Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-19

THE Bosss-MEssuL Co. Y
IF women had more voice in NUM-
cipal affairs, things like this need not
happen" she said.
Mrs. Gage silently went to the desk
and began composing letters and
Chloe watched her in aching silence.
When at last Sabra had gone to bed,
she stood at her mothers, side.
Cant ! help?" she begged. Mrs.
Cages glance was absent, stern with
purpose.
"No, dear. Just leave me alone
now" she said, and Chloe obeyed.
Hours later, in silent house, Mrs.
Gage took the paper and read the brief
paragraph through. "Old landmark
Is once well-known name =
quantity crude representation
& no especial interest now attaches
= The patronizing phrases
fell on her like buffets, under which
she shrank with bewildered pain: For
a long time she sat facing them, and,
back of them, new city in the hands
of a new generation. When she rose,
her martial courage seemed shaken.
1t was weary, failing old woman who
crept up the stairs to bed.
CHAPTER vi.
Mrs. Gage set out on her campaign
early the next morning; but she, who
had led SO many. forlorn hopes to vic
tory, was beaten before she started.
The old patient diligence was there;
she waited hours in outer offices, in
terviewed every city official who could
be caughe sent out stream of letters
to the press and to influential friends;
but the swing of her enthusiasm had
fallen. She plodded forth, a broken
old soldier, faithful to the last, see.
ing only that she must fight, not that
she must win.
She had always been too busy to
pause by the statue, and she still
passed it obviously, too intent on the
fact to care about the actual presence.
1t was the family fort that was threat
ened, the power that had kept the city
from swallowing them whole. She was
fighting for the future of her children
as much as for the honor Of the dead
Ralston and Sabra perhaps felt that
their own luster would be sufficient to
carry them on, for they soon forgot to
ask for news of the days efforts; but
to Chloe it was a clear and simple
grief. like the fear of loss by death.
The statue was her father to her. The
shadowy comradeship that had so low
ugly helped her to grow up had it's be-
ginning and end in the image that had
made him real. 1t seemed shocking
that Ralston's play should go on, that
they should prepare for anything SO
festive as first night while this sor-
row hung oyer the family.
Mrs. Gage slept little at any time,
but now She stayed up till all hours,
and there came a night when Chloe,
waking at intervals, saw her light
burning nearly into the dawn. In the
she set out as usual, but in
a few minutes she slowly came back.
Chloe ran down to the door, an alarm
ed question at her lips, but Mrs. Gage
was not i'll.
mo, dear mol am all right" she
said, and sat down in bonnet and
gloves as though thinking out some
new and absorbing problem. Chloe
waited to be told. She had never look
ed more like the girlish Botticelli an
gel, hanging just over her head. In
spite Of clenched will, the sight and
sound of Alex-so full of kindness!-
had worked on her righteous anger 1t
was no longer a hard, sure weapon to
strike with: and longing that she hot
y denied was laying shadows on her
lptilted face. Mrs. Gage, presently
seeing her there, smiled and leaned
back, drawing off her gloves.
81 think perhaps l have done all l
IAN, Toto,' she said cheerfully. Il
could see them all over again; but !
amt put the case any stronger than
have. And l have been thinking
She paused so long that Chloe muir
nured question. why, have been
linking that perhaps both your faith
II and have done our work. You are
Ill pretty well launched now; you can
20 on without us. Why, Toto, darling,
t is nothing to look SO frightened
lbout;" she patted with detached
iindliness the hand that haVclutched
Ter Il only mean that perhaps | can
stay home now. and play with Billy.
md look on while you go forward. 1t
8 time, dear, and I am tired. I'm
,retty tired. would save your faith
If could, but if | can't-well, may
,e it doesn't matter SO much as l
hought. We've done our best. An.
,ther thing" she went on, as Chloe
lid not speak; you have given your
elf very faithfully to our little boy,
,ut it is time that you had a chance
o develop your own life, as Sabra and
aalston have. Rawly will have money
low to help you, if you need it. I
mean to set you free. Looking after
ny grandchild will be better work for
ne than racing about the city. am
going to resign from everything. The
Diet Kitchen is on its feet and the
Babies Outings are nearly over for
his year--we'll have last one in
September if the weather holds good.
And the other committee 1they will
protest, but | think I'm done" She
.ose, smiling. Il have always thought
wanted to die in harness, but, since
haven't, home feels rather good. l
I'm going to write my designations
,nU',