Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-03-07

MACPHERSON began what was meant
to. be defiant reply. You dare lay
one finger On me-
big hand shoot out toward him. felt a
grip like steel wise clutch his Shout
der.
Macpherson turned tail and ran.
Sinking out of the hall amid unbroken
silence.
Bob turned to the councilmen.
Nov. then beat that ordinance" he
said quietly.
So the ordinance was defeated
Some days later new ordinance.
drawn up under Bob's direction. was
introduced. In due time 1t passed.
was signed and accepted by the gas
company.
The night after Bob's victory $4,000
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-
lection.
Bob" she cried TREMENDOUSLY, 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 love and pride in
you--when you have deserved it so
well-when you should be only proud
and happy-I find you here-so" Her
voice almost broke.
-'Don'tr He shrank from her praise
as he never shrank from physical
blow. That's what hurts tonight. l
have not deserved their kindness. l
have done so little-nothing!"
Nothing. 1t means nothing to you
to have stood between nearly mil
lion people and injustice?'
But l didn't do that" he insisted,
with weary patience. what has been
done the people did themselves. All
did was to veto bill any clever poll
tician would have vetoed as matter
of policy and to pull off shallow.
theatrical trick that. after all. proba-
bly, wasn't necessary They forget all
the evil and remember only the little
good. But / can't And tonight they
have made me feel small and mean
>'Small and meant Bob. will you
never learn to know yourself? r.
her voice broke in a little laugh that
was near to tears-"I'd like to shake
your
He smiled 81 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 you." she said pityingly.
"You were always cruel to yourself,
driving yourself mercilessly. Haven't
l 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 soul
was writing at being thus laid bare.
Il know about her. Bob, give over
your self inflicted punishment. Go to
her and take happiness-for both of
you
Not that" he said sternly. She
thew that the sternness was for the
hope within him that would not die
'sThat can never be-"
But it can be- She loves you"
"Do you suppose could seek happi-
ness while Paul Remington's life is
spoiled because l drove him into temp
tations he couldn't resist? l might
have made him strong. good man.
but never by word or act did teach
him anything but selfishness and by
pocrisy. If were to shirk my punish
ment I'd be contemplate coward
My punishment is just-exactly the
penalty just God would devise. I'm
not whining"
"You poor. elemental childw she ex-
claimed pityingly. What are you
what is any of us-in Gods scheme of
things that our punishment should be
SO Important
Bob looked at her. even in his ia
natical self torture startled by the new
thought.
She rose to leave him. DUTY ought
to mean happiness. and you get moth
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
II shouldn't want to live. couldn't
be happy"
Eyes; you are happy. And yet he
said slowiy-"and yet have some
times fancied that you have had your
heartache."
Yes; 1 am happy" she said. and
her face glowed. 81 am happy. Id
hate to be so small as to be unhappy