Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-10-26
OVERCOMING A
BARRIER
BY MARY JOSEPHINE MAYER

| DROcKTON pulled a letter out Of
ID his pocket, read It through slow
ly, threw himself back in his leather
armchair. pulled hard at his pipe
gazed at the ceiling through the
smoke. and then reperused the letter
The note ran thus.
Beacon Street. Boston-Dear John:
Mother and | are going to New York
Wednesday for few days shopping
We shall put up at the Holland house
Please come Wednesday evening and
take me somewhere-hotel reception.
rooms are such impossible places 70
receive ones friends in. Until Wednes.
day then, Eunice Garner"
This was Tuesday evening. Brock.
ton drew out his poe ct. ook and told
over its contents mechanically as II
he knew the sum we'll enough. There
was two-dolar bin and three ones.
/. He plunged into his trousers pocket
and drew out rs cents IN small change.
! Then he rummaged in his bureau
drawer and found a little heap of
pawn tickets and his dress shirt
studs. Five dollars and seventy-fve
cents r he should have TO manage
breakfast, lunch and dinner on the
20 cents. That would leave four dol.
lars for their theater tickets and one
dollar for possible extras Having set
tied these practical details. he gave
himself up TO tobacco smoke and mus
ing.
He went 10 the Holland house the
next evening as early as he deeently
could and after sending up his card
waited I'm tense expectancy. He won.
dered II Eunice had changed in the
eight months since she had waved him
a goodby from the deck Of the Kaiser
Wilhelm.
When az last she came the sight OF
her sunk him into a moment OF duh
depression-sta there in the
doorway until she could see him, she
looked so distinctly the woman OF the
world. Perhaps his own poverty made
him exaggerate the richness OF her
furs and velvet gown and plumed hat
he did not stop TO consider that the
same clothes on another woman would
fail to produce Sat effect or distinc-
ton. Then she caught sight Of him.
her eyes lighted as she came forward
impulsively with both hands out
stretched; there was something child
like in her selfforgetfulness. We'll.
Johnnie?" she said We'll. Eunice?"
he replied. and they stood with clasped
hands. He couldn't speak. The long
ing to take her in his arms. to make
her his by force. for the instant over
powered him.
you are the most beautiful creature
on Gods earth. and | love you,
love YOU" were the words that rushed
to his lips But he pulled himself
together, withdrew his hands from the
clasp OF hers and said in his very
best drawing-room manner "Awfully
good OF you 70 let me know you we're
in town"
Whats the matter?" she asked. re
covering herself "Your Jaw IS set as
II you wanted to fight some one"
ooh. | was only thinking Of how
glad | am to have you back"
She laughed If that look means
pleasure. let's be miserable. Come,
cheer up, and tell me where you are
going TO take me tonight"
Il thought Id let you choose" he
said.
Then suppose we walk down town,
and see what turns up. I feel what
mother would call irresponsible to-
night.
AS they came out into the clear Jan
nary night the cold wind smote them
in the face and forced them to take a
brisk pace In forlorn contrast to
the general gayety we're a motley
crowd OF men gathered on the strip OF
asphalt 10 the north Of the Worth
monument triangle. They were sing
ing a hymn
what is it," asked Eunice. Il want
to see them"
ooh. no. you don't" said he "It's
only the bummers waiting for nights
lodging" He had his reasons for not
wishing to stop there with Eunice.
But do" she insisted These are |
lust the sights OF a big city that inter
est me"
Brockton reluctantly made place |
for her among the group Of spectators. |
Before them the outcasts-for the most /
nart old OF middle-aged men-huddled /
together in a solid square, while a
thick-set man with his dark head barred .
TO the wind harangued the lookers-on I
from a soap box.
II was not a new sight TO Brockton. /
"Oh. let's get out Of this, he said.
She threw him a look Of repro1ch /
for answer. adding. Unfortunately I
left my pocketbook at home. lie /
knew that she was silently condemn
ing him for net giving
Eunice turned TO Brockton. please .
lend me $50" she said. authoritatively. 4
Doegedly he drew out the two-dollar
an "a fha fhrae ones and held them \