The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-18


 outrage upon the county. The au- dacity of our bosses in refusing to yield to the popular demand in this matter would be inexplicable were not the ruthless hand of a certain one of our politicians plainly felt. It is time this man was unseated. He is a dis grace to the community. Of all the men prominent in the public eye we know of none who stands forth so re- pulsively as does Robert McAdoo. He represents all that is brutal and shameful in American politics."
 In the fading twilight the man against whom this attack was directed read the bitter words. the concluding paragraph of an editorial in the Even Ing Press.
 He has begun already. The fool! He forgets he is attacking himself as we'll as me. To such lengths will pas sion carry a manr'
 There was a knock at the door. and h young woman burst into the room. At twenty-eight Kathleen Finn was still unmarried-to the wonderment of her many friends. since she seemed made for the home life. She was beau tiful. with the beauty of health and of the cheery. unselfish spirit which made her a woman among women. In the Fourth ward school. of which she was principal. thanks to Bob's political in- fiuence. a thousand boys and girls loved her with an unwaverfng devo- ton they did not always accord their parents. She always remained fnys- tery to Bob McAdoo.
 ssWhat a shamer she cried sympa- thetically. holding out a folded news paper.
 -'So you've read it. too. Nice Christ mas gift. isn't it?' Bob smiled in amused contempt, "T wouldn't care about it if were you"
 'I know such attacks are apt to make themselves true by imbittering the man assailed. And I think of your wonderful possibilities. No; don't laugh. please. I know what you are now. but l know, too, what you will become. know that some day you will be and do far more and better than you have yet set your eyes on."
 "Ah! Then you care only because of what shall do when this mysterious change takes place? It isn't that. you like meT' Again his tone voiced purely impersonal inquiry. with no hint of disappointment in it.
 "why should I?'' she laughed frank ly. with girlfsh toss of her head.
 "why, indeedT be smiled back. pleasantly for him. ''But won't you sit downw
 You were slow giving the invita- tionr' she said gayly. But accept. for a few minutes. because I want to thank you for the beautiful books"
 Don't" he said. again pleasantly. 'I still owe you more than can pay" She did not try to thank him further. For some minutes they sat silent be- fore the fire. Kathleen observed him holding stranger. He seemed strangely less harsh than she was used to see him. She had never known him so-she cast about for the word-hu- man.
 He stirred from his contemplation of the fire.
 aT have to be honest with you. Kathleen. It Is true, that editorial. but -I don't care"
 "Ahr' Kathleen leaned forward with a qnick. impulsive movement. Don't you want me to like you. to believe in your
 "Tm not sure" She laughed out right at his evident hesitation. "But you are an exception. Long ago l determined to make my struggle alone. My own weight was quite enough without adding that of others. as. being what am. inevitably must if assumed the responsibilities of friend ship. II, other and uglier words. since was placed here in the eternal scramble by a power over which I had no control proposed to get on | top. no matter over whom I had to scramble And l didn't propose to put myself in relations where should hesitate to trample over anyone when desirable"
 And does the theory satisfy?' she asked You put it in the past tense. ! notice"
 ~ He frowned impatiently. 'T should lie to any one but you. Kathleen. That's the worst of it. It brings the desired results. but 1t doesn't satisfy-you're Irish enough O understand that. hope-because the struggle is so ridicu- lously easy. Sometimes I long for a real struggle. one that would test my muscles to the limit"
 For some time Kathleen stared thoughtfully into the fire.
 "I suspect the only force that will give you the supreme test you desire is-yourself." she said at length and then demanded abruptly: Why don't you abandon your theory? You admit 1t doesn't satisfy"
 He laughed unpleasantly. I'm as confidential as a sentimental girl to- <sy. I may az well % sAa v.cS iength-because I'm afraid"
 Bob McAdoo afraid!" Kathleen's irony never carried sting.
 "Yes-of Bob McAdoo"
 She arose and looked down on him pityingly.
 Bob. you make me understand. as I could never understand before. the horror in the meaning of a certain word''-
 Don't mind me. Pm in a humor for truth telling just now"
 aTnnelineSSr'