The daily Alaskan., 1905-08-11
The Golden Calf

luk Nht lui -t NiahAAAh AAtN' VI a''. N-N came driving down from the dun col. ored clouds in the sky. With every savage gust of wind the dead leaves came swirlmg down, and the giant elms in the street tossed their branches in wild distress.
 The strife of the storm without seem cd typical of the stormy combat that waS going on In her heart-a warfare between her inclinations and the die tates of sane, calm judgment
 The man sat quietly by the library table, his keen eyes fixed steadfastly on the girl and grim expression, half expectancy and half Iron determlna- ton. curving the corners of his mouth,
 The girl turned from the window, and from her eyes he learned the con flict was not yet brought to an issue. She spoke slowly, with something like appeal to her tones,
 Must you go tomorrowT she asked.
 Tomorrow, he replied inexorably.
 "And-and you want an answer be- fore you goT
 "An affirmative answer" he correct cd smillngly.
 Don't go out there, Tom" she said with queer little Quaver in her vo.cs
 "I must" he said simply Its a magnificent field. It offers everything want-money, power and position. His eyes burned as he spoke, but they softened as they rested on the girls face. Think what it means" he fin ished.
 You're sure you want all this-the money and the powerT she asked.
 Absolutely certain" said he cheer fully.
 She turned to the window again and watched the leaves driven hlther 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 mc, Helen--is that ity" he asked very slowly.
 ssT.s. .h.. .N, g,,, f,u1nA
 Don't you have faith in my ultimate successY' he asked.
 "An the faith in the world" she de clared.
 Then tell mo, Helen, what makes you hesitateY" said he.
 "I don't know just what 1t Is, but something makes me afraid of you she replied. "i think it's because I know you'll have money and power and all that goes with 1t. I'm afraid I shall become just a side issue in your life"
 "Neyerl' he maintained stoutly.
 She held out her hand depreCating- ly,
 "Tve watched you rise" she went on. i've watched you climb up, up always up. Rut you are never satis. fed. You are bound to go on and on and on. You speak of money. You have an amount now that many a man would envy. You talk of power, It Is yours here. And yet it isn't enough You must go to other fields with great CT opportunities. Tom, dear, it's hard to say, and yet I 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 's why I say can't marry you"
 She sat down opposite him and rest cd 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 so hard to riseT' he said.
 She shook her head.
 Tt was because of you" said he. Every ambition, every motive, owe to you. If conquered the world and laid 1t at your feet 1 should stlll feel unworthy of you"
 He stood silently looking down at her. The wind whistled shrilly and the rain beat sharply against the window panes. She felt the hand on her head tremble
 Helen, do you love me as amy" he asked.
 Yes" she said.
 Would you love me If were penni- lessT
 She looked up at him with a smile that transformed her face.
 How I should love you theng' 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 thereT she asked.
 T mean have ceased to worship the golden calf you mentioned" said he. "No man can serve two masters, and l think I make a wise choice in serving yOu he laughed