Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-10-27

II
n his meeting with Molly. Nelson
IN struggled heroically to put aside
thoughts Of love
He sought to divert his mind by char
table work among the poor and igno
rant of the mill hands. Nelson began
to give part of each day to helping
| those who were In dire need. In seeing
| that the sick were healed and that the
hungry were fed
Ii was while on one Of these little
| Journeys. which he made secretly. that
he again came In contact with Molly
| Bryan He found her struggling to
| strairhten out the affairs Of family
IN one Of the bleak little cottages pro-
yded for the workers. The father Of
the family had gone of with another
woman. The mother had just added
another baby to her already large
brood. and there was only the meager
pay Of the two oldest children to keep
the wolf from the door.
He found Molly playing the part Of a
ministering angel In this misery en-
numbered home. She made him under
stand that she appreciated his work
| for the poor and that she was inter
ested In him. But he avoided accept.
ance of invitations to visit the Bryan
home.
Although Nelson devoted every hour
Of the day for the next succeeding four
months to perfecting second inven-
ton, the winter proved period Of
mental agony to him. His second In
vention was tested In due time and
brought him IN even larger financial
reward than the first, but, try as be
might, he could not throw from him
| the great love that absorbed his soul.
His thoughts dwelt upon Molly Bryan
as be worked. and his nights were
filled with dreams Of her.
At times he was perilously near cast
ing the dice with fate and declaring
his love for her aud asking her to be
his wife. But when 1t seemed that
| the soul within him would parch and
perish II he did not take that step bis
brave nature asserted itself. and be
passed through the fire Of affliction
safely.
With q part Of the money that began
| to flow into his possession from royal
ties, as bis machines were put on the
market, be bought stock In the mills
where be was employed. he was
chosen a director of the company at
Its January meeting. and Mr.. Bryan
took him into active cooperation In
the direction Of the management OF the
plant.
Neither the mill president nor bis
daughter could understand Nelson's
avoidance Of their home. That Nelson
loved her Molly knew. with all the in
tuition Of a sensible and sweet girl.
That she had given him no reason to
believe that be was otherwise thnn
welcome she was equally certain.
Il was perhaps the failure OF John
Nelson to press bis suit that made the
first feeling Of tenderness and admira'
ZION she had for him turn quickly
into genuine love. It Is only that which
is hard to grasp. that Is denied for q
long time, that makes hunger Of soul
or body.
Toward the end Of winter thing
occurred that drove despair into Mel
| 1un . heart and made him decide Iui'
mediately as to his future course.
Mr. Bryan entered bis office In the
mill and banded him letter that bad
been opened.Ln the left hand corner
Of the envelope was the seal OF the
city Of New York and the printed
words. Department Of Police. New
York City"
"You might read this for your own
| guidance. Nelson" said Mr.. Bryan
"and then pass 1t along to the foremsn
Of ths various dspartmAnt"