The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-03-16


men couldn't set Humpty Dumpty to-
gether again Oh. I hate himE' she
cried suddenly in bitterness. II hated
my father. too: he was another liar"
Then presently, looking up at the
stars, she became 4 little humble; she
made no attempt to Judge. What was
she. in the audacity Of her youth, to
dlch the privilege Of the Almighty?
Robert was gentle little man. who
could lie. She should have mated
with strong, big man who couldn't,
that was all. Just one mistake among
a myriad in teeming world.
"And what I've got to do is to sour
~ back into my everyday self as
quickly as can" she concluded.
"After all, nothing has happened.
Robert IS Robert, and am I, just as
We were when we pledged our troth.
And yet could have killed him to-
night. To kill man because he hap
pens to be himself is scarcely reason
able or sane. With this weakness, in
herent in hts nature, he'll have need
of me. And the children want me.
I'm indispensable to all Of them.
must take my life in my own hands.
No one can help me now. It will be
amusing to manage it, an excitement"
She rose, but her knees shook in an
1mbec1le sort Of way. She laughed a
bit sharply out into the dark.
I'm my mother all over again, I
Nv III - -
sort Of thing. believe" She put her
hand out to touch a tiny jutting spur
twinkling silver in the new moons
rays and shivered. "But I'll not die
Of It; shall fill out. The fall from a
FOOLS paradise hurts-oh, it hurts-but
1t doesn't kill US In these days."
Closing the balcony door softly, she
entered the nursery. The children
were fast asleep in their cots. She
touched them curiously to see if their
soft, warm flesh would thrill her as it
used to do.
"Poor little helpless souls! You will
need me. won't you?" she said broken
~, crouchtng down at their side.
Robert junior stirred.
|*The roof has a lazy time." he
murmured in his sleep.
Anna smoothed his soft hair and
trembled.
<tDear little son." she said, didn't
mother tell you the roof couldn't help
being where it is. 1t was made like
that And the walls-they have to
hold it up. No, they do not have
much fun"
= =
Mr.. Mansfield Craven, the conflden-
t1al friend and legal adviser of the
president Of the Gotham Trust COM
pany. clustered into the presidents H.
brary in his home up the Hudson, near
ossining. he had come from New
York early that afternoon and had
much to do before the presidents ar
rival on the 2:30 express.
In hurried, whipping fashion, this
drawer was opened, then that. Papers
and documents were hastily strewn
here, there and everywhere. uaopen-
ed envelopes which dunned for atten-
ton were quickly torn open and
thrown into the Swastebasket or on the
floor. as the chance might be. All Of
which proved sore trial to Mrs.
Mason, the presidents housekeeper,
who was in the last stages Of ''hdying
up the library.
As usual, when Craven was busting
with work he noticed nothing Of his
surroundings. He pulled out his
watch. Fifteen minutes, yes!
"See ii you can rattle OF this letter
In time for the next post, Miss Gra-
ham. Take it directly on the ma
chine" he said. plying his fingers
through his thin, gray hair. And he
began to dictate.
But there was no confirming click
Of the typewriter. Craven turned over
his shoulder toward the secretary's
desk and looked above the rim Of his
glasses.
BLESS my SOUL" he exclaimed, If
I hadn't clean forgotten the bird had
flown. Humph. Mrs. Mason" he said
suddenly, addressing the housekeeper,
who stood mutely busting a generous
pipe rack, what in the world induced
Miss Graham to give up her Job any
how? She's been here over a year.
She's given entire satisfaction; had
her stipend raised twice: always treat
ed considerately-the deuce If l can
make it outr'
Mrs. Mason suspended her feather
duster and smiled systematically.
"She said her health was bad and
she wanted a rest"
"Health bad? Fiddlesticks!" grunt-
ed Craven. ''She had cheeks like Bald
win apples and walked like india rub
ber.''
"Well, for my part, Mr.. Craven. III
be perfectly frank. I'm going to give
up my position. too, only l don't in
tend to lie about it. I'm going be-
cause
because. Mrs. Masony' The law
yer whirled around with surprise and
vexation.
'Well. things don't suit me, SIR
'Then, why don't you fire the cook,
dre the butler. fire the whole blame
outfit If thew don't a11it vouY I know