Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-03-21
The Golden Calf

ing the long. slanting lines of rain that
came driving down from the dun col
ored clouds in the sky. With every
savage gust of wind the dead leaves
came swirling 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 determine
ton. curving the corners Of his mouth.
The girl turned from the window,
and from her eyes he learned the con-
fiict was not yet brought to an issue.
She spoke slowly, with something like
appeal TO her tones.
Must you go tomorrow" she asked.
Tomorrow" he replied inexorably.
"And-and you want an answer be-
fore you go?"
IAN affirmative answer" he correct
ell smilingly.
Don't go out there, TOm,' she said
with queer little quaver in her voice.
81 must" he said simply. Its a
magnificent field. 1t offers everything
l 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 power?" she asked.
Absolutely certain" said he cheer
fully.
She turned to the window again and
watched the leaves driven hither and
thither in the wind. Then she faced
the man at the table with 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 me, Helen-is that
it?' he asked very slowly.
Its not that" she confessed.
Don't you have faith in my ultimate
success he asked.
'All the faith in the world" she de-
clared.
Then tell me, Helen, what makes
you hesitate?" said he.
Il don't know just what it is, but
something makes me afraid of you"
she replied. Il think it's because
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"
''Neverr' he maintained stoutly.
She held out her hand deprecating-
ly. e.
I've watched you rise" she went
on. 1--WE watched you climb up, up
always UP. But you are never salts
fed. You are bound to 60 on and on
and on. You speak Of money. You
have an amount now that many a man
would envy. You talk Of power. 1t
IL yours here Aud Jet it isn't enough.
You must go to other fields with great
er opportunities. Tom, dear, it's hard
to say, and yet must-you bow down
to the golden calf and you always will.
In the years to come you would think
mere and more OF your ambitions and
correspeudingly less OF me. That Is
why say l can't marry yOu."
She sat down opposite him and rest
ed 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
fought so hard to riser" he said.
She shook her head.
1T was because of yOu," said he.
Every ambition, every motive, / owe
to You. Ii l conquered the world and
laid il at your feet / should still 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 ann" he
asked
YES" she said.
Would you love me If were penni-
lessf'
She looked up at him with smile
that transformed her face.
'How I should love you them 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 there?'
she asked.
II mean have ceased to worship the
golden calf you mentioned" said he.
mo man can serve two masters, and
think | make wise choice In serving
you," he laughed.
He bent over her and saw there were
tears In her eyes.
What on earth are you crying for,
Helen?" he asked.
"WcH, nave sneaklng sympathy