The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-07-10


moved him most but he knew IL to bs
as false as IL was ingenious. and 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 II he left
with curses on his lips he was not
without excuse.
For he was not clever; was pos.
sessed OF something less than the aver.
age aptitude for business. He had in
herited all he possessed, and he had no
practical knowledge or the work. He
had always depended on Michael. and,
now that Michael had failed him, he
was utterly at sea as to what TO do
next. The discOvercr knew that. OF
course, but he was not prepared to set
the welfare Of one man before the wei
fare OF thousands OF machines-that
was all II meant to him. all he thought
OF II. 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
singuIarly failed TO reach It
Thus Mary was forced To come TO
him herself; 1t was simply because she
was Mary that her coming was lightly
touched with the theatrical, the hi.
zarrc. She was wearing a long. loose
cloak. and she paused to nine il of
before she spoke, standing before him
In trailing black dress. her beautiful
bare neck innocent Of ornament, her
blue eyes fun of pleading. her bare
white arms extended implorlngly.
Michael, you cannot mean lt-you
cannotw she said.
"Why not-Mary?" he asked He. N
any rate. remembered that they al.
dressed each other by their Christian
names for the first time.
1--WE should he pcnniless. Michael,
Frank and |! What could Frank do?
what has he ever done? You cannot
mean TO leave us penniless. What will
your riches be worth to you when you
think Of our povcrtyT"
II am not considering the making of
money at ALL" ne said, but she did not
appear to heed him.
You have full control of the bust
ness now; rs partner. you might make
II anything. You have such head
for it--undcrstand 1t all so. believe
you would be Il richer man like that
than by following up your dlscov-
cry"
"Oh. very likely he interrupted.
'"Then why do you want To ruin us
with no gain To YOURSELF"
But gain 10 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. II have n mania for
work that Is sure To bring them In its
train, but | have no personal predilec-
ton that way. | have no particular
use for money. as-as you see" He
looked round his bare. comfortless
room, her eyes following his. The room
spoke sufficiently for himself and for
him.
She turned from her survey impa.
tiently. II cannot understand she
exclaimed. 'lt seems such madness
SO trivial! a machine worked one
way is as good as machine worked
another-so long as IL works"
They'd work much better my way"
he said, smiling family. land at much
less expense
Then you do care for money!
"Not spending, but saving it,"
"But what for? Who for?"
"Well. the world at large. I suppose"
And we can starve! Your friends
can starve! While you save for
world that does not want II, that won't
feel II. we can starve"'
She saw his face whitcn; saw him
vince.
You shan't do that. Mary"
"Oh." she cried. you will give us in
charity with one hand what you have
stolen from us with the other, That is
worthy of you. good of you indeedr'
But although she seemed carried
away. she was still watching him
eagerly. and she saw his look harden
ing again. saw the harm she was
doing.
She came nearer to him. touched his
arm.
Michael, you used to love me-" she
said
For n moment he looked ut her
waited ms though he would choke the
words in his throat. yet failed to do
SO.
Heaven forgive me. l love you still!"
he cried
Michael" she whispered IL need
heavens forgiveness more-and yours.
All the while love you best-you
only"
Then. why Mary, 1t isn't
truew
1T Is true-I swear IT. But-oh. you
will never forgive me. thought you
would always be poor: though I loved
you. I did not understand you. did
not see what you were capable Of. and
| couldn't face poverty then-I-I can.
not nowr'
How you have spoilt my llfer' he
said.
And needlesslyr' she cried. "0h
but you have your revenge to handr'
A sudden tempest of grief seized her.
Take ~ Take itl Perhaps. after all.