The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-05-19

; Leader. Will You Como?
boys are without capable leader.
VIII you conner"
/ "No," he answered.
"But Stillwell wants you so badly"
aNO." g.
Stewart, want you to come" "
"No." .-~~-
His replies had been hoarse, loud.
furious. All his motions, like his
speech, had been violent.
"Nfn you please go away" he
asked.
Stewart, certainly cannot remain
here longer If you insist upon my go
ing. But why not listen to me when
want so much to help you? Why?"
"I'm a id BLACKBOARD" he burst
out. "But was a gentleman once.
and I'm not so low that can stand
for you seeing me here"
"When made up my, mind to help
you I made 1t up to see you wherever
you were. Stewart, come away, come
back with us to the ranch. When you
are among friends again you will get
well. You will be your old self. The
very fact that you were once gentle
man, that you come Of good family,
makes you. owe SO much more to your.
self. Why, Stewart, think how young
you arel It Is a shame to waste your
life. Come back with me-" IT,.
Miss Hammond, this was my last
plunge" he replied. despondently.
'It's too late"
"At least make an effort. Stewart.
Tryw
mo. There's no use. I'm done for.
Please leave me-thank you for"
He had been savage, then sullen.
and now he was grim. Madeline all
but lost power to resist his strange,
| deadly, cold finality. No doubt he
knew he was doomed. Yet something
halted her-held her even as she took
q backward step. And she became
conscious Of subtle change In her
own feeling. She had come into that
squalid hole. Madeline Hammond,
earnest enough, kind enough In her
! own Intentions; but she had been al
most imperious-a woman habitualiy.
proudly used to being obeyed. She d.
vined that all the pride, blue blood.
wealth, culture, distinction, all the i'm
personal condescending persuasion, all
the fatuous philanthropy on earth
would not avail to turn this man q
single hair's-breadth from his down.
ward career to destruction. She was
going to fail to help him. She expert
enced sensation Of impotence that
amounted almost to distress. The sit
uation assumed q tragic keenness.
And all at once she became merely q
woman, brave and sweet and indomit-
able. ---..
"Stewart, look at me-" she asked.
j He shuddered. He was AFFECT,
crushed. He dared not show his
1swollen, blackened face. His fierce,
cramped posture revealed more than
his features might have shown; It be-
trayed the torturing shame Of man
Of pride ard passion, man who had
Ibeen confronted In his degradation by
the woman he had dared to enshrine
in Ills heart. II betrayed his love.
| Listen, them" went on Madeline,
and her voice was unsteady. Listen
to me, Stewart. You can shake OF
this desperate mood and be q man."
"Noi" he cried. ~.
Listen to me again. Somehow
know you're worthy OF Stillwelrs love.
VIII you come back with us-for his
sakeT
mo. It's too late, tell you"
/ Stewart, the best thing In Life u
faith In human nature. I have faith
In you. believe you are worth It."
you're only kind and good-saying
that. You can't mean It"
II mean 1t with all my heart she
replied, a sudden rich warmth suftus-
ing her body as she saw the first sign
Of his softening. "Will you come back
III not FOR your own sake or Still.
well's-then for mine1"
ITO be continued next week.