Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1910 — WHEN ADVERSITY CAME [ARTICLE]

WHEN ADVERSITY CAME

The gray twilight was falling when Athfttttfn climbed the steps 'of a certain substantial looking hoiise op the avenue apd rang the bell. Yes, the maid assured him, Miss Fenton was in. She would take his card to her at once. “So you’ve come at last,” she said coming to meet him. Atherton smiled in enigmatic fashion. He seemed neither embarrassed nor .apologetic. The girl was plainly Irritated. "My dear said he, “I know I owe you a thousand apologies; but really I couldn’t come last evening. The fact is, I had a business appointment,” “A business appointment?” she interrupted, incredulously. “Exactly,” said he. “And to-day I was detained at the office until after 5 o'clock.” “At tb£ office?” she asked, with a puzzled* frh&n. “At the office,” he repeated, smiling imperturbably. “You see I have at last heeded your advice. The old careless life is behind me. I’m a toiler now —a bread winner, if you like.” "In what capacity, pray?” she inquired, the faintest hint of Sarcasm showing at the corners of her mouthy “I’m a humble cleric in an Insurance Office,” he explained. "Witherby secured the position for me—job’ he prefers to’call it.” “Oh, I see,” she Bald'. ' "You; didn’t come for—Jor ypur answer last ogm because you wapted tp wait untlpyou were really doing something Ted. I’m glad you’re an idler no longer I’m prbud of you.” He’ smiled rather lugubriously. 1 “I must confess I prefer idling,” he said. “But you’ll stick it out?’’ she asked. “Oh, I shall stick it out, no fear’’ said, he. “Well, I’ll fdrglve you for not Coining last' night*’dhid-kfie. “And since you are working—really doing sorpptHing, however hufnble it is, the answer’ you want —— js “Pardon me,” he Interrupted her “I can’t have an answer. I have no right. teu>ne. You will very kindly forget, Margaret, that L have ever asked'for one.”

“Margaret,”'he said quietly, ”1 put the r old life behind me because I had to. The failure last Tuesday of Simpson A Co. has put my finances in a tottering; condition. . There, will be something left, it is true, but little, very little. lam a clerk because l have to- —because it means bread and butter to me.” She sat for a moment in stunned silence. “Oh, Ted,” she cried at length “I’m so sorry.” “I don’t mind the loss of the money so much,” said he slowly, "and after all I don’t believe I’m so terribly afraid of work But the part that hurts lies In the fact that I have lost you. Of course, dear, I know just what you are going to say—-that ton’ll wait for me through eternity if necessary. But that isn’t wise You must be free, absolutely free-^f that when the other fellow comes along", ./ho is- just as good as I an. and a little better probably, you can Isten to him with no disloyalty to me.” “Good-by,” he said shortly; and bolted for the door.

The girl rose quickly and barred the way. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shining. “Ted,” she said, “I’m ashamed oi you—ashamed and disappointed." He stood before her silent. “I thought you cared enough foi me to hnderstand me,” she said with some heat. ? ‘Cared;” he cried. “Good Lorh-. Margaret, can’t you see what this j aieaas to me?” "But you don’t understand,” sjre went on; “you’re not even trying bp You look at this matter in your one sided man fashion. You don't ajjik what it means to me or what I want to do. You say to me ‘You are free, and you seem to think that ends it.*’ “It is now you need me, when you have everything to do,” she said, “and yet you cast me. aside as iff would be a drag.” “Good heavens, no, child!” he said quickly. “But do you suppose I’d let you make such sacrifices foi me? Do you suppose I’d let you in all that poverty means—the na&V rowness, the obscurity of it —” “Ted, what are narrowness and obscurity if I have you?” she asked “I’m not afraid.” Atherton’s hands were clinching and unclinching nervously. “Don’t tempt me,” he said. She smiled at him with a word afr; tenderness in her eyes. “Would I be such a hindrance?” she asked. *•' “Child, I’d be a happy sewer digger—with you,” he cried, and before he knew it he had caught her in MS’ arms. “And the funny part of it all is,” said she a few minutes later, “I had fully made up my mind that your answer was to be ‘no.’ ”.—Kansas City Star.

Cry for speeded Reform. In every case where the crusade is for the hnrial of wires which haveproved a menace to public safety, the attack upon the danger should continue no matter what the obsta- w cles, for every attempt made to ’stay . the progress of the movement will but serve to. increase the "determination to bring about the reform and compel obedience to the command* ot citizens whose right it is to speak