Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-09
BY j. W. M,coNAuGHY.


Copyright, 1912. by the New York Even
ing Journal Publishing Company.
''You are making this very hard for
me. nlona, he said, as calmly as before,
but the passionate note in his voice grew
as he went on. Il don't wish to part
IN bitterness. You know you have
wronged me-deceived me-that every
day, as YOU were deceiving me you were
growing more and more into my life-lnto
my needs When l have turned from my
work / have turned to you, And yet you
knew that you were deceiving me-that
Lindener had asked you honorably to be
mis- wife, and. whatever you may think of
me, or the world thinks of me and my
people, Tllona, our honor in affairs of THIS
kind is above reproachl And 1t is in my
honor-and in my trust-that you have
wronged met
TT IS not true! 1t is not true" sobbed
the woman
ut is true-every word" he said, stern
ly, Tonight resting there on the divan,
you became part of my aims and my am
billions as I worked
Did 1 not lie stlll?'' she pleaded. did
I interfere? Did l interrupt you?'
NO but you robbed me of my
thoughts he cried. They flew from my
work to youl | was weak enough to let
you remain, to let you become part of
my work-my work which belongs not
to me, but to my countrymen! The work
that they watch and wait for And they
would never forgive-never understand-if
they knew that I let you come between
me and them! That is where you have
wronged me, Illona."
The sobs ceased and the woman's face
suddenly lit up with angry scorn
$50 Hai 1t is that! she cried. Il
knew it! II is not Lindener,-it is not
my deception, 1t is your people, They
are afraid" the voice broke again
afraid that you will give one little hour
of your life to me! To happiness-peas-
ure-peacel And it is me that you are
sacrificing for them!-giving up all the Joy
of your life and mine-and for nothing!
Why should you sacrifice both our lives
for this? It is madness-folly!" She
gripped his arms with both hands and
looked passiona tely into his inscrutable
face You shall not cast me out of
your life for nothing"
She could feel him start under her
hands before he drew sharply away.
Nothing! Nothingl" he cried What
I was chosen for-what I was born
fori''
She followed him. holding up her clasp
ed hands
But I will not be in your way!' she
pleaded with a sob. LET me stay here by
your side-be your servant, your slavel
Let me share your sorrows, joys and am
DEMONSTRATING you wish-but let me
stayi And when you triumph I will be at
your feet and you can walk over me, if
you wish! Let me help you-that is all I
want-to help you" She took his hand
~, h0fh f0 heY de
him, while her tears fell on the strong,
brown fingers in a stream. 'Oh, my love
my love! Let me stay!'
The Womans Triumph.
60, nlona!" he cried harshly and jerk
ed his hand from her grasp. He stood
rigid for a momen; then, pressing his
clenched fists to his temples, he sank
into a chair and sat with bowed head
There vas~an eerie silence, broken only
by the rustling of the womans skirts as
she slowly rose to her feet and stood look
ing down at him in hopeless misery
When she spoke it was in q new voice-a
voice of final, heart broken resignation.
$50 this Is the end, Tokoramoi The end
fer nns--but 1t will not be the end for you'll
You can make me leave your house and
see that ! never return-but | will be
here In the spirit of your life as easily as
you can turn me out Of your house have
been too much to you for thatI You viii
find that | am part of this roon1-of your
work. When you are sitting there at your
desk-aIone, hour after hour-n1y face
Will come between you and your work.
You Will remember-and want me. And
now, good byel"
Good bye. nlona" he said. in low
voice without raising his head. With
q last look at his bowed figure she turned,
picked up her hat and wrap and dragged
herself YEARLY to the door. She tried in
vain to stihe a sob and at the sound of it
he looked up. His hand was on the knob.