The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-07
Y RUSSELL MILLER
CORYRIGf5T, l0lO BY BOBBS r1ERRLLL CO,

Some days later a new ordinance. drawn up under Bob's direction, was introduced. In due time it passed. was signed and accepted by the gas company.
 The night after Bob's victory 50,OO0 of the Steel City's best citizens pa raded before his home and cheered him as the next governor.
 The cheering thousands marched on. leaving the quiet street to return to its wonted dingy calm. Kathleen. proud and rejoicing, sought Bob in his library. The man in whose honor a great city had made holiday sat before the fire in an attitude of complete de jection.
 Bob" she cried tremulously. what is it?"
 Nothing. Kathleen" he said in a tired voice-''nothing that matters much. l haven't meant to trouble you with my moods"
 And tonight, with all these people showing you their lore and pride in you-when you have deserved it so well-when you, should be only proud and happy-I find you here-sow Her voice almost broke.
 -sDon'tr He shrank from her praise as he never shrank from physical blow That's what hurts tonight. have not deserved their kindness. I have done so little-nothing!"
 <'Nothing. It means nothing to you to have stood between nearly 8 mill lion people and injustice?"
 ''But didn't do that" he insisted. with weary patience. What has been done the people did themselves. All I did was to veto bin any clever poli- tician would have vetoed as matter of policy and to pull of a shallow. theatrical trick that. after all. proba- ply wasn't necessary They forget all the evil and remember only the little good. But I can't. And tonight they have made me feel small and mean"
 -sSmall and mean! Bob. will you never learn to know yourself? T'- her voice broke in little laugh that was near to tears-'sId like to shake your'
 He smiled. T wish you would. Kathleen That's the only way can learn. it seems. by having the truth shaken. pounded, into me"
 Tears came to her eyes. "Ah, don't think don't know what this long year has been to your she said pityingIy. driving yourself mercilessly. Haven't seen your heartache? know how you have counted on finding Paul and remaking his life and how bitter the disappointment has been. And" she rushed on,. though she knew his sou Yas writhing at being thns laid bare T know about her. Bob. give ovei our self inflicted punishment Go to her and take happiness-for both o1 you"
 Not .that,' he said sternly. She knew that the stenness was for the hope within him that would not die. That can never be-"
 "But it can be. She loves you"
 "Do you suppose I could seek happi ness while Paul Remington's life is spoiled because drove him into temp tations he couldn't resist? l might have made him strong, good man, but never by word or act did I teach him anything but, selfshness and hy- pocrisy. If were to shirk my punish ment I'd be a contemptible coward. My punishment is just-exactly the penalty just God would devise. Pm not whining"
 You poor. elemental childv' she ex- claimed pityingly. What are you what is any of us-in Gods scheme of things that our punishment should be so fmportant?"
 Bob looked at her. even in his fa- natical self torture startled by the new thought
 She rose to leave him. Duty ought to mean happiness. and you get noth- ing but a useless misery out of it. thought you had found yourself. But you haven't. You have still one les son to learn-faith. If had not faith I shouldn't want to live. l couldn't be happy"
 ''Yes; you are happy And yet" he said slowiy-"and yet I have some times fancied that you have had your heartache."
 'Yes; am happy" she said. and her face glowed. T am happy. I'd hate to be so small as to be unhappy merely because God hasn't arranged everything to my liking"
 She left him.
 eff only could find him-if only I could find himr' he cried to himself.