Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-15


/ "You bet l will" he said emphat-
ically. you're a frst-class, corking
man and I'm going to- use you. Now
few plain words. What's impor-
tant-her life or yours1 Who's the
worker? Who's feeding the family?
These things are hard-hard-espe-
cially coming to a decision. But
make your decision, stick to it and
you'll feel like another man. She
won't follow your Make her an al
lowance and get out. You come to
me tomorrow, when you've told her,
and I'll take care of you, Perkins
and you won't lose by it either. Is
it got"
He held out his hand. Perkins
took it slowly, swallowing hard.
"Its,a miracle, sir, that's what it
is-no use trying to thank"
Don't, guess | can understand"
When Perkins presently departed,
Forester craned forward, arms on
the table, hands drawn under the
chin, held for hours in his own
thoughts. Before he had felt isolat-
ed by his own private unhappiness,
now, certain kinship in misery de-
scended on him and eased the ache
Whatever happens, Andrew B.
Forrester's not going to be wrecked
either" he said stubbornly. I've
gambled like fool, I've gotten in
beyond my depth. I've lived like a
spendthrift. Now enough-she can
60 her way and I'll go mine, but
her way isn't going to sink the
ship"
He was still in this belligerent
mood as the train plunged into the
long tunnel below Harlem. He rose
and went out on the platform. A
gigantic transformation was being
worked; an immense system was
growing around the she'll of the old,
layers of tracks being built beneath
their roadbed, houses shored up,
caverns opened, new supports re-
placing the crumbling rock, and all
this myriad activity going on night |
and day without a single minutes |
disturbance of the multitudes which |
flowed in and out.
by George, that is great" he |
said in awe. He would have liked to
have lifted his hat in token of re-
spect before the genius of his race,
which stopped before no impossi- |
bility. IF / had a son, I'd like him
to do big things like that"
But he had no son. He was alone. |
In the station, that great under-
ground sky-scraper, where crowds
swarmed up from delving stories,
the same joyful reverence seized
him. 1t was all so immense, on a
scale so much bigger than any hui
man consideration. 1t was like
great purposeful tempest washing
away little uglinesses.
This is America!" he said to HIM
self, at the sight Of world-crowds
that rushed about him. The electric
ity Of the moment the swaying to-
ward the future, the regeneration
of the old. tired strain, with the Joy
of great horizons, held him in its
grip. A throng of emigrants went
past, from southeastern Europe,
huddled together, gaping, ticketed
for the west. "Out Of these staring
oxen," he thought, "a master of men
may come. By George, this is Amer
leap
He stood a moment, a long mo-
ment, breasting the human food,
a growing light in his eyes.
"Good Lord, what does my pri-
vate grief amount to before this r
he said to himself, 1--WE married I
not as thought I did, as a, free
agent, but because nature, / sup |
pose, sent me blindly out to seek
mate. Whether Pm happy or I'M
happy, what does it matter? This !
is what counts. Big days-and it's |
good to live in them. This is my |
iife-my mans life-rny part in the |
fght!"
Continued Tomorrow