The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-26

afford happiness as you mean IL TO weak man that sort of happiness means crippling his natural force, enslaving himself to outside influences. There is only one true happiness-the content that comes from being a real, original force. The man who would be this, Mrs. Gilbert. must own and control himself absolutely. For Paul Reming- tons greater. true happiness l do l care"
 "But what about me?
 "He is nothing to you"
 "As you mean it. no-just now. But for the future. why not? You never can tell. MT. Remington is talented. He is magnetic. like him better than like most men. It is quite possible that shall in time develop a deeper interest in him. And. besides, MT. McAdoo. your opposition gives him a new value. Did you forget to consid- CT when you came to ask me to send him away what about my happiness| She concluded her question with a smile.
 '..Mrs. Gilbert, your happiness did not does not, enter into my calcula- lions at all.''
 Winters early dusk was falling out side. leaving only the freight to light the room. She was very beautiful as the soft glow fell upon her face.
 Were a good deal alike, you and l. You have taken everything you want I've been given everything except the things that count most We're both very Selfish. You make the excuse that you have to be selfish to realize your ambitions. l have the excuse that life hasn't treated me very kind ly. and neither excuse is valid. sus- pect- You're not a slave to conscience. and I-welI. I'm afraid I'll never let conscience stand between me and hap piness. You have few friends. I've had plenty to admire me because I'm not bad to look at and can turn wit ty phrase occasionally. But none has ever cared for me because none saw in me those womanly qualities whic tare so much finer than beauty or wit. Paul Remington seems to fill both our wants.\ He is your one friend. He cares for me because he thinks pos sess qualities 1 don't possess, but which he-he makes we want to ac- quire. I'm not in love with him. but I'd like to be. He seems my only hope of escape from becoming the 1 most pitiable of creatures-a lonely. 1 cynical. selfish. loveless woman. 1 wouder why I tell you thisY'' She leaned forward abruptly. What are 1 we going to do about it?"
 [ .4That is what came to find out" "No; you came to tell me what I One of us must retire in the others favor. That amounts to challenge, doesn't it? It's too bad we have this l dislike to contend with. Your natural \ state is fighting. and I suppose you don't mind one fight more. But don't want to fight for my happiness or possible happiness, especially when I run the risk of losing it altogether. We both run that risk. Don't you think"-there was the faintest twinkle in her eyes-"don't you think 1t would be wise, don't you think it would be l good politics. to ignore our dislike and share the spoils?"
 '.NoA I think should have done better to let you die in the mills"
 T don't understand why"- For an instant the luxurious. frelit library faded away from her sight She stood amid the grime and roar o1 the mills. She felt herself caught in I an iron grasp which dragged her to- ward death. Then strong hand seiz. ed her, and she stood before hot eyed young giant.
 "Is it possible? Yes. you are the man who saved me in the mills. It is hard to realize. He was an uncouth. un. grammatical young ruf1an, as re member. while you-you are an educat ed'- She hesitated.
 "An educated rufian." he concluded drylys
 She regarded him with new respect respect which Bob. remembering the girl who had louted him as of lower order of creation. resented.
 I'm no more than was then. have more. but am no more."
 A detail of the scene in the mills re | Il forgot to thank you for saving my life. That was very ungratefuL suppose I should do so now. It really was very good of you"
 You needn't thank me. Besides he added grimly. ''it was unintentional assure ycu-purely an impulse" She laughed uncertainty. "But sure ly you can't expect me to remain al swords points with the man who saved my lifeY
 His face hardened. 'Then keep out of my way"
 "You mean It." she said in curious ly regretful tone. "That is part o1 you. remember you said the same to me that night in the mills 'keeI out of my way It explains your life doesn't it? You have gone steadily relentlessly forward. brushing aside every one who stood in your way And now that seem to interfere with your plans you are quite capable o1 sweeping me aside. or MT. Remington either. w%hout thought of what il