Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-16
By LOUIS TRACY

ment in the hands OF that Higher
Power which rules us all and controls
our destinies. Deny or ignore it
though we may, the Divine Influence
is there all the time. Sooner or later,
it makes its presence felt in the life of
every man and every woman. Some
day-soon, perhaps-it will stir your
spirit, and then l hope to see you
with us in service and prayer" @
For some reason, which one at least
of her hearers could not fathom, Mary
Temple seemed to be disturbed by the
minister's words. She broke off the
conversation rather hurriedly, and
John felt that he had been effectually
if tactfully, dismissed. He sought a
quiet restaurant and ate much
needed meal, sauntering home after
wards and sitting down to book and
pipe.
Those who knew Burton only at
work or play might have been vastly
surprised had they peered over his
shoulder and learned the nature Of
the philosophical work that now en-
gagged his attention. He was slow
and careful reader, allowing no pas
sage to escape his attention until its
meaning was thoroughly mastered
He had the habit, too, OF marking sem
fences which appeared to invite sub
sequent reflection. On this occasion,
he took the trouble to underline a
few lines which read:
tTNha nj, ,,,an sna,nr
so often triumphant--or seemingly so
is plunged into a maze OF doubt and
can be forgiven if he asks himself; Is
humanity in the grip of evil?"
John frowned. over the phrase. 1t
would seem that Temple, the steel
magnate, and Branton, the preacher,
were utterly at variance on the chief
issues Of life. Which was rightl
On the one hand, it was surely fit
ting that a man should endeavor to
improve his position in the world. On
the other, had not the revivalist
quoted the divine mandate: Sell
what thou hast and give it unto the
poor, and follow me-" Was there
no right middle way between these
two extremes? s --,.-
Burton was chewing his pipe over
this knotty problem when his land
lady, a slatternly woman, entered and
announced in voice Of awe:
There's lady to see you. She's
come here in car"
"A ladyl" said John, with sudden
throb Of hope that it might be Mary.
yep. put her in the parlor." John
wriggled into his coat, trying to dust
his clothes and smooth his hair stimuli
taneously, and followed the woman
downstairs.
Despite his daring anticipation, he
was nevertheless surprised at finding
Miss Temple actually awaiting him.
She, of course, was completely at
ease, and 'lost no time in making
known the object of her visit.
II am glad you are home" she said,
and her voice sounded strangely
sweet in the ears of man accustomed
only to the raucous accents of the
factory and the street. Il have just
been to the homes of some of the poor
people. You know how they live,
never saving cent. They will soon
be in desperate want. Oh, Mr.. Bur-
ton, they ought to go back to work.
John hardly knew what to say.
Mary was the last person in the world
whom he wanted to contradict, but
his innate candor conquered.
ut is only fair to point out that the
people themselves voted for the
strike" he said. ~
ooh, yes" agreed Mary, earnestly;
II am we'll aware of that, but the
truth is that they do not know what
is best for them. They need leading,
directing. l believe you have influ-
ence with them: You could make them
go back to work at once, and / am
convinced it is your duty to do So"
The girls presence was very frag-
rant in that frowsy room. She
brought with her breath of new and
exotic life. Her big eyes looked up
into the mans appealingly. Seeming
to sense her power, she drew nearer
and whispered: e. T.
"You must do this for their sakes
and for minel"
John capitulated. For her sake he
would do almost anything. But the
first real service he could render her,
he thought, would be to strangle that
Snug looking person, Reeves, to
whom she was supposed to be en-
gagged.
Having gained her point, Mary
Temple fastened out, and was seated
in the car before John had time to
open the door Tor her. He had intend
ed not to 60 to the meeting of the
union that night, but the promise just
made rendered his presence there
necessary. With sigh-for he hated
all this turmoil and angry discussion
he went to the hall and faced his. fell
low workmen. -.s
And he surpassed himself. Quite
he adopted some OF the
revivalist preachers phrases and
ideas, welding them into his own
rugged and forcible expressions.
Bill Thompson, level-headed fellow,
soon realized tht some extraordinary
influence was at work or Burton
would never have gone back on the
very principles he was wont to adj
vocate so strongly. He tried, there
fore, to get the men to postpone a
decision till next day. But the young
orators eloquence was more power
full than the older mans experience.
The strike was declared at an end
and John and his mates went back to
work; but never sight or sound of
Mary Temple was vouchsafed during
a week or more, to the man whose
waking thoughts and nightly dreams
were ever of her.
At last Burton could bear the ten
sion no longer; he dressed in his good
clothes one evening after leaving
A. all Mics