The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-08-01

raoeo perore ms nome ana cneereu
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 tremulously, what
is it?"
Nothing. Kathleen" be said In a
tired voice-''nothing that matters
much. 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 IL so
well-when you should be only proud
and happy--l find you here-sor' Her
voice almost broke.
"Don'tp He shrank from her praise
as he never shrank from n physical
blow. "That's what hurts tonight. |
have not deserved their kindness. |
| nave hOlt cO
"Nothingi II means nothing to you
( to have stood between nearly n mil
/ lion people and injustice?'
But didn't do that" he insisted,
with weary patience. "what has been
done the people did themselves. All l
did was to veto a bill any clever poll
tician would have vetoed as n matter
] 80 ~. or afn
| 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 little laugh that
you
He smiled 'T wish you would.
Kathleen That's the only way ] can
learn. 1t 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 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 writhing at being thus laid bare,
81 know about her. Bob, give over
your self inflicted punishment. Go to
hsr and take happiness-for both OF
you"
"Not that" he said sternly. She
knew that the sternness was for the
hope within him that would not die.
THAT can never be-
but 1t can be- She loves you"
"Do you suppose 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 teach
him anything but selfishness and hy-
pocrisy. II were to shirk my punish
ment I'd be a contemplate coward.
My punishment is just-exactly tho
penalty a 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, aud you get moth
ing but useless misery out of II.
thought you had found yourself But
you haven't. You have still one les
son to learn-faith. If had not faith
D shouldn't want to live. l couldn't
be happy"
"Yes; you are happy. And yet" he
said slowly-"and yet have some
times fancied that you have had your
heartache."
"Yes; am happy" she said, and
her face glowed. II 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.
"If only | could find him-if only /
could find him!" he cried to himself.