Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-07-31

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Anterior went into the coy reception
room to wait. In a moment the per-
there's were whisked aside and Margaret
Fenton entered the room. She looked
at Athertonf coldly as he jumped to MS
feet.
so, YOU'VE come at last" she said.
Atherton smiled in enigmatic fashion.
He seemed neither embarrassed nor
apologize. The girl was plainly irri-
tated.
MY dear Margaret" said he, Il know
l owe you. ~atfhousand apologies, but
really | couldn't come last evening. The
fact is, / hadA business appointment
"A business appointment" she inter-
rupted, increaulously.
EXACTLY. (. Said he. "And to-day !
was detained "a the office until after five
O'Clock.
AT the odice?" she asked, with a puz-
zled frown.
"At the Office he repeated, smiling
imperturbably. "You see, | have at last
needed your advice. The old careless
life is behind me. I'm a toiler nova
bread winner, If you like"
I'm what capacity, pray?" she in
quired, the faintest 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 It.
Really, Ted?" she asked, obviously.
Really" Be. affirmed. This my first
day at it."
"Oh. / 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.
81 must confess prefer idling," he
said.
But youllstick it out?" she asked.
"Oh. / shallsti it out, no fear" said
he.
well, I'll forgive you for not coming
last night" said she. And since you
are workingAreally doing something,
however humble it is, the answer you
want
Pardon me" he interrupted her. Il
can't have an answe | have no right
to one. You will very kindly forget,
Margaret that l have ever asked for
one"
She lookedat him with speechless as
tonishment., lie was smiling gravely..
"Margaret,.' he said, quietly, Il put the
ia I;fo bobipd mo hnoo1ca had to The
failure last Tuesday of Simpson & Co.
has put my chances in a tottering condi-
ton. There Will be something left, it is
true, but little, very little. l am a clerk
because l have to be-because it means
bread and butter to me-"
She sat for d moment in stunned ST.
lence.
"Qh, Ted" she cried, at length. I'm
so sorry" Il ~
II don't mind the"loss of the money
so much,'' said he, slowly; land after
all. l don't believe I'm SO terribly afraid
of work. Butithe part that hurts lies in
the fact that | have lost you. OF curse,
dear, l know just what you are going to
say-that you'll wait for me through
eternity, Unnecessary. But that isn't
wise. You must be free, absolutely free
so that whenat the other fellow comes
along, who is just as good as | am and
a little better, probably. you can listen
to him with no dislpyalty to me-"
He tried to speak lightly, but there
was a note of bitterness in his voice. He
rose and stood a minute i~rresolute.
"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, 'Im ashamed Of you
ashamed and disappointed"
He stood before her silent.
81 thought you cared enough for ma
to understand me" she said, with some
heat.
Cared" he cried. Good Lord. Mar
garet. Can't you see what this means
to me?"
But you don't understand, +" she went
IN; you're not eve trying to. You look
at this matter in your one-sided man
fashion. You don't ask what it e
to me-or what l want to do. You say
to me: You are Free and you seem
to think that ends It,"
Her eyes were shining suspiciously
now. Atherton looked at her helplessly.
ut is now you need me. when you have
everything to do" she said, ''and yet
you cast me aside as If would be d
drag tn,bar..8
Good heavens, no, child!" he said,
quickly. do you suppose I'd let you
make such sacrifices for me? Do you
suppose I'd let you live in all that pov-
erty means-the narrowness, the OBJ
security of it"
tied. what are and OBJ
security if | have your" she asked. "I'm
not afraid"
Atherton's hands were ~clenching and
unclenching ~nervously.
Don't tempt me" he said.
She smiled at him with a world Of ten.
dcrness in her eyes.
Would I be such a hindrance?' she
asked.
. as-wa