Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-05
CHAPTER xxx,

CHAPTER xxx.
In spite of what he knew of Marah's
changed attitude towards Paula, 1t
was surprise to Wlnship to find that
she counselled him at once to fall IN
with Trafford's plans.
Its a case that admits Of no hesi-
tation," she said, as they talked the
subject over in the long, red studio
that night. EFF anything were to hap
pen to her
why should you suggest that?"
must suggest it. Roger And if
anything did happen to her, 1t would
be little comfort to you then to re-
member that you hadn't done violence
to your scruples. l don't deny that
you're in a difficult position. When
mans right course is to throw in
his fortune with what he believes
to be wrong, he offers curious prob
lem to the casuist. And yet 1t seems
to me there's no doubt as to what you
ought to do. We're human beings
first and members OF a social order
afterwards. If Paula is as iii as you
say, there can be no thought for any
one but her."
They sat at the table from which
the servant had cleared away their
simple evening meal Marah had
Drought her paints and brushes to
the light, and Winship had opened
mechanically portfolio of drawings,
at which he did not look. He sat
smoking pensively, allowing Marah to
pursue her thoughts without inter.
ruption.
"At the same time" she continued
should both have to do it. It's in the
very nature Of the circumstances that
Whatever compromise must be made,
should have to share it."
absently. you'd be paying the price
without securing any of the reward"
snapped. tits too late now to think
Of happiness for me. II / can get
the reflection of yours It will be
enough. And you would have it. It's
no use talking as If you We're making
a. great sacrifice to get nothing in re.
| turn"
II don't think ever did. II I have
| scrupies they come entirely from tbs
fear Of buying my happiness at 4
price | ought not to pay"
l.
ton any longer It otter happens in
/ life that It's. your duty to spend on
some one else the money which YOU
wouldn't be justified in wasting on
yourself, That's the position here, II
your only thought was of what you
were to get you wouldn't do It. You'd
be the man who was gaining the
whole world and losing his own soul.
I'm sorry to say that that was the
light at which looked at 1t In June,
didn't see that there was another
side to It. thought of Paula only
as a Trafford; and didn't realize
! that good things could come even out
of Nazareth. Now / feel as If life
couldn't be long enough to make her
the necessary reparation."
She stopped with a little culver in
her voice. Bending her head, she
made shary, tiny strokes on the I'M
finished miniature before her.
But we must be clear In advance"
she pursued, after few minutes Of
silence, that the price you'd have
to pay would be heavy one. You,
mustn't be blind to that fact now. and
| indignant when the world calls you to
+; reckoning afterwards. In the first
place, you'll be looked upon as sue
cessful fortune-hunter. Oh, you
| needn't frown, because no one, out,
side the Traffords and ourselves, will
have any other opinion about you.
They'll ignore the fact that Paula is
| a girl whom any man might be eager
to marry for herself. Even our own
best friends won't give you the hene
fit of the doubt In this case.
4 Il shall be able to live without it,
he interrupted, dryly.
"Of course you will But you
won't be able to live without many a
| twinge Of pain arising from the fact
And there'll be even worse, Roger In
our little group Of intimates, where
you've been the chief, where youl
ideas have converted so many /,
sane and simple views of life, where
y you've inspired them to go home, an
fight against greed and corruption
and to work, for whatever is pure
and lovely in American life, from the
aspect OF the streets to the attitude
of the mind. there you'll be looked
upon as worse than lost leader a,
more desptcable than turncoat. Aftel
all. man has right to change hi
mind, and to adopt new principles j
he wants to; but they won't allow
You that privilege. You'll be consider
ed simply as traitor-as the mar
! who denied his faith, and went ovc
,, to the enemy, for the sake of bis
prize. There, again, you'll be abb
to live without their good opinion
the very magnitude of your fortunes
: will enable you to do that; but 20,
must face the trial of becoming tn,
object of their scorn, and of bein;
made to feel 1t. The very fact tina
you'll be SO far removed from YOU
friends in circumstance will make yoI
want to cling to them all the more II
heart. and they'll reject you"
: Winship still pulled pensively at hi
pipe, looking far away into the dark
ness Of the long. dimly lighted room
"And yet she continued, speakin,
! calmly, you wouldn't be the first ma:
to live under the unjust condemna
J ton of the world. 1t isn't hard If yo,
once steel yourself to do it, 1t vii
be easier in your case than in mos
for the simple reason that. In you