Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-09-10

rake II anyhow, ne answered
promptly. Since you won't let me
help you."
81 don't like to be under obligations
to him."
Take 1t. II he meant mischief. l
think we'd have heard from him be-
fore now. And it's only fair for some-
body to get something out of him.
God knows I'm doing enough for him."
"You mean with the men?"
Yes. Though, II he only knew 1t,
I'm not doing it for his sake. l be-
lieve 1t was for the men l undertook
the Job" He shook his head gloom
lily. But the worst of 1t is. I'm al
most certain to fail"
"Oh, hope not"
Yes. Sometimes l think I'm the
only sane man left on earth. Each side
thinks it's bound to win. One side is
and 1t isn't the men. But they won't
listen to me. 1t makes me sick to
think what they'll have to pay II they
go into this hopeless contest. You
don't know how the thing Is taking
hold on me. You think this queer talk
from me?"
81 don't find 1t queer"
"It is queer. / haven't come to the
why yet. Do you believe" he asked
abruptly, that love can awaken all
the sympathies?"
Il believe that 1t can"
wouldn't 1t be strange" he went
on musingly. "if through Quinby-the
philanthropist!-Tve found my big
idea?"
Your big idea?"
YES" He forgot that no Richard
Courtney had ever defined it for her.
| I'll probably fail in this wrangle. But
after that-why not?-the happy city.
and in Bethel. The things getting into
my blood. Or am !. after all, the one
who is mad?"
II she was white, he laid 1t to weari-
ness. "If you are. love your mad
ness"
A silence. When she broke it he,
absorbed in the train of thoughts set
in motion by mention Of the unbuilt
city, did not catch the odd strained
note in the words.
Then you think I'd better take the
position?"
"Ah!" He came back remorsefully
to the subject. "Of course. you must
take it"
Even from Quinby?"
However 1t comes. you're fitted for
It. You've earned It,"
But" she insisted quietly. I'D have
to live at the hospital. I'd have no
excuse for keeping this apartment"
"Oh. no. surely not! You mustn't
give 1t up. l need you. Kazia-these
hours" Alarm had driven all but
love-he still called It love-from his
heart for the moment. He leaned over
and caught her to him.
mot at once. perhaps" she mur.
INJURED weakly. Il could come here
He laughed. DO you think love Is
determined by a landlords contract7"
mot by that!" With little gasp
ing cry she reached up and clung to
him.
During the last days Of the negotia-
tions Mark almost hoped the strike
could be averted. Then men, listen
ing to his persuasions, agreed to &C.
cept merely nominal increase in the
wage scale. But the agreement must
be signed. not by the men as individ-
uals. but by the union for them; from
that stand the young organization, its
very life at stake, would not be moved.
Three men were in Henley's office
on that last night before the decision
was announced. One had just made
his final plea for the compromise.
Henley shook his head firmly. Il
will not recognize the union"
But they ask SO little"
Both glanced at the other man, . tall
stately figure. pacing, hands clasped
behind his back. up and down the
room. A troubled despairing frown
roughened the lofty brow.
I'm looking ahead" Henley replied.
Labor organizations never go back.
unless you catch 'em young and kill
'em of. Recognize them now and
three years hence they'll demand a
raised scale Next, 1t will be the closed
shop Then another raise, and SO on.
Well be running our mills for the ben.
eft of men who have no stake in them.
never knowing when they'll be after
US with new outrageous demands. !
will not have It." Henley spoke with
feeling.
The pacing figure stopped. looking
at Mark. What have you to say to
that?"
Il say, the men are desperate.
They'll stop at nothing to win the
strike. 1t will cost us millions"
Cheaper now than ever" Henley
interrupted.
II say" Mark went on. this indus.
try. this company. can afford to grant
any demands labor will ever make.
And there's such a thing as humanity.
II that isn't enough" He paused.
looking steadily at Quinby. "If that
isn't enough, ] say the public is on the