The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-08-20
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The Ordeal of.
David Hume.
BY L, HUGHES,


day. The room and it's occupants were
well suited to each other; they were
both clothed in excellent taste. hand
somely yet not aggressively fashion
aple; they both impressed the observer
With an idea Of riches without ostenta-
ton.
A man of medium height with a
thoughtful, clever face, entered the
room. He looked about forty. but really
he was rapidly nearing his hftieth year.
"Oh. David" cried Mrs. Craven COM
ing to meet him with both hands out
stretched, II am so glad you have come;
I feared something might prevent you,
and really must have talk with you
today"
You know am always at liberty on
a Friday, for my weeks work Is done
by then, and there is only my pleasure
to consider" he replied in a musical
voice.
Yes, I know; but when one particu-
larly wants a thing, all sorts Of unex-
pected accidents crop up to prevent it.
Also, must beg you to forgive me. fbr
dragging you away from your real plea
sure, your etching =
No, no, Eleanor-my real pleasure is
to be OF service to my friends. Tell me
now. what is troubling youT'
And he seated himself, drawing up
his chair in the manner of a man who
feels at home.
But now that he was there, Mrs. Cra-
ven seemed In no haste to breach the
subject of her anxiety. Instead. she
chatted pleasantly on different subjects
till the tea was finished and removed.
NO, thank you, no lamps yet" and
the soft-footed domestic withdrew.
Il think one can talk better by the
fire-light," she explained, half apollo
getically, and David Hume replied:
barrhhsment?
WHY. yes, frankly, it does-you see,
it is about Eta"
There was no movement from the fig
ure opposite her, half hidden in the
chair. only a sort Of tense Stiffness
Mrs. Craven. hnrriedly; "she has re-
fused Charlie Mowbray for the second
time"
There was a short silence and then
David said:
why does that trouble you?'
He is a charming young fellow and
very much in love with her; he would
make her an excellent husband. It is
most provoking that she should refuse
what any girl would jump at
"One thousand pounds year, and
yOutA,. SalQ Tie man IueQlLaLlVely, the
last word almost sigh.
WE'LL" she replied, 1.-The one thous-
and pounds a year Is not to be despised,
though I should not dream Of urging
the marriage II it were only that, but
we have known him SO long and he In
so thoroughly a good fellow: John says
So, and YOU know the value he puts on
character
What does John think about til"
Mrs. Craven leaned forward.
He: says If she can find her happiness
but he Is not going to speak to her a.
bout it-that is a woman's affair.""
Surely you don't want ME to do sop
cried David in an alarmed voice. -.
YES L. do, g. replied, Mrs. Craven
firmly Listen land she senjoined Isl
lence ssby1 hblding ii psi er: han You
know that Six months ago y DIN found
out that his partner had been embeZzl-
ing money, Well, the bank could not
afford scandal, the partnership was
dissolved, and John has to pay back all
the money that young Hilton had taken.
The world must not guess, for should
there be sudden demand on the bank
It must close. therefore we still live
like this" and she waved her hand COM
prehensively. You alone Know OF this
affair." and If you think, y0u will see
how important 1t is that Eta should be
comfortably married, for we can settle
nothing on her. and should the secret
leak out, the crash may come at any
moment"
David was gazing thoughtfully at the
fire; and made no reply.
YOU know what a great influence
you nave always had with the child
Surely Eta is a woman now" and
there was an unwonted sound of i'm
patience In his voice.
"she is only twenty" urged the wo-
man Of fifty-three. In the eyes of the
law she is not old enough to sign away
money; why should she be any more fit
to throw away the intangible treasure
of an honest fellows love?'".
David smiled at the argument.
We'll. what does Eta say herself?"
What excuse does she give for such
silly behaviour"
Mrs. Craven glanced at him nervous
ly, and then spoke slowly with her gaze
on the leaping flames.
she says she might have loved him
had not her ideal been something very
deeper something infinitely above
David's heart seemed to stand still as
he forced the question from his lips:
And this ideal-has she found it in
real life?'
"she. thinks so,'' replied Mrs. Craven,
significantly.
The silence grew intense; in David's
ears there was only the sound of IT,
humping OF his heart, which seem
to him to grow louder and louder till |.
thought his companion must hear 1t.
To speak just then without betraying
his emotion was beyond even his self
control
Suddenly Mrs. Craven rose and stood
before him. and spoke in passionate
pleading:
Nov do you see why want you to
speak to her? Poor, foolish child, that
is the only way to show her how hope
less is her dream without letting her
know she has betrayed her secret. You
have always been sort of a god to her
from her childhood, and in your kind
ness you have almost made a friend Of
her despite her immature mind How
should she. understand the real nature
Of her love. that It is religion, and not
love at ALP; How should she know that
it will not bear the terrible intimacy Of
married 'life?' That it would not sur
viVe the discovery that you are man