Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-01-18

But nOW-Wnat! You didn't come
here merely TO convict me Of a dis
honorable act, suppose?'
Hardly. I'm a busy man. ! sup
pose / came to make useless re-
quest"
What is the request, or is it com
mand?'
He looked at her steadily for min
ute before ne answered. She saw the
line Of his lips become thinner and the
muscles of his jaw tighten. ITO let
Paul Remington 60"
1T seems she replied mockingly.
that Mr.. McAdoo in spite of his boast
ed friendship cares nothing for the
happiness of his friend
''You won't understand" he said at
last slowly, when explain it. You're
right when you say care nothing for
his happiness-at least what you mean
by the word. You don't mean happi-
ness, Mrs. Gilbert. You mean to glut
the appetite, to yield to the mating in
stinct, to follow the lines of least re-
sistance. Only the very strong can
afford happiness as you mean it. To a
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 real. original
force. The man who would be this.
Mrs. Gilbert, must own and control
himself absolutely. For Paul Reming-
toms greater. true happiness do
care
But what about meY
HE is nothing to you."
GAS you mean it, no-just now. But
for the future. why not? You never
can tell. Mr.. Remington is talented.
He is magnetic. l like him better than
! like most men. 1t is quite possible
that shall in time develop deeper
interest in him. And. besides, Mr.
McAdoo, your opposition gives him a
new value. Did you forget to consid-
er when you came to ask me to send
him away what about my happiness? p
She concluded her question with a
smile
Mrs. Gilbert, your happiness did
not. does not. enter into my calcula-
tfonS 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
We're good deal alike. you and 1.
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. | 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-well. Pm 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 which
Rre 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 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
most pitiable Of Creatures lonely,
cynical. selfish. loveless woman.
wonder why | tell you this7' She
leaned forward abruptly. What are
we going to do about it?''
'sThat Is what came to find out"
mo; you came to tell me what
must do. You put the issue squarely.
One of us must retire in the others
favor. That amounts to challenge.
doesn't it? It's too bad we have this
dislike to contend with. Your natural
state is lighting. and | suppose you
don't mind one fight more. But |
don't want to fight for my happiness
or possible happiness. especially when
/ 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 it would
be wise, don't you think it would be
good politics. to ignore our dislike and
share the spoilsY'
mo think I should have done
better to let you die in the mills"
II don't understand Why
For an instant the luxurious, firelit
library faded away from her sight
She stood amid the CRIME and roar of
the mills. She felt herself caught In
an iron grasp which dragged her to-
ward death Then strong hand seiz-
ed her. and she stood before hot eyed
young giant.
rs it possible? Yes, you are the man
who saved me In the mills. 1t is hard
to realize He was an uncouth, un-
grammatical young ruffian, as re
member, while you-you are an educat-
OBJ Cha hnsifa tpd