Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-05

Il can't believe it," she shuddered.
1T was robbery, cold-blooded, cruel
q deliberate scheming to crush the
helpless; an easy enrichment out of
the merciless impoverishment OF 9TH
ers. Felix. tell me you didn't do it,"
You don't understand, Alice" he
managed to say after his first gasp of
Amusement. "You. are overwrought."
oh. I'm afraid I do understand. /
knew there was dishonesty and OPP
preston in busness-but that you
should have won Your success that
way" Her voice broke in Il sob. You
Felix"
He failed to fathom the depth of her
establishment. I'm business there
are no emotions" he explained. Its
issues are too large to be disturbed by
the small scruples that weigh in per-
SCnal relations. The Syndicate may
have caused some suffering, but"
but it was all wrong." she broke in,
desperately. Don't you see that"
1T was good business" he answered
with fnality. 1T isn't question of
right and wrong"
That's the whole question:" she
persisted.
The carriage drew up in front of
their own door and as he saw her
face i'll the light when they entered
the house. he made Il sudden excla-
nation.
"Why. you're tired out. Alice! Go
and rest dear. and forget the Syndi-
cate. You are too valuable to be
wasted on business, anyway
OF. I'll, ,h ,,,.
but turned on the first step with Il
smile that smote him.
Il believe I'm q little homesick," she
said. holding out her hands. ITS
Christmas Eve"
our first Christmas," he cried.
Don't begin to quarrel with me at
the season when even enemies are
supposed TO be nj peace"
She looked at him strangely, visit
fully. so YOU are 1T peace, Felix"
"Why, of course he laughed Il
have everything | want in the world!"
Most Of Alice Narnum'S friends had
been unable to understand her mar
riage. She Was young ana eager and joy
Gus. one of those fine and fragile spirits
whose attitude 10 the world about
them suggests something alien and
Il ansient. like the light poise of 4 bird
ready for flight. She seemed made for
the more beautiful use OF life; for Il
happiness Of Il richer kind than Felix
Gregory held in his gift. He was a
stranger to the Varnum circle, and had
met Alice through the social generos-
New York. He was twice her age.
and lpnoy n hcn~utin, ;c ~ ne
business had marked him with a gray
lily OF manner and shrewdness Of
aspect that contrasted sharply with
her sweet sayety and rare unworldli-
ness. He loved her for the contrast;
for her youth, for her detachment from
the concerns that filled his life. and.
as their intimacy grew, for all the
hidden grace she revealed and at the
quickening touch of love.
And he wOoed her with a sentiment
rs pure and fresh as her own. The
very prescriptions of his life. sOrdid
as they We're. had preserved in him a
youthiulness OF heart that matched her
ineXperienCe. In her eyes. the boy
lSlneSS of his emotions sat Very sweet
~ upon the maturity of his character
1t plea3cG me- she wrote him in an
swer to his scruples. that you should
De able to carry your years like n
garment, to put on for others and take
off for me. II completes the transfer
nation which makes your relation to
me different from your relation to the
rest of the world, which fixes me in
mat inner place where youth and age
are not. | would not have you other
than YOU are because your youth is
row AS much mine, and mine only, as
your love"
They We're married in late autumn.
after years courtship, and she
smiled at the funercal air Of hnr family
and friends when he carried her off at
once 10 the New England manufacture
ing town where he lived She was
radian'ly happy. diffusing her joy as a
prism diffuses light, and the old house
to which he welcomed her soon lost its