The enterprise., 1915-11-18
Copyright. 1913. by Emerson hough

free consent as her next friend" said
!, swiftly turning to her. "since l must
be equally frank. Please don't go!' J
said to Helena, for now, very pale.
she was starting toward the cabin
door. But she paid no heed to me and
passed.
$50 now you have it plainly" said /
to Mrs. Daniver.
She turned on me face full of sur
prise and anger mingled. "How dare
you after all that has passed? You
left the girl years ago. You have no
business. no fortune. not even the girls
consent. IN not have it. love her"
The good woman's lips trembled
80 do l." said gently. THAT is
why we all are here. 1t is because Of
this madness called love. Ah. Mrs
Daniver. if you only knew! Ii | could
make you know! But surely you d"
know You, too. have loved. Come
May you not love lover. even one
like myself? III be good to Helena.
Believe me. she is my one sacred
charge in life love her. Not worthy
Of her, no. but love her"
face relent at what she heard II have
other plans. And you should have told
her what you have told me"
'Ah. have not?" But then ! sud
denly remembered that, by some re
versal of my logical mind, here was
making love to Auntie Lucinda. whom
l did not love. whereas in the past /
had spent much time in mere arguing
with Helena. whom I did love.
"1'm not sure that I've ever made 1t
plain enough to her. that's true" said
l slowly. but If she gives me the
chance III spend all my life telling her
that very thing. That, since you ask
me. is why we all are here, so that
may tell Helena and you and all the
world that very thing. love her very
much"
But suppose she does not love you?"
demanded Mrs. Daniver. "I'll say
frankly. I've advised her against you
all along. She ought to marry a man
Of some station in the world"
with money!
"You put it BADLY, but-yes."
"Would that be enough-moneyY'
asked.
mo. That Is not fair
"Only honor between US nOw."
1T would go for today, because, aft
er all. money means power. and all
of us worship power. you know-suc'
cess"
And is that successful have mon.
ey and then more money and to 60
on piling up more money; to have
more summer places and more yachts
like this and more city houses and
more money, money, money-yes, yes.
that's American but is it all, is it
right, is it the real ambition for a
man? And does that bring woman
happiness?'
What would you do il you had your
money back?" asked Mrs. Daniver.
"You had a fortune from your father
"What would doY' | rejoined hot
ly. "What did do-settle every claim
against his honor as much as against
his estate--judge his honor by my owl
standards and not his. Pay my debts
pay all my debts, It's Independence
madam. and not money that want
It's freedom. Mrs. Daniver, that
s,,,1 IN
would be the usual money, buying al
most nothing that is worth owning.
give you my solemn oath l don't car
enough for it to work for it So ia
as it would help me be a man, hell
me to build my own character. hell
me to build manhood and character il
my country-yes. Id like it for that
But if money We're the price of Helen;
herself I'd not ask for it. The maj
who would court Il girl with his none.
and not his manhood-the woman VIII
marries for money or the man WIN
does-what use has God Almighty 60
for either of them? It's men and VIC
men and things worth doing who max
this world, Mrs. Daniver. love he
SO much, so clearly, so wholly. that
think it must be right And. sine
you've asked me, I've taken my man
chance just to get you two alone wher
could talk it over with you both."
Its been talked over, Harry" sal
she. rather uncomfortably. why nc
let the poor child alone? Has it OF
Cured to you how terribly hard thl
Is for her?''
"Yes. but she can end it easily. Te
me. is she engaged to Davidson?"
"What difference?"
None"
"Why ask. thenT'
~Tell mel"
"Well. then. no. not so far as
know"
'Iou are sorry?"
II had hope for it. It was all cor
ing on SO handsomely. At Natchez
was-he was-well. you know
almost upon the point?"