Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-10
DAILY SHORT STORY
THE GOLDEN CALF.

game SWIEIIDS uO"h' 0hN eHC ei1H
elms IN the street tossed'their branches
iIrwild distress.
The strife oftthe storm without seem
ed typical, of the stormy combat that
was going on Tin her beart-a warfare
between her InctinatiOns and the die
tates OF sane, calm judgment.
The man sat(quietly by the library
table. his keen leyes fixed steadfastly
on the girl and al grim expression, half
expectancy and 9haIf iron determine
fion. curviIAg the CORNERS Of his mouth.
The girl turnedt from the window.
and from her eyes'he learned the con-
fict was not yetRbrought TO an issue.
She spoke slowly 4with something like
appeal TO her tones.
Must you go Tomorrow" she asked.
Tomorrow" heI replied inexorably.
''And-and you( want an answer be-
fore you gof"
IAN native &snEwer," lie correct
ed smilingly.
Don't go out there, Tom" she said
with a queer little quaver in her voice.
81 must" he said simply. It's Il
magnificent field. 1t offers everything
l want-money, power and position
His eyes burned as he spoke. but they
softened as they rested on the girls
face. Think what IL MEANS he fin
ished
You're sure you want all this-the
money and the power f"ishe asked.
absolutely certain said he cheer
fully
She turned to the window again and
watched the leaves driven hither and
thither in the wind. Then she faced
the man at the table with a pathetic
smile on her lips.
tom. I-I-can't," she said.
He sat quite still, as If the words
had stunned him. His eyes stared
blankly at her.
You don't love me, Helen-is that
itT' he asked very slowly.
Its not that" she confessed.
Don't you have faith I'm my ultimate
success?' he asked.
"AIl the faith ia The world" she de
ella
Then tell me. Helen, what makes
you hesitate?" said he.
IL don't know just what 1t is. but
something makes me afraid of you,"
she replied. Il think it's because |
know you'll have money and power
and all that goes with 1t. I'm afraid
l shall become just a side issue in your
life"
"Neverr' he maintained stOutly.
She held out her hand deprecating-
ly.
1--WE watched you rise" she went
on. I've watched You climb up, up
always up. But You are never salts
fed. You are bound to go on and on
and on. You speak of money. You
have an amount now that many n man
would envy. You talk OF power. 1t
is yours here. And yet il isn't enough.
You must go TO other fields with great
er opportunities Tom, dear. it's hard
to say, and yet l must-yOu bow down
to the golden calf and you always will.
In the years to come you would think
more and more Of your ambitions and
cOrrespOndingly less of me. That is
why | say l can't marry you"
She sat down opposite him and rest
Ell her head on her hand. He rose
quietly and came round to her side OF
the table. He stood beside her his
big hand resting very gently on her
brown head.
Did you ever stop to think why l
fought 30 hard To riseT' he said.
She shook her head
1t was because Of you" said he
Every ambition, every motive. l owe
To you. II l conquered the world and
laid il ut your feet l should still feel
unworthy Of you"
He stood silently looking down at
her. The wind whlstIed shrilly and the
rain beat sharply against the window
panes. She felt the hand on her head
tremble.
Helen. do you love me as 1 ann" he
asked
Yes" she said
Would you love me IL l were PENN
lessY"
She looked up at him with n smile
that transformed her face.
How l should love you them she
said simply
He caught one of her hands in his
and fell TO laughing softly.
My ambitions are really of your
making. Do with them as you will"
said he.
You mean you won't go out thereY'
she asked.
Il mean have ceased TO worship the
golden calf you mentioned" said he.
No man can serve two masters. and |
think / make wise choice in serving
You" he laughed.
He bent over her and saw there were
tears IN her eyes
What on earth are you crying for,
HelenT' he asked
We'll. l have a sneaking sympathy
for the golden calf" she said, smiling
happily through her tears
LEONARD FRANK ADAMS.