The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-04-29
The Ambition of
Mark Truitt

you can say that You don't have
TO stay here"
But I'm going TO stay here
Not for good"
For good
Why
Mark laughed shortly. when
you're put out OF the race. you don't
want TO stay where you have "a
watch the others still running"
She inspected him again, more
closely He thought he was sincere
But he did not know that despite the
crutches and his drawn white face he
had not the resigned dispirited air OF
the man who has accepted perma
nent seat on the shelf The ascetiC
years had etched upon his counte
nance evidences OF growth. Success
had given him selfreliance Endur
ance had written OF courage. Much
close thinking on the problems OF his
work had left the unmistakable sign
OF an active penetratiye mentality
Her intuition plumbed deeper than
his inyalid's mood
Look as long as you want to-. he
suggested at last I'm the meantime
will you set the dogs on me when
drive down your way?"
"Oh, Well" She tried unsuccess-
fully 10 return To indifference. II
you really want TO come, It's been
dull season. ! suppose it would be
mercy TO the gossips TO give their
tongues u chance to clack once more.
She drew the reins taut.
"A real philanthropy he assented
grinning, as the horse lumberingly
resumed its journey
Mark swung slowly along home.
ward He smiled pityingly He had
read Alright the new interest in Uni
tvs face: that OF the condemned pris-
Oner who has heard rumor of reprieve
He was sorry for her. And pity-we
have IT from the poets-is loves poor
relation.
Mark regained a measure OF
strength He discarded one crutch
and began each. day 10 take. few
steps, potentially With no SUPPORT
but a cane, He became the notable
figure OF the village. greeted with that
mingled awe and curiosity that are
the need Of the soldier Home wound
ed from the wars. He spent many
beautiful idle hours, alone or with
Richard Courtney. driving his new
horse among the hills. II did not oc-
cur TO him that his avid pleasure in
their freshness and fragrance. their
hushed whisperings, their play OF
light and shadow was not the pleas
ure man takes in a permanent en-.
vironment But, though Mark came
to regard his lot with constantly les.
q m M q ,a 4 "a.
he detected signs OF an incipient rest
lessness.
s-often-Unity was with
him on these drives Tongues clacked
according TO prophecy. But Mark did
not care. And Unity did not care.
She even, In brazen defiance OF public
opinion that almost brought upon the
gossips the calamity OF speeches..
ness, returned to her allegiance TO,
end study OF. ladies' magazines. BY
arts for which she had some skill she
extracted from the well defended
pocket OF Squire Martin the sum OF
fifty dollars, and thus enriched. made
a journey TO Concord The potentiali-
ties Of fifty dollars would be believed
by none save other prisoners who
have heard rumor OF reprieve. The
results. before Bethel. convicted the
squire OF more fragrant folly than
that he had committed.
Mark fell placidly and easily in
love with Unity again. At least, the
while protesting, he decided that It
must be love
But the protest was half-hearted,
He wanted TO love He needed, he as
al ms n 70
ated by loss of activity Moreover.
although he had come near enough to
success TO salt its tail his years
were but twenty-six, an age when
love seems beautiful all pleasurable,
alluring; and this despite the still
small voice OF experience.
Are We goin TO stay here In Beth
el?' Simon broke a long silence to in
quire. one rainy evening
IL don't know Mark answered out
of brown study. off his guard But
he added quickly. Yes, do know
I'm going TO stay
Then. what are We goin, To do"
IL don't need 10 do anything. I've
got twenty thousand dollars That'll
last me--in Bethel
Simon shook his head gravely. "Ye
can't stand that. we've got TO do
somethin' An there's nuthin to do
here-yet."
And never will be-
"Mebby not. All the more reason
why that Mister Henleys right
Would you have me go back to
the city?"
Yes.