Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-07-27
A TolLER.

at once.
Atnerton went into the coy recep,
tion room to wait. In q moment the
portieres were whisked aside and
Margaret Fenton entered the room.
She looked at Atherton coldly as he
jumped to his feet.
80 you've come at last she said.
Atlerton smiled In enigmatic
fashion. He seemed neither embar,
rassed nor apologize. The girl was
plainly irritated.
my dear Margaret" said he, Il
know | owe you thousand apologies,
but really, couldn't come last even
Ing. The fact is, had business ap
polntment."
"A business appointment she In
terrupted, incredulously
Exactly" said ne. And today /
was detained at the Office until after
s o'clock.
AT tho otIlce?" she asked with a
puzzled frown.
AT the Office" he repeated, smil
Ing lmperturably. you see | have at
last needed your advice. Tne old
careless life Is behind me. I'm a
toiler nova bread winner, II you
like.
I'm what capacity, pray?" she In.
qulred, the falntest OF sarcasm show
Ing at the corners Of her mouth.
"l'm humble clerk IN an insurance
Office" he explained. "Witherby 80
ha In hn
prefers to call It,"
Really, Ted?" she asked, obviously.
Really ne affirmed This Is my
first day Mt It,"
ooh, see,' she said. You didn't
come for--for your answer last night
because you wanted to wait until YOU
were really doing something. Ted,
I'm glad you're an ldler no longer,
I'm proud Of you"
He smiled rather lugubrlously.
IT must confess prefer ldling," no
said.
"But youll stick It out2 she asked.
"Oh, | snail stick It out no fear
said he.
"Well III forgive you for not com.
Ing last night" said she. And since
you are worlSlng-really doing some
thing, however humble 1t ie, the an
swer you want"
pardon me-" ne interrupted her.
Il can't nave an answer, have no
right to one. You will very kindly
forget, Margaret, that have eve,
asked for one"
She looked at him with speeches.
astonishment. He was smiling
gravely
Margaret" he said quietly, Il put
the old lifo behind me because han
to. Tae failure last Tuesday OF Simp
son n Go, has put my finances In h
totterlng condition. There will be
something left, 1t Is true, but little,
very little | am clerk because
have to--because II means bread and
butter to me-"
She sat for moment In stunned
silence.
"Oh, Ted" she cried at length, I'm
30 sorry"
II don't mind the loss of the money
so much" said he slowly, and after
all | don't believe I'm 80 terribly
afraid of work, But the part that
hurts lies In the fact that have lost
you, OF course dear, know just
what YOU are going to say--tnat you'll
wait for me through eternity II neces,
sary, But that isn't wise, You must
be free, absolutely free-so that when
the other fellow comes along who is
just us good as | am and little bet
ter probably YOU can listen to aim
with no dlsloyalty to me-
He t.iod to speak lightly, but there
was q note OF bitterness In his voice
He rose and stood minute ir
resolute.
"Good.by," he said. shortly; ana
boltcd for the door.
The girl rose quickly and barred
the way Hor oneeks were flushed
and her eyes shining.
Ted" she said I'm ashamed or
you ashamed and disappointed.
He stood before her silent.
Il thought you cared enough for
me to understand me" she said with
some neat,
Cared, he cried. Good Lord, Mar
gnret, can't you see what this means
to mo?'
But YOU don't understand" sac
went 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 me or what wan,
to 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 her help
lessly.
1T is now you need me, wnen you
have everything to do" she said, and
yet YOU cast me aside as II | would
be drag"
Good heavens no, child" he SAIL
quickly but do you suppose Id Lei
you make such sacrifices for me? DC
you suppose I'd let you live In all that
poverty means-the narrowness, the