The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-03-25

him. No n4at.e4: vylilt tne father had
done, she could pkver think any the
less of the son. r took her hard, and
for several momelts neither one spoke.
There are times when silence Is more
eloquent than speech, and this was one
Of them. The gentle grip Of his big
strong hand expressed more teaderly
than any words the sympathy that lay
in his heart for the woman he loved.
Shirley said quietly:
"You have come at last, Jefferson
II came as soon as I could" he re-
piled gently. II saw father only yes
terday."
"You need not tell me what he SAID"
Shirley fastened to say.
Jefferson made no reply. He under
stood what she meant He hung his
head and hit viciously with his walk.
Ing stick at the pebbles that lay at his
feet. She went on:
II know everything now. 1t was
foolish of me to think that Mr.. Ryder
would ever help U.s."
II can't help it in any way" blurted
out Jefferson. II have not the slight
est influence over him. His business
methods l consider disgraceful. You
understand that, don't you, Shirley?"
The girl laid her hand on his arm
and replied kindly:
"Of course. Jeff, we know that
Come up and sit down."
He followed her on the porch and
drew up a rocker beside her.
"They are all out for walk" she
explained.
I'm glad," he said frankly. II
wanted quiet talk with you. I did
not care to meet any one. My name
must be odious to your people,"
Both were silent, feeling a certain
awkwardness. They seemed to have
drifted apart in some way since those
delightful days in Paris and on the
ship. Then he said:
I'm going away, but couldn't 60
until saw you"
"You are going awayY' exclaimed
Shirley, surprised.
"Yes," he said, II cannot stand it any
more at home. had hot talk with
my father yesterday about one thing
and another. He and don't chin we'll
together Besides this matter Of your
fathers impeachment has completely
discouraged me. All the wealth in the
world could never reconcile me to such
methods! I'm ashamed Of the role my
own flesh and blood has played in that
miserable affair. I can't express what
I feel about it. But what are you 60
Ing to do?' he asked. "These sur
roundings are not for you He
looked around at the cheap furnishings
which he could see through the open
window, and his face showed real con-
Germ.
II shall teach or write, or go out as
governess," replied Shirley, with
tinge of bitterness. Then smiling sad
~ she added: Poverty is easy. It is
unmerited disgrace which is hard"
The young man drew his chair closer
and took hold Of the hand that lay in
her lap. She made no resistance.
Shirley" he said, do you remem-
Der that talk we had on the ship? I
asked you to be my wife. You led me
to believe that you were not Indifferent
to me. ask you again to marry me.
Give me the right to take care Of you
and yours. I am the son of the worlds
richest man, but I don't want his
money. I have earned competence
Of my own-enough to live on COM
fortably. We will 60 away where you
and your father and mother will make
their home with us. Do not let the
sins Of the fathers embitter the lives
of the Children
mine has not sinned," said Shirley
bitterly.
II wish I could say the same of
mine," replied Jefferson. ut is be-
cause the clouds are dark about you
that I want to come into your life to
comfort you.'
The girl shook her head.
mo, Jefferson, the circumstances
make such a marriage impossible.
Your family and everybody else would
say that had inveigled you into it. It
Is even more impossible now than
thought it was when I spoke to you on
the ship"
Emotion stopped her utterance, and
she buried her face in her hands,
weeping silently.
"Shirley," said Jefferson tenderly,
you are wrong. If you will not say
Yes now, shall 60 away as I told
my father I would, and one day shall
come back and then If you are still
single shall ask you again to be my
wife,"
You may not want me then"
Il shall always want you," he whis-
pered hoarsely, bending over her. In
the dim light Of the porch he saw that
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