The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-25


superintendent of the mill stood the foot Of
the steps, his arms folded the water splashing tn
the tops OF his riding boots. He looking not
up at Eve but his shoulder at those poor peo-
pie OF his, staring up impotenty at the house. az
the lights. the veranda with its afterdinnor coz
fee things. and at the deluge that had met them
You are just helpless as these mill people
You bound. like them. So is most Of
your class"
The came as poignantly a pres
ent reproach. Here were hundred or more men
and women, come with appeal from their class
to hers And.
There isn't any way until every OF
does something. matter how little Ii is for some
poor devil or other. don't mean give 'em soup
nor even soap. l mean give 'em your hand Give
'em their own self-respect."
And yet. in the supreme moment of her
chance to do something. here the toy gulf-as
there is always a gulf, hooking them. killing their
self-respeet, stultifying her impulse reach
out to them. Oh, but there must be something to
do-'there always something do :" She
tried to call to them but her voice could not carry
above the sound of the cascade. She looked down
once at that mimic flood. Then she gathered her
white. soft skirts about her and stepped into its
water.
They watched her as she made her way across
the wide top step-the superintendent at first quiz
zically, then wonderingly, then with something
more-the others in breathless amazement. After
ALL for her there great difnculty The wa
ter flowed swiftly and it cold, but she went
through it with and began the descent OF the
steps.
At this. casting disreputable felt hat on the
flooded gravel Endcott leaped forward and splash
ed up the waterway. She saw him coming and mo-
toned him back protestingly. But he mounted
her, met her. and then dashed past her and sprang
the court to the fountain. There, swiftly
he
mid of coral; and instantly the waters ceased to
flow. Then he back at her side, still without
word and he lifted Eve in his arms and went with
her down the steps and stood with her his side
before the bewildered company.
Il thank YOU" he said to her quietly. and
to these people?"
Her frankly seeking. frightened look fell the
woman nearest her-a woman with child who sat
on the mothers staring at Eve a plump
little hand capraciously patting its little
mouth. And Eve drew little quick breath and
spoke her unprecedented message.
II don't think So" she said. II just wanted to
be down here with them. IL think I wanted to
the chtldren!"
She held out her hands to that nearest child
And the little stretched his hands and
went to her quite simply and sat looking back at
his mother and the rest, still with a plump little
hand patting its own soft mouth. Eve looked be-
seemingly at kndcott-and sudden little muir
muir and note of laughter. having in 1t something
OF pleasure. went among the rest.
MY friends" he said gravely. you perfectly
certain OF thing, though all else should fail.
You certain that wish you well?''
To this they said instant, eager yes"
1T is true that do he said. ''and yet am
Loverdge came to live among you to amuse
myself in my ridiculous evil leisure. gave my
self the Job of superintendent And now I am go
going to give that to a better man--and am GO
ing to live here, near you and will get out and
work for another the best And this
LADY, think she is going help US. She viii, I
believe. II you want her to much do"
Eve. meeting his eyes over the chid's shoulder,
knew what he meant. And she knew that she was
glad. And the face OF Loveridge shining with
great humility, If he knew suddenly that it is
spirit which will solve the problem of the age. and
that neither the charm and perfection Of Eva nor
yet bondage OF the mill folk will prevail against
1t when every last of does something
and does 1t right.
Young Hartley. fresh from the telephone, came
running from below stairs with the servants
streaming after, and he stood in the great shining
doorway OF the house. with some dim notion that
his invincible Notifications had given out At
sight of Eve standing there remotely the gravel
with the child, he waved his arms.
Its all right, you know" he shouted confident
Iy. i've fixed it. The police COMMIT"
Eve and Loveridge and the rest looked up him
across the gulf which had been bridged. For young
Hartley stood the other side.
When the drag came home with laughter float
ing 1t inconsequential and wavy fugf-
tive vei young Hartley sat on the veranda having
a cup of fresh coffee he had asked to be brought
him.
so sorry couldn't get back before Mrs.
winkIer chartered. Have Eve and you been very
dulI?"
Not SO doosed very" replied young Hartley.
ITO speak truth. Mrs Winkler. your brother
came
ALEX camel" the lady repeated shrilly Mercy!
And what has he been doing now pray?"
Young Hartley went back to the table and stood
poking among the cups.
do you know" he said sadly: 81 can't make
out But tell you people. it's somethin inyfnci-
hIe!"