The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-16

sent himself to her as a man who
had failed.
But he went. and she received him
In the great library. A fire burned
on the hearth. Beside IL basked q
moon-eyed Persian cat Everywhere
there was the evidence OF luxury. The
thought of Margaret driven TO econ
omize stabbed him. She was born for
power. for position He would not
take them from her.
Even as he thought of her she cam,
toward him swiftly. little graceful
figure in her clinsing gown of dull
blue,
LAS If you could get rid of me-"
she said, and lifted her face for his
kiss.
Don't" he said hoarsely.
She turned very white. do you
mean," she sat6 slowly, that you are
going to let lit.le thing like losing
your money stand between us?"
ut Is not a little thing"
oh" she flung out her hands. do
you think l am made only for case,
for softness? Do you think that /
am woman who can't work by
your side-who wouldn't be glad to
show you how I can help?"
But you don't know" he told her,
what 1t means. II ! take you into
my life the world must know that !
have failed. But / could not let you
suffer -, --------.~-
oh" her eyes biazed 1T is your
| pride. not your love for me- that
| stands between us"
| No" he said. 1T Is not that; but
| l have failed. Margaret"
! She saw the pain in his eyes, the
working OF his strong features, and
1 she gave a little cry. Let me help,
dear heart; let me help"
For just one moment he gathered
| her into hts arms
Then he said. There is no other
way, dearest. ! must win the money
back. and | can't ask you to spend all
/ your youth In waiting
/ Why shouldn't waltz" she asked
| quickly. There never will be any
other man. Philip.
He looked at her. Il am a man
who has failed" he repeated bit
terly.
She swayed toward him little DO
you call it failure" she demanded.
| simply because you have lost little
| money? II you had failed 10 answer
the call of those who suffer; II you
had neglected the boy with the broken
leg OF the baby who Is going blind
that would have been failure. II you
had refused to go where there was
oontagion-that would have been
; failure n-z--
He looked at her in amazement.
Was this the gentle. little girl whom
he had loved with a half-indulgen nj
love---this wonder-woman with the in
spired bearing?
Margaret" he whispered, and his
voice wavered.
Your life and mine" she went on.
must be dedicated to those who need
us. The poor need you more than the
rich. Then let us go to then--we witt
live quietly in downtown district.
You shall grow old In service, and !
will sh ne In your reflected light"
Dreams" he murmured.i She came
and kneit beside him. Aren't they
dreams worth making true 20 she said.
There would be love and service I'm
our home, and that would be success"
She was In his arms now. Dearest"
| he said.
! After that there wasn't much TO
say. But, when a little later he left
| her. Margaret knew she had won
The next morning he said TO Dun
ham: II shall marry Margaret. May
be we are q, pair OF fools, bat we are
going to try living for humanity
shall practice among the poor"
Durham stared, then dropped his
hands on the others shoulders. old
fellow" he said, and his voice deep
ened and broke, "oid fellow, last night
you said you were man who had
failed but we would all court failure
for future like that---of love and
service and happiness with Margaret
Dare"