The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-14
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 f..Hm-mys f Gordon reflected briefly. sPerhaps. after all, it's just as well that she knows. She would have found 1t out sooner or later, and there's some satisfaction in Knowing that the worst is over
 Never before, had his caIlous cynicism been so frankly displayed It chilled her and made the plea she was about to voice seem doubly difficult.
 sI wish I looked upon the matter as you do," she said slowly. But other people haven't the sa1ne social ideas as we. Tm-crukhed, and she P0or child. don't know how she had the courage to face ttk Now that she has heard the truth from my own lips I'm afraid it wifi kill her.
 Gordon laughed. ..Sonsense. Na- talie is a sensible girl Dfsilusion- ment is always painful, but never ia stal Sooner or later the young must ;ccnfront the bald facts of life, ana I venture to say she win soon forget her schoolgirI morality. Let me explain my views ofs
 Neverl' cried the woman, aghast eff you do I shaIf She checked her aeIf and burieds her face in her hands. feel no regrets for myself-for I drifted with my eyes open but this this is different. Don't you understand am mother. Or are you dead to an decent feeling?s
 My dear, I am the most tender hearted of men. Of course I shan say nothing, if you prefer. for am sub aervient to your commands in all hings But calm yourself Wha+ is done cannot be undone.' :,
 r -r- 1-f. !. - 'You seem to think the matter is end. ed, but 1t isn't. Natalie will never al- low us to continue this way, and 1t Isn't just to her that we should We can't go on, Curtis"
 You mean must marry you3
 She nodded
 He rose and paced the room before answering q aIwayw supposed you understood my views on that subject. Believe me, they are unalfefabIe and in no way the result of a poses
 Nevertheless, for my sake and Ma talie' 2, you will do it I can't lose the one thing love best in the worId.''
 It would seem that Natalie has Hlled your head with silly notions, 7 he exclaimed impatiently.
 She has awakened me [ have her life to consider as well as my own
 We are all individuals, supreme in ourselves, responsible only to ourselv es We must all live our own lives. She cannot live yours nor. you hers
 am familiar with your argu. ments," Mrs Gerard said wearily sbut have thought this all out. and there fs no other way.
 He fr0Nned in his most impressive manner, and his chest swelled omf IlousIy
 T will not be coerced. You know ] can't be bu1lied into a thing. deny that you have any right to deraand's-
 I'm not demanding anything mere 1y ask this-this favor, the first one ] have ever asked. You see, my pride is cKumbdng Don't answer nov; let's wait until we are both ealmer, The subject came up at least she approach ed it by asking about the coal claims She is worried about them.
 @Indeed?'
 She was told by a friend in the lant odace that our rights had been forfeit ed assured her
 T refused to heed the absurd rul ings of the department if that is wha she refers to-
 Then we-have losta'' Mrs. Gerard paIlor increased.
 -=H~e7A-4A-<-rtA-Jg y ! show Chat our titles were good ant that cur patents should issues'
 But -the woman's bIoodIess finger were tightly interlaced- -'sail I have all Natalie has. is in those claims
 Yes! And it would require anothe fortune the size of both to comply wit the senseless vagaries of the interio department and to protect your inter ests. grew weary of forever sendin good hard earned dollars after bad one merely because of the shifting whir of some theorist 1000 miles away
 Then am afraid''- Mrs Gerard voice trai-ed out miserably. '1t is d we have and you told mel
 Gordon broke in irritab1y: "AIy dea Gloria, spare me this painful faul finding If can win for you I sha do so, and then you will agree that acted wisely. If I Iose-it will nerel be the luck of the average inyesto We played for big returns and, ( course, the risks were great.'s
 But MT. O'Neil told her his claims"-
 Gordon's blazing eyes warned he "O'Nef, eh? So he is the friend i the land off1ceg No doubt he also gay Natalie the suggestion that led to he scene with you. Tell her to oceup herself less with affairs which do ns concern her and more with her ow conduct. Her actions with that ul start have been outra geous.''
 What about your own actions wit the Golden womanT' cried Mrs G rard, reverting with feminine insis cnee to the subject of their first di ference. What are you going to about har5ss
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