Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1905-09-21
'ATHERTON's JOB.

The gray twilight was falling when
Atherton climbed the steps ola certain
substauual-looking house on the ave-
nue. and rang the bell Yes, The maid
assured him. Miss Fenton was IN. she
would take his card to her at once.
Atherton went into the coy reception
room wait a. a moment the por-
there's we're whisked aside and Margaret
Fenton entered Che room She looked
at Atherton cpldly as he<jumped TO his
feet.
80, you've come at last she said
Anterior smiled IN enigmatic fashion.
He seemed neither embarrassed nor
apologatic. The girl was plainly irri-
tated.
MY dear Margaret" said he, Il know
l owe you a thousand apologies, but
really couldn't come last evening. The
fact u.s. had business appointment
"A business appointment she inter
rupted, .incredulously. -
Exactly. said he. And to-day /
was detained at the Office until after FIVE
o'clock"
AT the oflce?" she asked, with puz-
zled frown.
"At the Office" he repeated, smiling
imperturpaoly. You see, have at last
Needed your advice. The old careless
life is behind me. I'm toiler nova
bread winner, If you like
In what capacity, pray?' she in
CURED the taintest bit of sarcasm show
ing at the corners of her mouth.
I'm a humble clerk in an Insurance
Office" he explained "Witherby Sc
cured the position for me-'job he.pre-
fers to call 1t.
Really, Ted?" she asked, obviously
Really" he affirmed. This my frst
DAY at It,"
zen. see" she said. you didn't
come for-for your answer last night
until you were really doing something
Ted. I'm glad you're an idler no longer
I'm proud Of you"
He smiled rather lugubriously.
q must confess | prefer idling," he
said
But you'll stick it out?" she asked
ooh. shall stick it out, no fear. said
he.
well. I'll forgive you for not coming
last night" said she. And since you
are working-really doing something,
however humble it is, the answer you
want"
Pardon me-, he Interrupted her Il
can't have. an answer have no right
to one. You will very kindly forget
Margaret that | have ever asked for
one"
She looked at him with speechless as
constituent He was smiling gravely.
Margaret" he said, quietly, Il put the
old life behind me because I had to, The
failure last Tuesday of Simpson & Co.
has put my finances in a tottering condi-
ton. There will be, something left, it is
true, but little, very little. ! am clerk
because I have to. be-because. it means
bread and butter to me-
She sat for a moment in stunned ST.
lence.
"Oh, Ted" she cried, atlength. I'm
so sorry"
81 don't mind the loss Of the money
so much, said he, slowly; "and after
all, don't believe I'm so terribly afraid
of work. But the part that hurts lies IN
the fact that l have lost you. OF course,
dear, know just what you are going to
say-that you'll wait for me through
eternity, if necessary. But that isn't
wise. You must be free, absolutely free
so that when the other fellow comes
along, who is just as good as | am and
little better, probably, you can listen
to him with no disloyalty to me-"
He tried to speak lightly. but there
was a.note of bitterness in his voice. He
rose and stood a minute irresolute.
"Good-by" he said, shortly, and bolt
ed for the door.
The girl rose quickly and barred the
way. Her cheeks were flushed and her
eyes shining.
Ted" she said, I'm ashamed of you
ASHAMED and disappointed.
He stood before her silent
=, 'I,thought you cared enough for ma
to understand me, she said, with some
heat
Cared" he cried. Good Lord, Mar
garrett Can't you see what this means
TO meY1.. E, ks a. ::
: ). But you don understand, " she " ent
on you're not even trying to- You look
at this matter in your one-sided man
fashion. You don't ask what it means
to meEor what l want t" do. You say
to me- You are free, and you seem
to think that ends it,"
Her eyes were shining suspiciously
now, Anterior looked at herhelplessly
tits now you need me, when you have
everything to do" she said, "and yet
you cast me aside as if would be Il
drag"
Good heavens no, child" he said.
quickly. 10 you suppose I'd let you
make such sacrifices for me? Do you
suppose I'd let you live in all that pow
erty means-the narrowness, the OBJ
security of it,"
Ted, what are narrowness and OBJ |
scurity If | have your" she asked. 'I'm