Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-26
THE LIGHT AHEAD
BY r. A. PHILLIPS

She amt been here long enough to
understand the machine. Let her
alone now, / tell you"
The foreman whirled irritably about
Get back to your place, King" he
returned. I'm running this floor
and don't need any advice. You get
back quietly and shut up, or I'll have
you up on the carpet before the old
man
King walked back to his idle ma.
chine neal the window, while the
other workers, never pausing, looked
one at another, but made no remarks.
Talking VAS dangerous.
Jerry King was the best worker IN
the whole factory, and 1t was known
that he could turn out more finished
boots in a single day than any other
two men. Besides this. he was young,
strong, and very careful.
Somehow or other he had taken a
sudden friendly interest in the big.
eyed timid girl, who had come to
work on the polishing machine across
the room. And on going home once
in the early dusk he had found she
lived near the place where he lodged.
After that he hung back every night
and waited until she came out. And
together they walked along the mar
row canal toward the huddled novels
that answered as homes for the work
ers.
He did not look her way again that
day, nor did he join her at the whistle
for dinner. And in the evening, as he
plunged along up the path, his heart
heavy, he was startled by running
footsteps behind him. He turned to
find the girl coming toward him,
GREATNESS.
Il did not get a chance to thank
you for what you-for what you did
this morning, jerry she began
abruptly. You're not cross with me,
are you, Jerry?"
He laughed.
why, of course not, little girl" he
answered. 81 just can't bear to see
them treat you SO. l simply can't
stand it."
At her house he left her. with a
CHEEKY good night and a short pres
sure of the hand.
And so the days passed in nonoto-
nous regularity. The foreman rarely
visited the corner in which the two
worked. But n evening. as King
stood outside the big gate waiting for
her, a boy-one of the carriers-came
up and touched him on the arm.
Ruth Walters says you're not to
wait he blurted out. "She's up in
the office. She says she's getting a
better place after today"
King betrayed no surprise, but he
gripped the boys shoulder tightly.
"What-what office, boy?" he asked
steadily.
I'm not sure, but l think it's Null
Inns. It's on the second floor back.
! Amt that his?"
King patted the boys head and turn
ed to walk away with him.
For the next week he did not wait
in the evenings. and he saw her only
, once in that time-and then with Null
Inns.
One evening. when he had finished
his work and was walking toward the
washroom. he met Ruth. She spoke to
him frankly, and held out her hand.
Its been a long time since I've
seen you, Jerry" she greeted him
now; Mr.. Mullins is very exacting.
and sometimes | stay rather late at
night. Are you quite well?"
Quite WE'LL" he repeated DULY,
holding her finger Imply within his
, own. 81 suppose you work is a lot
easier than bending over a machine
all day, Ell? Lots of the girls think
so. That's a nice ring, Ruth" he add
ed suddenly. feeling it cut his PLAN.
She Redeemed and drew away.
"Mr. Mullins gave it to me on my
birthday. He's very mic to me, Jer-
ry. | only wish you'd think a little
better of him."
That was all she said. When Jerry
left her. instead of going into the
washroom, as he first intended, he
turned back and knocked on the fore
mans door. Mullins voice babe him
enter.
We'll. King" he began. What's the
trouble?"
King looked straight at the ques
toner.
81 just came in to say I'll leave al
the end of this week
The foreman pushed his book aside
and came frowning to his feet.
"Leave2 Leave here? Why, you're
Joking, We can't afford to lose you
King. You're worth three ordinary
men. Why, we've even raised your
wages"
I'm going to leave at the week
end" he repeated.
A pause fell. King was on the
point of continuing, when his rowing
eyes fastened themselves upon some
thing in the far corner.
1t seemed to be a thin, curling WISH
Of smoke.