The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-18
(Contnued.)
Copyright, 1901, by Charles N. sheldon

'-rue morning arter the nre around
Hope HouseT
yes"
There was another silence. Gordon'a
mind went into tumult.
May l ask when he expects to re-
turn2"
II think tomorrow or the next day.
She was recovering her equanimity,
but she resented his questions.
"Will you kindly ask him to come
down TO Hope House and see me on a
matter of business when he returnsT
"Will you state the businessT She
put the question as coldly as he had
put his.
Certainly" Passion had the relns
now and was lashing him hard. please
tell your father want to ask him how
far he considers himself responsible for
the murder Of over sixty children and
the. manning of a score more on ac-
count OF the Illegal tenement he con-
structed OIL Bowen street. 1t was
the severest thing he had ever said
to. Luella, but his excuse was found
In the agony that filled Hope House at
that minute.
Murder, did you say2" Luella's eyes
blazed She stepped toward John Cor
don and confronted him defiantly. DO
you realize what you are sayingT'
do I? oh, Luella, II you had seen
what have seen during the last three
days Gordon broke down so sudden
T.. .tot I ,,.lto ,,.og o,ar,v Ia olp,fnUiv ON
barrassed. II was no secret with her
heart that the man had her love; at
least she was wretched without him,
even If she was not yet willing 10 live
with him where he chose to live. To
see him sitting there now, with his
face covered smote her proud nature
so hard that I'm moment she would
have been kneeling beside him and
promising 10 20 with him anywhere,
10 leave every social pleasure she
priced. for the love OF his heart.
But how should John Gordon know
anything of all that? When he looked
up he saw her standing very still and
very white, staring at him in a ques
tloning way. And IN an almost matter
of fact tone he began TO relate the
facts about Mr.. Marsh's relation TO th'
disaster. He told the facts In quite 4
dlspassionate manner. In reality h'
was exercising great repression. An'
he noticed as he drew near the enc
that Luella was listening like one VIII,
was being told certain things for tn
first time
II never knew that father owneC
any property on Bowen street." sh,
said In low voice when Gordoi
stopped.
John Gordon rose. His heart was sor'
over everything connected with Mr.
Marshs conduct, He had not single
excuse to offer for him.
do you believe met" Luella crieC
with her old spirit flaming up.
| II have no reason to disbelleve you
You are not to blame for your father
guilt"
1T is a great grief TO me-" she sat
simply. "Over sixty childrenl l coul'
[ not read the details OF the-the-disas
ter. Father took the paper out Of m!
hands that morning. II made me sick
and-and-yOu know how sensitive IA
ther has always been at the sight o
suffering. He could not bear 70 hear o
Il OF look at II. l am made In the sam
way. II is all too horrible"
"If Il Ia horrible 10 look at, what d.
you think II is TO feel itf" John Gordol
asked grimly. And as he asked th
question Grace Andrews face, with II
tender, deep blue eyes, flashed up be
fore him, and for the first time In hi
life he Compared her with Luella, sin
ply In the matter Of capability TO bea
the sins and sorrows Of humanity.
1uella looked at him gravely an
shook her head. And then John Gol
don rose.
"You are not gOingf" she said befor
she realized. And then the color hoode
her face, and she stood, proud Wona
as she was, with bowed head, as col
scious as a girl who has made som
little social mistake.
Again II John Gordon had said, Ill
ella, will never 60 from you II 20
win ask me to remainP she would haV
given her whole life into his keepin
and followed him to the earth's end 70
the love OF him. But how was he
know all that7 All he saw was We
a. r.ufofrT- raunvarad frou1