davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04

not think that entire regeneration would fol-
low the experiment OF Medea.
No: what arrested my eye and mind in Mr.
Zangwilrs drama was not his solution Of the
racial problem. but a particular argument BY
which he supports and explains Il. That argu-
ment Is very common, in one form or another
In modern books and newspapers, and on my
deathbed J shall be stin endeavoring 10 de-
stroy IT, Il can broadly be called the Futurlst
argument
Nov. Mr.. zangwn has no right 10 be a
Futurist because be Is not a fool. OF course
the very neatness Of his mind. which Is one OF
an almost magical verbal dexterity. tempts
him 20 be too much the slave OF an eplgram:
and the essential argument Of the play can be
expressed IN two Of lie sentences with an cpl
grammatic brevity. I have not the book By
me a. the moment. but think the first phrase
ran: What Is the glory Of Rome and Jeru-
salem. where men worship and look back com.
pared with the glory Of this New York. where
men labor and look forwardg" The other. !
think. ran: you talk about the God OF our
fathers But what about the God OF our chill
aren?" They are both very good eplgrams.
and they are nonsense. Nonsense. nonsense.
nonsense, They both rest on the silent az
sumption Of the truth OF two propositions. for
which there never have been any arguments
or evidence offered. nor ever viii be. The FIRST
is the assumption that the future is like the
past. "a particular and positive story. the ma.
ture Of which ls not only settled but can be
foreseen. The second IL the assumption that
one Of the things Of which can be certain
about the future Dr. that % Will be better than
the past.
These notions never had any root In reason
or even in instinct They were. as r. matter
~ fact Illusions produced by The excitement
Of changing the world with great rapidly dur
ing very short time-the time Of the ener
giles that came from the French Revolution.
But those particular energies. though salufarF
and on the whole successful. started quite late
10 our history and are already almost spent
LnLnrLnm ]. L-Ln The mnmonLum that carrLn- q
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04
Luck of the Black Cat
wv

HIVI ELL then. I SHAH no, 70"
w zail Pauline.
but Pnttfr. a.. 81. =,
diculous." protested the young man
VINO had Just gone back into tho
mouse % get the young wnmau's for
gotten handkerchief
lf ] aO 20 ridiculous as All that"
said pauline drawing herself IN
h'lly' 4 don't suppose you want
me 70 marry you any more"
You haven't married me az All vot q"
reioined the yuunF man ruefYttv
but ] didn't say yCu we're ridiculous
said That ~ seems ridiculous TO be
s"hred his gay and that constantly
~ al scrts % htti~ fuperstitIona
But lften.' said Pauline. eagerly.
II won't take YOU n minute iuet e.
~ a'~n and count ten and ~ would
make me 90 happy" she was plainly
shedding
10 makes me feel like o. fool
snapped wharton 4s Do fopreH down
on the step ane rapidly counted ten
Iauline fau uua The steps and thrust
her little hama into bic just long
enough 90 give an appreciative little
squeeze
You're just ths most darling
thinE' rhc slid
THE QIEsTI0N.
Dick looked down at her aIoomuy
Then he laughed
hhFurf Ufte money" he rfarr.
lafed. aH Do helped her into che walt.
irr motor car when arc ruu going
t0 unrrN uar
~ don't know. rafd Pauline you
see che rUHffrrrd along without
giving him ON opportunity f1 pursue
The subject. "tt Isn't that fHInE any.
thing ls really truly raIrr fr n4rnrr.
but 9u MANY ftiurf Hn hHrrfr that Do
doesn't DO any harm to take rrer4u.
funa don't sou know Nrv. vaatrr.
day Iare dropped her umbrella just
aa we we're starting out tn lru 1r
Mrr Emmett Tibet means IIsar-
rolnfmrnf. r0u Know So 2 was sure
she'd hr 40 home. because We very
particularly didn't want nrr f1 BE-. ana
she was. and q believe even Jane VIII
par more attention f1 mo nov"
Dick looked untapply down fhe
road. ~ guess must have done
nothing but drrr umbrellas since Q
mot YOU. ha HaIf
"Whv. pi.kT said Pauline "whY r'
A. this point Hne GlaurrI down the
open stretch nj road In front o. them
and gave r. terrified llfffe rtsn "Oh.
ulrt she cried "atop ere ear
"uirt" she arff frreriv. 80 for
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04
So

the livinErcona. and came on TO the
room where she stood. her eyes 81.
lAting. her compressed lips lIk- a
slash OF crimson across her dad
white face.
Tim stopped with q violent start
as he caught sight Of her.
Your friend is well on his way
now" he said. after a pause
You have been very good to him
He was your friend. Nov, for.
give me. Elsa. but l have much to
do this morning lie held open 49,
door. waiting for her to pass through.
Slowly she came up TO him. her
cleaning eyes on his. and slowly she
drew the small. heavy object from
her apron pocket
Both chambers are loaded shs
said very quietly. When you have
empiied the one. shall empty the
other"
His dark face flushed crimson
and he made as though 70 snatch the
thing from her. but she was too
quick for him and thrust Il back IN
her pocket
Il said when Are you going to
empty it,"
i don't know what you mean,- he
answered thickly
Il think you do. heard from nv
room what you said 20 Eric Daven-
port last night I have read the let.
ter you left In your drawer which I
was to read after-after"- she
shuddered. And / found the pistol
freshly charged"
He flung out his hands with n
swift. sudden gesture.
You know why. You have always
loved that man: you have never
loved me. Now he has found you he
will never leave you in peace I
could see his admiration for you. Z
could see your interest in him and
In his talk. Life is Of no value TO me,
and yet my life Is the one thing be-
tween you and your happiness. Well.
! didn't mean you 10 know. but since
you do lie shrugged his shoui.
ders.
Once again she drew closer 10 him.
so close that her face was close be.
meath his own.
You used a wrong word Just now
Your life IL the one thing that stands
for my happiness Tim. Il has taken
three years to break down tho wall
between us. and II rests with YOU
II you are going to build II up again.
That man"-with a contemptuous
gesture-"is no more TO me than
that For three years my heart has
been slowly breaking. Haven't you
ever guessed how horribly lonely I
have been. how horribly I nave
wanted-my husband's-love9"
The last words were a whisper as
the crimson color flooded Der face.
For one incredulous instant Tim
Greenock stood and stared at her as
though he had suddenly gone mad.
Then with a laugh that echoed
through the room and ended I'm a
choking sob. he thrust out his great
arms and snatched her to him.
She lifted her head. her heavy
eyelids weighted down with rapture.
and whispered close against his lima:
For three long years I have bee,
waiting Tor this. Oh. why have you
waited so long?"
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04

But she loves you. and that makes
all the difference. one day she viii
be free. and 70 you don't make her
happy then. may you Be accursed
But TN that day. remember she is
sacred from your touch. Come this
way TO your room
Like q licked dog. Eric turned and
followed the man In homespun. who
seemed 10 tower above him. and
without a word passed into the li,.
tie room.
The next morning the sun shons
brilliantly. and only scattered branches
and here and there a fallen tree bore
evidence Of the wildness OF the
previous nights storm. Not one Of
the three occupiers Of the ,imbered
homestead had slept. but Eric pa
venport was the first 70 BE- up and
dressed He did not know his way
To Grinstead. and knew he could not
make his way on foot. so had TO
walt for the appearance OF his host.
though he little relished the pros
pect OF meeting him again
As he returned from a short stroll
round the farm he saw Elsa. looking
more lovely than ever in the cold.
clear morning light. making prepare.
lions for breakfast in the living room.
Che a.
caught sight OF him and sale. turn
Ing her head away:
Tim win be back In ten minutes.
He Is arranging about your horse
He told me to say he hopes you will
breakfast IN his absence"
She looked so beautiful. ~ fair.
that Eric's newly-aroused longing
for her mounted 90 fever-pitch.
Elsa" he cried hoarsely. Il can
not go and leave you here! II is
simply death in life Come away with
me You shall never regret Il.
swear you shan't You love me. and
! love youi"
A strange light came into her
eyes while he was speaking. and a
queer little smile lowered on her
lips
"Oh Eric. you little. little man,
For ne sake OF the love had for
you | am not going to resent your
insult Perhaps some day you will
learn and understand what you DO
not know now Please sit down and
eat your breakfast Tim will be
back soon. and he will not want to
walt"
Ten minutes later Tim Greenock
entered the room TO find his wife
and guest eating quietly. He stood
In the doorway and said CURLY.
THE horse is ready saddled. Mr..
Davenport will set you on the
way to Grinstead. Are you readyY-
Eric stumbled to his feet and
shook hands with Elsa. hardly look
ing at her. and followed his grim.
faced host from the room, while
Elsa slipped quietly into the bare
plain bedroom which she and Tim
occupied. and. opening a certain
drawer. drew something out and aid
1t in the big pocket OF the apron she
wore over her morning gown.
Presently she heard a heavy s,ep
outside. following the recedine
echoes Of horses hoofs. and pressed
her hands to her heart to stln its
sgonized beating.
The steps came nearer. paused in
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04

and a big. square-shoaldered man
with a bronred face and short. close
clipped head came IN He va.
dressed in = rough homespun suit
He paused as he caught sight OF the
stranger. and Elsa looked for one
moment from one TO the other. con-
trasting them The one looked what
ne was. q baekwoodsmap. with the
strength. the quiet endurance Of q
man living his life out OF doors. his
face and his hardened hands show
ing signs Of his calling The other.
despite his recent struggle with the
storm. looked as n he had lust
walked out OF a London drawing
room He was clean-shaven. with
smooth hair. welikept hands. and
wearing a well-out suit. a fashionable
collar. and an artistic necktie.
Tim" she said Of last. this IL
Mr.. Davenport ! used TO know him
In England He was riding aud was
caught by the storm"
MY poor mare Numbered into a
ditch In the twilight aud broke her
leg. ! had to end her troubles ana
try to find my own way on foot
was going TO visit an old college
ehum living at a place called Grin
stead. but ] lost mS way. -.-d luck
fly found shelter here
He held out his hand 20 his In.
voluntary host. who looked at him
without answering for a moment.
for in an instant he knew the iden.
tity OF the man smiling at him. Elsa
had unwittingly let his name fair
during the talk which had altered the
whole current OF his life. So this
man. this good-lookIng gentleman
with the well-cut clothes and cult
waited voice and winning smile. was
the man who had won and held the
heart OF his wifef
But he was in his own house. and
this man was his guest. n victim OF
the storm.
He barely touched the outstretch.
ed hand. but he said courteously:
MY wife and I are fortunate IN
being able to assist you. The storm
Is moderating already. and by to-
morrow morning II will probably be
quite fair. and you will be able to
reach your friend. who lives about
ten miles from here"
Elsa turned away.
Il will go now and prepare the
supper and get a bunk ready" she
said.
"oh. please. Mrs. Greenock." Eric
broke In. Il can't have you put TO
any Inconvenience on my ACCOUNT"
II fear you must" Tim said drily.
I'VE have no servants out here. and
what Is done we have TO do our.
selves. While Elsa is getting the
super. would you like to have a
wash?"
II was hardly a cheerful evening.
with the sound OF the dying wind
soughing round the house, and the
three. all OF them secretly III at
ease. gathered round the homemade
table. set with plenty OF homely.
plain. well-cooked food.
Elsa. who had pinned a treasured
hchu over her simple gown and fas-
tened Il with a cleaning brooch. a
relic OF old days. and who had re-
arranged the masses Of her red-gold
hair. looked like some exotic lily in
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04

the Underlined room. Eric. his Ad.
miration Of the giri rising every mo-
nent. looked from her to the big.
silent husband with barely concealed
amazement tinged with contempt
IL was the nrst time for months
Elsa had met any one from home.
and the old hunger for news OF the
theatres. the opera. OF books and
pictures. rose up. and she piled Eric
with questions. her eyes shining as
the old familiar things. so long lost
10 her. came under discussion.
After super Tim made the excuse
Of sick COW needing bis attention
TO leave the two alone. and for an
hour they sat over the fire. talking
as they had done years ago. tn
gradually a heavy silence fell on
them Then suddenly Eric leaned
forward and took Eisa's hand In his.
and his voice shook as he said:
-oh. my dear. why did you do TT
How can you bear thisY You were
made 20 shine among men and WON.
en-: you would have been a beauty.
q socia, success Here you are bu-
ried aiive-lost-with only one per.
son for companionship. Tell me. does
It satisfy your Are you happyI
For answer she burst into deep.
low sobblng. knowing full well the
loneliness. the starvation. the love
lessness Of her life. and drawing her
hand away. buried her face in her
hands With lo~ cry. he stopped
over her. and. tryins TO draw her
into his arms. pressed hiP lips to
her shining hair
Neither heard nor saw a tall man.
with a look % Wild fury distorting
hts face standing in the doorway.
and nsithe- heard the soft closing o.
the door ss he turned away
But a, IN stouch o, her old lovers
lips Elsa sprang TO her feet and
moved rapidly away from him as she
said incoherently;
What are you doing7 We are both
mad. wicked! Good night / am so
tired don't know what am doing.
But will you wait for TIM He won't
be long and will show you your
bunk. He will give you everything
you need Good night"
And as though afraid 10 trust her.
self. she hurried away into the
small room. as comfortable and cory
as a room in those wilds could be
made. leading out Of the living room.
and closed and locked the door.
leaving Eric with a moody, brood
ing look on his handsome face. to
cool his heels waiting for his host.
who did not put in an appearance for
a good half-hour.
When Tim came at last. his face
was set and hard. and he stood star.
ing at his guest with uncompromis-
ing eyes.
You are my guest tonight" he
said abruptly, and out here we take
our hospitality seriously. Otherwise
] should kick you out into the storm.
As II is, you can stay here till to-
morrow morning, and will provide
you with a horse 20 reach Grinstead.
But know who you a.. and | saw
you a while back when you-you
kissed my wife. so ! need explain
nothing more. You probably think
you love her. but such as you don't
know the meaning Of the word love.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04
@abSz
THE AWAKENING-By Margery Charming
1 HE

Tulsa oREENocK shivsred a. q
fresh blast swept round the
timbsred house. She covered
lower over the blazing log nre which
nieksrsd up on her colorlsss face
and danced in her sonbrs eyes.
What a night" she muttered to
herself Heaven help any poor
vresches who are caught By I'M.
storm far from their homes. Theyu
have no chance Of reaching them to-
night"
The Wind IulIsd for one moment
only 70 rather itself for a fresh out
break Of fury. as q howIed ana
vhistied and rioted amongst the
trees standing round the cluster Of
buildings known a. oreenock's
Farm. and suddenly-a loud. strainiAs
ereak. followed by a terrific crash.
told Elsa that one Of the sturdy eIms
had fallen. fits proud crest lowered in
defeat before the onslaught OF the
eonquerinE storm.
She got up and moved towards the
window, pulling the heavy wooden
curtains aside TO try to peer out. but
the dense darkness prevented her
from seeing anything beyond the
range Of the light which the lamp on
the centre-tabIe cast out into the
sable pail OF the night
. Suddenly she lifted her head, and
look. not Of fear. but OF alert pre-
paredness. flashed into her eyes. and
she stood tense and listening. Yes.
there was the sound again. making
its existence clear even through the
hubbub OF the storm-the sound OF
some creature moving over the frost.
bound ground.
Another instant and there was a
violent blow on the massive iron
clamped door.
With the swift instinct Of hospi.
tally which the wilda engender.
Elsa flew TO the door. and. drawing
the bolt was nearly knocked down
~. the wind blew the door inwards,
and a man wrapped up TO his eyes in
furs almost fell into the room.
Elsa quickly recovered her bal.
ance. and banged the door to and
bolted II. and then turned TO vel.
come her guest. who. with fingers
stiffened almost to helplessness. was
vainly fumbling with the buttons OF
his fur-lined coat
Suddenly she stood still. her
hands. beautifully modelled in spite
OF the evidences OF hard work on the
capable fingers. hanging rigid by her
side.
"You-you?" she whispered.
Then the. man. already little
thawed by the genial warmth of the
room, swept his cap from his head.
and turned amazed and delighted
eyes to her.
Elsa. by all that's wOnderfuli"
"How-how did you get hereg"
Il was blown here as far as J. can
make out" he replied with a ruefuI
laugh. My poor old mare is out
freezing a good three miles away.
I've been walking through this In.
fernal storm for the last two hours,
and thought ! should share the
mares fate. when ! caught sight OF
a CLEAN Of light-your lamplight /
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04

never vas % thankful 90 see any.
thing In all my life. ! can tell you
As he spoke. his eyes. which we're
resting on Elsa's ooloriess face.
gradually brightened-
by JoTe.- he said. suddenly NOV.
Ing forward and gripping both her
hands How beautiful yOa have
srowni You always we're the pref.
tiest Girl I'd ever seen. but now
The ieiness OF her face broke up.
and q wave % lovely riotous color
swept from chin 10 brow.
"You can think that. seeing I've
not seen a hair-dresssr for three
years. and this old rag I've got on
--siancinE down at the warm wine
ooiored wooden house-gown she was
vearins-'I made myself out OF
piece % material I bought before I
was marriedT-
To me- you look the most beauti-
ful ss well az the most beautifully.
dressed woman ! have set my ewes
on since ! last saw you Three
yearsi Elsa. do you ever remem.
ber1"
Remember" Her voice broke
with a choke In her throat RE
member
Between three and four years ago
she had been engaged to this man.
and they were TO have been married
In London with every pomp and
show. lie was a wealthy man with
no profession or business man
who. while doing no harm. certainly
ala little good in life: a man who
went from his bachelor apartment
TO his club. from his club TO din
ners. theatres. dances; a man popu-
lar with all Somen and many men.
And she was the only daughter Of n
penniless professor OF old lineage.
Just one month before their pro-
posed marriage. Elsa heard a story
about her lover and another girl
There was a quarrel. the engage
msnt was broken. and Elsa accepted
the Offer Of a cousin to go out with
her to Der farmstead In Northwest
Canada
Here she met and married Tim
Greenock. a big. silent. bronzed man
who had fallen in love at first sight
with the fair. quiet girl with the
tragedy-hlled eyes. and his love had
gradually crystallized into alteration
Elsa. all her bearings lost after her
rude awakening and separation from
Eric Davenport. was little swept
of her feet by the mans absolute de-
votion and deliberate siege OF her
self. Hardly realizing the wrong she
was doing herself and him. and be-
ing strongly urged and persuaded by
her cousin. who was friend OF
Greenock's, she married him.
Too late. when she was bound for
life. she realized what she had done
and too late Tim Greenock real
tied that the wife he worshipped had
only liberation for him. and that the
heart he knew he had not won, but
which he had hoped 60 win before
she had been his wife many weeks.
belonged TO a man whom he had
never seen or heard Of.
Desperate. he drew from Elsa the
whole story OF her first love affair
and Of its wreckage. And from that
moment nearly three years ago now,
Elsa had shown Tim no sign OF
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-04

wifely affection
II was hardly fair Of you Tim
had said 80 quietly that she did not
guess at the tumult Of bitter dis
appointment surring through him.
But you probably aid not realize
fully what you were doing. You are
alone IN the world and pennIless.
and I unfortunately am not rich
enough TO send you back to live IN
England or any luxurious town We
must both make the best Of a bad
Job will make life a. easy for you
AZ I can. and you. know. uin do
all you can to keep my name and
yours respected. As soon as can
AFFORD II. ! will let you 20 home and
stay there"
Elso had sat and listened with
bowed head. knowing she was re-
sponsible for the shipwreck OF this
mans life. whose only crime toward
her had been TO love her too well
She accepted the drear outlook of
duty well done. Of daily common
place tasks accomplished without
grumbling. A hundred times she had
ached with longing for the ease. the
leisure. the graciousness OF the life
I'm England which would have been
hers had she not been 30 ready 20
Judge and condemn the man she
really loved.
And now this man was looking at
her. with the old look on his hand
some face. with rising admiration IN
his big blue eyes. and asking her II
she remembered those old timesl
He drew n step nearer. as he saw
the darkfringed lids futter and fall
"Of course ! heal about your mar
rage. and about Greenock. But tell
me. Elsa" dropping his voice. do
you love the man you have mar
ried?"
She tried 20 force her lips to an
swer. but they only quIvered and
would not obey her bidding.
Il wonder II you knew how you
broke up my life? You we're the one
good influence in It. You could have
done anything with me. but you pre-
ferred your pride and prejudice TO
me. l went TO the dogs for a bit at.
ter you left England. but pulled my
self together. thanks to the girl on
whose account you threw me over.
She was desperately III and sent for
me, and her death. a few days after.
seemed TO pull me up. was able
TO make her last hours happy. l am
glad to say"
Il am glad. too" Elsa whispered.
And since then, what have you
been doing?"
He shrugged his shoulders. the
seriousness passing from his face.
Much as / did when you knew me.
! have a fairly good time. but I'm
getting tired of being alone. want
TO settle down. to have a home. to
have a wife. But the wife I want
his bold eyes sweeping her face
lis out OF my reach"
Elsa dragged her hands from his
Take your coat OF and warm
yourself while get the supper
ready. | hear Tim-my husband-in
the back kitchen. lie has been busy
in the yard with some OF the ami
mails which are sick, and
The door leading from the living
room 20 the back kitchen opened.