is that forbidden ground"
She spoke seriously. Il am actually
interested in her and in all you are
doing Some time you must tell me.
VIII you?'
Yes he answered earnestly, lit
tie ashamed of his curtncss. "Of
course | believe in it all. only l didn't
wish to seem TO lug it in on this occa-
sion
Il understand" Mrs. Penrose an
| swcrcd brightly, and as Gordon passed
| on She introduced him to Professor
! Emory of the university.
| Gordon had heard of Professor En-
! Cry and had read two of his books.
/ Tho man was a scholar and had read
everything in his own line of sociology
! Without meaning TO do so Gordon soon
/ found himself deep in discussion
with the professor over one phase of
tho social question. which one of the
professors books had touched on-"Thc
Personal Element of Responsibility For
Relief of Unjust Social Condtions.'
Gordon disagreed totally with the
professor conclusions and frankly
told him SO. The professor blandly
smiled and laid down another PROPOSE
ton to which Gordon found himseli
totally opposed. The professor again
Sul4lcI III SuCu an tAdsl'tIutlig HluHll'i
that Gordon almost lost his temper
lie pulled up Just in time. however
He was so near it that he asked Ques
ton that otherwise lie would not have
asked.
"What you say is good theory. pro
fessor, but have you ever lived among
the people and studied them at frs
hand to see if your theory will work 2
Tho professor changed color and los
his bland and condescending manner.
mo. sir; l do not consider that 6
necessity to the proper discussion OF
the facts. ! understand perfectly wei
what you mean. Nearly all social set
Element residents make the same mis-
take. They think personal contact /.
necessary to clear comprehension o.
situations. l do not so regard it. No
that l deprecate the service you ar,
rendering" he added hastily, but yol
contribution to the solution of III.
problem"
Gordon was spared the temptation o
n reply by voice near by and han'
laid on his shoulder,
'John, must | introduce myself
Why have you neglected US all s.
shamefully"
1t was his sister Mary who had jus
come in. Gordon was really delighte,
to see her The swift and cventfu