Genie Gherarhard

7/25/2019 Genie Gherarhard

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“Jennie Gerhardt” a Novel

By Theodore Dreiser

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_ CHAPTER I

One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accomanied !" a "o#ng

girl of eighteen, re$ented her$elf at the cler%&$ de$% of the rincial hotel in

Col#m!#$, Ohio, and made in'#ir" a$ to whether there wa$ an"thing a!o#t the

lace that $he co#ld do( )he wa$ of a helle$$, *e$h" !#ild, with a fran%, oen

co#ntenance and an innocent, di+dent manner( Her e"e$ were large and atient,

and in them dwelt $#ch a $hadow of di$tre$$ a$ onl" tho$e who hae loo%ed$"matheticall" into the co#ntenance$ of the di$tra#ght and helle$$ oor %now

an"thing a!o#t( An" one co#ld $ee where the da#ghter !ehind her got the timidit"

and $hamefacedne$$ which now ca#$ed her to $tand !ac% and loo% indierentl"

awa"( )he wa$ a rod#ct of the fanc", the feeling, the innate aection of the

#nt#tored !#t oetic mind of her mother com!ined with the grait" and oi$e which

were characteri$tic of her father( Poert" wa$ driing them( Together the" re$ented

$o aealing a ict#re of hone$t nece$$it" that een the cler% wa$ aected(

./hat i$ it "o# wo#ld li%e to do. he $aid(

.a"!e "o# hae $ome cleaning or $cr#!!ing,. $he relied, timidl"( .I co#ld wa$hthe *oor$(.

The da#ghter, hearing the $tatement, t#rned #nea$il", not !eca#$e it irritated her to

wor%, !#t !eca#$e $he hated eole to g#e$$ at the oert" that made it nece$$ar"(

The cler%, manli%e, wa$ aected !" the eidence of !ea#t" in di$tre$$( The innocent

helle$$ne$$ of the da#ghter made their lot $eem hard indeed(

./ait a moment,. he $aid2 and, $teing into a !ac% o+ce, he called the head

ho#$e%eeer(

There wa$ wor% to !e done( The main $tairca$e and arlor hall were #n$wet!eca#$e of the a!$ence of the reg#lar $cr#!-woman(

.I$ that her da#ghter with her. a$%ed the ho#$e%eeer, who co#ld $ee them from

where $he wa$ $tanding(

.3e$, I !eliee $o(.

.)he might come thi$ afternoon if $he want$ to( The girl hel$ her, I $#o$e.

.3o# go $ee the ho#$e%eeer,. $aid the cler%, lea$antl", a$ he came !ac% to the

de$%( .Right thro#gh there.--ointing to a near-!" door( .)he&ll arrange with "o#a!o#t it(.



A $#cce$$ion of mi$fort#ne$, of which thi$ little $cene might hae !een called the

tragic c#lmination, had ta%en lace in the life and famil" of /illiam 4erhardt, a

gla$$-!lower !" trade( Haing $#ered the reer$e$ $o common in the lower wal%$

of life, thi$ man wa$ forced to $ee hi$ wife, hi$ $i5 children, and him$elf deendent

for the nece$$arie$ of life #on whateer windfall of fort#ne the morning of each

rec#rring da" might !ring( He him$elf wa$ $ic% in !ed( Hi$ olde$t !o", )e!a$tian, or

.6a$$,. a$ hi$ a$$ociate$ tran$formed it, wor%ed a$ an arentice to a local freight-car !#ilder, !#t receied onl" fo#r dollar$ a wee%( 4eneiee, the olde$t of the girl$,

wa$ a$t eighteen, !#t had not a$ "et !een trained to an" $ecial wor%( The other

children, 4eorge, aged fo#rteen2 artha, twele2 /illiam ten, and 7eronica, eight,

were too "o#ng to do an"thing, and onl" made the ro!lem of e5i$tence the more

comlicated( Their one main$ta" wa$ the home, which, !arring a $i5-h#ndred-dollar

mortgage, the father owned( He had !orrowed thi$ mone" at a time when, haing

$aed eno#gh to !#" the ho#$e, he de$ired to add three room$ and a orch, and $o

ma%e it large eno#gh for them to lie in( A few "ear$ were $till to r#n on the

mortgage, !#t time$ had !een $o !ad that he had !een forced to #$e # not onl"

the little he had $aed to a" o the rincial, !#t the ann#al intere$t al$o( 4erhardtwa$ helle$$, and the con$cio#$ne$$ of hi$ recario#$ $it#ation--the doctor&$ !ill, the

intere$t d#e #on the mortgage, together with the $#m$ owed !#tcher and !a%er,

who, thro#gh %nowing him to !e a!$ol#tel" hone$t, had tr#$ted him #ntil the" co#ld

tr#$t no longer--all the$e erle5itie$ weighed #on hi$ mind and rac%ed him $o

nero#$l" a$ to dela" hi$ recoer"(

r$( 4erhardt wa$ no wea%ling( or a time $he too% in wa$hing, what little $he co#ld

get, deoting the intermediate ho#r$ to dre$$ing the children, coo%ing, $eeing that

the" got o to $chool, mending their clothe$, waiting on her h#$!and, and

occa$ionall" weeing( 9ot infre'#entl" $he went er$onall" to $ome new grocer,each time farther and farther awa", and, $tarting an acco#nt with a little ca$h,

wo#ld receie credit #ntil other grocer$ warned the hilanthroi$t of hi$ foll"( Corn

wa$ chea( )ometime$ $he wo#ld ma%e a %ettle of l"e homin", and thi$ wo#ld la$t,

with $carcel" an"thing el$e, for an entire wee%( Corn-meal al$o, when made into

m#$h, wa$ !etter than nothing, and thi$, with a little mil%, made almo$t a fea$t(

Potatoe$ fried wa$ the neare$t the" eer came to l#5#rio#$ food, and coee wa$ an

infre'#ent treat( Coal wa$ got !" ic%ing it # in !#c%et$ and !a$%et$ along the

ma:e of trac%$ in the near-!" railroad "ard( /ood, !" $imilar ;o#rne"$ to

$#rro#nding l#m!er-"ard$( Th#$ the" lied from da" to da", each ho#r hoing that

the father wo#ld get well and that the gla$$-wor%$ wo#ld $oon $tart #( 6#t a$ the

winter aroached 4erhardt !egan to feel de$erate(

.I m#$t get o#t of thi$ now rett" $oon,. wa$ the $t#rd" 4erman&$ reg#lar comment,

and hi$ an5iet" fo#nd !#t wea% e5re$$ion in the mode$t '#alit" of hi$ oice(

To add to all thi$ tro#!le little 7eronica too% the mea$le$, and, for a few da"$, it wa$

tho#ght that $he wo#ld die( The mother neglected eer"thing el$e to hoer oer her

and ra" for the !e$t( <octor Ellwanger came eer" da", o#t of #rel" h#man

$"math", and grael" e5amined the child( The =#theran mini$ter, Pa$tor /#ndt,

called to oer the con$olation of the Ch#rch( 6oth of the$e men !ro#ght an

atmo$here of grim eccle$ia$tici$m into the ho#$e( The" were the !lac%-gar!ed,$anctimonio#$ emi$$arie$ of $#erior force$( r$( 4erhardt felt a$ if $he were going

to lo$e her child, and watched $orrowf#ll" !" the cot-$ide( After three da"$ the wor$t



wa$ oer, !#t there wa$ no !read in the ho#$e( )e!a$tian&$ wage$ had !een $ent

for medicine( Onl" coal wa$ free for the ic%ing, and $eeral time$ the children had

!een $cared from the railroad "ard$( r$( 4erhardt tho#ght of all the lace$ to

which $he might al", and de$airingl" hit #on the hotel( 9ow, !" a miracle, $he

had her chance(

.How m#ch do "o# charge. the ho#$e%eeer a$%ed her(

r$( 4erhardt had not tho#ght thi$ wo#ld !e left to her, !#t need em!oldened her(

./o#ld a dollar a da" !e too m#ch.

.9o,. $aid the ho#$e%eeer2 .there i$ onl" a!o#t three da"$& wor% to do eer" wee%(

If "o# wo#ld come eer" afternoon "o# co#ld do it(.

.7er" well,. $aid the alicant( .)hall we $tart to-da".

.3e$2 if "o#&ll come with me now I&ll $how "o# where the cleaning thing$ are(.

The hotel, into which the" were th#$ $#mmaril" introd#ced, wa$ a rather

remar%a!le $ecimen for the time and lace( Col#m!#$, !eing the )tate caital, and

haing a o#lation of >ft" tho#$and and a fair a$$enger tra+c, wa$ a good >eld

for the hotel !#$ine$$, and the oort#nit" had !een imroed2 $o at lea$t the

Col#m!#$ eole ro#dl" tho#ght( The $tr#ct#re, >e $torie$ in height, and of

imo$ing roortion$, $tood at one corner of the central #!lic $'#are, where were

the Caitol !#ilding and rincial $tore$( The lo!!" wa$ large and had !een recentl"

redecorated( 6oth *oor and wain$cot were of white mar!le, %et $hin" !" fre'#ent

oli$hing( There wa$ an imo$ing $tairca$e with hand-rail$ of waln#t and toe-$tri$

of !ra$$( An initing corner wa$ deoted to a new$ and cigar-$tand( /here the$tairca$e c#red #ward the cler%&$ de$% and o+ce$ had !een located, all done in

hardwood and ornamented !" noel ga$->5t#re$( One co#ld $ee thro#gh a door at

one end of the lo!!" to the !ar!er$ho, with it$ chair$ and arra" of $haing-m#g$(

O#t$ide were #$#all" two or three !#$e$, arriing or dearting, in accordance with

the moement of the train$(

To thi$ caraan$erai came the !e$t of the olitical and $ocial atronage of the )tate(

)eeral 4oernor$ had made it their ermanent a!iding lace d#ring their term$ of

o+ce( The two ?nited )tate$ )enator$, wheneer !#$ine$$ called them to

Col#m!#$, inaria!l" maintained arlor cham!er$ at the hotel( One of them,

)enator 6rander, wa$ loo%ed #on !" the rorietor a$ more or le$$ of a ermanent

g#e$t, !eca#$e he wa$ not onl" a re$ident of the cit", !#t an otherwi$e homele$$

!achelor( Other and more tran$ient g#e$t$ incl#ded Congre$$men, )tate legi$lator$

and lo!!"i$t$, merchant$, rofe$$ional men, and, after them, the whole raft of

inde$cri!a!le$ who, coming and going, ma%e # the glow and $tir of thi$

%aleido$coic world(

other and da#ghter, $#ddenl" *#ng into thi$ realm of $#erior !rightne$$, felt

immea$#ra!l" oerawed( The" went a!o#t too timid to to#ch an"thing for fear of

giing oen$e( The great red-careted hallwa", which the" were $et to $wee, had

for them all the magni>cence of a alace2 the" %et their e"e$ down and $o%e intheir lowe$t tone$( /hen it came to $cr#!!ing the $te$ and oli$hing the !ra$$-

wor% of the $lendid $tair$ !oth needed to $teel them$ele$, the mother again$t her



timidit", the da#ghter again$t the $hame at $o #!lic an e5o$#re( /ide !eneath

la" the imo$ing lo!!", and men, lo#nging, $mo%ing, a$$ing con$tantl" in and o#t,

co#ld $ee them !oth(

.I$n&t it >ne. whi$ered 4eneiee, and $tarted nero#$l" at the $o#nd of her own

oice(

.3e$,. ret#rned her mother, who, #on her %nee$, wa$ wringing o#t her cloth with

earne$t !#t cl#m$" hand$(

.It m#$t co$t a good deal to lie here, don&t "o# thin%.

.3e$,. $aid her mother( .<on&t forget to r#! into the$e little corner$( =oo% here what

"o#&e left(.

@ennie, morti>ed !" thi$ correction, fell earne$tl" to her ta$%, and oli$hed

igoro#$l", witho#t again daring to lift her e"e$(

/ith ain$ta%ing diligence the" wor%ed downward #ntil a!o#t >e o&cloc%2 it wa$dar% o#t$ide, and all the lo!!" wa$ !rightl" lighted( 9ow the" were er" near the

!ottom of the $tairwa"(

Thro#gh the !ig $winging door$ there entered from the chill" world witho#t a tall,

di$ting#i$hed, middle-aged gentleman, who$e $il% hat and loo$e militar" cae-coat

mar%ed him at once, among the crowd of general idler$, a$ $ome one of imortance(

Hi$ face wa$ of a dar% and $olemn ca$t, !#t !road and $"mathetic in it$ line$, and

hi$ !right e"e$ were heail" $haded with thic%, !#$h", !lac% e"e!row$( Pa$$ing to

the de$% he ic%ed # the %e" that had alread" !een laid o#t for him, and coming to

the $tairca$e, $tarted #(

The middle-aged woman, $cr#!!ing at hi$ feet, he ac%nowledged not onl" !"

wal%ing aro#nd her, !#t !" gracio#$l" waing hi$ hand, a$ m#ch a$ to $a", .<on&t

moe for me(.

The da#ghter, howeer, ca#ght hi$ e"e !" $tanding #, her tro#!led glance $howing

that $he feared $he wa$ in hi$ wa"(

He !owed and $miled lea$antl"(

.3o# $ho#ldn&t hae tro#!led "o#r$elf,. he $aid(

@ennie onl" $miled(

/hen he had reached the #er landing an im#l$ie $idewi$e glance a$$#red him,

more clearl" than !efore, of her #ncommonl" reo$$e$$ing aearance( He noted

the high, white forehead, with it$ $moothl" arted and laited hair( The e"e$ he $aw

were !l#e and the comle5ion fair( He had een time to admire the mo#th and the

f#ll chee%$--a!oe all, the well-ro#nded, gracef#l form, f#ll of "o#th, health, and that

hoef#l e5ectanc" which to the middle-aged i$ $o $#gge$tie of all that i$ worth

!egging of Proidence( /itho#t another loo% he went digni>edl" #on hi$ wa", !#t

the imre$$ion of her charming er$onalit" went with him( Thi$ wa$ the Hon(4eorge )"le$ter 6rander, ;#nior )enator(



./a$n&t that a >ne-loo%ing man who went # ;#$t now. o!$ered @ennie a few

moment$ later(

.3e$, he wa$,. $aid her mother(

.He had a gold-headed cane(.

.3o# m#$tn&t $tare at eole when the" a$$,. ca#tioned her mother, wi$el"( .It i$n&tnice(.

.I didn&t $tare at him,. ret#rned @ennie, innocentl"( .He !owed to me(.

./ell, don&t "o# a" an" attention to an"!od",. $aid her mother( .The" ma" not li%e

it(.

@ennie fell to her ta$% in $ilence, !#t the glamor of the great world wa$ haing it$

eect #on her $en$e$( )he co#ld not hel giing ear to the $o#nd$, the !rightne$$,

the !#:: of coner$ation and la#ghter $#rro#nding her( In one $ection of the arlor

*oor wa$ the dining-room, and from the clin% of di$he$ one co#ld tell that $#erwa$ !eing reared( In another wa$ the arlor roer, and there $ome one came to

la" on the iano( That feeling of re$t and rela5ation which come$ !efore the

eening meal eraded the lace( It to#ched the heart of the innocent wor%ing-girl

with hoe, for her$ were the "ear$, and oert" co#ld not a$ "et >ll her "o#ng mind

with care$( )he r#!!ed diligentl" alwa"$, and $ometime$ forgot the tro#!led mother

at her $ide, who$e %indl" e"e$ were !ecoming ine$ted with crow$& feet, and who$e

li$ half reeated the h#ndred care$ of the da"( )he co#ld onl" thin% that all of thi$

wa$ er" fa$cinating, and wi$h that a ortion of it might come to her(

At half-a$t >e the ho#$e%eeer, remem!ering them, came and told them thatthe" might go( The f#ll" >ni$hed $tairwa" wa$ relin'#i$hed !" !oth with a $igh of

relief, and, after #tting their imlement$ awa", the" ha$tened homeward, the

mother, at lea$t, lea$ed to thin% that at la$t $he had $omething to do(

A$ the" a$$ed $eeral >ne ho#$e$ @ennie wa$ again to#ched !" that half-de>ned

emotion which the #nwonted noelt" of the hotel life had engendered in her

con$cio#$ne$$(

.I$n&t it >ne to !e rich. $he $aid(

.3e$,. an$wered her mother, who wa$ thin%ing of the $#ering 7eronica(

.<id "o# $ee what a !ig dining-room the" had there.

.3e$(.

The" went on a$t the low cottage$ and among the dead leae$ of the "ear(

.I wi$h we were rich,. m#rm#red @ennie, half to her$elf(

.I don&t %now ;#$t what to do,. con>ded her mother with a long-drawn $igh( .I don&t

!eliee there&$ a thing to eat in the ho#$e(.

.=et&$ $to and $ee r( 6a#man again,. e5claimed @ennie, her nat#ral $"mathie$

re$tored !" the hoele$$ note in her mother&$ oice(



.<o "o# thin% he wo#ld tr#$t #$ an" more.

.=et&$ tell him where we&re wor%ing( I will(.

./ell,. $aid her mother, wearil"(

Into the $mall, diml" lighted grocer" $tore, which wa$ two !loc%$ from their ho#$e,

the" ent#red nero#$l"( r$( 4erhardt wa$ a!o#t to !egin, !#t @ennie $o%e >r$t(

./ill "o# let #$ hae $ome !read to-night, and a little !acon /e&re wor%ing now at

the Col#m!#$ Ho#$e, and we&ll !e $#re to a" "o# )at#rda"(.

.3e$,. added r$( 4erhardt, .I hae $omething to do(.

6a#man, who had long $#lied them !efore illne$$ and tro#!le !egan, %new that

the" told the tr#th(

.How long hae "o# !een wor%ing there. he a$%ed(

.@#$t thi$ afternoon(.

.3o# %now, r$( 4erhardt,. he $aid, .how it i$ with me( I don&t want to ref#$e "o#(

r( 4erhardt i$ good for it, !#t I am oor, too( Time$ are hard,. he e5lained f#rther,

.I hae m" famil" to %ee(.

.3e$, I %now,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, wea%l"(

Her old $hodd" $hawl hid her ro#gh hand$, red from the da"&$ wor%, !#t the" were

wor%ing nero#$l"( @ennie $tood !" in $trained $ilence(

./ell,. concl#ded r( 6a#man, .I g#e$$ it&$ all right thi$ time( <o what "o# can forme )at#rda"(.

He wraed # the !read and !acon, and, handing @ennie the arcel, he added, with

a to#ch of c"nici$m

./hen "o# get mone" again I g#e$$ "o#&ll go and trade $omewhere el$e(.

.9o,. ret#rned r$( 4erhardt2 ."o# %now !etter than that(. 6#t $he wa$ too nero#$

to arle" long(

The" went o#t into the $hadow" $treet, and on a$t the low cottage$ to their ownhome(

.I wonder,. $aid the mother, wearil", when the" neared the door, .if the"&e got an"

coal.

.<on&t worr",. $aid @ennie( .If the" haen&t I&ll go(.

.A man r#n #$ awa",. wa$ almo$t the >r$t greeting that the ert#r!ed 4eorge

oered when the mother made her in'#ir" a!o#t the coal( .I got a little, tho#gh(. he

added( .I threw it o a car(.

r$( 4erhardt onl" $miled, !#t @ennie la#ghed(

.How i$ 7eronica. $he in'#ired(





r$( 4erhardt, who$e mind had !een $training all night at the ro!lem of adding

$omething to the three dollar$ which her $i5 afternoon$ wo#ld !ring her, aroed

of the idea(

.)o we might,. $he $aid( .I&ll a$% that cler%(.

/hen the" reached the hotel, howeer, no immediate oort#nit" re$ented it$elf(

The" wor%ed on #ntil late in the afternoon( Then, a$ fort#ne wo#ld hae it, the

ho#$e%eeer $ent them in to $cr#! # the *oor !ehind the cler%&$ de$%( That

imortant indiid#al felt er" %indl" toward mother and da#ghter( He li%ed the

former&$ $weetl" tro#!led co#ntenance and the latter&$ rett" face( )o he li$tened

gracio#$l" when r$( 4erhardt ent#red mee%l" to #t the '#e$tion which $he had

!een reoling in her mind all the afternoon(

.I$ there an" gentleman here,. $he $aid, .who wo#ld gie me hi$ wa$hing to do I&d

!e $o er" m#ch o!liged for it(.

The cler% loo%ed at her, and again recogni:ed that a!$ol#te want wa$ written alloer her an5io#$ face(

.=et&$ $ee,. he an$wered, thin%ing of )enator 6rander and ar$hall Ho%in$( 6oth

were charita!le men, who wo#ld !e more than glad to aid a oor woman( .3o# go #

and $ee )enator 6rander,. he contin#ed( .He&$ in twent"-two( Here,. he added,

writing o#t the n#m!er, ."o# go # and tell him I $ent "o#(.

r$( 4erhardt too% the card with a tremor of gratef#lne$$( Her e"e$ loo%ed the

word$ $he co#ld not $a"(

.That&$ all right,. $aid the cler%, o!$ering her emotion( .3o# go right #( 3o#&ll >ndhim in hi$ room now(.

/ith the greate$t di+dence r$( 4erhardt %noc%ed at n#m!er twent"-two( @ennie

$tood $ilentl" at her $ide(

After a moment the door wa$ oened, and in the f#ll radiance of the !right room

$tood the )enator( Attired in a hand$ome $mo%ing-coat, he loo%ed "o#nger than at

their >r$t meeting(

./ell, madam,. he $aid, recogni:ing the co#le, and artic#larl" the da#ghter,

.what can I do for "o#.

7er" m#ch a!a$hed, the mother he$itated in her rel"(

./e wo#ld li%e to %now if "o# hae an" wa$hing "o# co#ld let #$ hae to do.

./a$hing. he reeated after her, in a oice which had a ec#liarl" re$onant '#alit"(

./a$hing Come right in( =et me $ee(.

He $teed a$ide with m#ch grace, waed them in and clo$ed the door( .=et me

$ee,. he reeated, oening and clo$ing drawer after drawer of the ma$$ie !lac%-

waln#t !#rea#( @ennie $t#died the room with intere$t( )#ch an arra" of nic%nac%$

and rett" thing$ on mantel and dre$$ing-ca$e $he had neer $een !efore( The

)enator&$ ea$"-chair, with a green-$haded lam !e$ide it, the rich hea" caret and

the >ne r#g$ #on the *oor--what comfort, what l#5#r"B



.)it down2 ta%e tho$e two chair$ there,. $aid the )enator, gracio#$l", di$aearing

into a clo$et(

)till oerawed, mother and da#ghter tho#ght it more olite to decline, !#t now the

)enator had comleted hi$ re$earche$ and he reiterated hi$ initation( 7er"

#ncomforta!l" the" "ielded and too% chair$(

.I$ thi$ "o#r da#ghter. he contin#ed, with a $mile at @ennie(

.3e$, $ir,. $aid the mother2 .$he&$ m" olde$t girl(.

.I$ "o#r h#$!and alie.

./hat i$ hi$ name.

./here doe$ he lie.

To all of the$e '#e$tion$ r$( 4erhardt er" h#m!l" an$wered(

.How man" children hae "o#. he went on(

.)i5,. $aid r$( 4erhardt(

./ell,. he ret#rned, .that&$ '#ite a famil"( 3o#&e certainl" done "o#r d#t" to the

nation(.

.3e$, $ir,. ret#rned r$( 4erhardt, who wa$ to#ched !" hi$ genial and intere$ting

manner(

.And "o# $a" thi$ i$ "o#r olde$t da#ghter.

.3e$, $ir(.

./hat doe$ "o#r h#$!and do.

.He&$ a gla$$-!lower( 6#t he&$ $ic% now(.

<#ring the collo'#" @ennie&$ large !l#e e"e$ were wide with intere$t( /heneer he

loo%ed at her $he t#rned #on him $#ch a fran%, #n$ohi$ticated ga:e, and $miled in

$#ch a ag#e, $weet wa", that he co#ld not %ee hi$ e"e$ o of her for more than a

min#te of the time(

./ell,. he contin#ed, $"matheticall", .that i$ too !adB I hae $ome wa$hing here

not er" m#ch !#t "o# are welcome to it( 9e5t wee% there ma" !e more(.

He went a!o#t now, $t#+ng article$ of aarel into a !l#e cotton !ag with a rett"

de$ign on the $ide(

.<o "o# want the$e an" certain da". '#e$tioned r$( 4erhardt(

.9o,. he $aid, re*ectiel"2 .an" da" ne5t wee% will do(.

)he than%ed him with a $imle hra$e, and $tarted to go(

.=et me $ee,. he $aid, $teing ahead of them and oening the door, ."o# ma"

!ring them !ac% onda"(.



.3e$, $ir,. $aid r$( 4erhardt( .Than% "o#(.

The" went o#t and the )enator ret#rned to hi$ reading, !#t it wa$ with a ec#liarl"

di$t#r!ed mind(

.Too !ad,. he $aid, clo$ing hi$ ol#me( .There&$ $omething er" athetic a!o#t

tho$e eole(. @ennie&$ $irit of wonder and areciation wa$ a!road in the room(

r$( 4erhardt and @ennie made their wa" anew thro#gh the $hadow" $treet$( The"

felt immea$#ra!l" enco#raged !" thi$ fort#nate ent#re(

.<idn&t he hae a >ne room. whi$ered @ennie(

.3e$,. an$wered the mother2 .he&$ a great man(.

.He&$ a $enator, i$n&t he. contin#ed the da#ghter(

.3e$(.

.It m#$t !e nice to !e famo#$,. $aid the girl, $oftl"( _

_ CHAPTER II

The $irit of @ennie--who $hall e5re$$ it Thi$ da#ghter of oert", who wa$ now to

fetch and carr" the la#ndr" of thi$ di$ting#i$hed citi:en of Col#m!#$, wa$ a creat#reof a mellowne$$ of temerament which word$ can !#t ag#el" $#gge$t( There are

nat#re$ !orn to the inheritance of *e$h that come witho#t #nder$tanding, and that

go again witho#t $eeming to hae wondered wh"( =ife, $o long a$ the" end#re it, i$ a

tr#e wonderland, a thing of in>nite !ea#t", which co#ld the" !#t wander into it

wonderingl", wo#ld !e heaen eno#gh( Oening their e"e$, the" $ee a conforma!le

and erfect world( Tree$, *ower$, the world of $o#nd and the world of color( The$e

are the al#ed inheritance of their $tate( If no one $aid to them .ine,. the" wo#ld

wander radiantl" forth, $inging the $ong which all the earth ma" $ome da" hoe to

hear( It i$ the $ong of goodne$$(

Caged in the world of the material, howeer, $#ch a nat#re i$ almo$t inaria!l" an

anomal"( That other world of *e$h into which ha$ !een woen ride and greed loo%$

a$%ance at the ideali$t, the dreamer( If one $a"$ it i$ $weet to loo% at the clo#d$, the

an$wer i$ a warning again$t idlene$$( If one $ee%$ to gie ear to the wind$, it $hall

!e well with hi$ $o#l, !#t the" will $ei:e #on hi$ o$$e$$ion$( If all the world of the

$o-called inanimate dela" one, calling with tenderne$$ in $o#nd$ that $eem to !e

too erfect to !e le$$ than #nder$tanding, it $hall !e ill with the !od"( The hand$ of

the act#al are foreer reaching toward $#ch a$ the$e--foreer $ei:ing greedil" #on

them( It i$ of $#ch that the !ond $erant$ are made(

In the world of the act#al, @ennie wa$ $#ch a $irit( rom her earlie$t "o#th goodne$$and merc" had molded her eer" im#l$e( <id )e!a$tian fall and in;#re him$elf, it

wa$ $he who $tr#ggled with $training an5iet", carried him $afel" to hi$ mother( <id



4eorge comlain that he wa$ h#ngr", $he gae him all of her !read( an" were the

ho#r$ in which $he had roc%ed her "o#nger !rother$ and $i$ter$ to $lee, $inging

whole-heartedl" !etime$ and dreaming far dream$( )ince her earlie$t wal%ing

eriod $he had !een a$ the right hand of her mother( /hat $cr#!!ing, !a%ing,

errand-r#nning, and n#r$ing there had !een to do $he did( 9o one had eer heard

her r#del" comlain, tho#gh $he often tho#ght of the hardne$$ of her lot( )he %new

that there were other girl$ who$e lie$ were in>nitel" freer and f#ller, !#t, it neerocc#rred to her to !e meanl" enio#$2 her heart might !e lonel", !#t her li$

contin#ed to $ing( /hen the da"$ were fair $he loo%ed o#t of her %itchen window

and longed to go where the meadow$ were( 9at#re&$ >ne c#re$ and $hadow$

to#ched her a$ a $ong it$elf( There were time$ when $he had gone with 4eorge and

the other$, leading them awa" to where a atch of hic%or"-tree$ *o#ri$hed, !eca#$e

there were oen >eld$, with $hade for comfort and a !roo% of liing water( 9o arti$t

in the form#lating of concetion$, her $o#l $till re$onded to the$e thing$, and eer"

$o#nd and eer" $igh were welcome to her !eca#$e of their !ea#t"(

/hen the $oft, low call or the wood-doe$, tho$e $irit$ of the $#mmer, came o#t ofthe di$tance, $he wo#ld incline her head and li$ten, the whole $irit#al '#alit" of it

droing li%e $iler !#!!le$ into her own great heart(

/here the $#nlight wa$ warm and the $hadow$ *ec%ed with it$ $lendid radiance

$he delighted to wonder at the attern of it, to wal% where it wa$ mo$t golden, and

follow with in$tinctie areciation the hol" corridor$ of the tree$(

Color wa$ not lo$t #on her( That wonderf#l radiance which >ll$ the we$tern $%" at

eening to#ched and #n!#rdened her heart(

.I wonder,. $he $aid once with girli$h $imlicit", .how it wo#ld feel to *oat awa" othere among tho$e clo#d$(.

)he had di$coered a nat#ral $wing of a wild grae-ine, and wa$ $itting in it with

artha and 4eorge(

.Oh, wo#ldn&t it !e nice if "o# had a !oat # there,. $aid 4eorge(

)he wa$ loo%ing with #lifted face at a far-o clo#d, a red i$land in a $ea of $iler(

.@#$t $#o$ing,. $he $aid, .eole co#ld lie on an i$land li%e that(.

Her $o#l wa$ alread" # there, and it$ el"$ian ath$ %new the lightne$$ of her feet(

.There goe$ a !ee,. $aid 4eorge, noting a !#m!ler winging !"(

.3e$,. $he $aid, dreamil", .it&$ going home(.

.<oe$ eer"thing hae a home. a$%ed artha(

.9earl" eer"thing,. $he an$wered(

.<o the !ird$ go home. '#e$tioned 4eorge(

.3e$,. $he $aid, deel" feeling the oetr" of it her$elf, .the !ird$ go home(.

.<o the !ee$ go home. #rged artha(



.3e$, the !ee$ go home(.

.<o the dog$ go home. $aid 4eorge, who $aw one traeling lone$omel" along the

near!" road(

./h", of co#r$e,. $he $aid, ."o# %now that dog$ go home(.

.<o the gnat$. he er$i$ted, $eeing one of tho$e c#rio#$ $iral$ of min#te in$ect$t#rning energeticall" in the waning light(

.3e$,. $he $aid, half !elieing her remar%( .=i$tenB.

.Oho,. e5claimed 4eorge, incred#lo#$l", .I wonder what %ind of ho#$e$ the" lie in(.

.=i$tenB. $he gentl" er$i$ted, #tting o#t her hand to $till him(

It wa$ that halc"on ho#r when the Angel#$ fall$ li%e a !enediction #on the waning

da"( ar o the note$ were $o#nding gentl", and nat#re, now that $he li$tened,

$eemed to hae a#$ed al$o( A $carlet-!rea$ted ro!in wa$ hoing in $hort $ace$#on the gra$$ !efore her( A h#mming !ee h#mmed, a cow-!ell tin%led, while $ome

$#$icio#$ crac%ling$ told of a $ecretl" reconnoitering $'#irrel( eeing her rett"

hand weighed in the air, $he li$tened #ntil the long, $oft note$ $read and faded and

her heart co#ld hold no more( Then $he aro$e(

.Oh,. $he $aid, clenching her >nger$ in an agon" of oetic feeling( There were

cr"$tal tear$ oer*owing in her e"e$( The wondro#$ $ea of feeling in her had

$tormed it$ !an%$( Of $#ch wa$ the $irit of @ennie( _

________________________________________________

_ CHAPTER III

The ;#nior )enator, 4eorge )"le$ter 6rander, wa$ a man of ec#liar mold( In him

there were ;oined, to a remar%a!le degree, the wi$dom of the oort#ni$t and the

$"mathetic nat#re of the tr#e rere$entatie of the eole( 6orn a natie of

$o#thern Ohio, he had !een rai$ed and ed#cated there, if one might e5cet the two"ear$ in which he had $t#died law at Col#m!ia ?nier$it"( He %new common and

criminal law, erha$, a$ well a$ an" citi:en of hi$ )tate, !#t he had neer racti$ed

with that a$$id#it" which ma%e$ for re-eminent $#cce$$ at the !ar( He had made

mone", and had had $lendid oort#nitie$ to ma%e a great deal more if he had

!een willing to $t#ltif" hi$ con$cience, !#t that he had neer !een a!le to do( And

"et hi$ integrit" had not !een at all time$ roof again$t the claim$ of friend$hi(

Onl" in the la$t re$idential election he had thrown hi$ $#ort to a man for

4oernor who, he well %new, had no claim which a $trictl" honora!le con$cience

co#ld hae recogni:ed(

In the $ame wa", he had !een g#ilt" of $ome er" '#e$tiona!le, and one or two

act#all" #n$aor", aointment$( /heneer hi$ con$cience ric%ed him too %eenl"

he wo#ld endeaor to hearten him$elf with hi$ et hra$e, .All in a lifetime(.



Thin%ing oer thing$ '#ite alone in hi$ ea$"-chair, he wo#ld $ometime$ ri$e # with

the$e word$ on hi$ li$, and $mile $heei$hl" a$ he did $o( Con$cience wa$ not !"

an" mean$ dead in him( Hi$ $"mathie$, if an"thing, were %eener than eer(

Thi$ man, three time$ Congre$$man from the di$trict of which Col#m!#$ wa$ a art,

and twice ?nited )tate$ )enator, had neer married( In hi$ "o#th he had had a

$erio#$ loe aair, !#t there wa$ nothing di$credita!le to him in the fact that itcame to nothing( The lad" fo#nd it inconenient to wait for him( He wa$ too long in

earning a cometence #on which the" might $#!$i$t(

Tall, $traight-$ho#ldered, neither lean nor $to#t, he wa$ to-da" an imo$ing >g#re(

Haing receied hi$ hard %noc%$ and end#red hi$ lo$$e$, there wa$ that a!o#t him

which to#ched and awa%ened the $"mathie$ of the imaginatie( Peole tho#ght

him nat#rall" agreea!le, and hi$ $enatorial eer$ loo%ed #on him a$ not an" too

hea" mentall", !#t er$onall" a >ne man(

Hi$ re$ence in Col#m!#$ at thi$ artic#lar time wa$ d#e to the fact that hi$ olitical

fence$ needed caref#l reairing( The general election had wea%ened hi$ art" in the)tate =egi$lat#re( There were eno#gh ote$ to re-elect him, !#t it wo#ld re'#ire the

mo$t caref#l olitical mani#lation to hold them together( Other men were

am!itio#$( There were a half-do:en aaila!le candidate$, an" one of whom wo#ld

hae re;oiced to $te into hi$ $hoe$( He reali:ed the e5igencie$ of the occa$ion(

The" co#ld not well !eat him, he tho#ght2 !#t een if thi$ $ho#ld haen, $#rel" the

Pre$ident co#ld !e ind#ced to gie him a mini$tr" a!road(

3e$, he might !e called a $#cce$$f#l man, !#t for all that )enator 6rander felt that

he had mi$$ed $omething( He had wanted to do $o man" thing$( Here he wa$, >ft"-

two "ear$ of age, clean, honora!le, highl" di$ting#i$hed, a$ the world ta%e$ it, !#t$ingle( He co#ld not hel loo%ing a!o#t him now and then and $ec#lating #on the

fact that he had no one to care for him( Hi$ cham!er $eemed $trangel" hollow at

time$--hi$ own er$onalit" e5ceedingl" di$agreea!le(

.ift"B. he often tho#ght to him$elf( .Alone--a!$ol#tel" alone(.

)itting in hi$ cham!er that )at#rda" afternoon, a ra at hi$ door aro#$ed him( He

had !een $ec#lating #on the f#tilit" of hi$ olitical energ" in the light of the

imermanence of life and fame(

./hat a great >ght we ma%e to $#$tain o#r$ele$B. he tho#ght( .How littledierence it will ma%e to me a few "ear$ henceB.

He aro$e, and oening wide hi$ door, erceied @ennie( )he had come, a$ $he had

$#gge$ted to her mother, at thi$ time, in$tead of on onda", in order to gie a more

faora!le imre$$ion of romtne$$(

.Come right in,. $aid the )enator2 and, a$ on the >r$t occa$ion, he gracio#$l" made

wa" for her(

@ennie a$$ed in, momentaril" e5ecting $ome comliment #on the romtit#de

with which the wa$hing had !een done( The )enator neer noticed it at all(./ell, m" "o#ng lad",. he $aid when $he had #t the !#ndle down, .how do "o# >nd

"o#r$elf thi$ eening.



.7er" well,. relied @ennie( ./e tho#ght we&d !etter !ring "o#r clothe$ to-da"

in$tead of onda"(.

.Oh, that wo#ld not hae made an" dierence,. relied 6rander lightl"( .@#$t leae

them on the chair(.

@ennie, witho#t con$idering the fact that $he had !een oered no a"ment for the

$erice rendered, wa$ a!o#t to retire, had not the )enator detained her(

.How i$ "o#r mother. he a$%ed lea$antl"(

.)he&$ er" well,. $aid @ennie $iml"(

.And "o#r little $i$ter I$ $he an" !etter.

.The doctor thin%$ $o,. $he relied(

.)it down,. he contin#ed gracio#$l"( .I want to tal% to "o#(.

oing to a near-!" chair, the "o#ng girl $eated her$elf(

.HemB. he went on, clearing hi$ throat lightl", ./hat $eem$ to !e the matter with

her.

.)he ha$ the mea$le$,. ret#rned @ennie( ./e tho#ght once that $he wa$ going to

die(.

6rander $t#died her face a$ $he $aid thi$, and he tho#ght he $aw $omething

e5ceedingl" athetic there( The girl&$ oor clothe$ and her wondering admiration for

hi$ e5alted $tation in life aected him( It made him feel almo$t a$hamed of the

comfort and l#5#r" that $#rro#nded him( How high # he wa$ in the world, indeedB

.I am glad $he i$ !etter now,. he $aid %indl"( .How old i$ "o#r father.

.ift"-$een(.

.And i$ he an" !etter.

.Oh "e$, $ir2 he&$ aro#nd now, altho#gh he can&t go o#t ;#$t "et(.

.I !eliee "o#r mother $aid he wa$ a gla$$-!lower !" trade.

.3e$, $ir(.

6rander well %new the dere$$ed local condition$ in thi$ !ranch of man#fact#re( It

had !een art of the olitical i$$#e in the la$t camaign( The" m#$t !e in a !ad wa"

tr#l"(

.<o all of the children go to $chool. he in'#ired(

./h" "e$, $ir,. ret#rned @ennie, $tammering( )he wa$ too $hamefaced to own that

one of the children had !een o!liged to leae $chool for the lac% of $hoe$( The

#tterance of the fal$ehood tro#!led her(



He re*ected awhile2 then reali:ing that he had no good e5c#$e for f#rther detaining

her, he aro$e and came oer to her( rom hi$ oc%et he too% a thin la"er of !ill$, and

remoing one, handed it to her(

.3o# ta%e that,. he $aid, .and tell "o#r mother that I $aid $he $ho#ld #$e it for

whateer $he want$(.

@ennie acceted the mone" with mingled feeling$2 it did not occ#r to her to loo% and

$ee how m#ch it wa$( The great man wa$ $o near her, the wonderf#l cham!er in

which he dwelt $o imre$$ie, that $he $carcel" reali:ed what $he wa$ doing(

.Than% "o#,. $he $aid( .I$ there an" da" "o# want "o#r wa$hing called for. $he

added(

.Oh "e$,. he an$wered2 .onda"--onda" eening$(.

)he went awa", and in a half reerie he clo$ed the door !ehind her( The intere$t

that he felt in the$e eole wa$ #n#$#al( Poert" and !ea#t" certainl" made # an

aecting com!ination( He $at down in hi$ chair and gae him$elf oer to the

lea$ant $ec#lation$ which her coming had aro#$ed( /h" $ho#ld he not hel

them

.I&ll >nd o#t where the" lie,. he >nall" re$oled(

In the da"$ that followed @ennie reg#larl" came for the clothe$( )enator 6rander

fo#nd him$elf more and more intere$ted in her, and in time he managed to remoe

from her mind that timidit" and fear which had made her feel #ncomforta!le in hi$

re$ence( One thing which heled toward thi$ wa$ hi$ calling her !" her >r$t name(

Thi$ !egan with her third i$it, and thereafter he #$ed it with almo$t #ncon$cio#$fre'#enc"(

It co#ld $carcel" !e $aid that he did thi$ in a fatherl" $irit, for he had little of that

attit#de toward an" one( He felt e5ceedingl" "o#ng a$ he tal%ed to thi$ girl, and he

often wondered whether it were not o$$i!le for her to erceie and areciate him

on hi$ "o#thf#l $ide(

A$ for @ennie, $he wa$ immen$el" ta%en with the comfort and l#5#r" $#rro#nding

thi$ man, and $#!con$cio#$l" with the man him$elf, the mo$t attractie $he had

eer %nown( Eer"thing he had wa$ >ne, eer"thing he did wa$ gentle,

di$ting#i$hed, and con$iderate( rom $ome far $o#rce, erha$ $ome old 4ermanance$tor$, $he had inherited an #nder$tanding and areciation of all thi$( =ife

o#ght to !e lied a$ he lied it2 the riilege of !eing genero#$ artic#larl"

aealed to her(

Part of her attit#de wa$ d#e to that of her mother, in who$e mind $"math" wa$

alwa"$ a more otent factor than rea$on( or in$tance, when $he !ro#ght to her the

ten dollar$ r$( 4erhardt wa$ tran$orted with ;o"(

.Oh,. $aid @ennie, .I didn&t %now #ntil I got o#t$ide that it wa$ $o m#ch( He $aid I

$ho#ld gie it to "o#(.

r$( 4erhardt too% it, and holding it loo$el" in her folded hand$, $aw di$tinctl"

!efore her the tall )enator with hi$ >ne manner$(



./hat a >ne man he i$B. $he $aid( .He ha$ a good heart(.

re'#entl" thro#gho#t the eening and the ne5t da" r$( 4erhardt commented

#on thi$ wonderf#l trea$#re-troe, reeating again and again how good he m#$t !e

or how large m#$t !e hi$ heart( /hen it came to wa$hing hi$ clothe$ $he almo$t

r#!!ed them to iece$, feeling that whateer $he did $he co#ld $carcel" do eno#gh(

4erhardt wa$ not to %now( He had $#ch $tern iew$ a!o#t acceting mone" witho#tearning it that een in their di$tre$$, $he wo#ld hae e5erienced $ome di+c#lt" in

getting him to ta%e it( Con$e'#entl" $he $aid nothing, !#t #$ed it to !#" !read and

meat, and going a$ it did $#ch a little wa", the $#dden windfall wa$ neer noticed(

@ennie, from now on, re*ected thi$ attit#de toward the )enator, and, feeling $o

gratef#l toward him, $he !egan to tal% more freel"( The" came to !e on $#ch good

term$ that he gae her a little leather ict#re-ca$e from hi$ dre$$er which he had

o!$ered her admiring( Eer" time $he came he fo#nd e5c#$e to detain her, and

$oon di$coered that, for all her $oft girli$hne$$, there la" dee-$eated in her a

con$cio#$ derecation of oert" and a $hame of haing to own an" need( He

hone$tl" admired her for thi$, and, $eeing that her clothe$ were oor and her $hoe$

worn, he !egan to wonder how he co#ld hel her witho#t oending(

9ot infre'#entl" he tho#ght to follow her $ome eening, and $ee for him$elf what

the condition of the famil" might !e( He wa$ a ?nited )tate$ )enator, howeer( The

neigh!orhood the" lied in m#$t !e er" oor( He $toed to con$ider, and for the

time the co#n$el$ of r#dence reailed( Con$e'#entl" the contemlated i$it wa$

#t o(

Earl" in <ecem!er )enator 6rander ret#rned to /a$hington for three wee%$, and

!oth r$( 4erhardt and @ennie were $#rri$ed to learn one da" that he had gone(9eer had he gien them le$$ than two dollar$ a wee% for hi$ wa$hing, and $eeral

time$ it had !een >e( He had not reali:ed, erha$, what a !reach hi$ a!$ence

wo#ld ma%e in their >nance$( 6#t there wa$ nothing to do a!o#t it2 the" managed to

inch along( 4erhardt, now !etter, $earched for wor% at the ario#$ mill$, and

>nding nothing, roc#red a $aw-!#c% and $aw, and going from door to door, $o#ght

for the riilege of $awing wood( There wa$ not a great deal of thi$ to do, !#t he

managed, !" the mo$t earne$t la!or to earn two, and $ometime$ three, dollar$ a

wee%( Thi$ added to what hi$ wife earned and what )e!a$tian gae wa$ eno#gh to

%ee !read in their mo#th$, !#t $carcel" more(

It wa$ at the oening of the ;o"o#$ Chri$tma$-time that the !itterne$$ of their

oert" aected them mo$t( The 4erman$ loe to ma%e a great di$la" at

Chri$tma$( It i$ the one $ea$on of the "ear when the f#llne$$ of their large famil"

aection manife$t$ it$elf( /arm in the areciation of the ;o"$ of childhood, the"

loe to $ee the little one$ en;o" their to"$ and game$( ather 4erhardt at hi$ $aw-

!#c% d#ring the wee%$ !efore Chri$tma$ tho#ght of thi$ er" often( /hat wo#ld little

7eronica not de$ere after her long illne$$B How he wo#ld hae li%ed to gie each of

the children a $to#t air of $hoe$, the !o"$ a warm ca, the girl$ a rett" hood( To"$

and game$ and cand" the" alwa"$ had had !efore( He hated to thin% of the $now-

coered Chri$tma$ morning and no ta!le richl" iled with what their "o#ng heart$

wo#ld mo$t de$ire(



A$ for r$( 4erhardt, one co#ld !etter imagine than de$cri!e her feeling$( )he felt

$o %eenl" a!o#t it that $he co#ld hardl" !ring her$elf to $ea% of the dreaded ho#r

to her h#$!and( )he had managed to la" a$ide three dollar$ in the hoe of getting

eno#gh to !#" a ton of coal, and $o #t an end to oor 4eorge&$ dail" ilgrimage to

the coal "ard, !#t now a$ the Chri$tma$ wee% drew near $he decided to #$e it for

gift$( ather 4erhardt wa$ al$o $ecreting two dollar$ witho#t the %nowledge of hi$

wife, thin%ing that on Chri$tma$ Ee he co#ld rod#ce it at a critical moment, and$o reliee her maternal an5iet"(

/hen the act#al time arried, howeer, there wa$ er" little to !e $aid for the

comfort that the" got o#t of the occa$ion( The whole cit" wa$ rife with Chri$tma$

atmo$here( 4rocer" $tore$ and meat mar%et$ were $tr#ng with holl"( The to" $ho$

and cand" $tore$ were radiant with >ne di$la"$ of eer"thing that a $elf-re$ecting

)anta Cla#$ $ho#ld hae a!o#t him( 6oth arent$ and children o!$ered it all--the

former with $erio#$ tho#ght$ of need and an5iet", the latter with wild fanc" and

onl" artiall" $#re$$ed longing$(

re'#entl" had 4erhardt $aid in their re$ence

.ri$$ ringle i$ er" oor thi$ "ear( He ha$n&t $o er" m#ch to gie(.

6#t no child, howeer oert"-$tric%en, co#ld !e made to !eliee thi$( Eer" time

after $o $a"ing he loo%ed into their e"e$, !#t in $ite of the warning, e5ectation

*amed in them #ndimini$hed(

Chri$tma$ coming on T#e$da", the onda" !efore there wa$ no $chool( 6efore going

to the hotel r$( 4erhardt had ca#tioned 4eorge that he m#$t !ring eno#gh coal

from the "ard$ to la$t oer Chri$tma$ da"( The latter went at once with hi$ two

"o#nger $i$ter$, !#t there !eing a dearth of good ic%ing, it too% them a long time

to >ll their !a$%et$, and !" night the" had gathered onl" a $cant" $#l"(

.<id "o# go for the coal. a$%ed r$( 4erhardt the >r$t thing when $he ret#rned

from the hotel that eening(

.3e$,. $aid 4eorge(

.<id "o# get eno#gh for to-morrow.

.3e$,. he relied, .I g#e$$ $o(.

./ell, now, I&ll go and loo%,. $he relied( Ta%ing the lam, the" went o#t into the

wood$hed where the coal wa$ deo$ited(

.Oh, m"B. $he e5claimed when $he $aw it2 .wh", that i$n&t near eno#gh( 3o# m#$t go

right o and get $ome more(.

.Oh,. $aid 4eorge, o#ting hi$ li$, .I don&t want to go( =et 6a$$ go(.

6a$$, who had ret#rned romtl" at a '#arter-a$t $i5, wa$ alread" !#$" in the !ac%

!edroom wa$hing and dre$$ing rearator" to going down-town(

.9o,. $aid r$( 4erhardt( .6a$$ ha$ wor%ed hard all da"( 3o# m#$t go(.

.I don&t want to,. o#ted 4eorge(



.All right,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, .ma"!e to-morrow "o#&ll !e witho#t a >re, and then

what.

The" went !ac% to the ho#$e, !#t 4eorge&$ con$cience wa$ too tro#!led to allow

him to con$ider the ca$e a$ clo$ed(

.6a$$, "o# come, too,. he called to hi$ elder !rother when he wa$ in$ide(

.4o where. $aid 6a$$(

.To get $ome coal(.

.9o,. $aid the former, .I g#e$$ not( /hat do "o# ta%e me for.

./ell, then, I&ll not,. $aid 4eorge, with an o!$tinate ;er% of hi$ head(

./h" didn&t "o# get it # thi$ afternoon. '#e$tioned hi$ !rother $harl"2 ."o#&e

had all da" to do it(.

.Aw, I did tr",. $aid 4eorge( ./e co#ldn&t >nd eno#gh( I can&t get an" when there

ain&t an", can I.

.I g#e$$ "o# didn&t tr" er" hard,. $aid the dand"(

./hat&$ the matter now. a$%ed @ennie, who, coming in after haing $toed at the

grocer&$ for her mother, $aw 4eorge with a $olemn o#t on hi$ face(

.Oh, 6a$$ won&t go with me to get an" coal.

.<idn&t "o# get an" thi$ afternoon.

.3e$,. $aid 4eorge, .!#t ma $a"$ I didn&t get eno#gh(.

.I&ll go with "o#,. $aid hi$ $i$ter( .6a$$, will "o# come along.

.9o,. $aid the "o#ng man, indierentl", .I won&t(. He wa$ ad;#$ting hi$ nec%tie and

felt irritated(

.There ain&t an",. $aid 4eorge, .#nle$$ we get it o the car$( There wa$n&t an" car$

where I wa$(.

.There are, too,. e5claimed 6a$$(

.There ain&t,. $aid 4eorge(

.Oh, don&t '#arrel,. $aid @ennie( .4et the !a$%et$ and let&$ go right now !efore it

get$ too late(.

The other children, who had a fondne$$ for their !ig $i$ter, got o#t the imlement$

of $#l"--7eronica a !a$%et, artha and /illiam !#c%et$, and 4eorge, a !ig clothe$-

!a$%et, which he and @ennie were to >ll and carr" !etween them( 6a$$, moed !"

hi$ $i$ter&$ willingne$$ and the little regard he $till maintained for her, now made a

$#gge$tion(

.I&ll tell "o# what "o# do, @en,. he $aid( .3o# go oer there with the %id$ to Eighth

)treet and wait aro#nd tho$e car$( I&ll !e along in a min#te( /hen I come !" don&t



an" of "o# retend to %now me( @#$t "o# $a", &i$ter, won&t "o# lea$e throw #$

$ome coal down& and then I&ll get # on the car$ and itch o eno#gh to >ll the

!a$%et$( <&"e #nder$tand.

.All right,. $aid @ennie, er" m#ch lea$ed(

O#t into the $now" night the" went, and made their wa" to the railroad trac%$( At

the inter$ection of the $treet and the !road railroad "ard were man" heail" laden

car$ of !it#mino#$ coal newl" !ac%ed in( All of the children gathered within the

$hadow of one( /hile the" were $tanding there, waiting the arrial of their !rother,

the /a$hington )ecial arried, a long, >ne train with $eeral of the new $t"le

drawing-room car$, the !ig late-gla$$ window$ $hining and the a$$enger$ loo%ing

o#t from the deth$ of their comforta!le chair$( The children in$tinctiel" drew !ac%

a$ it th#ndered a$t(

.Oh, wa$n&t it long. $aid 4eorge(

./o#ldn&t I li%e to !e a !ra%eman, tho#gh,. $ighed /illiam(

@ennie, alone, %et $ilent, !#t to her artic#larl" the $#gge$tion of trael and

comfort had aealed( How !ea#tif#l life m#$t !e for the richB

)e!a$tian now aeared in the di$tance, a manni$h $ring in hi$ $tride, and with

eer" eidence that he too% him$elf $erio#$l"( He wa$ of that ec#liar $t#!!ornne$$

and determination that had the children failed to carr" o#t hi$ lan of roced#re he

wo#ld hae gone deli!eratel" !" and ref#$ed to hel them at all(

artha, howeer, too% the $it#ation a$ it needed to !e ta%en, and ied o#t

childi$hl", .i$ter, won&t "o# lea$e throw #$ down $ome coal.

)e!a$tian $toed a!r#tl", and loo%ing $harl" at them a$ tho#gh he were reall" a

$tranger, e5claimed, ./h", certainl",. and roceeded to clim! # on the car, from

whence he ca$t down with remar%a!le celerit" more than eno#gh ch#n%$ to >ll their

!a$%et$( Then a$ tho#gh not caring to linger an" longer amid $#ch le!eian

coman", he ha$tened acro$$ the networ% of trac%$ and wa$ lo$t to iew(

On their wa" home the" enco#ntered another gentleman, thi$ time a real one, with

high hat and di$ting#i$hed cae coat, whom @ennie immediatel" recogni:ed( Thi$

wa$ the honora!le )enator him$elf, newl" ret#rned from /a$hington, and

anticiating a er" #nro>ta!le Chri$tma$( He had arried #on the e5re$$ whichhad enli$ted the attention of the children, and wa$ carr"ing hi$ light gri for the

lea$#re of it to the hotel( A$ he a$$ed he tho#ght that he recogni:ed @ennie(

.I$ that "o#, @ennie. he $aid, and a#$ed to !e more certain(

The latter, who had di$coered him een more '#ic%l" than he had her, e5claimed,

.Oh, there i$ r( 6randerB. Then, droing her end of the !a$%et, with a ca#tion to

the children to ta%e it right home, $he h#rried awa" in the oo$ite direction(

The )enator followed, ainl" calling three or fo#r time$ .@ennieB @ennieB. =o$ing hoe

of oerta%ing her, and $#ddenl" recogni:ing, and there#on re$ecting, her $imle,girli$h $hame, he $toed, and t#rning !ac%, decided to follow the children( Again

he felt that $ame $en$ation which he $eemed alwa"$ to get from thi$ girl--the far cr"



!etween her e$tate and hi$( It wa$ $omething to !e a )enator to-night, here where

the$e children were ic%ing coal( /hat co#ld the ;o"o#$ holida" of the morrow hold

for them He tramed along $"matheticall", an hone$t lightne$$ coming into hi$

$te, and $oon he $aw them enter the gatewa" of the low cottage( Cro$$ing the

$treet, he $tood in the wea% $hade of the $now-laden tree$( The light wa$ !#rning

with a "ellow glow in a rear window( All a!o#t wa$ the white $now( In the wood$hed

he co#ld hear the oice$ of the children, and once he tho#ght he detected the formof r$( 4erhardt( After a time another form came $hadow-li%e thro#gh the $ide gate(

He %new who it wa$( It to#ched him to the '#ic%, and he !it hi$ li $harl" to

$#re$$ an" f#rther $how of emotion( Then he t#rned igoro#$l" on hi$ heel and

wal%ed awa"(

The chief grocer" of the cit" wa$ cond#cted !" one anning, a $tanch adherent of

6rander, and one who felt honored !" the )enator&$ ac'#aintance( To him at hi$

!#$" de$% came the )enator thi$ $ame night(

.anning,. he $aid, .co#ld I get "o# to #nderta%e a little wor% for me thi$ eening.

./h", certainl", )enator, certainl",. $aid the grocer"-man( ./hen did "o# get !ac%

4lad to $ee "o#( Certainl"(.

.I want "o# to get eer"thing together that wo#ld ma%e a nice Chri$tma$ for a

famil" of eight--father and mother and $i5 children--Chri$tma$ tree, grocerie$, to"$--

"o# %now what I mean(.

.Certainl", certainl", )enator(.

.9eer mind the co$t now( )end lent" of eer"thing( I&ll gie "o# the addre$$,. and

he ic%ed # a note-!oo% to write it(

./h", I&ll !e delighted, )enator,. went on r( anning, rather aected him$elf( .I&ll

!e delighted( 3o# alwa"$ were genero#$(.

.Here "o# are, anning,. $aid the )enator, griml", from the mere nece$$it" of

re$ering hi$ $enatorial dignit"( .)end eer"thing at once, and the !ill to me(.

.I&ll !e delighted,. wa$ all the a$toni$hed and aroing grocer"-man co#ld $a"(

The )enator a$$ed o#t, !#t remem!ering the old eole, i$ited a clothier and

$hoe man, and, >nding that he co#ld onl" g#e$$ at what $i:e$ might !e re'#ired,ordered the $eeral article$ with the riilege of e5change( /hen hi$ la!or$ were

oer, he ret#rned to hi$ room(

.Carr"ing coal,. he tho#ght, oer and oer( .Reall", it wa$ er" tho#ghtle$$ in me( I

m#$tn&t forget them an" more(. _

CHAPTER I7

The de$ire to *ee which @ennie e5erienced #on $eeing the )enator again wa$

attri!#ta!le to what $he con$idered the di$grace of her o$ition( )he wa$ a$hamed



to thin% that he, who tho#ght $o well of her, $ho#ld di$coer her doing $o common a

thing( 4irl-li%e, $he wa$ inclined to imagine that hi$ intere$t in her deended #on

$omething el$e than her mere er$onalit"(

/hen $he reached home r$( 4erhardt had heard of her *ight from the other

children(

./hat wa$ the matter with "o#, an"how. a$%ed 4eorge, when $he came in(

.Oh, nothing,. $he an$wered, !#t immediatel" t#rned to her mother and $aid, .r(

6rander came !" and $aw #$(.

.Oh, did he. $oftl" e5claimed her mother( .He&$ !ac% then( /hat made "o# r#n,

tho#gh, "o# fooli$h girl.

./ell, I didn&t want him to $ee me(.

./ell, ma"!e he didn&t %now "o#, an"how,. $he $aid, with a certain $"math" for

her da#ghter&$ redicament(

.Oh "e$, he did, too,. whi$ered @ennie( .He called after me three or fo#r time$(.

r$( 4erhardt $hoo% her head(

./hat i$ it. $aid 4erhardt, who had !een hearing the coner$ation from the

ad;oining room, and now came o#t(

.Oh, nothing,. $aid the mother, who hated to e5lain the $igni>cance which the

)enator&$ er$onalit" had come to hae in their lie$( .A man frightened them when

the" were !ringing the coal(.

The arrial of the Chri$tma$ re$ent$ later in the eening threw the ho#$ehold into

an #roar of e5citement( 9either 4erhardt nor the mother co#ld !eliee their e"e$

when a grocer" wagon halted in front of their cottage and a l#$t" cler% !egan to

carr" in the gift$( After failing to er$#ade the cler% that he had made a mi$ta%e, the

large a$$ortment of good thing$ wa$ loo%ed oer with er" h#man glee(

.@#$t "o# neer mind,. wa$ the cler%&$ a#thoritatie word$( .I %now what I&m a!o#t(

4erhardt, i$n&t it /ell, "o#&re the eole(.

r$( 4erhardt moed a!o#t, r#!!ing her hand$ in her e5citement, and giing entto an occa$ional ./ell, i$n&t that nice nowB.

4erhardt him$elf wa$ melted at the tho#ght of the genero$it" of the #n%nown

!enefactor, and wa$ inclined to la" it all to the goodne$$ of a great local mill owner,

who %new him and wi$hed him well( r$( 4erhardt tearf#ll" $#$ected the $o#rce,

!#t $aid nothing( @ennie %new, !" in$tinct, the a#thor of it all(

The afternoon of the da" after Chri$tma$ 6rander enco#ntered the mother in the

hotel, @ennie haing !een left at home to loo% after the ho#$e(

.How do "o# do, r$( 4erhardt,. he e5claimed geniall" e5tending hi$ hand( .Howdid "o# en;o" "o#r Chri$tma$.

Poor r$( 4erhardt too% it nero#$l"2 her e"e$ >lled raidl" with tear$(



.There, there,. he $aid, atting her on the $ho#lder( .<on&t cr"( 3o# m#$tn&t forget to

get m" la#ndr" to-da"(.

.Oh no, $ir,. $he ret#rned, and wo#ld hae $aid more had he not wal%ed awa"(

rom thi$ on, 4erhardt heard contin#all" of the >ne )enator at the hotel, how

lea$ant he wa$, and how m#ch he aid for hi$ wa$hing( /ith the $imlicit" of a

4erman wor%ingman, he wa$ ea$il" er$#aded that r( 6rander m#$t !e a er"

great and a er" good man(

@ennie, who$e feeling$ needed no enco#ragement in thi$ direction, wa$ more than

eer re;#diced in hi$ faor(

There wa$ deeloing in her that erfection of womanhood, the f#ll mold of form,

which co#ld not hel !#t attract an" man( Alread" $he wa$ well !#ilt, and tall for a

girl( Had $he !een dre$$ed in the trailing $%irt$ of a woman of fa$hion $he wo#ld

hae made a >tting comanion for a man the height of the )enator( Her e"e$ were

wondro#$l" clear and !right, her $%in fair, and her teeth white and een( )he wa$cleer, too, in a $en$i!le wa", and !" no mean$ de>cient in o!$eration( All that $he

lac%ed wa$ training and the a$$#rance of which the %nowledge of #tter deendenc"

de$oil$ one( 6#t the carr"ing of wa$hing and the com#l$ion to ac%nowledge

almo$t an"thing a$ a faor #t her at a di$adantage(

9owada"$ when $he came to the hotel #on her $emi-wee%l" errand )enator

6rander too% her re$ence with ea$" grace, and to thi$ $he re$onded( He often

gae her little re$ent$ for her$elf, or for her !rother$ and $i$ter$, and he tal%ed to

her $o #naectedl" that >nall" the oerawing $en$e of the great dierence !etween

them wa$ !r#$hed awa", and $he loo%ed #on him more a$ a genero#$ friend than

a$ a di$ting#i$hed )enator( He a$%ed her once how $he wo#ld li%e to go to a

$eminar", thin%ing all the while how attractie $he wo#ld !e when $he came o#t(

inall", one eening, he called her to hi$ $ide(

.Come oer here, @ennie,. he $aid, .and $tand !" me(.

)he came, and, moed !" a $#dden im#l$e, he too% her hand(

./ell, @ennie,. he $aid, $t#d"ing her face in a '#i::ical, interrogatie wa", .what do

"o# thin% of me, an"how.

.Oh,. $he an$wered, loo%ing con$cio#$l" awa", .I don&t %now( /hat ma%e$ "o# a$%me that.

.Oh "e$, "o# do,. he ret#rned( .3o# hae $ome oinion of me( Tell me now, what i$

it.

.9o, I haen&t,. $he $aid, innocentl"(

.Oh "e$, "o# hae,. he went on, lea$antl", intere$ted !" her tran$arent

ea$iene$$( .3o# m#$t thin% $omething of me( 9ow, what i$ it.

.<o "o# mean do I li%e "o#. $he a$%ed, fran%l", loo%ing down at the !ig mo of!lac% hair well $trea%ed with gra" which h#ng a!o#t hi$ forehead, and gae an

almo$t lionine ca$t to hi$ >ne face(



./ell, "e$,. he $aid, with a $en$e of di$aointment( )he wa$ !arren of the art of

the co'#ette(

./h", of co#r$e I li%e "o#,. $he relied, rettil"(

.Haen&t "o# eer tho#ght an"thing el$e a!o#t me. he went on(

.I thin% "o#&re er" %ind,. $he went on, een more !a$hf#ll"2 $he reali:ed now thathe wa$ $till holding her hand(

.I$ that all. he a$%ed(

./ell,. $he $aid, with *#ttering e"elid$, .i$n&t that eno#gh.

He loo%ed at her, and the la"f#l, comaniona!le directne$$ of her an$wering ga:e

thrilled him thro#gh and thro#gh( He $t#died her face in $ilence while $he t#rned

and twi$ted, feeling, !#t $carcel" #nder$tanding, the dee imort of hi$ $cr#tin"(

./ell,. he $aid at la$t, .I thin% "o#&re a >ne girl( <on&t "o# thin% I&m a rett" niceman.

.3e$,. $aid @ennie, romtl"(

He leaned !ac% in hi$ chair and la#ghed at the #ncon$cio#$ droller" of her rel"( )he

loo%ed at him c#rio#$l", and $miled(

./hat made "o# la#gh. $he in'#ired(

.Oh, "o#r an$wer. he ret#rned( .I reall" o#ght not to la#gh, tho#gh( 3o# don&t

areciate me in the lea$t( I don&t !eliee "o# li%e me at all(.

.6#t I do, tho#gh,. $he relied, earne$tl"( .I thin% "o#&re $o good(. Her e"e$ $howed

er" lainl" that $he felt what $he wa$ $a"ing(

./ell,. he $aid, drawing her gentl" down to him2 then, at the $ame in$tant, he

re$$ed hi$ li$ to her chee%(

.OhB. $he cried, $traightening #, at once $tartled and frightened(

It wa$ a new note in their relation$hi( The $enatorial '#alit" ani$hed in an in$tant(

)he recogni:ed in him $omething that $he had not felt !efore( He $eemed "o#nger,

too( )he wa$ a woman to him, and he wa$ la"ing the art of a loer( )he he$itated,!#t not %nowing ;#$t what to do, did nothing at all(

./ell,. he $aid, .did I frighten "o#.

)he loo%ed at him, !#t moed !" her #nderl"ing re$ect for thi$ great man, $he

$aid, with a $mile, .3e$, "o# did(.

.I did it !eca#$e I li%e "o# $o m#ch(.

)he meditated #on thi$ a moment, and then $aid, .I thin% I&d !etter !e going(.

.9ow then,. he leaded, .are "o# going to r#n awa" !eca#$e of that.



.9o,. $he $aid, moed !" a c#rio#$ feeling of ingratit#de2 .!#t I o#ght to !e going(

The"&ll !e wondering where I am(.

.3o#&re $#re "o#&re not angr" a!o#t it.

.9o,. $he relied, and with more of a womanl" air than $he had eer $hown !efore(

It wa$ a noel e5erience to !e in $o a#thoritatie a o$ition( It wa$ $o remar%a!le

that it wa$ $omewhat conf#$ing to !oth of them(

.3o#&re m" girl, an"how,. the )enator $aid, ri$ing( .I&m going to ta%e care of "o# in

the f#t#re(.

@ennie heard thi$, and it lea$ed her( He wa$ $o well >tted, $he tho#ght, to do

wondro#$ thing$2 he wa$ nothing le$$ than a erita!le magician( )he loo%ed a!o#t

her and the tho#ght of coming into $#ch a life and $#ch an atmo$here wa$

heaenl"( 9ot that $he f#ll" #nder$tood hi$ meaning, howeer( He meant to !e good

and genero#$, and to gie her >ne thing$( 9at#rall" $he wa$ ha"( )he too% # the

ac%age that $he had come for, not $eeing or feeling the incongr#it" of her o$ition,while he felt it a$ a direct reroof(

.)he o#ght not to carr" that,. he tho#ght( A great wae of $"math" $wet oer

him( He too% her chee%$ !etween hi$ hand$, thi$ time in a $#erior and more

genero#$ wa"( .9eer mind, little girl,. he $aid( .3o# won&t hae to do thi$ alwa"$( I&ll

$ee what I can do(.

The o#tcome of thi$ wa$ $iml" a more $"mathetic relation$hi !etween them( He

did not he$itate to a$% her to $it !e$ide him on the arm of hi$ chair the ne5t time

$he came, and to '#e$tion her intimatel" a!o#t the famil"&$ condition and her own

de$ire$( )eeral time$ he noticed that $he wa$ eading hi$ '#e$tion$, artic#larl" inregard to what her father wa$ doing( )he wa$ a$hamed to own that he wa$ $awing

wood( earing le$t $omething more $erio#$ wa$ imending, he decided to go o#t

$ome da" and $ee for him$elf(

Thi$ he did when a conenient morning re$ented it$elf and hi$ other d#tie$ did not

re$$ #on him( It wa$ three da"$ !efore the great >ght in the =egi$lat#re !egan

which ended in hi$ defeat( 9othing co#ld !e done in the$e few remaining da"$( )o

he too% hi$ cane and $trolled forth, coming to the cottage in the co#r$e of a half

ho#r, and %noc%ed !oldl" at the door(

r$( 4erhardt oened it(

.4ood-morning,. he $aid, cheeril"2 then, $eeing her he$itate, he added, .a" I come

in.

The good mother, who wa$ all !#t oercome !" hi$ a$toni$hing re$ence, wied her

hand$ f#rtiel" #on her m#ch-mended aron, and, $eeing that he waited for a

rel", $aid

.Oh "e$( Come right in(.

)he h#rried forward, forgetting to clo$e the door, and, oering him a chair, a$%edhim to !e $eated(



6rander, feeling $orr" that he wa$ the occa$ion of $o m#ch conf#$ion, $aid .<on&t

tro#!le "o#r$elf, r$( 4erhardt( I wa$ a$$ing and tho#ght I&d come in( How i$ "o#r

h#$!and.

.He&$ well, than% "o#,. ret#rned the mother( .He&$ o#t wor%ing to-da"(.

.Then he ha$ fo#nd emlo"ment.

.3e$, $ir,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, who he$itated, li%e @ennie, to $a" what it wa$(

.The children are all well now, and in $chool, I hoe.

.3e$,. relied r$( 4erhardt( )he had now #nfa$tened her aron, and wa$ nero#$l"

t#rning it in her la(

.That&$ good, and where i$ @ennie.

The latter, who had !een ironing, had a!andoned the !oard and had concealed

her$elf in the !edroom, where $he wa$ !#$" tid"ing her$elf in the fear that hermother wo#ld not hae the foretho#ght to $a" that $he wa$ o#t, and $o let her hae

a chance for e$cae(

.)he&$ here,. ret#rned the mother( .I&ll call her(.

./hat did "o# tell him I wa$ here for. $aid @ennie, wea%l"(

./hat co#ld I do. a$%ed the mother(

Together the" he$itated while the )enator $#re"ed the room( He felt $orr" to thin%

that $#ch de$ering eole m#$t $#er $o2 he intended, in a ag#e wa", to

ameliorate their condition if o$$i!le(

.4ood-morning,. the )enator $aid to @ennie, when >nall" $he came he$itatingl" into

the room( .How do "o# do to-da".

@ennie came forward, e5tending her hand and !l#$hing( )he fo#nd her$elf $o m#ch

di$t#r!ed !" thi$ i$it that $he co#ld hardl" >nd tong#e to an$wer hi$ '#e$tion$(

.I tho#ght,. he $aid, .I&d come o#t and >nd where "o# lie( Thi$ i$ a '#ite

comforta!le ho#$e( How man" room$ hae "o#.

.ie,. $aid @ennie( .3o#&ll hae to e5c#$e the loo%$ thi$ morning( /e&e !eenironing, and it&$ all #$et(.

.I %now,. $aid 6rander, gentl"( .<on&t "o# thin% I #nder$tand, @ennie 3o# m#$tn&t

feel nero#$ a!o#t me(.

)he noticed the comforting, er$onal tone he alwa"$ #$ed with her when $he wa$ at

hi$ room, and it heled to $#!d#e her *#$tered $en$e$(

.3o# m#$tn&t thin% it an"thing if I come here occa$ionall"( I intend to come( I want to

meet "o#r father(.

.Oh,. $aid @ennie, .he&$ o#t to-da"(.



/hile the" were tal%ing, howeer, the hone$t woodc#tter wa$ coming in at the gate

with hi$ !#c% and $aw( 6rander $aw him, and at once recogni:ed him !" a $light

re$em!lance to hi$ da#ghter(

.There he i$ now, I !eliee,. he $aid(

.Oh, i$ he. $aid @ennie, loo%ing o#t(

4erhardt, who wa$ gien to $ec#lation the$e da"$, a$$ed !" the window witho#t

loo%ing #( He #t hi$ wooden !#c% down, and, hanging hi$ $aw on a nail on the

$ide of the ho#$e, came in(

.other,. he called, in 4erman, and, then not $eeing her, he came to the door of

the front room and loo%ed in(

6rander aro$e and e5tended hi$ hand( The %notted and weather-!eaten 4erman

came forward, and too% it with a er" '#e$tioning e5re$$ion of co#ntenance(

.Thi$ i$ m" father, r( 6rander,. $aid @ennie, all her di+dence di$$oled !"$"math"( .Thi$ i$ the gentleman from the hotel, aa, r( 6rander(.

./hat&$ the name. $aid the 4erman, t#rning hi$ head(

.6rander,. $aid the )enator(

.Oh "e$,. he $aid, with a con$idera!le 4erman accent(

.)ince I had the feer I don&t hear good( " wife, $he $o%e to me of "o#(.

.3e$,. $aid the )enator, .I tho#ght I&d come o#t and ma%e "o#r ac'#aintance( 3o#

hae '#ite a famil"(.

.3e$,. $aid the father, who wa$ con$cio#$ of hi$ er" oor garment$ and an5io#$ to

get awa"( .I hae $i5 children--all "o#ng( )he&$ the olde$t girl(.

r$( 4erhardt now came !ac%, and 4erhardt, $eeing hi$ chance, $aid h#rriedl"

./ell, if "o#&ll e5c#$e me, I&ll go( I !ro%e m" $aw, and $o I had to $to wor%(.

.Certainl",. $aid 6rander, gracio#$l", reali:ing now wh" @ennie had neer wanted to

e5lain( He half wi$hed that $he were co#rageo#$ eno#gh not to conceal an"thing(

./ell, r$( 4erhardt,. he $aid, when the mother wa$ $tiD" $eated, .I want to tell

"o# that "o# m#$tn&t loo% on me a$ a $tranger( Hereafter I want "o# to %ee me

informed of how thing$ are going with "o#( @ennie won&t alwa"$ do it(.

@ennie $miled '#ietl"( r$( 4erhardt onl" r#!!ed her hand$(

.3e$,. $he an$wered, h#m!l" gratef#l(

The" tal%ed for a few min#te$, and then the )enator ro$e(

.Tell "o#r h#$!and,. he $aid, .to come and $ee me ne5t onda" at m" o+ce in the

hotel( I want to do $omething for him(.

.Than% "o#,. faltered r$( 4erhardt(



.I&ll not $ta" an" longer now,. he added( .<on&t forget to hae him come(.

.Oh, he&ll come,. $he ret#rned(

Ad;#$ting a gloe on one hand, he e5tended the other to @ennie(

.Here i$ "o#r >ne$t trea$#re, r$( 4erhardt,. he $aid( .I thin% I&ll ta%e her(.

./ell, I don&t %now,. $aid her mother, .whether I co#ld $are her or not(.

./ell,. $aid the )enator, going toward the door, and giing r$( 4erhardt hi$ hand,

.good-morning(.

He nodded and wal%ed o#t, while a half-do:en neigh!or$, who had o!$ered hi$

entrance, ee%ed from !ehind c#rtain$ and drawn !lind$ at the a$toni$hing $ight(

./ho can that !e, an"how. wa$ the general '#er"(

.)ee what he gae me,. $aid the innocent mother to her da#ghter the moment he

had clo$ed the door(

It wa$ a ten-dollar !ill( He had laced it $oftl" in her hand a$ he $aid good-!"( _

CHAPTER 7

Haing !een led !" circ#m$tance$ into an attit#de of o!ligation toward the )enator,

it wa$ not #nnat#ral that @ennie $ho#ld !ecome im!#ed with a mo$t genero#$ $irit

of areciation for eer"thing he had done and now contin#ed to do( The )enator

gae her father a letter to a local mill owner, who $aw that he receied $omethingto do( It wa$ not m#ch, to !e $#re, a mere ;o! a$ night-watchman, !#t it heled, and

old 4erhardt&$ gratit#de wa$ e5traagant( 9eer wa$ there $#ch a great, $#ch a

good manB

9or wa$ r$( 4erhardt oerloo%ed( Once 6rander $ent her a dre$$, and at another

time a $hawl( All the$e !enefaction$ were made in a $irit of mingled charit" and

$elf-grati>cation, !#t to r$( 4erhardt the" glowed with !#t one motie( )enator

6rander wa$ good-hearted(

A$ for @ennie, he drew nearer to her in eer" o$$i!le wa", $o that at la$t $he came

to $ee him in a light which wo#ld re'#ire con$idera!le anal"$i$ to ma%e clear( Thi$

fre$h, "o#ng $o#l, howeer, had too m#ch innocence and !#o"anc" to con$ider for a

moment the world&$ oint of iew( )ince that one nota!le and halc"on i$it #on

which he had ro!!ed her her original $h"ne$$, and imlanted a tender %i$$ #on her

chee%, the" had lied in a dierent atmo$here( @ennie wa$ hi$ comanion now, and

a$ he more and more #n!ended, and een ;o"o#$l" *#ng a$ide the ha!iliment$ of

hi$ dignit", her ercetion of him grew clearer( The" la#ghed and chatted in a

nat#ral wa", and he %eenl" en;o"ed thi$ new entrance into the radiant world of

"o#thf#l haine$$(

One thing that di$t#r!ed him, howeer, wa$ the occa$ional tho#ght, which he co#ldnot rere$$, that he wa$ not doing right( Other eole m#$t $oon di$coer that he

wa$ not con>ning him$elf $trictl" to conentional relation$ with thi$ wa$her-



woman&$ da#ghter( He $#$ected that the ho#$e%eeer wa$ not witho#t %nowledge

that @ennie almo$t inaria!l" lingered from a '#arter to three-'#arter$ of an ho#r

wheneer $he came for or ret#rned hi$ la#ndr"( He %new that it might come to the

ear$ of the hotel cler%$, and $o, in a general wa", get a!o#t town and wor% $erio#$

in;#r", !#t the re*ection did not ca#$e him to modif" hi$ cond#ct( )ometime$ he

con$oled him$elf with the tho#ght that he wa$ not doing her an" act#al harm, and

at other time$ he wo#ld arg#e that he co#ld not #t thi$ one delightf#l tenderne$$o#t of hi$ life( <id he not wi$h hone$tl" to do her m#ch good

He tho#ght of the$e thing$ occa$ionall", and decided that he co#ld not $to( The

$elf-aroal which $#ch a re$ol#tion might !ring him wa$ hardl" worth the

ineita!le ain of the a!negation( He had not $o er" man" more "ear$ to lie( /h"

die #n$ati$>ed

One eening he #t hi$ arm aro#nd her and $trained her to hi$ !rea$t( Another time

he drew her to hi$ %nee, and told her of hi$ life at /a$hington( Alwa"$ now he had a

care$$ and a %i$$ for her, !#t it wa$ $till in a tentatie, #ncertain wa"( He did not

want to reach for her $o#l too deel"(

@ennie en;o"ed it all innocentl"( Element$ of fanc" and noelt" entered into her life(

)he wa$ an #n$ohi$ticated creat#re, emotional, totall" ine5erienced in the matter

of the aection$, and "et mat#re eno#gh mentall" to en;o" the attention$ of thi$

great man who had th#$ !owed from hi$ high o$ition to ma%e friend$ with her(

One eening $he #$hed hi$ hair !ac% from hi$ forehead a$ $he $tood !" hi$ chair,

and, >nding nothing el$e to do, too% o#t hi$ watch( The great man thrilled a$ he

loo%ed at her rett" innocence(

./o#ld "o# li%e to hae a watch, too. he a$%ed(

.3e$, indeed, I wo#ld,. $aid @ennie, with a dee !reath(

The ne5t da" he $toed a$ he wa$ a$$ing a ;ewelr" $tore and !o#ght one( It wa$

gold, and had rett" ornamented hand$(

.@ennie,. he $aid, when $he came the ne5t time, .I want to $how "o# $omething( )ee

what time it i$ !" m" watch(.

@ennie drew o#t the watch from hi$ wai$tcoat oc%et and $tarted in $#rri$e(

.Thi$ i$n&t "o#r watchB. $he e5claimed, her face f#ll of innocent wonder(

.9o,. he $aid, delighted with hi$ little decetion( .It&$ "o#r$(.

.ineB. e5claimed @ennie( .ineB Oh, i$n&t it loel"B.

.<o "o# thin% $o. he $aid(

Her delight to#ched and lea$ed him immen$el"( Her face $hone with light and her

e"e$ fairl" danced(

.That&$ "o#r$,. he $aid( .)ee that "o# wear it now, and don&t lo$e it(.

.3o#&re $o goodB. $he e5claimed(



.9o,. he $aid, !#t he held her at arm&$ length !" the wai$t, to ma%e # hi$ mind

what hi$ reward $ho#ld !e( )lowl" he drew her toward him #ntil, when er" clo$e,

$he #t her arm$ a!o#t hi$ nec%, and laid her chee% in gratit#de again$t hi$ own(

Thi$ wa$ the '#inte$$ence of lea$#re for him( He felt a$ he had !een longing to

feel for "ear$(

The rogre$$ of hi$ id"l $#ered a chec% when the great $enatorial >ght came on inthe =egi$lat#re( Attac%ed !" a com!ination of rial$, 6rander wa$ gien the >ght of

hi$ life( To hi$ ama:ement he di$coered that a great railroad cororation, which

had alwa"$ !een friendl", wa$ $ecretl" throwing it$ $trength in !ehalf of an alread"

too owerf#l candidate( )hoc%ed !" thi$ defection, he wa$ thrown alternatel" into

the deee$t gloom and into aro5"$m$ of wrath( The$e $ling$ of fort#ne, howeer

lightl" he retended to receie them, neer failed to lacerate him( It had !een long

$ince he had $#ered a defeat--too long(

<#ring thi$ eriod @ennie receied her earlie$t le$$on in the agarie$ of men( or two

wee%$ $he did not een $ee him, and one eening, after an e5tremel" comfortle$$

conference with hi$ leader, he met her with the mo$t chilling formalit"( /hen $he

%noc%ed at hi$ door he onl" tro#!led to oen it a foot, e5claiming almo$t har$hl" .I

can&t !other a!o#t the clothe$ to-night( Come tomorrow(.

@ennie retreated, $hoc%ed and $#rri$ed !" thi$ recetion( )he did not %now what to

thin% of it( He wa$ re$tored on the in$tant to hi$ far-o, might" throne, and left to

r#le in eace( /h" $ho#ld he not withdraw the light of hi$ co#ntenance if it lea$ed

him( 6#t wh"--

A da" or two later he reented mildl", !#t had no time to read;#$t matter$( Hi$

wa$hing wa$ ta%en and deliered with con$idera!le formalit", and he went on toilingforgetf#ll", #ntil at la$t he wa$ mi$era!l" defeated !" two ote$( A$to#nded !" thi$

re$#lt, he la$ed into gloom" de;ection of $o#l( /hat wa$ he to do now

Into thi$ atmo$here came @ennie, !ringing with her the lightne$$ and comfort of

her own hoef#l di$o$ition( 9agged to de$eration !" hi$ tho#ght$, 6rander >r$t

tal%ed to her to am#$e him$elf2 !#t $oon hi$ di$tre$$ imerceti!l" too% *ight2 he

fo#nd him$elf act#all" $miling(

.Ah, @ennie,. he $aid, $ea%ing to her a$ he might hae done to a child, ."o#th i$ on

"o#r $ide( 3o# o$$e$$ the mo$t al#a!le thing in life(.

.<o I.

.3e$, !#t "o# don&t reali:e it( 3o# neer will #ntil it i$ too late(.

.I loe that girl,. he tho#ght to him$elf that night( .I wi$h I co#ld hae her with me

alwa"$(.

6#t fort#ne had another *ing for him to end#re( It got a!o#t the hotel that @ennie

wa$, to #$e the milde$t e5re$$ion, cond#cting her$elf $trangel"( A girl who carrie$

wa$hing m#$t e5ect critici$m if an"thing not !e>tting her $tation i$ o!$ered in her

aarel( @ennie wa$ $een wearing the gold watch( Her mother wa$ informed !" theho#$e%eeer of the $tate of thing$(



.I tho#ght I&d $ea% to "o# a!o#t it,. $he $aid( .Peole are tal%ing( 3o#&d !etter not

let "o#r da#ghter go to hi$ room for the la#ndr"(.

r$( 4erhardt wa$ too a$toni$hed and h#rt for #tterance( @ennie had told her

nothing, !#t een now $he did not !eliee there wa$ an"thing to tell( The watch had

!een !oth aroed of and admired !" her( )he had not tho#ght that it wa$

endangering her da#ghter&$ re#tation(

4oing home $he worried almo$t ince$$antl", and tal%ed with @ennie a!o#t it( The

latter did not admit the imlication that thing$ had gone too far( In fact, $he did not

loo% at it in that light( )he did not own, it i$ tr#e, what reall" had haened while

$he wa$ i$iting the )enator(

.It&$ $o terri!le that eole $ho#ld !egin to tal%B. $aid her mother( .<id "o# reall"

$ta" $o long in the room.

.I don&t %now,. ret#rned @ennie, comelled !" her con$cience to admit at lea$t art

of the tr#th( .Perha$ I did(.

.He ha$ neer $aid an"thing o#t of the wa" to "o#, ha$ he.

.9o,. an$wered her da#ghter, who did not attach an" $#$icion of eil to what had

a$$ed !etween them(

If the mother had onl" gone a little !it f#rther $he might hae learned more, !#t $he

wa$ onl" too glad, for her own eace of mind, to h#$h the matter #( Peole were

$landering a good man, that $he %new( @ennie had !een the lea$t !it indi$creet(

Peole were alwa"$ $o read" to tal%( How co#ld the oor girl, amid $#ch #nfort#nate

circ#m$tance$, do otherwi$e than $he did( It made her cr" to thin% of it(

The re$#lt of it all wa$ that $he decided to get the wa$hing her$elf(

)he came to hi$ door the ne5t onda" after thi$ deci$ion( 6rander, who wa$

e5ecting @ennie, wa$ !oth $#rri$ed and di$aointed(

./h",. he $aid to her, .what ha$ !ecome of @ennie.

Haing hoed that he wo#ld not notice, or, at lea$t, not comment #on the change,

r$( 4erhardt did not %now what to $a"( )he loo%ed # at him wea%l" in her

innocent, motherl" wa", and $aid, .)he co#ldn&t come to-night(.

.9ot ill, i$ $he. he in'#ired(

.9o(.

.I&m glad to hear that,. he $aid re$ignedl"( .How hae "o# !een.

r$( 4erhardt an$wered hi$ %indl" in'#irie$ and dearted( After $he had gone he got

to thin%ing the matter oer, and wondered what co#ld hae haened( It $eemed

rather odd that he $ho#ld !e wondering oer it(

On )at#rda", howeer, when $he ret#rned the clothe$ he felt that there m#$t !e$omething wrong(



./hat&$ the matter, r$( 4erhardt. he in'#ired( .Ha$ an"thing haened to "o#r

da#ghter.

.9o, $ir,. $he ret#rned, too tro#!led to wi$h to deceie him(

.I$n&t $he coming for the la#ndr" an" more.

.I--I--. ent#red the mother, $tammering in her ert#r!ation2 .$he--the" hae !eental%ing a!o#t her,. $he at la$t forced her$elf to $a"(

./ho ha$ !een tal%ing. he a$%ed grael"(

.The eole here in the hotel(.

./ho, what eole. he interr#ted, a to#ch of anno"ance $howing in hi$ oice(

.The ho#$e%eeer(.

.The ho#$e%eeer, ehB. he e5claimed( ./hat ha$ $he got to $a".

The mother related to him her e5erience(

.And $he told "o# that, did $he. he remar%ed in wrath( .)he ent#re$ to tro#!le

her$elf a!o#t m" aair$, doe$ $he I wonder eole can&t mind their own !#$ine$$

witho#t interfering with mine( 3o#r da#ghter, r$( 4erhardt, i$ erfectl" $afe with

me( I hae no intention of doing her an in;#r"( It&$ a $hame,. he added indignantl",

.that a girl can&t come to m" room in thi$ hotel witho#t haing her motie

'#e$tioned( I&ll loo% into thi$ matter(.

.I hoe "o# don&t thin% that I hae an"thing to do with it,. $aid the mother

aologeticall"( .I %now "o# li%e @ennie and wo#ldn&t in;#re her( 3o#&e done $o m#ch

for her and all of #$, r( 6rander, I feel a$hamed to %ee her awa"(.

.That&$ all right, r$( 4erhardt,. he $aid '#ietl"( .3o# did erfectl" right( I don&t

!lame "o# in the lea$t( It i$ the l"ing acc#$ation a$$ed a!o#t in thi$ hotel that I

o!;ect to( /e&ll $ee a!o#t that(.

r$( 4erhardt $tood there, ale with e5citement( )he wa$ afraid $he had deel"

oended thi$ man who had done $o m#ch for them( If $he co#ld onl" $a" $omething,

$he tho#ght, that wo#ld clear thi$ matter # and ma%e him feel that $he wa$ no

tattler( )candal wa$ di$tre$$ing to her(

.I tho#ght I wa$ doing eer"thing for the !e$t,. $he $aid at la$t(

.)o "o# were,. he relied( .I li%e @ennie er" m#ch( I hae alwa"$ en;o"ed her

coming here( It i$ m" intention to do well !" her, !#t erha$ it will !e !etter to

%ee her awa", at lea$t for the re$ent(.

Again that eening the )enator $at in hi$ ea$"-chair and !rooded oer thi$ new

deeloment( @ennie wa$ reall" m#ch more recio#$ to him than he had tho#ght(

9ow that he had no hoe of $eeing her there an" more, he !egan to reali:e how

m#ch the$e little i$it$ of her$ had meant( He tho#ght the matter oer er"caref#ll", reali:ed in$tantl" that there wa$ nothing to !e done $o far a$ the hotel



go$$i wa$ concerned, and concl#ded that he had reall" laced the girl in a er"

#n$ati$factor" o$ition(

.Perha$ I had !etter end thi$ little aair,. he tho#ght( .It i$n&t a wi$e thing to

#r$#e(.

On the $trength of thi$ concl#$ion he went to /a$hington and >ni$hed hi$ term(

Then he ret#rned to Col#m!#$ to await the friendl" recognition from the Pre$ident

which wa$ to $end him #on $ome mini$tr" a!road( @ennie had not !een forgotten in

the lea$t( The longer he $ta"ed awa" the more eager he wa$ to get !ac%( /hen he

wa$ again ermanentl" $ettled in hi$ old '#arter$ he too% # hi$ cane one morning

and $trolled o#t in the direction of the cottage( Arriing there, he made # hi$ mind

to go in, and %noc%ing at the door, he wa$ greeted !" r$( 4erhardt and her

da#ghter with a$toni$hed and di+dent $mile$( He e5lained ag#el" that he had

!een awa", and mentioned hi$ la#ndr" a$ if that were the o!;ect of hi$ i$it( Then,

when chance gae him a few moment$ with @ennie alone, he l#nged in !oldl"(

.How wo#ld "o# li%e to ta%e a drie with me to-morrow eening. he a$%ed(

.I&d li%e it,. $aid @ennie, to whom the roo$ition wa$ a glorio#$ noelt"(

He $miled and atted her chee%, fooli$hl" ha" to $ee her again( Eer" da"

$eemed to add to her !ea#t"( 4raced with her clean white aron, her $hael" head

crowned !" the glor" of her $iml" laited hair, $he wa$ a lea$ing $ight for an"

man to loo% #on(

He waited #ntil r$( 4erhardt ret#rned, and then, haing accomli$hed the #ro$e

of hi$ i$it, he aro$e(

.I&m going to ta%e "o#r da#ghter o#t riding to-morrow eening,. he e5lained( .I

want to tal% to her a!o#t her f#t#re(.

./on&t that !e nice. $aid the mother( )he $aw nothing incongr#o#$ in the roo$al(

The" arted with $mile$ and m#ch hand$ha%ing(

.That man ha$ the !e$t heart,. commented r$( 4erhardt( .<oe$n&t he alwa"$

$ea% $o nicel" of "o# He ma" hel "o# to an ed#cation( 3o# o#ght to !e ro#d(.

.I am,. $aid @ennie fran%l"(

.I don&t %now whether we had !etter tell "o#r father or not,. concl#ded r$(

4erhardt( .He doe$n&t li%e for "o# to !e o#t eening$(.

inall" the" decided not to tell him( He might not #nder$tand(

@ennie wa$ read" when he called( He co#ld $ee !" the wea%-*amed, #nretentio#$

arlor-lam that $he wa$ dre$$ed for him, and that the occa$ion had called o#t the

!e$t $he had( A ale laender gingham, $tarched and ironed, #ntil it wa$ a model of

la#ndering, $et o her rett" >g#re to erfection( There were little lace-edged c#$

and a rather high collar attached to it( )he had no gloe$, nor an" ;ewelr", nor "et a

;ac%et good eno#gh to wear, !#t her hair wa$ done # in $#ch a daint" wa" that it$et o her well-$haed head !etter than an" hat, and the few ringlet$ that co#ld

e$cae crowned her a$ with a halo( /hen 6rander $#gge$ted that $he $ho#ld wear a



;ac%et $he he$itated a moment2 then $he went in and !orrowed her mother&$ cae, a

lain gra" woolen one( 6rander reali:ed now that $he had no ;ac%et, and $#ered

%eenl" to thin% that $he had contemlated going witho#t one(

.)he wo#ld hae end#red the raw night air,. he tho#ght, .and $aid nothing of it(.

He loo%ed at her and $hoo% hi$ head re*ectiel"( Then the" $tarted, and he '#ic%l"

forgot eer"thing !#t the great fact that $he wa$ at hi$ $ide( )he tal%ed with

freedom and with a gentle girli$h enth#$ia$m that he fo#nd irre$i$ti!l" charming(

./h", @ennie,. he $aid, when $he had called #on him to notice how $oft the tree$

loo%ed, where, o#tlined diml" again$t the new ri$ing moon, the" were to#ched with

it$ "ellow light, ."o#&re a great one( I !eliee "o# wo#ld write oetr" if "o# were

$chooled a little(.

.<o "o# $#o$e I co#ld. $he a$%ed innocentl"(

.<o I $#o$e, little girl. he $aid, ta%ing her hand( .<o I $#o$e /h", I %now(

3o#&re the deare$t little da"-dreamer in the world( Of co#r$e "o# co#ld write oetr"(

3o# lie it( 3o# are oetr", m" dear( <on&t "o# worr" a!o#t writing an"(.

Thi$ e#log" to#ched her a$ nothing el$e o$$i!l" co#ld hae done( He wa$ alwa"$

$a"ing $#ch nice thing$( 9o one eer $eemed to li%e or to areciate her half a$

m#ch a$ he did( And how good he wa$B Eer"!od" $aid that( Her own father(

The" rode $till farther, #ntil $#ddenl" remem!ering, he $aid .I wonder what time it

i$( Perha$ we had !etter !e t#rning !ac%( Hae "o# "o#r watch.

@ennie $tarted, for thi$ watch had !een the one thing of which $he had hoed he

wo#ld not $ea%( Eer $ince he had ret#rned it had !een on her mind(

In hi$ a!$ence the famil" >nance$ had !ecome $o $trained that $he had !een

comelled to awn it( artha had got to that lace in the matter of aarel where

$he co#ld no longer go to $chool #nle$$ $omething new were roided for her( And

$o, after m#ch di$c#$$ion, it wa$ decided that the watch m#$t go(

6a$$ too% it, and after m#ch arg#ment with the local awn !ro%er, he had !een a!le

to !ring home ten dollar$( r$( 4erhardt e5ended the mone" #on her children,

and heaed a $igh of relief( artha loo%ed er" m#ch !etter( 9at#rall", @ennie wa$

glad(

9ow, howeer, when the )enator $o%e of it, her ho#r of retri!#tion $eemed at

hand( )he act#all" trem!led, and he noticed her di$com>t#re(

./h", @ennie,. he $aid gentl", .what made "o# $tart li%e that.

.9othing,. $he an$wered(

.Haen&t "o# "o#r watch.

)he a#$ed, for it $eemed imo$$i!le to tell a deli!erate fal$ehood( There wa$ a

$trained $ilence2 then $he $aid, with a oice that had too m#ch of a $o! in it for himnot to $#$ect the tr#th, .9o, $ir(. He er$i$ted, and $he confe$$ed eer"thing(



./ell,. he $aid, .deare$t, don&t feel !adl" a!o#t it( There neer wa$ $#ch another

girl( I&ll get "o#r watch for "o#( Hereafter when "o# need an"thing I want "o# to

come to me( <o "o# hear I want "o# to romi$e me that( If I&m not here, I want "o#

to write me( I&ll alwa"$ !e in to#ch with "o# from now on( 3o# will hae m" addre$$(

@#$t let me %now, and I&ll hel "o#( <o "o# #nder$tand.

.3e$,. $aid @ennie(

.3o#&ll romi$e to do that now, will "o#&

.3e$,. $he relied(

or a moment neither of them $o%e(

.@ennie,. he $aid at la$t, the $ring-li%e '#alit" of the night moing him to a !#r$t of

feeling, .I&e a!o#t decided that I can&t do witho#t "o#( <o "o# thin% "o# co#ld

ma%e # "o#r mind to lie with me from now on.

@ennie loo%ed awa", not clearl" #nder$tanding hi$ word$ a$ he meant them(

.I don&t %now,. $he $aid ag#el"(

./ell, "o# thin% a!o#t it,. he $aid lea$antl"( .I&m $erio#$( /o#ld "o# !e willing to

marr" me, and let me #t "o# awa" in a $eminar" for a few "ear$.

.4o awa" to $chool.

.3e$, after "o# marr" me(.

.I g#e$$ $o,. $he relied( Her mother came into her mind( a"!e $he co#ld hel the

famil"(

He loo%ed aro#nd at her, and tried to ma%e o#t the e5re$$ion on her face( It wa$

not dar%( The moon wa$ now a!oe the tree$ in the ea$t, and alread" the a$t ho$t

of $tar$ were aling !efore it(

.<on&t "o# care for me at all, @ennie. he a$%ed(

.3e$B.

.3o# neer come for m" la#ndr" an" more, tho#gh,. he ret#rned atheticall"( It

to#ched her to hear him $a" thi$(

.I didn&t do that,. $he an$wered( .I co#ldn&t hel it2 other tho#ght it wa$ !e$t(.

.)o it wa$,. he a$$ented( .<on&t feel !adl"( I wa$ onl" ;o%ing with "o#( 3o#&d !e glad

to come if "o# co#ld, wo#ldn&t "o#.

.3e$, I wo#ld,. $he an$wered fran%l"(

He too% her hand and re$$ed it $o feelingl" that all hi$ %indl" word$ $eemed do#!l"

emha$i:ed to her( Reaching # im#l$iel", $he #t her arm$ a!o#t him( .3o#&re $o

good to me,. $he $aid with the loing tone of a da#ghter(

.3o#&re m" girl, @ennie,. he $aid with dee feeling( .I&d do an"thing in the world for

"o#(. _



_ CHAPTER 7I

The father of thi$ #nfort#nate famil", /illiam 4erhardt, wa$ a man of con$idera!le

intere$t on hi$ er$onal $ide( 6orn in the %ingdom of )a5on", he had had character

eno#gh to oo$e the arm" con$crition ini'#it", and to *ee, in hi$ eighteenth "ear,

to Pari$( rom there he had $et forth for America, the land of romi$e(

Arried in thi$ co#ntr", he had made hi$ wa", !" $low $tage$, from 9ew 3or% to

Philadelhia, and thence we$tward, wor%ing for a time in the ario#$ gla$$ factorie$

in Penn$"lania( In one romantic illage of thi$ new world he had fo#nd hi$ heart&$

ideal( /ith her, a $imle American girl of 4erman e5traction, he had remoed to

3o#ng$town, and thence to Col#m!#$, each time following a gla$$ man#fact#rer !"

the name of Hammond, who$e !#$ine$$ ro$ered and waned !" t#rn$(

4erhardt wa$ an hone$t man, and he li%ed to thin% that other$ areciated hi$

integrit"( ./illiam,. hi$ emlo"er #$ed to $a" to him, .I want "o# !eca#$e I can tr#$t"o#,. and thi$, to him, wa$ more than $iler and gold(

Thi$ hone$t", li%e hi$ religio#$ coniction$, wa$ wholl" d#e to inheritance( He had

neer rea$oned a!o#t it( ather and grandfather !efore him were $t#rd" 4erman

arti$an$, who had neer cheated an"!od" o#t of a dollar, and thi$ hone$t" of

intention came into hi$ ein$ #ndimini$hed(

Hi$ =#theran rocliitie$ had !een $trengthened !" "ear$ of ch#rch-going and the

religio#$ o!$erance$ of home life, In hi$ father&$ cottage the in*#ence of the

=#theran mini$ter had !een all-owerf#l2 he had inherited the feeling that the

=#theran Ch#rch wa$ a erfect in$tit#tion, and that it$ teaching$ were of all-imortance when it came to the i$$#e of the f#t#re life( Hi$ wife, nominall" of the

ennonite faith, wa$ '#ite willing to accet her h#$!and&$ creed( And $o hi$

ho#$ehold !ecame a 4od-fearing one2 whereer the" went their >r$t #!lic $te

wa$ to all" them$ele$ with the local =#theran ch#rch, and the mini$ter wa$ alwa"$

a welcome g#e$t in the 4erhardt home(

Pa$tor /#ndt, the $heherd of the Col#m!#$ ch#rch, wa$ a $incere and ardent

Chri$tian, !#t hi$ !igotr" and hard-and-fa$t orthodo5" made him intolerant( He

con$idered that the mem!er$ of hi$ *oc% were ;eoardi:ing their eternal $alation if

the" danced, la"ed card$, or went to theater$, and he did not he$itate to declareocifero#$l" that hell wa$ "awning for tho$e who di$o!e"ed hi$ in;#nction$(

<rin%ing, een temeratel", wa$ a $in( )mo%ing--well, he $mo%ed him$elf( Right

cond#ct in marriage, howeer, and innocence !efore that $tate were a!$ol#te

e$$ential$ of Chri$tian liing( =et no one tal% of $alation, he had $aid, for a

da#ghter who had failed to %ee her cha$tit" #n$tained, or for the arent$ who, !"

negligence, had ermitted her to fall( Hell wa$ "awning for all $#ch( 3o# m#$t wal%

the $traight and narrow wa" if "o# wo#ld e$cae eternal #ni$hment, and a ;#$t 4od

wa$ angr" with $inner$ eer" da"(

4erhardt and hi$ wife, and al$o @ennie, acceted the doctrine$ of their Ch#rch a$

e5o#nded !" r( /#ndt witho#t re$ere( /ith @ennie, howeer, the a$$ent wa$little more than nominal( Religion had a$ "et no $tri%ing hold #on her( It wa$ a

lea$ant thing to %now that there wa$ a heaen, a fear$ome one to reali:e that



there wa$ a hell( 3o#ng girl$ and !o"$ o#ght to !e good and o!e" their arent$(

Otherwi$e the whole religio#$ ro!lem wa$ !adl" ;#m!led in her mind(

4erhardt wa$ coninced that eer"thing $o%en from the #lit of hi$ ch#rch wa$

literall" tr#e( <eath and the f#t#re life were realitie$ to him(

9ow that the "ear$ were $liing awa" and the ro!lem of the world wa$ !ecoming

more and more ine5lica!le, he cl#ng with athetic an5iet" to the doctrine$ which

contained a $ol#tion( Oh, if he co#ld onl" !e $o hone$t and #right that the =ord

might hae no e5c#$e for r#ling him o#t( He trem!led not onl" for him$elf, !#t for

hi$ wife and children( /o#ld he not $ome da" !e held re$on$i!le for them /o#ld

not hi$ own la5it" and lac% of $"$tem in inc#lcating the law$ of eternal life to them

end in hi$ and their damnation He ict#red to him$elf the torment$ of hell, and

wondered how it wo#ld !e with him and hi$ in the >nal ho#r(

9at#rall", $#ch a dee religio#$ feeling made him $tern with hi$ children( He wa$

rone to $can with a narrow e"e the lea$#re$ and foi!le$ of "o#thf#l de$ire( @ennie

wa$ neer to hae a loer if her father had an" oice in the matter( An" *irtationwith the "o#th$ $he might meet #on the $treet$ of Col#m!#$ co#ld hae no

contin#ation in her home( 4erhardt forgot that he wa$ once "o#ng him$elf, and

loo%ed onl" to the welfare of her $irit( )o the )enator wa$ a noel factor in her life(

/hen he >r$t !egan to !e a art of their famil" aair$ the conentional $tandard$ of

ather 4erhardt roed #ntr#$tworth"( He had no mean$ of ;#dging $#ch a

character( Thi$ wa$ no ordinar" er$on co'#etting with hi$ rett" da#ghter( The

manner in which the )enator entered the famil" life wa$ $o original and $o la#$i!le

that he !ecame an actie art !efore an" one tho#ght an"thing a!o#t it( 4erhardt

him$elf wa$ deceied, and, e5ecting nothing !#t honor and ro>t to *ow to thefamil" from $#ch a $o#rce, acceted the intere$t and the $erice, and lodded

eacef#ll" on( Hi$ wife did not tell him of the man" re$ent$ which had come !efore

and $ince the wonderf#l Chri$tma$(

6#t one morning a$ 4erhardt wa$ coming home from hi$ night wor% a neigh!or

named Otto /eaer acco$ted him(

.4erhardt,. he $aid, .I want to $ea% a word with "o#( A$ a friend of "o#r$, I want to

tell "o# what I hear( The neigh!or$, "o# %now, the" tal% now a!o#t the man who

come$ to $ee "o#r da#ghter(.

." da#ghter. $aid 4erhardt, more #::led and ained !" thi$ a!r#t attac% than

mere word$ co#ld indicate( ./hom do "o# mean I don&t %now of an" one who

come$ to $ee m" da#ghter(.

.9o. in'#ired /eaer, nearl" a$ m#ch a$toni$hed a$ the reciient of hi$

con>dence$( .The middle-aged man, with gra" hair( He carrie$ a cane $ometime$(

3o# don&t %now him.

4erhardt rac%ed hi$ memor" with a #::led face(

.The" $a" he wa$ a $enator once,. went on /eaer, do#!tf#l of what he had gotinto2 .I don&t %now(.



.Ah,. ret#rned 4erhardt, mea$#ra!l" relieed( .)enator 6rander( 3e$( He ha$ come

$ometime$--$o( /ell, what of it.

.It i$ nothing,. ret#rned the neigh!or, .onl" the" tal%( He i$ no longer a "o#ng man,

"o# %now( 3o#r da#ghter, $he goe$ o#t with him now a few time$( The$e eole,

the" $ee that, and now the" tal% a!o#t her( I tho#ght "o# might want to %now(.

4erhardt wa$ $hoc%ed to the deth$ of hi$ !eing !" the$e terri!le word$( Peole

m#$t hae a rea$on for $a"ing $#ch thing$( @ennie and her mother were $erio#$l" at

fa#lt( )till he did not he$itate to defend hi$ da#ghter(

.He i$ a friend of the famil",. he $aid conf#$edl"( .Peole $ho#ld not tal% #ntil the"

%now( " da#ghter ha$ done nothing(.

.That i$ $o( It i$ nothing,. contin#ed /eaer( .Peole tal% !efore the" hae an"

gro#nd$( 3o# and I are old friend$( I tho#ght "o# might want to %now(.

4erhardt $tood there motionle$$ another min#te or $o t hi$ ;aw fallen and a $trange

helle$$ne$$ #on him( The world wa$ $#ch a grim thing to hae antagoni$tic to

"o#( It$ oinion$ and good faor were $o e$$ential( How hard he had tried to lie #

to it$ r#le$B /h" $ho#ld it not !e $ati$>ed and let him alone

.I am glad "o# told me,. he m#rm#red a$ he $tarted homeward( .I will $ee a!o#t it(

4ood-!"(.

4erhardt too% the >r$t oort#nit" to '#e$tion hi$ wife(

./hat i$ thi$ a!o#t )enator 6rander coming o#t to call on @ennie. he a$%ed in

4erman( .The neigh!or$ are tal%ing a!o#t it(.

./h", nothing,. an$wered r$( 4erhardt, in the $ame lang#age( )he wa$ decidedl"

ta%en a!ac% at hi$ '#e$tion( .He did call two or three time$(.

.3o# didn&t tell me that,. he ret#rned, a $en$e of her frailt" in tolerating and

$hielding $#ch wea%ne$$ in one of their children irritating him(

.9o,. $he relied, a!$ol#tel" nonl#$$ed( .He ha$ onl" !een here two or three

time$(.

.Two or three time$B. e5claimed 4erhardt, the 4erman tendenc" to tal% lo#d coming

#on him( .Two or three time$B The whole neigh!orhood tal%$ a!o#t it( /hat i$ thi$,then.

.He onl" called two or three time$,. r$( 4erhardt reeated wea%l"(

./eaer come$ to me on the $treet,. contin#ed 4erhardt, .and tell$ me that m"

neigh!or$ are tal%ing of the man m" da#ghter i$ going with( I didn&t %now an"thing

a!o#t it( There I $tood( I didn&t %now what to $a"( /hat %ind of a wa" i$ that /hat

m#$t the man thin% of me.

.There i$ nothing the matter,. declared the mother, #$ing an eectie 4erman

idiom( .@ennie ha$ gone wal%ing with him once or twice( He ha$ called here at theho#$e( /hat i$ there now in that for the eole to tal% a!o#t Can&t the girl hae

an" lea$#re at all.



.6#t he i$ an old man,. ret#rned 4erhardt, oicing the word$ of /eaer( .He i$ a

#!lic citi:en( /hat $ho#ld he want to call on a girl li%e @ennie for.

.I don&t %now,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, defen$iel"( .He come$ here to the ho#$e( I don&t

%now an"thing !#t good a!o#t the man( Can I tell him not to come.

4erhardt a#$ed at thi$( All that he %new of the )enator wa$ e5cellent( /hat wa$

there now that wa$ $o terri!le a!o#t it

.The neigh!or$ are $o read" to tal%( The" haen&t got an"thing el$e to tal% a!o#t

now, $o the" tal% a!o#t @ennie( 3o# %now whether $he i$ a good girl or not( /h"

$ho#ld the" $a" $#ch thing$. and tear$ came into the $oft little mother&$ e"e$(

.That i$ all right,. gr#m!led 4erhardt, .!#t he o#ght not to want to come aro#nd

and ta%e a girl of her age o#t wal%ing( It loo%$ !ad, een if he don&t mean an"

harm(.

At thi$ moment @ennie came in( )he had heard the tal%ing in the front !edroom,

where $he $let with one of the children, !#t had not $#$ected it$ imort( 9ow her

mother t#rned her !ac% and !ent oer the ta!le where $he wa$ ma%ing !i$c#it, in

order that her da#ghter might not $ee her red e"e$(

./hat&$ the matter. $he in'#ired, ag#el" tro#!led !" the ten$e $tillne$$ in the

attit#de of !oth her arent$(

.9othing,. $aid 4erhardt >rml"(

r$( 4erhardt made no $ign, !#t her er" immo!ilit" told $omething( @ennie went

oer to her and '#ic%l" di$coered that $he had !een weeing(

./hat&$ the matter. $he reeated wonderingl", ga:ing at her father(

4erhardt onl" $tood there, hi$ da#ghter&$ innocence dominating hi$ terror of eil(

./hat&$ the matter. $he #rged $oftl" of her mother(

.Oh, it&$ the neigh!or$,. ret#rned the mother !ro%enl"(

.The"&re alwa"$ read" to tal% a!o#t $omething the" don&t %now an"thing a!o#t(.

.I$ it me again. in'#ired @ennie, her face *#$hing faintl"(

.3o# $ee,. o!$ered 4erhardt, aarentl" addre$$ing the world in general, .$he

%now$( 9ow, wh" didn&t "o# tell me that he wa$ coming here The neigh!or$ tal%,

and I hear nothing a!o#t it #ntil to-da"( /hat %ind of a wa" i$ that, an"how.

.Oh,. e5claimed @ennie, o#t of the #re$t $"math" for her mother, .what dierence

doe$ it ma%e.

./hat dierence. cried 4erhardt, $till tal%ing in 4erman, altho#gh @ennie an$wered

in Engli$h( .I$ it no dierence that men $to me on the $treet and $ea% of it 3o#

$ho#ld !e a$hamed of "o#r$elf to $a" that( I alwa"$ tho#ght well of thi$ man, !#t

now, $ince "o# don&t tell me a!o#t him, and the neigh!or$ tal%, I don&t %now what to

thin%( #$t I get m" %nowledge of what i$ going on in m" own home from m"

neigh!or$.



other and da#ghter a#$ed( @ennie had alread" !eg#n to thin% that their error wa$

$erio#$(

.I didn&t %ee an"thing from "o# !eca#$e it wa$ eil,. $he $aid( ./h", he onl" too%

me o#t riding once(.

.3e$, !#t "o# didn&t tell me that,. an$wered her father(

.3o# %now "o# don&t li%e for me to go o#t after dar%,. relied @ennie( .That&$ wh" I

didn&t( There wa$n&t an"thing el$e to hide a!o#t it(.

.He $ho#ldn&t want "o# to go o#t after dar% with him,. o!$ered 4erhardt, alwa"$

mindf#l of the world o#t$ide( ./hat can he want with "o#( /h" doe$ he come here

He i$ too old, an"how( I don&t thin% "o# o#ght to hae an"thing to do with him--$#ch

a "o#ng girl a$ "o# are(.

.He doe$n&t want to do an"thing e5cet hel me,. m#rm#red @ennie( .He want$ to

marr" me(.

.arr" "o# HaB /h" doe$n&t he tell me thatB. e5claimed 4erhardt( .I $hall loo% into

thi$( I won&t hae him r#nning aro#nd with m" da#ghter, and the neigh!or$ tal%ing(

6e$ide$, he i$ too old( I $hall tell him that( He o#ght to %now !etter than to #t a girl

where $he get$ tal%ed a!o#t( It i$ !etter he $ho#ld $ta" awa" altogether(.

Thi$ threat of 4erhardt&$, that he wo#ld tell 6rander to $ta" awa", $eemed $iml"

terri!le to @ennie and to her mother( /hat good co#ld come of an" $#ch attit#de

/h" m#$t the" !e degraded !efore him Of co#r$e 6rander did call again, while

4erhardt wa$ awa" at wor%, and the" trem!led le$t the father $ho#ld hear of it( A

few da"$ later the )enator came and too% @ennie for a long wal%( 9either $he norher mother $aid an"thing to 4erhardt( 6#t he wa$ not to !e #t o the $cent for

long(

.Ha$ @ennie !een o#t again with that man. he in'#ired of r$( 4erhardt the ne5t

eening(

.He wa$ here la$t night,. ret#rned the mother, ea$iel"(

.<id $he tell him he $ho#ldn&t come an" more.

.I don&t %now( I don&t thin% $o(.

./ell, now, I will $ee for m"$elf once whether thi$ thing will !e $toed or not,. $aid

the determined father( .I $hall tal% with him( /ait till he come$ again(.

In accordance with thi$, he too% occa$ion to come # from hi$ factor" on three

dierent eening$, each time caref#ll" $#re"ing the ho#$e, in order to di$coer

whether an" i$itor wa$ !eing entertained( On the fo#rth eening 6rander came,

and in'#iring for @ennie, who wa$ e5ceedingl" nero#$, he too% her o#t for a wal%(

)he wa$ afraid of her father, le$t $ome #n$eeml" thing$ $ho#ld haen, !#t did not

%now e5actl" what to do(

4erhardt, who wa$ on hi$ wa" to the ho#$e at the time, o!$ered her deart#re(

That wa$ eno#gh for him( /al%ing deli!eratel" in #on hi$ wife, he $aid



./here i$ @ennie.

.)he i$ o#t $omewhere,. $aid her mother(

.3e$, I %now where,. $aid 4erhardt( .I $aw her( 9ow wait till $he come$ home( I will

tell him(.

He $at down calml", reading a 4erman aer and %eeing an e"e #on hi$ wife,#ntil, at la$t, the gate clic%ed, and the front door oened( Then he got #(

./here hae "o# !een. he e5claimed in 4erman(

6rander, who had not $#$ected that an" tro#!le of thi$ character wa$ ending, felt

irritated and #ncomforta!le( @ennie wa$ coered with conf#$ion( Her mother wa$

$#ering an agon" of torment in the %itchen(

./h", I hae !een o#t for a wal%,. $he an$wered conf#$edl"(

.<idn&t I tell "o# not to go o#t an" more after dar%. $aid 4erhardt, #tterl" ignoring6rander(

@ennie colored f#rio#$l", #na!le to $ea% a word(

./hat i$ the tro#!le. in'#ired 6rander grael"( ./h" $ho#ld "o# tal% to her li%e

that.

.)he $ho#ld not go o#t after dar%,. ret#rned the father r#del"( .I hae told her two

or three time$ now( I don&t thin% "o# o#ght to come here an" more, either(.

.And wh". a$%ed the )enator, a#$ing to con$ider and choo$e hi$ word$( .I$n&t thi$

rather ec#liar /hat ha$ "o#r da#ghter done.

./hat ha$ $he doneB. e5claimed 4erhardt, hi$ e5citement growing #nder the $train

he wa$ end#ring, and $ea%ing almo$t #naccented Engli$h in con$e'#ence( .)he i$

r#nning aro#nd the $treet$ at night when $he o#ghtn&t to !e( I don&t want m"

da#ghter ta%en o#t after dar% !" a man of "o#r age( /hat do "o# want with her

an"wa" )he i$ onl" a child "et(.

./antB. $aid the )enator, $training to regain hi$ r#Ded dignit"( .I want to tal% with

her, of co#r$e( )he i$ old eno#gh to !e intere$ting to me( I want to marr" her if $he

will hae me(.

.I want "o# to go o#t of here and $ta" o#t of here,. ret#rned the father, lo$ing all

$en$e of logic, and de$cending to the ordinar" leel of arental com#l$ion( .I don&t

want "o# to come aro#nd m" ho#$e an" more( I hae eno#gh tro#!le witho#t m"

da#ghter !eing ta%en o#t and gien a !ad name(.

.I tell "o# fran%l",. $aid the )enator, drawing him$elf # to hi$ f#ll height, .that "o#

will hae to ma%e clear "o#r meaning( I hae done nothing that I am a$hamed of(

3o#r da#ghter ha$ not come to an" harm thro#gh me( 9ow, I want to %now what "o#

mean !" cond#cting "o#r$elf in thi$ manner(.

.I mean,. $aid 4erhardt, e5citedl" reeating him$elf, .I mean, I mean that the whole

neigh!orhood tal%$ a!o#t how "o# come aro#nd here, and hae !#gg"-ride$ and



wal%$ with m" da#ghter when I am not here--that&$ what I mean( I mean that "o#

are no man of honora!le intention$, or "o# wo#ld not come ta%ing # with a little

girl who i$ onl" old eno#gh to !e "o#r da#ghter( Peole tell me well eno#gh what

"o# are( @#$t "o# go and leae m" da#ghter alone(.

.PeoleB. $aid the )enator( ./ell, I care nothing for "o#r eole( I loe "o#r

da#ghter, and I am here to $ee her !eca#$e I do loe her( It i$ m" intention to marr"her, and if "o#r neigh!or$ hae an"thing to $a" to that, let them $a" it( There i$ no

rea$on wh" "o# $ho#ld cond#ct "o#r$elf in thi$ manner !efore "o# %now what m"

intention$ are(.

?nnered !" thi$ #ne5ected and terri!le altercation, @ennie had !ac%ed awa" to

the door leading o#t into the dining-room, and her mother, $eeing her, came

forward(

.Oh,. $aid the latter, !reathing e5citedl", .he came home when "o# were awa"(

/hat $hall we do. The" cl#ng together, a$ women do, and wet $ilentl"( The

di$#te contin#ed(

.arr", eh,. e5claimed the father( .I$ that it.

.3e$,. $aid the )enator, .marr", that i$ e5actl" it( 3o#r da#ghter i$ eighteen "ear$ of

age and can decide for her$elf( 3o# hae in$#lted me and o#traged "o#r da#ghter&$

feeling$( 9ow, I wi$h "o# to %now that it cannot $to here( If "o# hae an" ca#$e to

$a" an"thing again$t me o#t$ide of mere hear$a" I wi$h "o# to $a" it(.

The )enator $tood !efore him, a er" citadel of righteo#$ne$$( He wa$ neither lo#d-

oiced nor angr"-mannered, !#t there wa$ a tightne$$ a!o#t hi$ li$ which !e$o%e

the man of force and determination(

.I don&t want to tal% to "o# an" more,. ret#rned 4erhardt, who wa$ chec%ed !#t not

oerawed( ." da#ghter i$ m" da#ghter( I am the one who will $a" whether $he

$hall go o#t at night, or whether $he $hall marr" "o#, either( I %now what "o#

olitician$ are( /hen I >r$t met "o# I tho#ght "o# were a >ne man, !#t now, $ince I

$ee the wa" "o# cond#ct "o#r$elf with m" da#ghter, I don&t want an"thing more to

do with "o#( @#$t "o# go and $ta" awa" from here( That&$ all I a$% of "o#(.

.I am $orr", r$( 4erhardt,. $aid 6rander, t#rning deli!eratel" awa" from the angr"

father, .to hae had $#ch an arg#ment in "o#r home( I had no idea that "o#r

h#$!and wa$ oo$ed to m" i$it$( Howeer, I will leae the matter a$ it $tand$ for

the re$ent( 3o# m#$t not ta%e all thi$ a$ !adl" a$ it $eem$(.

4erhardt loo%ed on in a$toni$hment at hi$ coolne$$(

.I will go now,. he $aid, again addre$$ing 4erhardt, .!#t "o# m#$tn&t thin% that I am

leaing thi$ matter for good( 3o# hae made a $erio#$ mi$ta%e thi$ eening( I hoe

"o# will reali:e that( I !id "o# goodnight(. He !owed $lightl" and went o#t(

4erhardt clo$ed the door >rml"( .9ow,. he $aid, t#rning to hi$ da#ghter and wife,

.we will $ee whether we are rid of him or not( I will $how "o# how to go after night

#on the $treet$ when eer"!od" i$ tal%ing alread"(.



In $o far a$ word$ were concerned, the arg#ment cea$ed, !#t loo%$ and feeling ran

$trong and dee, and for da"$ thereafter $carcel" a word wa$ $o%en in the little

cottage( 4erhardt !egan to !rood oer the fact that he had acceted hi$ lace from

the )enator and decided to gie it #( He made it %nown that no more of the

)enator&$ wa$hing wa$ to !e done in their ho#$e, and if he had not !een $#re that

r$( 4erhardt&$ hotel wor% wa$ d#e to her own eort$ in >nding it he wo#ld hae

$toed that( 9o good wo#ld come o#t of it, an"wa"( If $he had neer gone to thehotel all thi$ tal% wo#ld neer hae come #on them(

A$ for the )enator, he went awa" decidedl" r#Ded !" thi$ cr#de occ#rrence(

9eigh!orhood $lander$ are !ad eno#gh on their own lane, !#t for a man of hi$

$tanding to de$cend and !ecome inoled in one $tr#c% him now a$ !eing a little !it

#nworth"( He did not %now what to do a!o#t the $it#ation, and while he wa$ tr"ing

to come to $ome deci$ion $eeral da"$ went !"( Then he wa$ called to /a$hington,

and he went awa" witho#t haing $een @ennie again(

In the mean time the 4erhardt famil" $tr#ggled along a$ !efore( The" were oor,

indeed, !#t 4erhardt wa$ willing to face oert" if onl" it co#ld !e end#red with

honor( The grocer" !ill$ were of the $ame $i:e, howeer( The children&$ clothing wa$

$teadil" wearing o#t( Econom" had to !e racti$ed, and a"ment$ $toed on old

!ill$ that 4erhardt wa$ tr"ing to ad;#$t(

Then came a da" when the ann#al intere$t on the mortgage wa$ d#e, and "et

another when two dierent grocer"-men met 4erhardt on the $treet and a$%ed

a!o#t their little !ill$( He did not he$itate to e5lain ;#$t what the $it#ation wa$, and

to tell them with conincing hone$t" that he wo#ld tr" hard and do the !e$t he

co#ld( 6#t hi$ $irit wa$ #n$tr#ng !" hi$ mi$fort#ne$( He ra"ed for the faor of

Heaen while at hi$ la!or, and did not he$itate to #$e the da"light ho#r$ that he$ho#ld hae had for $leeing to go a!o#t--either loo%ing for a more rem#neratie

o$ition or to o!tain $#ch little ;o!$ a$ he co#ld now and then ic% #( One of them

wa$ that of c#tting gra$$(

r$( 4erhardt rote$ted that he wa$ %illing him$elf, !#t he e5lained hi$ roced#re

!" ointing to their nece$$it"(

./hen eole $to me on the $treet and a$% me for mone" I hae no time to $lee(.

It wa$ a di$tre$$ing $it#ation for all of them(

To ca it all, )e!a$tian got in ;ail( It wa$ that old coal-$tealing r#$e of hi$ racti$ed

once too often( He got # on a car one eening while @ennie and the children waited

for him, and a railroad detectie arre$ted him( There had !een a good deal of coal

$tealing d#ring the a$t two "ear$, !#t $o long a$ it wa$ con>ned to moderate

'#antitie$ the railroad too% no notice( /hen, howeer, c#$tomer$ of $hier$

comlained that car$ from the Penn$"lania >eld$ lo$t tho#$and$ of o#nd$ in

tran$it to Cleeland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and other oint$, detectie$ were $et to

wor%( 4erhardt&$ children were not the onl" one$ who re"ed #on the railroad in

thi$ wa"( Other familie$ in Col#m!#$--man" of them--were con$tantl" doing the

$ame thing, !#t )e!a$tian haened to !e $ei:ed #on a$ the Col#m!#$ e5amle(

.3o# come o that car now,. $aid the detectie, $#ddenl" aearing o#t of the

$hadow( @ennie and the other children droed their !a$%et$ and !#c%et$ and *ed



for their lie$( )e!a$tian&$ >r$t im#l$e wa$ to ;#m and r#n, !#t when he tried it

the detectie gra!!ed him !" the coat(

.Hold on here,. he e5claimed( .I want "o#(.

.Aw, let go,. $aid )e!a$tian $aagel", for he wa$ no wea%ling( There wa$ nere and

determination in him, a$ well a$ a %een $en$e of hi$ aw%ward redicament(

.=et go, I tell "o#,. he reiterated, and giing a ;er%, he almo$t #$et hi$ cator(

.Come here now,. $aid the detectie, #lling him icio#$l" in an eort to e$ta!li$h

hi$ a#thorit"(

)e!a$tian came, !#t it wa$ with a !low which $taggered hi$ ader$ar"(

There wa$ more $tr#ggling, and then a a$$ing railroad hand came to the

detectie&$ a$$i$tance( Together the" h#rried him toward the deot, and there

di$coering the local o+cer, t#rned him oer( It wa$ with a torn coat, $carred hand$

and face, and a !lac% e"e that )e!a$tian wa$ loc%ed # for the night(

/hen the children came home the" co#ld not $a" what had haened to their

!rother, !#t a$ nine o&cloc% $tr#c%, and then ten and eleen, and )e!a$tian did not

ret#rn, r$( 4erhardt wa$ !e$ide her$elf( He had $ta"ed o#t man" a night a$ late a$

twele and one, !#t hi$ mother had a fore!oding of $omething terri!le tonight(

/hen half-a$t one arried, and no )e!a$tian, $he !egan to cr"(

.)ome one o#ght to go # and tell "o#r father,. $he $aid( .He ma" !e in ;ail(.

@ennie ol#nteered, !#t 4eorge, who wa$ $o#ndl" $leeing, wa$ awa%ened to go

along with her(

./hatB. $aid 4erhardt, a$toni$hed to $ee hi$ two children(

.6a$$ ha$n&t come "et,. $aid @ennie, and then told the $tor" of the eening&$

adent#re in e5lanation(

4erhardt left hi$ wor% at once, wal%ing !ac% with hi$ two children to a oint where

he co#ld t#rn o to go to the ;ail( He g#e$$ed what had haened, and hi$ heart

wa$ tro#!led(

.I$ that $o, nowB. he reeated nero#$l", r#!!ing hi$ cl#m$" hand$ acro$$ hi$ wetforehead(

Arried at the $tation-ho#$e, the $ergeant in charge told him c#rtl" that 6a$$ wa$

#nder arre$t(

.)e!a$tian 4erhardt. he $aid, loo%ing oer hi$ !lotter2 ."e$, here he i$( )tealing

coal and re$i$ting an o+cer( I$ he "o#r !o".

.Oh, m"B. $aid 4erhardt, .Ach 4ottB. He act#all" wr#ng hi$ hand$ in di$tre$$(

./ant to $ee him. a$%ed the )ergeant(

.3e$, "e$,. $aid the father(



.Ta%e him !ac%, red,. $aid the other to the old watchman in charge, .and let him

$ee the !o"(.

/hen 4erhardt $tood in the !ac% room, and )e!a$tian wa$ !ro#ght o#t all mar%ed

and to#$led, he !ro%e down and !egan to cr"( 9o word co#ld cro$$ hi$ li$ !eca#$e

of hi$ emotion(

.<on&t cr", o,. $aid )e!a$tian !rael"( .I co#ldn&t hel it( It&$ all right( I&ll !e o#t in

the morning(.

4erhardt onl" $hoo% with hi$ grief(

.<on&t cr",. contin#ed )e!a$tian, doing hi$ er" !e$t to re$train hi$ own tear$( .I&ll

!e all right( /hat&$ the #$e of cr"ing.

.I %now, I %now,. $aid the gra"-headed arent !ro%enl", .!#t I can&t hel it( It i$ m"

fa#lt that I $ho#ld let "o# do that(.

.9o, no, it i$n&t,. $aid )e!a$tian( .3o# co#ldn&t hel it( <oe$ mother %now an"thinga!o#t it.

.3e$, $he %now$,. he ret#rned( .@ennie and 4eorge ;#$t came # where I wa$ and

told me( I didn&t %now an"thing a!o#t it #ntil ;#$t now,. and he !egan to cr" again(

./ell, don&t "o# feel !adl",. went on 6a$$, the >ne$t art of hi$ nat#re coming to

the $#rface( .I&ll !e all right( @#$t "o# go !ac% to wor% now, and don&t worr"( I&ll !e all

right(.

.How did "o# h#rt "o#r e"e. a$%ed the father, loo%ing at him with red e"e$(

.Oh, I had a little wre$tling match with the man who na!!ed me,. $aid the !o",

$miling !rael"( .I tho#ght I co#ld get awa"(.

.3o# $ho#ldn&t do that, )e!a$tian,. $aid the father( .It ma" go harder with "o# on

that acco#nt( /hen doe$ "o#r ca$e come #.

.In the morning, the" told me,. $aid 6a$$( .9ine o&cloc%(.

4erhardt $ta"ed with hi$ $on for $ome time, and di$c#$$ed the '#e$tion of !ail, >ne,

and the dire o$$i!ilit" of a ;ail $entence witho#t arriing at an" de>nite concl#$ion(

inall" he wa$ er$#aded !" 6a$$ to go awa", !#t the deart#re wa$ the occa$ionfor another o#t!#r$t of feeling2 he wa$ led awa" $ha%ing and !ro%en with emotion(

.It&$ rett" to#gh,. $aid 6a$$ to him$elf a$ he wa$ led !ac% to hi$ cell( He wa$

thin%ing $olel" of hi$ father( .I wonder what ma will thin%(.

The tho#ght of thi$ to#ched him tenderl"( .I wi$h I&d %noc%ed the d#! oer the >r$t

crac%,. he $aid( ./hat a fool I wa$ not to get awa"(. _

________________________________________________

_ CHAPTER 7II



4erhardt wa$ in de$air2 he did not %now an" one to whom he co#ld aeal

!etween the ho#r$ of two and nine o&cloc% in the morning( He went !ac% to tal% with

hi$ wife, and then to hi$ o$t of d#t"( /hat wa$ to !e done He co#ld thin% of onl"

one friend who wa$ a!le, or o$$i!l" willing to do an"thing( Thi$ wa$ the gla$$

man#fact#rer, Hammond2 !#t he wa$ not in the cit"( 4erhardt did not %now thi$,

howeer(

/hen nine o&cloc% came, he went alone to the co#rt, for it wa$ tho#ght adi$a!le

that the other$ $ho#ld $ta" awa"( r$( 4erhardt wa$ to hear immediatel" what

haened( He wo#ld come right !ac%(

/hen )e!a$tian wa$ lined # in$ide the doc% he had to wait a long time, for there

were $eeral ri$oner$ ahead of him( inall" hi$ name wa$ called, and the !o" wa$

#$hed forward to the !ar( .)tealing coal, 3o#r Honor, and re$i$ting arre$t,.

e5lained the o+cer who had arre$ted him(

The magi$trate loo%ed at )e!a$tian clo$el"2 he wa$ #nfaora!l" imre$$ed !" the

lad&$ $cratched and wo#nded face(

./ell, "o#ng man,. he $aid, .what hae "o# to $a" for "o#r$elf How did "o# get

"o#r !lac% e"e.

)e!a$tian loo%ed at the ;#dge, !#t did not an$wer(

.I arre$ted him,. $aid the detectie( .He wa$ on one of the coman"&$ car$( He tried

to !rea% awa" from me, and when I held him he a$$a#lted me( Thi$ man here wa$ a

witne$$,. he added, t#rning to the railroad hand who had heled him(

.I$ that where he $tr#c% "o#. a$%ed the Co#rt, o!$ering the detectie&$ $wollen ;aw(

.3e$, $ir,. he ret#rned, glad of an oort#nit" to !e f#rther reenged(

.If "o# lea$e,. #t in 4erhardt, leaning forward, .he i$ m" !o"( He wa$ $ent to get

the coal( He--.

./e don&t mind what the" ic% # aro#nd the "ard,. interr#ted the detectie, .!#t

he wa$ throwing it o the car$ to half a do:en other$(.

.Can&t "o# earn eno#gh to %ee from ta%ing coal o the coal car$. a$%ed the Co#rt2

!#t !efore either father or $on had time to an$wer he added, ./hat i$ "o#r

!#$ine$$.

.Car !#ilder,. $aid )e!a$tian(

.And what do "o# do. he '#e$tioned, addre$$ing 4erhardt(

.I am watchman at iller&$ f#rnit#re factor"(.

.?m,. $aid the co#rt, feeling that )e!a$tian&$ attit#de remained $#llen and

contentio#$( ./ell, thi$ "o#ng man might !e let o on the coal-$tealing charge, !#t

he $eem$ to !e $omewhat too free with hi$ >$t$( Col#m!#$ i$ altogether too rich inthat $ort of thing( Ten dollar$(.



.If "o# lea$e,. !egan 4erhardt, !#t the co#rt o+cer wa$ alread" #$hing him awa"(

.I don&t want to hear an" more a!o#t it,. $aid the ;#dge( .He&$ $t#!!orn, an"how(

/hat&$ the ne5t ca$e.

4erhardt made hi$ wa" oer to hi$ !o", a!a$hed and "et er" glad it wa$ no wor$e(

)omehow, he tho#ght, he co#ld rai$e the mone"( )e!a$tian loo%ed at him

$olicito#$l" a$ he came forward(

.It&$ all right,. $aid 6a$$ $oothingl"( .He didn&t gie me half a chance to $a"

an"thing(.

.I&m onl" glad it wa$n&t more,. $aid 4erhardt nero#$l"( ./e will tr" and get the

mone"(.

4oing home to hi$ wife, 4erhardt informed the tro#!led ho#$ehold of the re$#lt(

r$( 4erhardt $tood white and "et relieed, for ten dollar$ $eemed $omething that

might !e had( @ennie heard the whole $tor" with oen mo#th and wide e"e$( It wa$

a terri!le !low to her( Poor 6a$$B He wa$ alwa"$ $o liel" and good-nat#red( It

$eemed awf#l that he $ho#ld !e in ;ail(

4erhardt went h#rriedl" to Hammond&$ >ne re$idence, !#t he wa$ not in the cit"( He

tho#ght then of a law"er !" the name of @en%in$, whom he %new in a ca$#al wa",

!#t @en%in$ wa$ not at hi$ o+ce( There were $eeral grocer$ and coal merchant$

whom he %new well eno#gh, !#t he owed them mone"( Pa$tor /#ndt might let him

hae it, !#t the agon" $#ch a di$clo$#re to that worth" wo#ld entail held him !ac%(

He did call on one or two ac'#aintance$, !#t the$e, $#rri$ed at the #n#$#al and

ec#liar re'#e$t, e5c#$ed them$ele$( At fo#r o&cloc% he ret#rned home, wear" and

e5ha#$ted(

.I don&t %now what to do,. he $aid de$airingl"( .If I co#ld onl" thin%(.

@ennie tho#ght of 6rander, !#t the $it#ation had not accent#ated her de$eration to

the oint where $he co#ld !rae her father&$ oo$ition and hi$ terri!le in$#lt to the

)enator, $o %eenl" remem!ered, to go and a$%( Her watch had !een awned a

$econd time, and $he had no other mean$ of o!taining mone"(

The famil" co#ncil la$ted #ntil half-a$t ten, !#t $till there wa$ nothing decided( r$(

4erhardt er$i$tentl" and monotono#$l" t#rned one hand oer in the other and

$tared at the *oor( 4erhardt ran hi$ hand thro#gh hi$ reddi$h !rown hairdi$tractedl"( .It&$ no #$e,. he $aid at la$t( .I can&t thin% of an"thing(.

.4o to !ed, @ennie,. $aid her mother $olicito#$l"2 .get the other$ to go( There&$ no

#$e their $itting # I ma" thin% of $omething( 3o# go to !ed(.

@ennie went to her room, !#t the er" tho#ght of reo$e wa$ in$#orta!le( )he had

read in the aer, $hortl" after her father&$ '#arrel with the )enator, that the latter

had dearted for /a$hington( There had !een no notice of hi$ ret#rn( )till he might

!e in the cit"( )he $tood !efore a $hort, narrow mirror that $#rmo#nted a $ha!!"

!#rea#, thin%ing( Her $i$ter 7eronica, with whom $he $let, wa$ alread" como$ing

her$elf to dream$( inall" a grim re$ol#tion >5ed it$elf in her con$cio#$ne$$( )hewo#ld go and $ee )enator 6rander( If he were in town he wo#ld hel 6a$$( /h"



$ho#ldn&t $he--he loed her( He had a$%ed oer and oer to marr" her( /h" $ho#ld

$he not go and a$% him for hel

)he he$itated a little while, then hearing 7eronica !reathing reg#larl", $he #t on

her hat and ;ac%et, and noi$ele$$l" oened the door into the $itting-room to $ee if

an" one were $tirring(

There wa$ no $o#nd $ae that of 4erhardt roc%ing nero#$l" to and fro in the

%itchen( There wa$ no light $ae that of her own $mall room-lam and a gleam from

#nder the %itchen door( )he t#rned and !lew the former o#t--then $lied '#ietl" to

the front door, oened it and $teed o#t into the night(

A waning moon wa$ $hining, and a h#$hed $en$e of growing life >lled the air, for it

wa$ nearing $ring again( A$ @ennie h#rried along the $hadow" $treet$--the arc light

had not "et !een inented--$he had a $in%ing $en$e of fear2 what wa$ thi$ ra$h thing

$he wa$ a!o#t to do How wo#ld the )enator receie her /hat wo#ld he thin% )he

$tood $toc%-$till, waering and do#!tf#l2 then the recollection of 6a$$ in hi$ night

cell came oer her again, and $he h#rried on(

The character of the Caitol Hotel wa$ $#ch that it wa$ not di+c#lt for a woman to

>nd ingre$$ thro#gh the ladie$& entrance to the ario#$ *oor$ of the hotel at an"

ho#r of the night( The hotel, not #nli%e man" other$ of the time, wa$ in no $en$e

loo$el" cond#cted, !#t it$ method of $#eri$ion in lace$ wa$ la5( An" er$on

co#ld enter, and, !" al"ing at a rear entrance to the lo!!", gain the attention of

the cler%( Otherwi$e not m#ch notice wa$ ta%en of tho$e who came and went(

/hen $he came to the door it wa$ dar% $ae for a low light !#rning in the entr"-wa"(

The di$tance to the )enator&$ room wa$ onl" a $hort wa" along the hall of the

$econd *oor( )he h#rried # the $te$, nero#$ and ale, !#t giing no other

o#tward $ign of the $torm that wa$ $#rging within her( /hen $he came to hi$

familiar door $he a#$ed2 $he feared that $he might not >nd him in hi$ room2 $he

trem!led again to thin% that he might !e there( A light $hone thro#gh the tran$om,

and, $#mmoning all her co#rage, $he %noc%ed( A man co#ghed and !e$tirred

him$elf(

Hi$ $#rri$e a$ he oened the door %new no !o#nd$( ./h", @ennieB. he e5claimed(

.How delightf#lB I wa$ thin%ing of "o#( Come in--come in(.

He welcomed her with an eager em!race(

.I wa$ coming o#t to $ee "o#, !eliee me, I wa$( I wa$ thin%ing all along how I co#ld

$traighten thi$ matter o#t( And now "o# come( 6#t what&$ the tro#!le.

He held her at arm&$ length and $t#died her di$tre$$ed face( The fre$h !ea#t" of her

$eemed to him li%e c#t lilie$ wet with dew(

He felt a great $#rge of tenderne$$(

.I hae $omething to a$% "o#,. $he at la$t !ro#ght her$elf to $a"( ." !rother i$ in

;ail( /e need ten dollar$ to get him o#t, and I didn&t %now where el$e to go(.



." oor childB. he $aid, cha>ng her hand$( ./here el$e $ho#ld "o# go Haen&t I

told "o# alwa"$ to come to me <on&t "o# %now, @ennie, I wo#ld do an"thing in the

world for "o#.

.3e$,. $he ga$ed(

./ell, then, don&t worr" a!o#t that an" more( 6#t won&t fate eer cea$e $tri%ing at

"o#, oor child How did "o#r !rother come to get in ;ail.

.The" ca#ght him throwing coal down from the car$,. $he relied(

.AhB. he relied, hi$ $"mathie$ to#ched and awa%ened( Here wa$ thi$ !o" arre$ted

and >ned for what fate wa$ racticall" driing him to do( Here wa$ thi$ girl leading

with him at night, in hi$ room, for what to her wa$ a great nece$$it"--ten dollar$2 to

him, a mere nothing( .I will arrange a!o#t "o#r !rother,. he $aid '#ic%l"( .<on&t

worr"( I can get him o#t in half an ho#r( 3o# $it here now and !e comforta!le #ntil I

ret#rn(.

He waed her to hi$ ea$"-chair !e$ide a large lam, and h#rried o#t of the room(

6rander %new the $heri who had er$onal $#eri$ion of the co#nt" ;ail( He %new

the ;#dge who had admini$tered the >ne( It wa$ !#t a >e min#te$& ta$% to write a

note to the ;#dge a$%ing him to reo%e the >ne, for the $a%e of the !o"&$ character,

and $end it !" a me$$enger to hi$ home( Another ten min#te$& ta$% to go er$onall"

to the ;ail and a$% hi$ friend, the $heri, to relea$e the !o" then and there(

.Here i$ the mone",. he $aid( .If the >ne i$ reo%ed "o# can ret#rn it to me( =et him

go now(.

The $heri wa$ onl" too glad to coml"( He ha$tened !elow to er$onall" $#eri$e

the ta$%, and 6a$$, a er" m#ch a$toni$hed !o", wa$ $et free( 9o e5lanation$ were

o#ch$afed him(

.That&$ all right now,. $aid the t#rn%e"( .3o#&re at li!ert"( R#n along home and don&t

let them catch "o# at an"thing li%e that again(.

6a$$ went hi$ wa" wondering, and the e5-)enator ret#rned to hi$ hotel tr"ing to

decide ;#$t how thi$ delicate $it#ation $ho#ld !e handled( O!io#$l" @ennie had not

told her father of her mi$$ion( )he had come a$ a la$t re$o#rce( )he wa$ now

waiting for him in hi$ room(

There are cri$e$ in all men&$ lie$ when the" waer !etween the $trict f#l>lment of

;#$tice and d#t" and the great o$$i!ilitie$ for er$onal haine$$ which another

line of cond#ct $eem$ to a$$#re( And the diiding line i$ not alwa"$ mar%ed and

clear( He %new that the i$$#e of ta%ing her, een a$ hi$ wife, wa$ made di+c#lt !"

the $en$ele$$ oo$ition of her father( The oinion of the world !ro#ght # $till

another comlication( )#o$ing he $ho#ld ta%e her oenl", what wo#ld the world

$a" )he wa$ a $igni>cant t"e emotionall", that he %new( There wa$ $omething

there--arti$ticall", temeramentall", which wa$ far and !e"ond the %eene$t

$#$icion of the herd( He did not %now him$elf '#ite what it wa$, !#t he felt a

largene$$ of feeling not altogether $'#ared with intellect, or erha$ !etter "et,e5erience, which wa$ worth" of an" man&$ de$ire( .Thi$ remar%a!le girl,. he

tho#ght, $eeing her clearl" in hi$ mind&$ e"e(



editating a$ to what he $ho#ld do, he ret#rned to hi$ hotel, and the room( A$ he

entered he wa$ $tr#c% anew with her !ea#t", and with the irre$i$ti!le aeal of her

er$onalit"( In the glow of the $haded lam $he $eemed a >g#re of marelo#$

otentialit"(

./ell,. he $aid, endeaoring to aear calm, .I hae loo%ed after "o#r !rother( He i$

o#t(.

)he ro$e(

.Oh,. $he e5claimed, cla$ing her hand$ and $tretching her arm$ o#t toward him(

There were tear$ of gratef#lne$$ in her e"e$(

He $aw them and $teed clo$e to her( .@ennie, for heaen&$ $a%e don&t cr",. he

entreated( .3o# angelB 3o# $i$ter of merc"B To thin% "o# $ho#ld hae to add tear$ to

"o#r other $acri>ce$(.

He drew her to him, and then all the ca#tion of "ear$ de$erted him( There wa$ a

$en$e !oth of need and of f#l>lment in hi$ mood( At la$t, in $ite of other lo$$e$,

fate had !ro#ght him what he mo$t de$ired--loe, a woman whom he co#ld loe( He

too% her in hi$ arm$, and %i$$ed her again and again(

The Engli$h @eerie$ ha$ told #$ that it re'#ire$ a h#ndred and >ft" "ear$ to ma%e a

erfect maiden( .rom all enchanted thing$ of earth and air, thi$ recio#$ne$$ ha$

!een drawn( rom the $o#th wind that !reathed a cent#r" and a half oer the green

wheat2 from the erf#me of the growing gra$$e$ waing oer hea"-laden cloer

and la#ghing eronica, hiding the green >nche$, !aDing the !ee2 from ro$e-lined

hedge, wood!ine, and corn*ower, a:#re !l#e, where "ellowing wheat $tal%$ crowd

# #nder the $hadow of green >r$( All the deio#$ !roo%let$& $weetne$$ where theiri$ $ta"$ the $#nlight2 all the wild wood$ hold of !ea#t"2 all the !road hill$ of th"me

and freedom thrice a h#ndred "ear$ reeated(

.A h#ndred "ear$ of cow$li$, !l#e!ell$, iolet$2 #rle $ring and golden a#t#mn2

$#n$hine, $hower, and dew" morning$2 the night immortal2 all the rh"thm of time

#nrolling( A chronicle #nwritten and a$t all ower of writing2 who $hall re$ere a

record of the etal$ that fell from the ro$e$ a cent#r" ago The $wallow$ to the

ho#$e-to$ three h#ndred--time$ thin% of thatB Thence $he $rang, and the world

"earn$ toward her !ea#t" a$ to *ower$ that are a$t( The loeline$$ of $eenteen i$

cent#rie$ old( That i$ wh" a$$ion i$ almo$t $ad(.

If "o# hae #nder$tood and areciated the !ea#t" of hare!ell$ three h#ndred

time$ reeated2 if the '#alit" of the ro$e$, of the m#$ic, of the r#dd" morning$ and

eening$ of the world ha$ eer to#ched "o#r heart2 if all !ea#t" were a$$ing, and

"o# were gien the$e thing$ to hold in "o#r arm$ !efore the world $lied awa",

wo#ld "o# gie them # _

CHAPTER 7III

The $igni>cance of the material and $irit#al change$ which $ometime$ oerta%e #$are not er" clear at the time( A $en$e of $hoc%, a $en$e of danger, and then

aarentl" we $#!$ide to old wa"$, !#t the change ha$ come( 9eer again, here or





.<on&t tell an" one,. $he leaded( .I don&t want an" one to %now( 3o# %now how

aa feel$ a!o#t him(.

.All right,. he relied( 6#t he wa$ c#rio#$ a$ to what the e5-)enator tho#ght, what

he had done, and how $he had aealed to him( )he e5lained !rie*", then $he

heard her mother come to the door(

.@ennie,. $he whi$ered(

@ennie went o#t(

.Oh, wh" did "o# go. $he a$%ed(

.I co#ldn&t hel it, ma,. $he relied( .I tho#ght I m#$t do $omething(.

./h" did "o# $ta" $o long.

.He wanted to tal% to me,. $he an$wered ea$iel"(

Her mother loo%ed at her nero#$l", wanl"(

.I hae !een $o afraid, oh, $o afraid( 3o#r father went to "o#r room, !#t I $aid "o#

were a$lee( He loc%ed the front door, !#t I oened it again( /hen 6a$$ came in he

wanted to call "o#, !#t I er$#aded him to wait #ntil morning(.

Again $he loo%ed wi$tf#ll" at her da#ghter(

.I&m all right, mamma,. $aid @ennie enco#ragingl"( .I&ll tell "o# all a!o#t it to-morrow(

4o to !ed( How doe$ he thin% 6a$$ got o#t.

.He doe$n&t %now( He tho#ght ma"!e the" ;#$t let him go !eca#$e he co#ldn&t a"the >ne(.

@ennie laid her hand loingl" on her mother&$ $ho#lder(

.4o to !ed,. $he $aid(

)he wa$ alread" "ear$ older in tho#ght and act( )he felt a$ tho#gh $he m#$t hel

her mother now a$ well a$ her$elf(

The da"$ which followed were one$ of dream" #ncertaint" to @ennie( )he went oer

in her mind the$e dramatic eent$ time and time and time and again( It wa$ not$#ch a di+c#lt matter to tell her mother that the )enator had tal%ed again of

marriage, that he roo$ed to come and get her after hi$ ne5t tri to /a$hington,

that he had gien her a h#ndred dollar$ and intended to gie her more, !#t of that

other matter--the one all-imortant thing, $he co#ld not !ring her$elf to $ea%( It

wa$ too $acred( The !alance of the mone" that he had romi$ed her arried !"

me$$enger the following da", fo#r h#ndred dollar$ in !ill$, with the admonition that

$he $ho#ld #t it in a local !an%( The e5-)enator e5lained that he wa$ alread" on

hi$ wa" to /a$hington, !#t that he wo#ld come !ac% or $end for her( .ee a $to#t

heart,. he wrote( .There are !etter da"$ in $tore for "o#(.

6rander wa$ gone, and @ennie&$ fate wa$ reall" in the !alance( 6#t her mind $till

retained all of the heart-innocence, and #n$ohi$tication of her "o#th2 a certain

gentle wi$tf#lne$$ wa$ the onl" o#tward change in her demeanor( He wo#ld $#rel"



$end for her( There wa$ the mirage of a di$tant co#ntr" and wondro#$ $cene$

looming # in her mind( )he had a little fort#ne in the !an%, more than $he had eer

dreamed of, with which to hel her mother( There were nat#ral, girli$h anticiation$

of good $till holding oer, which made her le$$ arehen$ie than $he co#ld

otherwi$e o$$i!l" hae !een( All nat#re, life, o$$i!ilit" wa$ in the !alance( It might

t#rn good, or ill, !#t with $o ine5erienced a $o#l it wo#ld not !e entirel" eil #ntil it

wa$ $o(

How a mind #nder $#ch #ncertain circ#m$tance$ co#ld retain $o comaratiel"

lacid a ein i$ one of tho$e marel$ which >nd their e5lanation in the inherent

tr#$tf#lne$$ of the $irit of "o#th( It i$ not often that the mind$ of men retain the

ercetion$ of their "o#nger da"$( The marel i$ not that one $ho#ld th#$ retain, !#t

that an" $ho#ld eer lo$e them 4o the world oer, and after "o# hae #t awa" the

wonder and tenderne$$ of "o#th what i$ there left The few $rig$ of green that

$ometime$ inade the !arrenne$$ of "o#r materiali$m, the few glim$e$ of $#mmer

which *a$h a$t the e"e of the wintr" $o#l, the half ho#r$ o d#ring the long tedi#m

of !#rrowing, the$e reeal to the hardened earth-$ee%er the #nier$e which the"o#thf#l mind ha$ with it alwa"$( 9o fear and no faor2 the oen >eld$ and the light

#on the hill$2 morning, noon, night2 $tar$, the !ird-call$, the water&$ #rl--the$e are

the nat#ral inheritance of the mind of the child( en call it oetic, tho$e who are

hardened fancif#l( In the da"$ of their "o#th it wa$ nat#ral, !#t the recetiene$$ of

"o#th ha$ dearted, and the" cannot $ee(

How thi$ wor%ed o#t in her er$onal action$ wa$ to !e $een onl" in a $lightl"

accent#ated wi$tf#lne$$, a to#ch of which wa$ in eer" ta$%( )ometime$ $he wo#ld

wonder that no letter came, !#t at the $ame time $he wo#ld recall the fact that he

had $eci>ed a few wee%$, and hence the $i5 that act#all" ela$ed did not $eem $o

long(

In the meanwhile the di$ting#i$hed e5-)enator had gone light-heartedl" to hi$

conference with the Pre$ident, he had ;oined in a lea$ant ro#nd of $ocial call$, and

he wa$ a!o#t to a" a $hort co#ntr" i$it to $ome friend$ in ar"land, when he wa$

$ei:ed with a $light attac% of feer, which con>ned him to hi$ room for a few da"$(

He felt a little irritated that he $ho#ld !e laid # ;#$t at thi$ time, !#t neer

$#$ected that there wa$ an"thing $erio#$ in hi$ indi$o$ition( Then the doctor

di$coered that he wa$ $#ering from a ir#lent form of t"hoid, the raage$ of

which too% awa" hi$ $en$e$ for a time and left him er" wea%( He wa$ tho#ght to !e

conale$cing, howeer, when ;#$t $i5 wee%$ after he had la$t arted with @ennie, hewa$ $ei:ed with a $#dden attac% of heart fail#re and neer regained con$cio#$ne$$(

@ennie remained !li$$f#ll" ignorant of hi$ illne$$ and did not een $ee the hea"-

t"ed headline$ of the anno#ncement of hi$ death #ntil 6a$$ came home that

eening(

.=oo% here, @ennie,. he $aid e5citedl", .6rander&$ deadB.

He held # the new$aer, on the >r$t col#mn of /hich wa$ rinted in hea" !loc%

t"e

<EATH O E-)E9ATOR 6RA9<ER



)#dden Pa$$ing of Ohio&$ <i$ting#i$hed )on( )#cc#m!$ to Heart ail#re at the

Arlington, in /a$hington(

Recent attac% of t"hoid, from which he wa$ tho#ght to !e recoering, roe$ fatal(

9ota!le ha$e$ of a remar%a!le career(

@ennie loo%ed at it in !lan% ama:ement( .<ead. $he e5claimed(

.There it i$ in the aer,. ret#rned 6a$$, hi$ tone !eing that of one who i$ imarting

a er" intere$ting iece of new$( .He died at ten o&cloc% thi$ morning(. _

CHAPTER I

@ennie too% the aer with !#t ill-concealed trem!ling and went into the ad;oining

room( There $he $tood !" the front window and loo%ed at it again, a $ic%ening

$en$ation of dread holding her a$ tho#gh in a trance(

.He i$ dead,. wa$ all that her mind co#ld form#late for the time, and a$ $he $tood

there the oice of 6a$$ reco#nting the fact to 4erhardt in the ad;oining room

$o#nded in her ear$( .3e$, he i$ dead,. $he heard him $a"2 and once again $he tried

to get $ome concetion of what it meant to her( 6#t her mind $eemed a !lan%(

A moment later r$( 4erhardt ;oined her( )he had heard 6a$$&$ anno#ncement and

had $een @ennie leae the room, !#t her tro#!le with 4erhardt oer the )enator had

ca#$ed her to !e caref#l of an" di$la" of emotion( 9o concetion of the real $tate

of aair$ eer haing cro$$ed her mind, $he wa$ onl" intere$ted in $eeing how

@ennie wo#ld ta%e thi$ $#dden annihilation of her hoe$(

.I$n&t it too !ad. $he $aid, with real $orrow( .To thin% that he $ho#ld hae to die ;#$t

when he wa$ going to do $o m#ch for "o#--for #$ all(.

)he a#$ed, e5ecting $ome word of agreement, !#t @ennie remained #nwontedl"

d#m!(



.I wo#ldn&t feel !adl",. contin#ed r$( 4erhardt( .It can&t !e heled( He meant to do

a good deal, !#t "o# m#$tn&t thin% of that now( It&$ all oer, and it can&t !e heled,

"o# %now(.

)he a#$ed again, and $till @ennie remained motionle$$ and m#te( r$( 4erhardt,

$eeing how #$ele$$ her word$ were, concl#ded that @ennie wi$hed to !e alone, and

$he went awa"(

)till @ennie $tood there, and now, a$ the real $igni>cance of the new$ !egan to

form#late it$elf into con$ec#tie tho#ght, $he !egan to reali:e the wretchedne$$ of

her o$ition, it$ helle$$ne$$( )he went into her !edroom and $at down #on the

$ide of the !ed, from which o$ition $he $aw a er" ale, di$tra#ght face $taring at

her from o#t of the $mall mirror( )he loo%ed at it #ncertainl"2 co#ld that reall" !e her

own co#ntenance .I&ll hae to go awa",. $he tho#ght, and !egan, with the co#rage

of de$air, to wonder what ref#ge wo#ld !e oen to her(

In the mean time the eening meal wa$ anno#nced, and, to maintain aearance$,

$he went o#t and ;oined the famil"2 the nat#ralne$$ of her art wa$ er" di+c#lt to$#$tain( 4erhardt o!$ered her $#!d#ed condition witho#t g#e$$ing the deth of

emotion which it coered( 6a$$ wa$ too m#ch intere$ted in hi$ own aair$ to a"

artic#lar attention to an"!od"(

<#ring the da"$ that followed @ennie ondered oer the di+c#ltie$ of her o$ition

and wondered what $he $ho#ld do( one" $he had, it wa$ tr#e2 !#t no friend$, no

e5erience, no lace to go( )he had alwa"$ lied with her famil"( )he !egan to feel

#nacco#nta!le $in%ing$ of $irit, namele$$ and formle$$ fear$ $eemed to $#rro#nd

and ha#nt her( Once when $he aro$e in the morning $he felt an #ncontrolla!le de$ire

to cr", and fre'#entl" thereafter thi$ feeling wo#ld $ei:e #on her at the mo$tinoort#ne time$( r$( 4erhardt !egan to note her mood$, and one afternoon $he

re$oled to '#e$tion her da#ghter(

.9ow "o# m#$t tell me what&$ the matter with "o#,. $he $aid '#ietl"( .@ennie, "o#

m#$t tell "o#r mother eer"thing(.

@ennie, to whom confe$$ion had $eemed imo$$i!le, #nder the $"mathetic

er$i$tence of her mother !ro%e down at la$t and made the fatal confe$$ion( r$(

4erhardt $tood there, too d#m! with mi$er" to gie ent to a word(

.OhB. $he $aid at la$t, a great wae of $elf-acc#$ation $weeing oer her, .it i$ allm" fa#lt( I might hae %nown( 6#t we&ll do what we can(. )he !ro%e down and

$o!!ed alo#d(

After a time $he went !ac% to the wa$hing $he had to do, and $tood oer her t#!

r#!!ing and cr"ing( The tear$ ran down her chee%$ and droed into the $#d$( Once

in a while $he $toed and tried to dr" her e"e$ with her aron, !#t the" $oon >lled

again(

9ow that the >r$t $hoc% had a$$ed, there came the iid con$cio#$ne$$ of eer-

re$ent danger( /hat wo#ld 4erhardt do if he learned the tr#th He had often $aid

that if eer one of hi$ da#ghter$ $ho#ld act li%e $ome of tho$e he %new he wo#ldt#rn her o#t of door$( .)he $ho#ld not $ta" #nder m" roofB. he had e5claimed(



.I&m $o afraid of "o#r father,. r$( 4erhardt often $aid to @ennie in thi$ intermediate

eriod( .I don&t %now what he&ll $a"(.

.Perha$ I&d !etter go awa",. $#gge$ted her da#ghter(

.9o,. $he $aid2 .he needn&t %now ;#$t "et( /ait awhile(. 6#t in her heart of heart$

$he %new that the eil da" co#ld not !e long o$toned(

One da", when her own $#$en$e had reached $#ch a itch that it co#ld no longer

!e end#red, r$( 4erhardt $ent @ennie awa" with the children, hoing to !e a!le to

tell her h#$!and !efore the" ret#rned( All the morning $he >dgeted a!o#t, dreading

the oort#ne moment and letting him retire to hi$ $l#m!er witho#t $ea%ing( /hen

afternoon came $he did not go o#t to wor%, !eca#$e $he co#ld not leae with her

ainf#l d#t" #nf#l>lled( 4erhardt aro$e at fo#r, and $till $he he$itated, %nowing f#ll

well that @ennie wo#ld $oon ret#rn and that the $eciall" reared occa$ion wo#ld

then !e lo$t( It i$ almo$t certain that $he wo#ld not hae had the co#rage to $a"

an"thing if he him$elf had not !ro#ght # the $#!;ect of @ennie&$ aearance(

.)he doe$n&t loo% well,. he $aid( .There $eem$ to !e $omething the matter with

her(.

.Oh,. !egan r$( 4erhardt, i$i!l" $tr#ggling with her fear$, and moed to ma%e an

end of it at an" co$t, .@ennie i$ in tro#!le( I don&t %now what to do( )he--.

4erhardt, who had #n$crewed a door-loc% and wa$ tr"ing to mend it, loo%ed #

$harl" from hi$ wor%(

./hat do "o# mean. he a$%ed(

r$( 4erhardt had her aron in her hand$ at the time, her nero#$ tendenc" to roll it

coming #on her( )he tried to $#mmon $#+cient co#rage to e5lain, !#t fear

ma$tered her comletel"2 $he lifted the aron to her e"e$ and !egan to cr"(

4erhardt loo%ed at her and ro$e( He wa$ a man with the Calin t"e of face, rather

$are, with $%in $allow and di$colored a$ the re$#lt of age and wor% in the wind and

rain( /hen he wa$ $#rri$ed or angr" $ar%$ of light glittered in hi$ e"e$( He

fre'#entl" #$hed hi$ hair !ac% when he wa$ tro#!led, and almo$t inaria!l" wal%ed

the *oor2 ;#$t now he loo%ed alert and dangero#$(

./hat i$ that "o# $a". he in'#ired in 4erman, hi$ oice $training to a hard note( .Intro#!le--ha$ $ome one--. He a#$ed and *#ng hi$ hand #ward( ./h" don&t "o#

$ea%. he demanded(

.I neer tho#ght,. went on r$( 4erhardt, frightened, and "et following her own

train of tho#ght, .that an"thing li%e that wo#ld haen to her( )he wa$ $#ch a good

girl( OhB. $he concl#ded, .to thin% he $ho#ld r#in @ennie(.

.6" th#nderB. $ho#ted 4erhardt, giing wa" to a f#r" of feeling, .I tho#ght $oB

6randerB HaB 3o#r >ne manB That come$ of letting her go r#nning aro#nd at night$,

!#gg"-riding, wal%ing the $treet$( I tho#ght $o( 4od in heaenB--.

He !ro%e from hi$ dramatic attit#de and $tr#c% o#t in a >erce $tride acro$$ the

narrow cham!er, t#rning li%e a caged animal(



.R#inedB. he e5claimed( .R#inedB HaB )o he ha$ r#ined her, ha$ he.

)#ddenl" he $toed li%e an image ;er%ed !" a $tring( He wa$ directl" in front of

r$( 4erhardt, who had retired to the ta!le at the $ide of the wall, and wa$ $tanding

there ale with fear(

.He i$ dead nowB. he $ho#ted, a$ if thi$ fact had now >r$t occ#rred to him( .He i$

deadB.

He #t !oth hand$ to hi$ temle$, a$ if he feared hi$ !rain wo#ld gie wa", and

$tood loo%ing at her, the moc%ing iron" of the $it#ation $eeming to !#rn in hi$ !rain

li%e >re(

.<eadB. he reeated, and r$( 4erhardt, fearing for the rea$on of the man, $hran%

$till farther awa", her wit$ ta%en # rather with the traged" of the >g#re he

re$ented than with the act#al $#!$tance of hi$ woe(

.He intended to marr" her,. $he leaded nero#$l"( .He wo#ld hae married her if

he had not died(.

./o#ld haeB. $ho#ted 4erhardt, coming o#t of hi$ trance at the $o#nd of her oice(

./o#ld haeB That&$ a >ne thing to tal% a!o#t now( /o#ld haeB The ho#ndB a" hi$

$o#l !#rn in hell--the dogB Ah, 4od, I hoe--I hoe--If I were not a Chri$tian--. He

clenched hi$ hand$, the awf#lne$$ of hi$ a$$ion $ha%ing him li%e a leaf(

r$( 4erhardt !#r$t into tear$, and her h#$!and t#rned awa", hi$ own feeling$ far

too inten$e for him to hae an" $"math" with her( He wal%ed to and fro, hi$ hea"

$te $ha%ing the %itchen *oor( After a time he came !ac%, a new ha$e of the dread

calamit" haing oered it$elf to hi$ mind(

./hen did thi$ haen. he demanded

.I don&t %now,. ret#rned r$( 4erhardt, too terror-$tric%en to tell the tr#th( .I onl"

fo#nd it o#t the other da"(.

.3o# lieB. he e5claimed in hi$ e5citement( .3o# were alwa"$ $hielding her( It i$ "o#r

fa#lt that $he i$ where $he i$( If "o# had let me hae m" wa" there wo#ld hae !een

no ca#$e for o#r tro#!le to-night(

.A >ne ending,. he went on to him$elf( .A >ne ending( " !o" get$ into ;ail2 m"

da#ghter wal%$ the $treet$ and get$ her$elf tal%ed a!o#t2 the neigh!or$ come to me

with oen remar%$ a!o#t m" children2 and now thi$ $co#ndrel r#in$ her( 6" the 4od

in heaen, I don&t %now what ha$ got into m" childrenB

.I don&t %now how it i$,. he went on, #ncon$cio#$l" commi$erating him$elf( .I tr", I

tr"B Eer" night I ra" that the =ord will let me do right, !#t it i$ no #$e( I might wor%

and wor%( " hand$--loo% at them--are ro#gh with wor%( All m" life I hae tried to !e

an hone$t man( 9ow--now--. Hi$ oice !ro%e, and it $eemed for a moment a$ if he

wo#ld gie wa" to tear$( )#ddenl" he t#rned on hi$ wife, the ma;or a$$ion of anger

o$$e$$ing him(

.3o# are the ca#$e of thi$,. he e5claimed( .3o# are the $ole ca#$e( If "o# had done

a$ I told "o# to do thi$ wo#ld not hae haened( 9o, "o# wo#ldn&t do that( )he



m#$t go o#tB o#tBB o#tBBB )he ha$ !ecome a $treet-wal%er, that&$ what $he ha$

!ecome( )he ha$ $et her$elf right to go to hell( =et her go( I wa$h m" hand$ of the

whole thing( Thi$ i$ eno#gh for me(.

He made a$ if to go o to hi$ little !edroom, !#t he had no $ooner reached the door

than he came !ac%(

.)he $hall get o#tB. he $aid electricall"( .)he $hall not $ta" #nder m" roofB To-nightB

At onceB I will not let her enter m" door again( I will $how her whether $he will

di$grace me or notB.

.3o# m#$tn&t t#rn her o#t on the $treet$ to-night,. leaded r$( 4erhardt( .)he ha$

no lace to go(.

.To-nightB. he reeated( .Thi$ er" min#teB =et her >nd a home( )he did not want

thi$ one( =et her get o#t now( /e will $ee how the world treat$ her(. He wal%ed o#t

of the room, in*e5i!le re$ol#tion >5ed #on hi$ r#gged feat#re$(

At half-a$t >e, when r$( 4erhardt wa$ tearf#ll" going a!o#t the d#t" of getting

$#er, @ennie ret#rned( Her mother $tarted when $he heard the door oen, for now

$he %new the $torm wo#ld !#r$t afre$h( Her father met her on the thre$hold(

.4et o#t of m" $ightB. he $aid $aagel"( .3o# $hall not $ta" another ho#r in m"

ho#$e( I don&t want to $ee "o# an" more( 4et o#tB.

@ennie $tood !efore him, ale, trem!ling a little, and $ilent( The children $he had

!ro#ght home with her crowded a!o#t in frightened ama:ement( 7eronica and

artha, who loed her dearl", !egan to cr"(

./hat&$ the matter. 4eorge a$%ed, hi$ mo#th oen in wonder(

.)he $hall get o#t,. reiterated 4erhardt( .I don&t want her #nder m" roof( If $he

want$ to !e a $treet-wal%er, let her !e one, !#t $he $hall not $ta" here( Pac% "o#r

thing$,. he added, $taring at her(

@ennie had no word to $a", !#t the children cried lo#dl"(

.6e $till,. $aid 4erhardt( .4o into the %itchen(.

He droe them all o#t and followed $t#!!ornl" him$elf(

@ennie went '#ietl" to her room( )he gathered # her few little !elonging$ and

!egan, with tear$, to #t them into a ali$e her mother !ro#ght her( The little girli$h

trin%et$ that $he had acc#m#lated from time to time $he did not ta%e( )he $aw

them, !#t tho#ght of her "o#nger $i$ter$, and let them $ta"( artha and 7eronica

wo#ld hae a$$i$ted her, !#t their father for!ade them to go(

At $i5 o&cloc% 6a$$ came in, and $eeing the nero#$ a$$em!l" in the %itchen,

in'#ired what the tro#!le wa$(

4erhardt loo%ed at him griml", !#t did not an$wer(

./hat&$ the tro#!le. in$i$ted 6a$$( ./hat are "o# all $itting aro#nd for.

.He i$ driing @ennie awa",. whi$ered r$( 4erhardt tearf#ll"(



./hat for. a$%ed 6a$$, oening hi$ e"e$ in a$toni$hment(

.I $hall tell "o# what for,. !ro%e in 4erhardt, $till $ea%ing in 4erman( .6eca#$e

$he&$ a $treet-wal%er, that&$ what for( )he goe$ and get$ her$elf r#ined !" a man

thirt" "ear$ older than $he i$, a man old eno#gh to !e her father( =et her get o#t of

thi$( )he $hall not $ta" here another min#te(.

6a$$ loo%ed a!o#t him, and the children oened their e"e$( All felt clearl" that

$omething terri!le had haened, een the little one$( 9one !#t 6a$$ #nder$tood(

./hat do "o# want to $end her o#t to-night for. he in'#ired( .Thi$ i$ no time to

$end a girl o#t on the $treet$( Can&t $he $ta" here #ntil morning.

.9o,. $aid 4erhardt(

.He o#ghtn&t to do that,. #t in the mother(

.)he goe$ now,. $aid 4erhardt( .=et that !e an end of it(.

./here i$ $he going to go. in$i$ted 6a$$(

.I don&t %now,. r$( 4erhardt interolated wea%l"(

6a$$ loo%ed aro#nd, !#t did nothing #ntil r$( 4erhardt motioned him toward the

front door when her h#$!and wa$ not loo%ing(

.4o inB 4o inB. wa$ the imort of her ge$t#re(

6a$$ went in, and then r$( 4erhardt dared to leae her wor% and follow( The

children $ta"ed awhile, !#t, one !" one, een the" $lied awa", leaing 4erhardt

alone( /hen he tho#ght that time eno#gh had ela$ed he aro$e(

In the interal @ennie had !een ha$til" coached !" her mother(

@ennie $ho#ld go to a riate !oarding-ho#$e $omewhere, and $end !ac% her

addre$$( 6a$$ $ho#ld not accoman" her, !#t $he $ho#ld wait a little wa" # the

$treet, and he wo#ld follow( /hen her father wa$ awa" the mother might get to $ee

her, or @ennie co#ld come home( All el$e m#$t !e o$toned #ntil the" co#ld meet

again(

/hile the di$c#$$ion wa$ $till going on, 4erhardt came in(

.I$ $he going. he a$%ed har$hl"(

.3e$,. an$wered r$( 4erhardt, with her >r$t and onl" note of de>ance(

6a$$ $aid, ./hat&$ the h#rr". 6#t 4erhardt frowned too mightil" for him to ent#re

on an" f#rther remon$trance(

@ennie entered, wearing her one good dre$$ and carr"ing her ali$e( There wa$ fear

in her e"e$, for $he wa$ a$$ing thro#gh a >er" ordeal, !#t $he had !ecome a

woman( The $trength of loe wa$ with her, the $#ort of atience and the r#ling

$weetne$$ of $acri>ce( )ilentl" $he %i$$ed her mother, while tear$ fell fa$t( Then $het#rned, and the door clo$ed #on her a$ $he went forth to a new life( _



CHAPTER

The world into which @ennie wa$ th#$ #nd#l" thr#$t forth wa$ that in which irt#e

ha$ alwa"$ ainl" $tr#ggled $ince time immemorial2 for irt#e i$ the wi$hing welland the doing well #nto other$( 7irt#e i$ that '#alit" of genero$it" which oer$ it$elf

willingl" for another&$ $erice, and, !eing thi$, it i$ held !" $ociet" to !e nearl"

worthle$$( )ell "o#r$elf cheal" and "o# $hall !e #$ed lightl" and tramled #nder

foot( Hold "o#r$elf dearl", howeer #nworthil", and "o# will !e re$ected( )ociet",

in the ma$$, lac%$ woef#ll" in the matter of di$crimination( It$ one criterion i$ the

oinion of other$( It$ one te$t that of $elf-re$eration( Ha$ he re$ered hi$

fort#ne Ha$ $he re$ered her #rit" Onl" in rare in$tance$ and with rare

indiid#al$ doe$ there $eem to !e an" g#iding light from within(

@ennie had not $o#ght to hold her$elf dear( Innate feeling in her made for $elf-$acri>ce( )he co#ld not !e readil" corr#ted !" the world&$ $el>$h le$$on$ on how to

re$ere one$elf from the eil to come(

It i$ in $#ch $#reme moment$ that growth i$ greate$t( It come$ a$ with a a$t

$#rge, thi$ feeling of $trength and $#+cienc"( /e ma" $till trem!le, the fear of doing

wretchedl" ma" linger, !#t we grow( la$he$ of in$iration come to g#ide the $o#l(

In nat#re there i$ no o#t$ide( /hen we are ca$t from a gro# or a condition we hae

$till the comanion$hi of all that i$( 9at#re i$ not #ngenero#$( It$ wind$ and $tar$

are fellow$ with "o#( =et the $o#l !e !#t gentle and recetie, and thi$ a$t tr#th

will come home--not in $et hra$e$, erha$, !#t a$ a feeling, a comfort, which,

after all, i$ the la$t e$$ence of %nowledge( In the #nier$e eace i$ wi$dom(

@ennie had hardl" t#rned from the door when $he wa$ oerta%en !" 6a$$( .4ie me

"o#r gri,. he $aid2 and then $eeing that $he wa$ d#m! with #n#ttera!le feeling, he

added, .I thin% I %now where I can get "o# a room(.

He led the wa" to the $o#thern art of the cit", where the" were not %nown, and #

to the door of an old lad" who$e arlor cloc% had !een recentl" #rcha$ed from the

in$talment >rm !" whom he wa$ now emlo"ed( )he wa$ not well o, he %new, and

had a room to rent(

.I$ that room of "o#r$ $till acant. he a$%ed(

.3e$,. $he $aid, loo%ing at @ennie(

.I wi$h "o#&d let m" $i$ter hae it( /e&re moing awa", and $he can&t go "et(.

The old lad" e5re$$ed her willingne$$, and @ennie wa$ $oon temoraril" in$talled(

.<on&t worr" now,. $aid 6a$$, who felt rather $orr" for her( .Thi$&ll !low oer( a $aid

I $ho#ld tell "o# not to worr"( Come # to-morrow when he&$ gone(.

@ennie $aid $he wo#ld, and, after giing her f#rther oral enco#ragement, hearranged with the old lad" a!o#t !oard, and too% hi$ leae(



.It&$ all right now,. he $aid enco#ragingl" a$ he went o#t( .3o#&ll come o#t all right(

<on&t worr"( I&e got to go !ac%, !#t I&ll come aro#nd in the morning(.

He went awa", and the !itter $tre$$ of it !lew lightl" oer hi$ head, for he wa$

thin%ing that @ennie had made a mi$ta%e( Thi$ wa$ $hown !" the manner in which

he had a$%ed her '#e$tion$ a$ the" had wal%ed together, and that in the face of her

$ad and do#!tf#l mood(

./hat&d "o# want to do that for. and .<idn&t "o# eer thin% what "o# were doing.

he er$i$ted(

.Plea$e don&t a$% me to-night,. @ennie had $aid, which #t an end to the $hare$t

form of hi$ '#erie$( )he had no e5c#$e to oer and no comlaint to ma%e( If an"

!lame attached, er" li%el" it wa$ her$( Hi$ own mi$fort#ne and the famil"&$ and her

$acri>ce were ali%e forgotten(

=eft alone in her $trange a!ode, @ennie gae wa" to her $addened feeling$( The

$hoc% and $hame of !eing !ani$hed from her home oercame her, and $he wet(Altho#gh of a nat#rall" long-$#ering and #ncomlaining di$o$ition, the

cata$trohic wind-# of all her hoe$ wa$ too m#ch for her( /hat wa$ thi$ element

in life that co#ld $ei:e and oerwhelm one a$ doe$ a great wind /h" thi$ $#dden

intr#$ion of death to $hatter all that had $eemed mo$t romi$ing in life

A$ $he tho#ght oer the a$t, a er" clear recollection of the detail$ of her long

relation$hi with 6rander came !ac% to her, and for all her $#ering $he co#ld onl"

feel a loing aection for him( After all, he had not deli!eratel" willed her an" harm(

Hi$ %indne$$, hi$ genero$it"--the$e thing$ had !een real( He had !een e$$entiall" a

good man, and $he wa$ $orr"--more for hi$ $a%e than for her own that hi$ end had

!een $o #ntimel"(

The$e cogitation$, while not at all rea$$#ring, at lea$t $ered to a$$ the night

awa", and the ne5t morning 6a$$ $toed on hi$ wa" to wor% to $a" that r$(

4erhardt wi$hed her to come home that $ame eening( 4erhardt wo#ld not !e

re$ent, and the" co#ld tal% it oer( )he $ent the da" lone$omel" eno#gh, !#t

when night fell her $irit$ !rightened, and at a '#arter of eight $he $et o#t(

There wa$ not m#ch of comforting new$ to tell her( 4erhardt wa$ $till in a diref#ll"

angr" and o#traged mood( He had alread" decided to throw # hi$ lace on the

following )at#rda" and go to 3o#ng$town( An" lace wa$ !etter than Col#m!#$ afterthi$2 he co#ld neer e5ect to hold # hi$ head here again( It$ memorie$ were

odio#$( He wo#ld go awa" now, and if he $#cceeded in >nding wor% the famil"

$ho#ld follow, a deci$ion which meant the a!andoning of the little home( He wa$ not

going to tr" to meet the mortgage on the ho#$e--he co#ld not hoe to(

At the end of the wee% 4erhardt too% hi$ leae, @ennie ret#rned home, and for a

time at lea$t there wa$ a re$toration of the old order, a condition which, of co#r$e,

co#ld not end#re(

6a$$ $aw it( @ennie&$ tro#!le and it$ o$$i!le con$e'#ence$ weighed #on him

di$agreea!l"( Col#m!#$ wa$ no lace to $ta"( 3o#ng$town wa$ no lace to go( If the"$ho#ld all moe awa" to $ome larger cit" it wo#ld !e m#ch !etter(



He ondered oer the $it#ation, and hearing that a man#fact#ring !oom wa$ on in

Cleeland, he tho#ght it might !e wi$e to tr" hi$ l#c% there( If he $#cceeded, the

other$ might follow( If 4erhardt $till wor%ed on in 3o#ng$town, a$ he wa$ now doing,

and the famil" came to Cleeland, it wo#ld $ae @ennie from !eing t#rned o#t in the

$treet$(

6a$$ waited a little while !efore ma%ing # hi$ mind, !#t >nall" anno#nced hi$#ro$e(

.I !eliee I&ll go # to Cleeland,. he $aid to hi$ mother one eening a$ $he wa$

getting $#er(

./h". $he a$%ed, loo%ing # #ncertainl"( )he wa$ rather afraid that 6a$$ wo#ld

de$ert her(

.I thin% I can get wor% there,. he ret#rned( ./e o#ghtn&t to $ta" in thi$ darned old

town(.

.<on&t $wear,. $he ret#rned reroingl"(

.Oh, I %now,. he $aid, .!#t it&$ eno#gh to ma%e an" one $wear( /e&e neer had

an"thing !#t rotten l#c% here( I&m going to go, and ma"!e if I get an"thing we can

all moe( /e&d !e !etter o if we&d get $ome lace where eole don&t %now #$( /e

can&t !e an"thing here(.

r$( 4erhardt li$tened with a $trong hoe for a !etterment of their mi$era!le life

creeing into her heart( If 6a$$ wo#ld onl" do thi$( If he wo#ld go and get wor%, and

come to her re$c#e, a$ a $trong !right "o#ng $on might, what a thing it wo#ld !eB

The" were in the raid$ of a life which wa$ moing toward a dreadf#l calamit"( Ifonl" $omething wo#ld haen(

.<o "o# thin% "o# co#ld get $omething to do. $he a$%ed intere$tedl"(

.I o#ght to,. he $aid( .I&e neer loo%ed for a lace "et that I didn&t get it( Other

fellow$ hae gone # there and done all right( =oo% at the iller$(.

He $hoed hi$ hand$ into hi$ oc%et$ and loo%ed o#t the window(

.<o "o# thin% "o# co#ld get along #ntil I tr" m" hand # there. he a$%ed(

.I g#e$$ we co#ld,. $he relied( .Paa&$ at wor% now and we hae $ome mone" that,that--. $he he$itated, to name the $o#rce, $o a$hamed wa$ $he of their

redicament(

.3e$, I %now,. $aid 6a$$, griml"(

./e won&t hae to a" an" rent here !efore fall and then we&ll hae to gie it #

an"how,. $he added(

)he wa$ referring to the mortgage on the ho#$e, which fell d#e the ne5t )etem!er

and which #n'#e$tiona!l" co#ld not !e met( .If we co#ld moe awa" from here

!efore then, I g#e$$ we co#ld get along(.

.I&ll do it,. $aid 6a$$ determinedl"( .I&ll go(.



Accordingl", he threw # hi$ lace at the end of the month, and the da" after he left

for Cleeland( _

CHAPTER I

The incident$ of the da"$ that followed, relating a$ the" did ec#liarl" to @ennie,

were of an order which the moralit" of o#r da" ha$ agreed to ta!oo(

Certain roce$$e$ of the all-mother, the great arti>cing wi$dom of the ower that

wor%$ and weae$ in $ilence and in dar%ne$$, when iewed in the light of the

e$ta!li$hed oinion of $ome of the little indiid#al$ created !" it, are con$idered

er" ile( /e t#rn o#r face$ awa" from the creation of life a$ if that were the la$t

thing that man $ho#ld dare to intere$t him$elf in, oenl"(

It i$ c#rio#$ that a feeling of thi$ $ort $ho#ld $ring # in a world who$e er"

e$$ence i$ generatie, the a$t roce$$ d#al, and where wind, water, $oil, and light

ali%e mini$ter to the fr#ition of that which i$ all that we are( Altho#gh the whole

earth, not we alone, i$ moed !" a$$ion$ h"meneal, and eer"thing terre$trial ha$come into !eing !" the one common road, "et there i$ that ridic#lo#$ tendenc" to

clo$e the e"e$ and t#rn awa" the head a$ if there were $omething #nclean in nat#re

it$elf( .Conceied in ini'#it" and !orn in $in,. i$ the #nnat#ral interretation #t

#on the roce$$ !" the e5treme religioni$t, and the world, !" it$ $ilence, gie$

a$$ent to a ;#dgment $o marelo#$l" wared(

)#rel" there i$ $omething radicall" wrong in thi$ attit#de( The teaching$ of

hilo$oh" and the ded#ction$ of !iolog" $ho#ld >nd more ractical alication in

the dail" rea$oning of man( 9o roce$$ i$ ile, no condition i$ #nnat#ral( The

accidental ariation from a gien $ocial ractice doe$ not nece$$aril" entail $in( 9o

oor little earthling, ca#ght in the enormo#$ gri of chance, and $o $wered from

the e$ta!li$hed c#$tom$ of men, co#ld o$$i!l" !e g#ilt" of that deth of ilene$$

which the attit#de of the world wo#ld $eem to redicate $o ineita!l"(

@ennie wa$ now to witne$$ the #n;#$t interretation of that wonder of nat#re, which,

!#t for 6rander&$ death, might hae !een con$ecrated and hallowed a$ one of the

ideal f#nction$ of life( Altho#gh her$elf #na!le to di$ting#i$h the $earatene$$ of

thi$ from eer" other normal roce$$ of life, "et wa$ $he made to feel, !" the

action$ of all a!o#t her, that degradation wa$ her ortion and $in the fo#ndation a$

well a$ the condition of her $tate( Almo$t, not '#ite, it wa$ $o#ght to e5ting#i$h the

aection, the con$ideration, the care which, afterward, the world wo#ld demand ofher, for her child( Almo$t, not '#ite, wa$ the !#dding and e$$ential loe loo%ed #on

a$ eil( Altho#gh her #ni$hment wa$ neither the gi!!et nor the ;ail of a few

h#ndred "ear$ !efore, "et the ignorance and immo!ilit" of the h#man !eing$ a!o#t

her made it imo$$i!le for them to $ee an"thing in her re$ent condition !#t a ile

and remeditated infraction of the $ocial code, the #ni$hment of which wa$

o$traci$m( All $he co#ld do now wa$ to $h#n the $cornf#l ga:e of men, and to !ear

in $ilence the great change that wa$ coming #on her( )trangel" eno#gh, $he felt no

#$ele$$ remor$e, no ain regret$( Her heart wa$ #re, and $he wa$ con$cio#$ that it

wa$ >lled with eace( )orrow there wa$, it i$ tr#e, !#t onl" a mellow ha$e of it, a

ag#e #ncertaint" and wonder, which wo#ld $ometime$ ca#$e her e"e$ to >ll withtear$(



3o# hae heard the wood-doe calling in the lone $tillne$$ of the $#mmertime2 "o#

hae fo#nd the #nheeded !roo%let $inging and !a!!ling where no ear come$ to

hear( ?nder dead leae$ and $now-!an%$ the delicate ar!#t#$ #nfold$ it$ $imle

!lo$$om, an$wering $ome heaenl" call for color( )o, too, thi$ other *ower of

womanhood(

@ennie wa$ left alone, !#t, li%e the wood-doe, $he wa$ a oice of $weetne$$ in the$#mmer-time( 4oing a!o#t her ho#$ehold d#tie$, $he wa$ content to wait, witho#t a

m#rm#r, the f#l>lment of that roce$$ for which, after all, $he wa$ !#t the $acri>cial

imlement( /hen her d#tie$ were lighte$t $he wa$ content to $it in '#iet

meditation, the marel of life holding her a$ in a trance( /hen $he wa$ harde$t

re$$ed to aid her mother, $he wo#ld $ometime$ >nd her$elf '#ietl" $inging, the

lea$#re of wor% lifting her o#t of her$elf( Alwa"$ $he wa$ content to face the f#t#re

with a $erene and #nfaltering co#rage( It i$ not $o with all women( 9at#re i$ #n%ind

in ermitting the minor t"e to !ear a child at all( The larger nat#re$ in their

mat#rit" welcome motherhood, $ee in it the immen$e o$$i!ilitie$ of racial

f#l>lment, and >nd ;o" and $ati$faction in !eing the hand-maiden of $o immen$e a#ro$e(

@ennie, a child in "ear$, wa$ otentiall" a woman h"$icall" and mentall", !#t not

"et come into ro#nded concl#$ion$ a$ to life and her lace in it( The great $it#ation

which had forced her into thi$ anomalo#$ o$ition wa$ from one oint of iew a

tri!#te to her indiid#al caacit"( It roed her co#rage, the largene$$ of her

$"math", her willingne$$ to $acri>ce for what $he con$idered a worth" ca#$e( That

it re$#lted in an #ne5ected con$e'#ence, which laced #on her a larger and more

comlicated !#rden, wa$ d#e to the fact that her $en$e of $elf-rotection had not

!een commen$#rate with her emotion$( There were time$ when the ro$ectie

coming of the child gae her a $en$e of fear and conf#$ion, !eca#$e $he did not

%now !#t that the child might eent#all" reroach her2 !#t there wa$ alwa"$ that

$aing $en$e of eternal ;#$tice in life which wo#ld not ermit her to !e #tterl"

cr#$hed( To her wa" of thin%ing, eole were not intentionall" cr#el( 7ag#e tho#ght$

of $"math" and diine goodne$$ ermeated her $o#l( =ife at wor$t or !e$t wa$

!ea#tif#l--had alwa"$ !een $o(

The$e tho#ght$ did not come to her all at once, !#t thro#gh the month$ d#ring

which $he watched and waited( It wa$ a wonderf#l thing to !e a mother, een #nder

the$e #ntoward condition$( )he felt that $he wo#ld loe thi$ child, wo#ld !e a good

mother to it if life ermitted( That wa$ the ro!lem--what wo#ld life ermit

There were man" thing$ to !e done--clothe$ to !e made2 certain roi$ion$ of

h"giene and diet to !e o!$ered( One of her fear$ wa$ that 4erhardt might

#ne5ectedl" ret#rn, !#t he did not( The old famil" doctor who had n#r$ed the

ario#$ mem!er$ of the 4erhardt famil" thro#gh their m#ltit#dino#$ ailment$--

<octor Ellwanger--wa$ ta%en into con$#ltation, and he gae $o#nd and ractical

adice( <e$ite hi$ =#theran #!ringing, the ractice of medicine in a large and

%indl" wa" had led him to the concl#$ion that there are more thing$ in heaen and

earth than are dreamed of in o#r hilo$ohie$ and in o#r $mall neigh!orhood

relation$hi$( .)o it i$,. he o!$ered to r$( 4erhardt when $he con>ded to him

nero#$l" what the tro#!le wa$( ./ell, "o# m#$tn&t worr"( The$e thing$ haen in

more lace$ than "o# thin%( If "o# %new a$ m#ch a!o#t life a$ I do, and a!o#t "o#r



neigh!or$, "o# wo#ld not cr"( 3o#r girl will !e all right( )he i$ er" health"( )he can

go awa" $omewhere afterward, and eole will neer %now( /h" $ho#ld "o# worr"

a!o#t what "o#r neigh!or$ thin%( It i$ not $o #ncommon a$ "o# imagine(.

r$( 4erhardt mareled( He wa$ $#ch a wi$e man( It gae her a little co#rage( A$ for

@ennie, $he li$tened to hi$ adice with intere$t and witho#t fear( )he wanted thing$

not $o m#ch for her$elf a$ for her child, and $he wa$ an5io#$ to do whateer $hewa$ told( The doctor wa$ c#rio#$ to %now who the father wa$2 when informed he

lifted hi$ e"e$( .Indeed,. he commented( .That o#ght to !e a !right !a!"(.

There came the >nal ho#r when the child wa$ #$hered into the world( It wa$ <octor

Ellwanger who re$ided, a$$i$ted !" the mother, who, haing !ro#ght forth $i5

her$elf, %new e5actl" what to do( There wa$ no di+c#lt", and at the >r$t cr" of the

new-!orn infant there awa%ened in @ennie a tremendo#$ "earning toward it( Thi$

wa$ her childB It wa$ wea% and fee!le--a little girl, and it needed her care( )he too%

it to her !rea$t, when it had !een !athed and $waddled, with a tremendo#$ $en$e of

$ati$faction and ;o"( Thi$ wa$ her child, her little girl( )he wanted to lie to !e a!le

to wor% for it, and re;oiced, een in her wea%ne$$, that $he wa$ $o $trong( <octor

Ellwanger redicted a '#ic% recoer"( He tho#ght two wee%$ wo#ld !e the o#t$ide

limit of her need to $ta" in !ed( A$ a matter of fact, in ten da"$ $he wa$ # and

a!o#t, a$ igoro#$ and health" a$ eer( )he had !een !orn with $trength and with

that n#rt#ring '#alit" which ma%e$ the ideal mother(

The great cri$i$ had a$$ed, and now life went on m#ch a$ !efore( The children,

o#t$ide of 6a$$, were too "o#ng to #nder$tand f#ll", and had !een deceied !" the

$tor" that @ennie wa$ married to )enator 6rander, who had died( The" did not %now

that a child wa$ coming #ntil it wa$ there( The neigh!or$ were feared !" r$(

4erhardt, for the" were eer watchf#l and reall" %new all( @ennie wo#ld neer hae!raed thi$ local atmo$here e5cet for the adice of 6a$$, who, haing $ec#red a

lace in Cleeland $ome time !efore, had written that he tho#ght when $he wa$

well eno#gh it wo#ld !e adi$a!le for the whole famil" to $ee% a new $tart in

Cleeland( Thing$ were *o#ri$hing there( Once awa" the" wo#ld neer hear of their

re$ent neigh!or$ and @ennie co#ld >nd $omething to do( )o $he $ta"ed at home( _

CHAPTER II

6a$$ wa$ no $ooner in Cleeland than the marel of that growing cit" wa$ $#+cient

to comletel" re$tore hi$ e'#animit" of $o#l and to $tir # new ill#$ion$ a$ to the

o$$i!ilit" of reha!ilitation for him$elf and hi$ famil"( .If onl" the" co#ld come here,.

he tho#ght( .If onl" the" co#ld all get wor% and do right(. Here wa$ no eidence of

an" of their recent tro#!le$, no ac'#aintance$ who co#ld $#gge$t !" their mere

re$ence the tro#!le$ of the a$t( All wa$ !#$ine$$, all actiit"( The er" t#rning of

the corner $eemed to rid one of old time$ and crime$( It wa$ a$ if a new world

e5i$ted in eer" !loc%(

He $oon fo#nd a lace in a cigar $tore, and, after wor%ing a few wee%$, he !egan to

write home the cheering idea$ he had in mind( @ennie o#ght to come a$ $oon a$ $he

wa$ a!le, and then, if $he fo#nd $omething to do, the other$ might follow( There

wa$ lent" of wor% for girl$ of her age( )he co#ld lie in the $ame ho#$e with himtemoraril"2 or ma"!e the" co#ld ta%e one of the >fteen-dollar-a-month cottage$

that were for rent( There were !ig general f#rni$hing ho#$e$, where one co#ld !#"



eer"thing needf#l for a $mall ho#$e on er" ea$" monthl" term$( Hi$ mother co#ld

come and %ee ho#$e for them( The" wo#ld !e in a clean, new atmo$here,

#n%nown and #ntal%ed a!o#t( The" co#ld $tart life all oer again2 the" co#ld !e

decent, honora!le, ro$ero#$(

illed with thi$ hoe and the glamor which new $cene$ and new enironment

inaria!l" throw oer the #n$ohi$ticated mind, he wrote a >nal letter, in which he$#gge$ted that @ennie $ho#ld come at once( Thi$ wa$ when the !a!" wa$ $i5 month$

old( There were theater$ here, he $aid, and !ea#tif#l $treet$( 7e$$el$ from the la%e$

came into the heart of the cit"( It wa$ a wonderf#l cit", and growing er" fa$t( It wa$

th#$ that the new life aealed to him(

The eect which all thi$ had #on r$( 4erhardt, @ennie, and the re$t of the famil"

wa$ henomenal( r$( 4erhardt, long weighed #on !" the mi$er" which @ennie&$

error had entailed, wa$ for ta%ing mea$#re$ for carr"ing o#t thi$ lan at once( )o

!#o"ant wa$ her nat#ral temerament that $he wa$ comletel" carried awa" !" the

glor" of Cleeland, and alread" $aw f#l>lled therein not onl" her own de$ire$ for a

nice home, !#t the ro$ero#$ adancement of her children( .Of co#r$e the" co#ld

get wor%,. $he $aid( 6a$$ wa$ right( )he had alwa"$ wanted 4erhardt to go to $ome

large cit", !#t he wo#ld not( 9ow it wa$ nece$$ar", and the" wo#ld go and !ecome

!etter o than the" eer had !een(

And 4erhardt did ta%e thi$ iew of the $it#ation( In an$wer to hi$ wife&$ letter he

wrote that it wa$ not adi$a!le for him to leae hi$ lace, !#t if 6a$$ $aw a wa" for

them, it might !e a good thing to go( He wa$ the more read" to ac'#ie$ce in the

lan for the $imle rea$on that he wa$ half di$tracted with the worr" of $#orting

the famil" and of a"ing the de!t$ alread" o#t$tanding( Eer" wee% he laid !" >e

dollar$ o#t of hi$ $alar", which he $ent in the form of a o$tal order to r$(4erhardt( Three dollar$ he aid for !oard, and >ft" cent$ he %et for $ending

mone", ch#rch d#e$, a little to!acco and occa$ionall" a gla$$ of !eer( Eer" wee% he

#t a dollar and a half in a little iron !an% again$t a rain" da"( Hi$ room wa$ a !are

corner in the tomo$t loft of the mill( To thi$ he wo#ld a$cend after $itting alone on

the door$te of the mill in thi$ lonel", fore$a%en neigh!orhood, #ntil nine o&cloc% of

an eening2 and here, amid the odor of machiner" wafted # from the *oor !elow,

!" the light of a $ingle tallow candle, he wo#ld concl#de hi$ $olitar" da", reading hi$

4erman aer, folding hi$ hand$ and thin%ing, %neeling !" an oen window in the

$hadow of the night to $a" hi$ ra"er$, and $ilentl" $tretching him$elf to re$t( =ong

were the da"$, drear" the ro$ect( )till he lifted hi$ hand$ in #tmo$t faith to 4od,ra"ing that hi$ $in$ might !e forgien and that he might !e o#ch$afed a few more

"ear$ of comfort and of ha" famil" life(

)o the momento#$ '#e$tion wa$ >nall" decided( There wa$ the greate$t longing and

imatience among the children, and r$( 4erhardt $hared their emotion$ in a

$#re$$ed wa"( @ennie wa$ to go >r$t, a$ 6a$$ had $#gge$ted2 later on the" wo#ld

all follow(

/hen the ho#r came for @ennie&$ deart#re there wa$ great e5citement in the

ho#$ehold(

.How long "o# going to !e &fore "o# $end for #$. wa$ artha&$ in'#ir", $eeral

time$ reeated(



.Tell 6a$$ to h#rr" #,. $aid the eager 4eorge(

.I want to go to Cleeland, I want to go to Cleeland,. 7eronica wa$ ca#ght $inging

to her$elf(

.=i$ten to her,. e5claimed 4eorge, $arca$ticall"(

.Aw, "o# h#$h #,. wa$ her di$lea$ed re;oinder(

/hen the >nal ho#r came, howeer, it re'#ired all of @ennie&$ $trength to go thro#gh

with the farewell$( Tho#gh eer"thing wa$ !eing done in order to !ring them

together again #nder !etter condition$, $he co#ld not hel feeling dere$$ed( Her

little one, now $i5 month$ old, wa$ !eing left !ehind( The great world wa$ to her one

#ndi$coered !o#rne( It frightened her(

.3o# m#$tn&t worr", a,. $he fo#nd co#rage eno#gh to $a"( .I&ll !e all right( I&ll write

"o# ;#$t a$ $oon a$ I get there( It won&t !e $o er" long(.

6#t when it came to !ending oer her !a!" for the la$t time her co#rage went o#tli%e a !lown lam( )tooing oer the cradle in which the little one wa$ re$ting, $he

loo%ed into it$ face with a$$ionate, motherl" "earning(

.I$ it going to !e a good little girl. $he cooed(

Then $he ca#ght it # into her arm$, and h#gging it clo$el" to her nec% and !o$om,

$he !#ried her face again$t it$ little !od"( r$( 4erhardt $aw that $he wa$ trem!ling(

.Come now,. $he $aid, coa5ingl", ."o# m#$tn&t carr" on $o( )he will !e all right with

me( I&ll ta%e care of her( If "o#&re going to act thi$ wa", "o#&d !etter not tr" to go at

all(.

@ennie lifted her head, her !l#e e"e$ wet with tear$, and handed the little one to her

mother(

.I can&t hel it,. $he $aid, half cr"ing, half $miling(

F#ic%l" $he %i$$ed her mother and the children2 then $he h#rried o#t(

A$ $he went down the $treet with 4eorge $he loo%ed !ac% and !rael" waed her

hand( r$( 4erhardt re$onded, noticing how m#ch more li%e a woman $he loo%ed(

It had !een nece$$ar" to ine$t $ome of her mone" in new clothe$ to wear on thetrain( )he had $elected a neat, read"-made $#it of !rown, which >tted her nicel"(

)he wore the $%irt of thi$ with a white $hirt-wai$t, and a $ailor hat with a white eil

wo#nd aro#nd it in $#ch fa$hion that it co#ld !e ea$il" drawn oer her face( A$ $he

went farther and farther awa" r$( 4erhardt followed her loingl" with her glance2

and when $he di$aeared from iew $he $aid tenderl", thro#gh her own tear$

.I&m glad $he loo%ed $o nice, an"how(. _

_______________________________________________

_ CHAPTER III

6a$$ met @ennie at the deot in Cleeland and tal%ed hoef#ll" of the ro$ect$(

.The >r$t thing i$ to get wor%,. he !egan, while the ;ingling $o#nd$ and the



changing odor$ which the cit" thr#$t #on her were conf#$ing and almo$t

!en#m!ing her $en$e$( .4et $omething to do( It doe$n&t matter what, $o long a$ "o#

get $omething( If "o# don&t get more than three or fo#r dollar$ a wee%, it will a"

the rent( Then, with what 4eorge can earn, when he come$, and what Po $end$,

we can get along all right( It&ll !e !etter than !eing down in that hole,. he

concl#ded(

.3e$,. $aid @ennie, ag#el", her mind $o h"noti:ed !" the new di$la" of life a!o#t

her that $he co#ld not !ring it forci!l" to !ear #on the toic #nder di$c#$$ion( .I

%now what "o# mean( I&ll get $omething(.

)he wa$ m#ch older now, in #nder$tanding if not in "ear$( The ordeal thro#gh which

$he had $o recentl" a$$ed had aro#$ed in her a clearer concetion of the

re$on$i!ilitie$ of life( Her mother wa$ alwa"$ in her mind, her mother and the

children( In artic#lar artha and 7eronica m#$t hae a !etter oort#nit" to do for

them$ele$ than $he had had( The" $ho#ld !e dre$$ed !etter2 the" o#ght to !e %et

longer in $chool2 the" m#$t hae more comanion$hi, more oort#nit" to !roaden

their lie$(

Cleeland, li%e eer" other growing cit" at thi$ time, wa$ crowded with tho$e who

were $ee%ing emlo"ment( 9ew enterri$e$ were con$tantl" $ringing #, !#t tho$e

who were $ee%ing to f#l>l the d#tie$ the" roided were inaria!l" in e5ce$$ of the

demand( A $tranger coming to the cit" might wal% into a $mall o$ition of almo$t

an" %ind on the er" da" he arried2 and he might a$ readil" wander in $earch of

emlo"ment for wee%$ and een month$( 6a$$ $#gge$ted the $ho$ and

deartment $tore$ a$ a >r$t >eld in which to in'#ire( The factorie$ and other

aen#e$ of emlo"ment were to !e her $econd choice(

.<on&t a$$ a lace, tho#gh,. he had ca#tioned her, .if "o# thin% there&$ an" chance

of getting an"thing to do( 4o right in(.

./hat m#$t I $a". a$%ed @ennie, nero#$l"(

.Tell them "o# want wor%( 3o# don&t care what "o# do to !egin with(.

In comliance with thi$ adice, @ennie $et o#t the er" >r$t da", and wa$ rewarded

!" $ome er" chill" e5erience$( /hereer $he went, no one $eemed to want an"

hel( )he alied at the $tore$, the factorie$, the little $ho$ that lined the o#tl"ing

thoro#ghfare$, !#t wa$ alwa"$ met !" a re!#( A$ a la$t re$o#rce $he t#rned toho#$ewor%, altho#gh $he had hoed to aoid that2 and, $t#d"ing the want col#mn$,

$he $elected fo#r which $eemed more romi$ing than the other$( To the$e $he

decided to al"( One had alread" !een >lled when $he arried, !#t the lad" who

came to the door wa$ $o ta%en !" her aearance that $he inited her in and

'#e$tioned her a$ to her a!ilit"(

.I wi$h "o# had come a little earlier,. $he $aid( .I li%e "o# !etter than I do the girl I

hae ta%en( =eae me "o#r addre$$, an"how(.

@ennie went awa", $miling at her recetion( )he wa$ not '#ite $o "o#thf#l loo%ing a$

$he had !een !efore her recent tro#!le, !#t the thinner chee%$ and the $lightl"deeer e"e$ added to the en$iene$$ and delicac" of her co#ntenance( )he wa$ a

model of neatne$$( Her clothe$, all newl" cleaned and ironed !efore leaing home,



gae her a fre$h and initing aearance( There wa$ growth coming to her in the

matter of height, !#t alread" in aearance and intelligence $he loo%ed to !e a

"o#ng woman of twent"( 6e$t of all, $he wa$ of that nat#rall" $#nn" di$o$ition,

which, in $ite of toil and riation, %et her alwa"$ cheerf#l( An" one in need of a

$erant-girl or ho#$e comanion wo#ld hae !een delighted to hae had her(

The $econd lace at which $he alied wa$ a large re$idence in E#clid Aen#e2 it$eemed far too imo$ing for an"thing $he might hae to oer in the wa" of

$erice$, !#t haing come $o far $he decided to ma%e the attemt( The $erant who

met her at the door directed her to wait a few moment$, and >nall" #$hered her into

the !o#doir of the mi$tre$$ of the ho#$e on the $econd *oor( The latter, a r$(

6race!ridge, a reo$$e$$ing !r#nette of the conentionall" fa$hiona!le t"e, had a

%een e"e for feminine al#e$ and wa$ imre$$ed rather faora!l" with @ennie( )he

tal%ed with her a little while, and >nall" decided to tr" her in the general caacit" of

maid(

.I will gie "o# fo#r dollar$ a wee%, and "o# can $lee here if "o# wi$h,. $aid r$(

6race!ridge(

@ennie e5lained that $he wa$ liing with her !rother, and wo#ld $oon hae her

famil" with her(

.Oh, er" well,. relied her mi$tre$$( .<o a$ "o# li%e a!o#t that( Onl" I e5ect "o# to

!e here romtl"(.

)he wi$hed her to remain for the da" and to !egin her d#tie$ at once, and @ennie

agreed( r$( 6race!ridge roided her a daint" ca and aron, and then $ent $ome

little time in in$tr#cting her in her d#tie$( Her rincial wor% wo#ld !e to wait on her

mi$tre$$, to !r#$h her hair and to hel her dre$$( )he wa$ al$o to an$wer the !ell,

wait on the ta!le if need !e, and do an" other errand which her mi$tre$$ might

indicate( r$( 6race!ridge $eemed a little hard and formal to her ro$ectie

$erant, !#t for all that @ennie admired the da$h and go and the o!io#$ e5ec#tie

caacit" of her emlo"er(

At eight o&cloc% that eening @ennie wa$ di$mi$$ed for the da"( )he wondered if $he

co#ld !e of an" #$e in $#ch a ho#$ehold, and mareled that $he had got along a$

well a$ $he had( Her mi$tre$$ had $et her to cleaning her ;ewelr" and !o#doir

ornament$ a$ an oening ta$%, and tho#gh $he had wor%ed $teadil" and diligentl",

$he had not >ni$hed !" the time $he left( )he h#rried awa" to her !rother&$aartment, delighted to !e a!le to reort that $he had fo#nd a $it#ation( 9ow her

mother co#ld come to Cleeland( 9ow $he co#ld hae her !a!" with her( 9ow the"

co#ld reall" !egin that new life which wa$ to !e $o m#ch !etter and >ner and

$weeter than an"thing the" had eer had !efore(

At 6a$$&$ $#gge$tion @ennie wrote her mother to come at once, and a wee% or $o

later a $#ita!le ho#$e wa$ fo#nd and rented( r$( 4erhardt, with the aid of the

children, ac%ed # the $imle !elonging$ of the famil", incl#ding a $ingle anload

of f#rnit#re, and at the end of a fortnight the" were on their wa" to the new home(

r$( 4erhardt alwa"$ had had a %een de$ire for a reall" comforta!le home( )olidf#rnit#re, #hol$tered and trimmed, a thic%, $oft caret of $ome warm, lea$ing

color, lent" of chair$, $ettee$, ict#re$, a lo#nge, and a iano $he had wanted



the$e nice thing$ all her life, !#t her circ#m$tance$ had neer !een good eno#gh for

her hoe$ to !e reali:ed( )till $he did not de$air( )ome da", ma"!e, !efore $he

died the$e thing$ wo#ld !e added to her, and $he wo#ld !e ha"( Perha$ her

chance wa$ coming now(

Arried at Cleeland, thi$ feeling of otimi$m wa$ enco#raged !" the $ight of

@ennie&$ cheerf#l face( 6a$$ a$$#red her that the" wo#ld get along all right( He too%them o#t to the ho#$e, and 4eorge wa$ $hown the wa" to go !ac% to the deot and

hae the freight loo%ed after( r$( 4erhardt had $till >ft" dollar$ left o#t of the

mone" which )enator 6rander had $ent to @ennie, and with thi$ a wa" of getting a

little e5tra f#rnit#re on the in$talment lan wa$ roided( 6a$$ had alread" aid the

>r$t month&$ rent, and @ennie had $ent her eening$ for the la$t few da"$ in

wa$hing the window$ and *oor$ of thi$ new ho#$e and in getting it into a $tate of

erfect cleanline$$( 9ow, when the >r$t night fell, the" had two new mattre$$e$ and

comforta!le$ $read #on a clean *oor2 a new lam, #rcha$ed from one of the

near!" $tore$, a $ingle !o5, !orrowed !" @ennie from a grocer" $tore, for cleaning

#ro$e$, #on which r$( 4erhardt co#ld $it, and $ome $a#$age$ and !read to $ta"them #ntil morning( The" tal%ed and lanned for the f#t#re #ntil nine o&cloc% came,

when all !#t @ennie and her mother retired( The$e two tal%ed on, the !#rden of

re$on$i!ilitie$ re$ting on the da#ghter( r$( 4erhardt had come to feel in a wa"

deendent #on her(

In the co#r$e of a wee% the entire cottage wa$ in order, with a half-do:en iece$ of

new f#rnit#re, a new caret, and $ome nece$$ar" %itchen #ten$il$( The mo$t

di$t#r!ing thing wa$ the need of a new coo%ing-$toe, the co$t of which added

greatl" to the !ill( The "o#nger children were entered at the #!lic $chool, !#t it

wa$ decided that 4eorge m#$t >nd $ome emlo"ment( 6oth @ennie and her mother

felt the in;#$tice of thi$ %eenl", !#t %new no wa" of reenting the $acri>ce(

./e will let him go to $chool ne5t "ear if we can,. $aid @ennie(

A#$icio#$l" a$ the new life $eemed to hae !eg#n, the clo$ene$$ with which their

e5en$e$ were matching their income wa$ an eer-re$ent menace( 6a$$, originall"

er" genero#$ in hi$ roo$ition$, $oon anno#nced that he felt fo#r dollar$ a wee%

for hi$ room and !oard to !e a $#+cient contri!#tion from him$elf( @ennie gae

eer"thing $he earned, and rote$ted that $he did not $tand in need of an"thing, $o

long a$ the !a!" wa$ roerl" ta%en care of( 4eorge $ec#red a lace a$ an

oergrown ca$h-!o", and !ro#ght in two dollar$ and >ft" cent$ a wee%, all of which,at >r$t, he gladl" contri!#ted( =ater on he wa$ allowed the >ft" cent$ for him$elf a$

!eing meet and ;#$t( 4erhardt, from hi$ lonel" o$t of la!or, contri!#ted >e dollar$

!" mail, alwa"$ arg#ing that a little mone" o#ght to !e $aed in order that hi$

hone$t de!t$ !ac% in Col#m!#$ might !e aid( O#t of thi$ total income of >fteen

dollar$ a wee% all of the$e indiid#al$ had to !e fed and clothed, the rent aid, coal

#rcha$ed, and the reg#lar monthl" in$talment of three dollar$ aid on the

o#t$tanding f#rnit#re !ill of >ft" dollar$(

How it wa$ done, tho$e comforta!le indiid#al$, who fre'#entl" di$c#$$ the $ocial

a$ect$ of oert", might well tro#!le to inform them$ele$( Rent, coal, and light

alone con$#med the goodl" $#m of twent" dollar$ a month2 food, another#nfort#natel" nece$$ar" item, #$ed # twent"->e more2 clothe$, in$talment$, d#e$,

occa$ional item$ of medicine and the li%e, were met o#t of the remaining eleen



dollar$--how, the ardent imagination of the comforta!le reader can g#e$$( It wa$

done, howeer, and for a time the hoef#l mem!er$ con$idered that the" were

doing fairl" well(

<#ring thi$ eriod the little famil" re$ented a ict#re of honora!le and atient toil,

which wa$ intere$ting to contemlate( Eer" da" r$( 4erhardt, who wor%ed li%e a

$erant and who receied a!$ol#tel" no comen$ation either in clothe$,am#$ement$, or an"thing el$e, aro$e in the morning while the other$ $let, and !#ilt

the >re( Then $he too% # the ta$% of getting the !rea%fa$t( Often a$ $he moed

a!o#t noi$ele$$l" in her thin, worn $lier$, c#$hioned with iece$ of new$aer to

ma%e them >t, $he loo%ed in on @ennie, 6a$$, and 4eorge, wraed in their hea"

$l#m!er$, and with that diine $"math" which i$ !orn in heaen $he wi$hed that

the" did not need to ri$e $o earl" or to wor% $o hard( )ometime$ $he wo#ld a#$e

!efore to#ching her !eloed @ennie, ga:e at her white face, $o calm in $lee, and

lament that life had not dealt more %indl" with her( Then $he wo#ld la" her hand

gentl" #on her $ho#lder and whi$er, .@ennie, @ennie,. #ntil the wear" $leeer

wo#ld wa%e(

/hen the" aro$e !rea%fa$t wa$ alwa"$ read"( /hen the" ret#rned at night $#er

wa$ waiting( Each of the children receied a d#e $hare of r$( 4erhardt&$ attention(

The little !a!" wa$ clo$el" loo%ed after !" her( )he rote$ted that $he needed

neither clothe$ nor $hoe$ $o long a$ one of the children wo#ld r#n errand$ for her(

@ennie, of all the children, f#ll" #nder$tood her mother2 $he alone $troe, with the

f#llne$$ of a erfect aection, to ea$e her !#rden(

.a, "o# let me do thi$(.

.9ow, ma, I&ll &tend to that(.

.3o# go $it down, ma(.

The$e were the eer"-da" e5re$$ion$ of the end#ring aection that e5i$ted

!etween them( Alwa"$ there wa$ erfect #nder$tanding !etween @ennie and her

mother, and a$ the da"$ a$$ed thi$ nat#rall" widened and deeened( @ennie co#ld

not !ear to thin% of her a$ !eing alwa"$ con>ned to the ho#$e( <ail" $he tho#ght a$

$he wor%ed of that h#m!le home where her mother wa$ watching and waiting( How

$he longed to gie her tho$e comfort$ which $he had alwa"$ craedB _

_ CHAPTER I7

The da"$ $ent in the emlo" of the 6race!ridge ho#$ehold were of a !roadening

character( Thi$ great ho#$e wa$ a $chool to @ennie, not onl" in the matter of dre$$

and manner$, !#t a$ form#lating a theor" of e5i$tence( r$( 6race!ridge and her

h#$!and were the la$t word in the matter of $elf-$#+cienc", ta$te in the matter of

aointment$, care in the matter of dre$$, good form in the matter of recetion,

entertainment, and the ario#$ #$age$ of $ocial life( 9ow and then, aroo$ of

nothing $ae her own mood, r$( 6race!ridge wo#ld indicate her hilo$oh" of life

in an eigram(

.=ife i$ a !attle, m" dear( If "o# gain an"thing "o# will hae to >ght for it(.



.In m" ;#dgment it i$ $ill" not to ta%e adantage of an" aid which will hel "o# to !e

what "o# want to !e(. GThi$ while al"ing a faint $#gge$tion of ro#ge(

.o$t eole are !orn $ill"( The" are e5actl" what the" are caa!le of !eing( I

de$i$e lac% of ta$te2 it i$ the wor$t crime(.

o$t of the$e worldl"-wi$e co#n$el$ were not gien directl" to @ennie( )he oerheard

them, !#t to her '#iet and re*ectie mind the" had their imort( =i%e $eed$ fallen

#on good gro#nd, the" too% root and grew( )he !egan to get a faint ercetion of

hierarchie$ and ower$( The" were not for her, erha$, !#t the" were in the world,

and if fort#ne were %ind one might !etter one&$ $tate( )he wor%ed on, wondering,

howeer, ;#$t how !etter fort#ne might come to her( /ho wo#ld hae her to wife

%nowing her hi$tor" How co#ld $he eer e5lain the e5i$tence of her child

Her child, her child, the one tran$cendent, griing theme of ;o" and fear( If $he

co#ld onl" do $omething for it--$ometime, $omehowB

or the >r$t winter thing$ went $moothl" eno#gh( 6" the clo$e$t econom" thechildren were clothed and %et in $chool, the rent aid, and the in$talment$ met(

Once it loo%ed a$ tho#gh there might !e $ome di+c#lt" a!o#t the contin#ance of

the home life, and that wa$ when 4erhardt wrote that he wo#ld !e home for

Chri$tma$( The mill wa$ to clo$e down for a $hort eriod at that time( He wa$

nat#rall" an5io#$ to $ee what the new life of hi$ famil" at Cleeland wa$ li%e(

r$( 4erhardt wo#ld hae welcomed hi$ ret#rn with #nallo"ed lea$#re had it not

!een for the fear $he entertained of hi$ creating a $cene( @ennie tal%ed it oer with

her mother, and r$( 4erhardt in t#rn $o%e of it to 6a$$, who$e adice wa$ to

!rae it o#t(

.<on&t worr",. he $aid2 .he won&t do an"thing a!o#t it( I&ll tal% to him if he $a"$

an"thing(.

The $cene did occ#r, !#t it wa$ not $o #nlea$ant a$ r$( 4erhardt had feared(

4erhardt came home d#ring the afternoon, while 6a$$, @ennie, and 4eorge were at

wor%( Two of the "o#nger children went to the train to meet him( /hen he entered

r$( 4erhardt greeted him aectionatel", !#t $he trem!led for the di$coer" which

wa$ $#re to come( Her $#$en$e wa$ not for long( 4erhardt oened the front

!edroom door onl" a few min#te$ after he arried( On the white co#nterane of the

!ed wa$ a rett" child, $leeing( He co#ld not !#t %now on the in$tant who$e it wa$,!#t he retended ignorance(

./ho$e child i$ that. he '#e$tioned(

.It&$ @ennie&$,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, wea%l"(

./hen did that come here.

.9ot $o er" long ago,. an$wered the mother, nero#$l"(

.I g#e$$ $he i$ here, too,. he declared, contemt#o#$l", ref#$ing to rono#nce her

name, a fact which he had alread" anticiated(



.)he&$ wor%ing in a famil",. ret#rned hi$ wife in a leading tone( .)he&$ doing $o

well now( )he had no lace to go( =et her alone(.

4erhardt had receied a light $ince he had !een awa"( Certain ine5lica!le tho#ght$

and feeling$ had come to him in hi$ religio#$ meditation$( In hi$ ra"er$ he had

admitted to the All-$eeing that he might hae done dierentl" !" hi$ da#ghter( 3et

he co#ld not ma%e # hi$ mind how to treat her for the f#t#re( )he had committed agreat $in2 it wa$ imo$$i!le to get awa" from that(

/hen @ennie came home that night a meeting wa$ #naoida!le( 4erhardt $aw her

coming, and retended to !e deel" engaged in a new$aer( r$( 4erhardt, who

had !egged him not to ignore @ennie entirel", trem!led for fear he wo#ld $a" or do

$omething which wo#ld h#rt her feeling$(

.)he i$ coming now,. $he $aid, cro$$ing to the door of the front room, where he wa$

$itting2 !#t 4erhardt ref#$ed to loo% #( .)ea% to her, an"how,. wa$ her la$t aeal

!efore the door oened2 !#t he made no rel"(

/hen @ennie came in her mother whi$ered, .He i$ in the front room(.

@ennie aled, #t her th#m! to her li and $tood irre$ol#te, not %nowing how to

meet the $it#ation(

.Ha$ he $een.

@ennie a#$ed a$ $he reali:ed from her mother&$ face and nod that 4erhardt %new of

the child&$ e5i$tence(

.4o ahead,. $aid r$( 4erhardt2 .it&$ all right( He won&t $a" an"thing(.

@ennie >nall" went to the door, and, $eeing her father, hi$ !row wrin%led a$ if in

$erio#$ !#t not #n%indl" tho#ght, $he he$itated, !#t made her wa" forward(

.Paa,. $he $aid, #na!le to form#late a de>nite $entence(

4erhardt loo%ed #, hi$ gra"i$h-!rown e"e$ a $t#d" #nder their hea" $and" la$he$(

At the $ight of hi$ da#ghter he wea%ened internall"2 !#t with the $elf-ad;#$ted armor

of re$ole a!o#t him he $howed no $ign of lea$#re at $eeing her( All the force$ of

hi$ conentional #nder$tanding of moralit" and hi$ nat#rall" $"mathetic and

fatherl" di$o$ition were !attling within him, !#t, a$ in $o man" ca$e$ where the

aerage mind i$ concerned, conention wa$ temoraril" the ictor(

.3e$,. he $aid(

./on&t "o# forgie me, Paa.

.I do,. he ret#rned griml"(

)he he$itated a moment, and then $teed forward, for what #ro$e he well

#nder$tood(

.There,. he $aid, #$hing her gentl" awa", a$ her li$ !arel" to#ched hi$ gri::ledchee%(

It had !een a frigid meeting(



/hen @ennie went o#t into the %itchen after thi$ er" tr"ing ordeal $he lifted her

e"e$ to her waiting mother and tried to ma%e it $eem a$ tho#gh all had !een well,

!#t her emotional di$o$ition got the !etter of her(

.<id he ma%e # to "o#. her mother wa$ a!o#t to a$%2 !#t the word$ were onl"

half o#t of her mo#th !efore her da#ghter $an% down into one of the chair$ clo$e to

the %itchen ta!le and, la"ing her head on her arm, !#r$t forth into $oft, con#l$ie,ina#di!le $o!$(

.9ow, now,. $aid r$( 4erhardt( .There now, don&t cr"( /hat did he $a".

It wa$ $ome time !efore @ennie recoered her$elf $#+cientl" to an$wer( Her mother

tried to treat the $it#ation lightl"(

.I wo#ldn&t feel !ad,. $he $aid( .He&ll get oer it( It&$ hi$ wa"(. _

CHAPTER 7

The ret#rn of 4erhardt !ro#ght forward the child '#e$tion in all it$ !earing$( Heco#ld not hel con$idering it from the $tandoint of a grandarent, artic#larl" $ince

it wa$ a h#man !eing o$$e$$ed of a $o#l( He wondered if it had !een !ati:ed(

Then he in'#ired(

.9o, not "et,. $aid hi$ wife, who had not forgotten thi$ d#t", !#t had !een #ncertain

whether the little one wo#ld !e welcome in the faith(

.9o, of co#r$e not,. $neered 4erhardt, who$e oinion of hi$ wife&$ religio#$ deotion

wa$ not an" too great( .)#ch carele$$ne$$B )#ch irreligionB That i$ a >ne thing(.

He tho#ght it oer a few moment$, and felt that thi$ eil $ho#ld !e corrected atonce(

.It $ho#ld !e !ati:ed,. he $aid( ./h" don&t $he ta%e it and hae it !ati:ed.

r$( 4erhardt reminded him that $ome one wo#ld hae to $tand godfather to the

child, and there wa$ no wa" to hae the ceremon" erformed witho#t confe$$ing

the fact that it wa$ witho#t a legitimate father(

4erhardt li$tened to thi$, and it '#ieted him for a few moment$, !#t hi$ religion wa$

$omething which he co#ld not $ee #t in the !ac%gro#nd !" an" $#ch di+c#lt"( How

wo#ld the =ord loo% #on '#i!!ling li%e thi$ It wa$ not Chri$tian, and it wa$ hi$ d#t"to attend to the matter( It m#$t !e ta%en, forthwith, to the ch#rch, @ennie, him$elf,

and hi$ wife accoman"ing it a$ $on$or$2 or, if he did not choo$e to conde$cend

th#$ far to hi$ da#ghter, he m#$t $ee that it wa$ !ati:ed when $he wa$ not

re$ent( He !rooded oer thi$ di+c#lt", and >nall" decided that the ceremon"

$ho#ld ta%e lace on one of the$e wee%-da"$ !etween Chri$tma$ and 9ew 3ear&$,

when @ennie wo#ld !e at her wor%( Thi$ roo$al he !roached to hi$ wife, and,

receiing her aroal, he made hi$ ne5t anno#ncement( .It ha$ no name,. he $aid(

@ennie and her mother had tal%ed oer thi$ er" matter, and @ennie had e5re$$ed a

reference for 7e$ta( 9ow her mother made !old to $#gge$t it a$ her own choice(

.How wo#ld 7e$ta do.



4erhardt heard thi$ with indierence( )ecretl" he had $ettled the '#e$tion in hi$

own mind( He had a name in $tore, left oer from the halc"on eriod of hi$ "o#th,

and neer oort#nel" aaila!le in the ca$e of hi$ own children--/ilhelmina( Of

co#r$e he had no idea of #n!ending in the lea$t toward hi$ $mall grandda#ghter( He

merel" li%ed the name, and the child o#ght to !e gratef#l to get it( /ith a far-o,

ginger" air he !ro#ght forward thi$ >r$t oering #on the altar of nat#ral aection,

for oering it wa$, after all(

.That i$ nice,. he $aid, forgetting hi$ indierence( .6#t how wo#ld /ilhelmina do.

r$( 4erhardt did not dare cro$$ him when he wa$ th#$ #ncon$cio#$l" wea%ening(

Her woman&$ tact came to the re$c#e(

./e might gie her !oth name$,. $he comromi$ed(

.It ma%e$ no dierence to me,. he relied, drawing !ac% into the $hell of oo$ition

from which he had !een inadertentl" drawn( .@#$t $o $he i$ !ati:ed(.

@ennie heard of thi$ with lea$#re, for $he wa$ an5io#$ that the child $ho#ld hae

eer" adantage, religio#$ or otherwi$e, that it wa$ o$$i!le to o!tain( )he too%

great ain$ to $tarch and iron the clothe$ it wa$ to wear on the aointed da"(

4erhardt $o#ght o#t the mini$ter of the neare$t =#theran ch#rch, a ro#nd-headed,

thic%-$et theologian of the mo$t formal t"e, to whom he $tated hi$ errand(

.3o#r grandchild. in'#ired the mini$ter(

.3e$,. $aid 4erhardt, .her father i$ not here(.

.)o,. relied the mini$ter, loo%ing at him c#rio#$l"(

4erhardt wa$ not to !e di$t#r!ed in hi$ #ro$e( He e5lained that he and hi$ wife

wo#ld !ring her( The mini$ter, reali:ing the ro!a!le di+c#lt", did not '#e$tion him

f#rther(

.The ch#rch cannot ref#$e to !ati:e her $o long a$ "o#, a$ grandarent, are willing

to $tand $on$or for her,. he $aid(

4erhardt came awa", h#rt !" the $hadow of di$grace in which he felt him$elf

inoled, !#t $ati$>ed that he had done hi$ d#t"( 9ow he wo#ld ta%e the child and

hae it !ati:ed, and when that wa$ oer hi$ re$ent re$on$i!ilit" wo#ld cea$e(

/hen it came to the ho#r of the !ati$m, howeer, he fo#nd that another in*#ence

wa$ wor%ing to g#ide him into greater intere$t and re$on$i!ilit"( The $tern religion

with which he wa$ enrat#red, it$ in$i$tence #on a higher law, wa$ there, and he

heard again the recet$ which had heled to !ind him to hi$ own children(

.I$ it "o#r intention to ed#cate thi$ child in the %nowledge and loe of the go$el.

a$%ed the !lac%-gowned mini$ter, a$ the" $tood !efore him in the $ilent little ch#rch

whither the" had !ro#ght the infant2 he wa$ reading from the form roided for

$#ch occa$ion$( 4erhardt an$wered .3e$,. and r$( 4erhardt added her a+rmatie(

.<o "o# engage to #$e all nece$$ar" care and diligence, !" ra"erf#l in$tr#ction,

admonition, e5amle, and di$ciline that thi$ child ma" reno#nce and aoid



eer"thing that i$ eil and that $he ma" %ee 4od&$ will and commandment$ a$

declared in Hi$ $acred word.

A tho#ght *a$hed thro#gh 4erhardt&$ mind a$ the word$ were #ttered of how it had

fared with hi$ own children( The", too, had !een th#$ $on$ored( The" too, had

heard hi$ $olemn ledge to care for their $irit#al welfare( He wa$ $ilent(

./e do,. romted the mini$ter(

./e do,. reeated 4erhardt and hi$ wife wea%l"(

.<o "o# now dedicate thi$ child !" the rite of !ati$m #nto the =ord, who !ro#ght

it.

./e do(.

.And, >nall", if "o# can con$cientio#$l" declare !efore 4od that the faith to which

"o# hae a$$ented i$ "o#r faith, and that the $olemn romi$e$ "o# hae made are

the $erio#$ re$ol#tion$ of "o#r heart, lea$e to anno#nce the $ame in the re$enceof 4od, !" $a"ing &3e$(&.

.3e$,. the" relied(

.I !ati:e thee, /ilhelmina 7e$ta,. concl#ded the mini$ter, $tretching o#t hi$ hand

oer her, .in the name of the ather and of the )on and of the Hol" 4ho$t( =et #$

ra"(.

4erhardt !ent hi$ gra" head and followed with h#m!le reerence the !ea#tif#l

inocation which followed

.Almight" and eerla$ting 4odB we adore Thee a$ the great Parent of the children of

men, a$ the ather of o#r $irit$ and the ormer of o#r !odie$( /e rai$e Thee for

giing e5i$tence to thi$ infant and for re$ering her #ntil thi$ da"( /e !le$$ Thee

that $he i$ called to irt#e and glor", that $he ha$ now !een dedicated to Thee, and

!ro#ght within-the ale of the Chri$tian Ch#rch( /e than% Thee that !" the 4o$el

of the )on $he i$ f#rni$hed with eer"thing nece$$ar" to her $irit#al haine$$2

that it $#lie$ light for her mind and comfort for her heart, enco#ragement and

ower to di$charge her d#t", and the recio#$ hoe of merc" and immortalit" to

$#$tain and ma%e her faithf#l( And we !e$eech Thee, O mo$t mercif#l 4od, that thi$

child ma" !e enlightened and $ancti>ed from her earl" "ear$ !" the Hol" )irit, and!e eerla$tingl" $aed !" Th" merc"( <irect and !le$$ Th" $erant$ who are

intr#$ted with the care of her in the momento#$ wor% of her ed#cation( In$ire them

with ;#$t concetion of the a!$ol#te nece$$it" of religio#$ in$tr#ction and rincile$(

or!id that the" $ho#ld eer forget that thi$ o$ring !elong$ to Thee, and that, if

thro#gh their criminal neglect or !ad e5amle Th" rea$ona!le creat#re !e lo$t, Tho#

wilt re'#ire it at their hand$( 4ie them a dee $en$e of the diinit" of her nat#re, of

the worth of her $o#l, of the danger$ to which $he will !e e5o$ed, of the honor and

felicit" to which $he i$ caa!le of a$cending with Th" !le$$ing, and of the r#in in thi$

world and the mi$er" in the world to come which $ring$ from wic%ed a$$ion and

cond#ct( 4ie them grace to chec% the >r$t ri$ing$ of for!idden inclination$ in her!rea$t, to !e her defen$e again$t the temtation$ incident to childhood and "o#th,

and, a$ $he grow$ #, to enlarge her #nder$tanding and to lead her to an



ac'#aintance with Thee and with @e$#$ Chri$t, whom Tho# ha$t $ent( 4ie them

grace to c#ltiate in her heart a $#reme reerence and loe for Thee, a gratef#l

attachment to the 4o$el of Th" )on, her )aio#r, a d#e regard for all it$ ordinance$

and in$tit#tion$, a temer of %indne$$ and goodwill to all man%ind, and an ininci!le

loe of $incerit" and tr#th( Hel them to watch contin#all" oer her with tender

$olicit#de, to !e $t#dio#$, that !" their coner$ation and deortment her heart ma"

not !e corr#ted, and at all time$ to $et !efore her $#ch an e5amle that $he ma"$afel" tread in their foot$te$( If it lea$e Thee to rolong her da"$ on earth, grant

that $he ma" roe an honor and a comfort to her arent$ and friend$, !e #$ef#l in

the world, and >nd in Th" Proidence an #nfailing defen$e and $#ort( /hether

$he lie, let her lie to Thee2 or whether $he die, let her die to Thee( And, at the

great da" of acco#nt, ma" $he and her arent$ meet each other with rat#re and

re;oice together in Th" redeeming loe, thro#gh @e$#$ Chri$t, foreer and eer,

Amen(.

A$ thi$ $olemn admonition wa$ read a feeling of o!ligation de$cended #on the

grandfather of thi$ little o#tca$t2 a feeling that he wa$ !o#nd to gie the tin"creat#re l"ing on hi$ wife&$ arm the care and attention which 4od in Hi$ $acrament

had commanded( He !owed hi$ head in #tmo$t reerence, and when the $erice

wa$ concl#ded and the" left the $ilent ch#rch he wa$ witho#t word$ to e5re$$ hi$

feeling$( Religion wa$ a con$#ming thing with him( 4od wa$ a er$on, a dominant

realit"( Religion wa$ not a thing of mere word$ or of intere$ting idea$ to !e li$tened

to on )#nda", !#t a $trong, ital e5re$$ion of the <iine /ill handed down from a

time when men were in er$onal contact with 4od( It$ f#l>lment wa$ a matter of ;o"

and $alation with him, the one con$olation of a creat#re $ent to wander in a ale

who$e e5lanation wa$ not here !#t in heaen( )lowl" 4erhardt wal%ed on, and a$

he !rooded on the word$ and the d#tie$ which the $acrament inoled the $hade oflingering di$g#$t that had o$$e$$ed him when he had ta%en the child to ch#rch

di$aeared and a feeling of nat#ral aection too% it$ lace( Howeer m#ch the

da#ghter had $inned, the infant wa$ not to !lame( It wa$ a helle$$, #ling, tender

thing, demanding hi$ $"math" and hi$ loe( 4erhardt felt hi$ heart go o#t to the

little child, and "et he co#ld not "ield hi$ o$ition all in a moment(

.That i$ a nice man,. he $aid of the mini$ter to hi$ wife a$ the" wal%ed along, raidl"

$oftening in hi$ concetion of hi$ d#t"(

.3e$, he wa$,. agreed r$( 4erhardt timidl"(

.It&$ a good-$i:ed little ch#rch,. he contin#ed(

.3e$(.

4erhardt loo%ed aro#nd him, at the $treet, the ho#$e$, the $how of !ri$% life on thi$

$#n$hin", winter&$ da", and then >nall" at the child that hi$ wife wa$ carr"ing(

.)he m#$t !e hea",. he $aid, in hi$ characteri$tic 4erman( .=et me ta%e her(.

r$( 4erhardt, who wa$ rather wear", did not ref#$e(

.ThereB. he $aid, a$ he loo%ed at her and then >5ed her comforta!l" #on hi$$ho#lder( .=et #$ hoe $he roe$ worth" of all that ha$ !een done to-da"(.



r$( 4erhardt li$tened, and the meaning in hi$ oice interreted it$elf lainl"

eno#gh( The re$ence of the child in the ho#$e might !e the ca#$e of rec#rring

$ell$ of dere$$ion and #n%ind word$, !#t there wo#ld !e another and greater

in*#ence re$training him( There wo#ld alwa"$ !e her $o#l to con$ider( He wo#ld

neer again !e #tterl" #ncon$cio#$ of her $o#l( _

CHAPTER 7I

<#ring the remainder of 4erhardt&$ $ta" he wa$ $h" in @ennie&$ re$ence and

endeaored to act a$ tho#gh he were #ncon$cio#$ of her e5i$tence( /hen the time

came for arting he een went awa" witho#t !idding her good-!", telling hi$ wife

$he might do that for him2 !#t after he wa$ act#all" on hi$ wa" !ac% to 3o#ng$town

he regretted the omi$$ion( .I might hae !ade her good-!",. he tho#ght to him$elf

a$ the train r#m!led heail" along( 6#t it wa$ too late(

or the time !eing the aair$ of the 4erhardt famil" drifted( @ennie contin#ed her

wor% with r$( 6race!ridge( )e!a$tian >5ed him$elf >rml" in hi$ cler%$hi in the

cigar $tore( 4eorge wa$ romoted to the no!le $#m of three dollar$, and then three->ft"( It wa$ a narrow, h#mdr#m life the famil" led( Coal, grocerie$, $hoe$, and

clothing were the #ermo$t toic$ of their coner$ation2 eer" one felt the $tre$$

and $train of tr"ing to ma%e end$ meet(

That which worried @ennie mo$t, and there were man" thing$ which weighed #on

her $en$itie $o#l, wa$ the o#tcome of her own life--not $o m#ch for her$elf a$ for

her !a!" and the famil"( )he co#ld not reall" $ee where $he >tted in( ./ho wo#ld

hae me. $he a$%ed her$elf oer and oer( .How wa$ $he to di$o$e of 7e$ta in the

eent of a new loe aair. )#ch a contingenc" wa$ '#ite o$$i!le( )he wa$ "o#ng,

good-loo%ing, and men were inclined to *irt with her, or rather to attemt it( The6race!ridge$ entertained man" ma$c#line g#e$t$, and $ome of them had made

#nlea$ant oert#re$ to her(

." dear, "o#&re a er" rett" girl,. $aid one old ra%e of >ft"-odd when $he %noc%ed

at hi$ door one morning to gie him a me$$age from hi$ ho$te$$(

.I !eg "o#r ardon,. $he $aid, conf#$edl", and colored(

.Indeed, "o#&re '#ite $weet( And "o# needn&t !eg m" ardon( I&d li%e to tal% to "o#

$ome time(.

He attemted to ch#c% her #nder the chin, !#t @ennie h#rried awa"( )he wo#ld hae

reorted the matter to her mi$tre$$ !#t a nero#$ $hame deterred her( ./h" wo#ld

men alwa"$ !e doing thi$. $he tho#ght( Co#ld it !e !eca#$e there wa$ $omething

innatel" !ad a!o#t her, an inward corr#tion that attracted it$ li%e

It i$ a c#rio#$ characteri$tic of the non-defen$ie di$o$ition that it i$ li%e a hone"-

;ar to *ie$( 9othing i$ !ro#ght to it and m#ch i$ ta%en awa"( Aro#nd a $oft, "ielding,

#n$el>$h di$o$ition men $warm nat#rall"( The" $en$e thi$ genero$it", thi$ non-

rotectie attit#de from afar( A girl li%e @ennie i$ li%e a comforta!le >re to the

aerage ma$c#line mind2 the" graitate to it, $ee% it$ $"math", "earn to o$$e$$

it( Hence $he wa$ anno"ed !" man" #nwelcome attention$(



One da" there arried from Cincinnati a certain =e$ter ane, the $on of a whole$ale

carriage !#ilder of great trade di$tinction in that cit" and el$ewhere thro#gho#t the

co#ntr", who wa$ wont to i$it thi$ ho#$e fre'#entl" in a $ocial wa"( He wa$ a friend

of r$( 6race!ridge more than of her h#$!and, for the former had !een rai$ed in

Cincinnati and a$ a girl had i$ited at hi$ father&$ ho#$e( )he %new hi$ mother, hi$

!rother and $i$ter$ and to all intent$ and #ro$e$ $ociall" had alwa"$ !een

con$idered one of the famil"(

.=e$ter&$ coming to-morrow, Henr",. @ennie heard r$( 6race!ridge tell her h#$!and(

.I had a wire from him thi$ noon( He&$ $#ch a $cam( I&m going to gie him the !ig

ea$t front room #-$tair$( 6e $ocia!le and a" him $ome attention( Hi$ father wa$ $o

good to me(.

.I %now it,. $aid her h#$!and calml"( .I li%e =e$ter( He&$ the !igge$t one in that

famil"( 6#t he&$ too indierent( He doe$n&t care eno#gh(.

.I %now2 !#t he&$ $o nice( I do thin% he&$ one of the nice$t men I eer %new(.

.I&ll !e decent to him( <on&t I alwa"$ do rett" well !" "o#r eole.

.3e$, rett" well(.

.Oh, I don&t %now a!o#t that,. he relied, dr"l"(

/hen thi$ nota!le er$on arried @ennie wa$ reared to $ee $ome one of more

than ordinar" imortance, and $he wa$ not di$aointed( There came into the

recetion-hall to greet her mi$tre$$ a man of erha$ thirt"-$i5 "ear$ of age, a!oe

the medi#m in height, clear-e"ed, >rm-;awed, athletic, direct, and igoro#$( He had

a dee, re$onant oice that carried clearl" eer"where2 eole $omehow #$ed to$to and li$ten whether the" %new him or not( He wa$ $imle and a!r#t in hi$

$eech(

.Oh, there "o# are,. he !egan( .I&m glad to $ee "o# again( How&$ r( 6race!ridge

How&$ annie.

He a$%ed hi$ '#e$tion$ forcef#ll", whole-heartedl", and hi$ ho$te$$ an$wered with

an e'#al warmth( .I&m glad to $ee "o#, =e$ter,. $he $aid( .4eorge will ta%e "o#r

thing$ #-$tair$( Come # into m" room( It&$ more comf"( How are granda and

=o#i$e.

He followed her # the $tair$, and @ennie, who had !een $tanding at the head of the

$tair$ li$tening, felt the magnetic charm of hi$ er$onalit"( It $eemed, wh" $he co#ld

hardl" $a", that a real er$onage had arried( The ho#$e wa$ cheerier( The attit#de

of her mi$tre$$ wa$ m#ch more comlai$ant( Eer"!od" $eemed to feel that

$omething m#$t !e done for thi$ man(

@ennie went a!o#t her wor%, !#t the imre$$ion er$i$ted2 hi$ name ran in her mind(

=e$ter ane( And he wa$ from Cincinnati( )he loo%ed at him now and then on the

$l", and felt, for the >r$t time in her life, an intere$t in a man on hi$ own acco#nt( He

wa$ $o !ig, $o hand$ome, $o forcef#l( )he wondered what hi$ !#$ine$$ wa$( At the

$ame time $he felt a little dread of him( Once $he ca#ght him loo%ing at her with a$tead", inci$ie $tare( )he '#ailed inwardl", and too% the >r$t oort#nit" to get o#t

of hi$ re$ence( Another time he tried to addre$$ a few remar%$ to her, !#t $he



retended that her d#tie$ called her awa"( )he %new that often hi$ e"e$ were on her

when her !ac% wa$ t#rned, and it made her nero#$( )he wanted to r#n awa" from

him, altho#gh there wa$ no er" de>nite rea$on wh" $he $ho#ld do $o(

A$ a matter of fact, thi$ man, $o $#erior to @ennie in wealth, ed#cation, and $ocial

o$ition, felt an in$tinctie intere$t in her #n#$#al er$onalit"( =i%e the other$, he

wa$ attracted !" the ec#liar $oftne$$ of her di$o$ition and her re-eminentfemininit"( There wa$ that a!o#t her which $#gge$ted the l#5#r" of loe( He felt a$ if

$omehow $he co#ld !e reached wh", he co#ld not hae $aid( )he did not !ear an"

o#tward mar%$ of her reio#$ e5erience( There were no eidence$ of co'#etr"

a!o#t her, !#t $till he .felt that he might(. He wa$ inclined to ma%e the ent#re on

hi$ >r$t i$it, !#t !#$ine$$ called him awa"2 he left after fo#r da"$ and wa$ a!$ent

from Cleeland for three wee%$( @ennie tho#ght he wa$ gone for good, and $he

e5erienced a '#eer $en$e of relief a$ well a$ of regret( Then, $#ddenl", he

ret#rned( He came aarentl" #ne5ectedl", e5laining to r$( 6race!ridge that

!#$ine$$ intere$t$ again demanded hi$ re$ence in Cleeland( A$ he $o%e he

loo%ed at @ennie $harl", and $he felt a$ if $omehow hi$ re$ence might al$oconcern her a little(

On thi$ $econd i$it $he had ario#$ oort#nitie$ of $eeing him, at !rea%fa$t,

where $he $ometime$ $ered, at dinner, when $he co#ld $ee the g#e$t$ at the ta!le

from the arlor or $itting-room, and at odd time$ when he came to r$(

6race!ridge&$ !o#doir to tal% thing$ oer( The" were er" friendl"(

./h" don&t "o# $ettle down, =e$ter, and get married. @ennie heard her $a" to him

the $econd da" he wa$ there( .3o# %now it&$ time(.

.I %now,. he relied, .!#t I&m in no mood for that( I want to !row$e aro#nd a littlewhile "et(.

.3e$, I %now a!o#t "o#r !row$ing( 3o# o#ght to !e a$hamed of "o#r$elf( 3o#r father

i$ reall" worried(.

He ch#c%led am#$edl"( .ather doe$n&t worr" m#ch a!o#t me( He ha$ got all he can

attend to to loo% after the !#$ine$$(.

@ennie loo%ed at him c#rio#$l"( )he $carcel" #nder$tood what $he wa$ thin%ing, !#t

thi$ man drew her( If $he had reali:ed in what wa" $he wo#ld hae *ed hi$ re$ence

then and there(

9ow he wa$ more in$i$tent in hi$ o!$eration of her--addre$$ed an occa$ional

remar% to her--engaged her in !rief, magnetic coner$ation$( )he co#ld not hel

an$wering him--he wa$ lea$ing to her( Once he came acro$$ her in the hall on the

$econd *oor $earching in a loc%er for $ome linen( The" were all alone, r$(

6race!ridge haing gone o#t to do $ome morning $hoing and the other $erant$

!eing !elow $tair$( On thi$ occa$ion he made $hort wor% of the !#$ine$$( He

aroached her in a commanding, #nhe$itating, and thoro#ghl" determined wa"(

.I want to tal% to "o#,. he $aid( ./here do "o# lie.

.I--I--. $he $tammered, and !lanched erceti!l"( .I lie o#t on =orrie )treet(.

./hat n#m!er. he '#e$tioned, a$ tho#gh $he were comelled to tell him(



)he '#ailed and $hoo% inwardl"( .Thirteen fo#rteen,. $he relied mechanicall"(

He loo%ed into her !ig, $oft-!l#e e"e$ with hi$ dar%, igoro#$ !rown one$( A *a$h

that wa$ h"notic, $igni>cant, in$i$tent a$$ed !etween them(

.3o# !elong to me,. he $aid( .I&e !een loo%ing for "o#( /hen can I $ee "o#.

.Oh, "o# m#$tn&t,. $he $aid, her >nger$ going nero#$l" to her li$( .I can&t $ee"o#--I--I--.

.Oh, I m#$tn&t, m#$tn&t I =oo% here.--he too% her arm and drew her $lightl"

clo$er--."o# and I might a$ well #nder$tand each other right now( I li%e "o#( <o "o#

li%e me )a".

)he loo%ed at him, her e"e$ wide, >lled with wonder, with fear, with a growing

terror(

.I don&t %now,. $he ga$ed, her li$ dr"(

.<o "o#. He >5ed her griml", >rml" with hi$ e"e$(

.I don&t %now(.

.=oo% at me,. he $aid(

.3e$,. $he relied(

He #lled her to him '#ic%l"( .I&ll tal% to "o# later,. he $aid, and #t hi$ li$

ma$terf#ll" to her$(

)he wa$ horri>ed, $t#nned, li%e a !ird in the gra$ of a cat2 !#t thro#gh it all$omething tremendo#$l" ital and in$i$tent wa$ $ea%ing to her( He relea$ed her

with a $hort la#gh( ./e won&t do an" more of thi$ here, !#t, remem!er, "o# !elong

to me,. he $aid, a$ he t#rned and wal%ed nonchalantl" down the hall( @ennie, in

$heer anic, ran to her mi$tre$$&$ room and loc%ed the door !ehind her( _

________________________________________________

_ CHAPTER 7II

The $hoc% of thi$ $#dden enco#nter wa$ $o great to @ennie that $he wa$ ho#r$ in

recoering her$elf( At >r$t $he did not #nder$tand clearl" ;#$t what had haened(

O#t of clear $%", a$ it were, thi$ a$toni$hing thing had ta%en lace( )he had "ielded

her$elf to another man( /h" /h" $he a$%ed her$elf, and "et within her own

con$cio#$ne$$ there wa$ an an$wer( Tho#gh $he co#ld not e5lain her own

emotion$, $he !elonged to him temeramentall" and he !elonged to her(

There i$ a fate in loe and a fate in >ght( Thi$ $trong, intellect#al !ear of a man, $on

of a wealth" man#fact#rer, $tationed, $o far a$ material condition$ were concerned,

in a world immen$el" $#erior to that in which @ennie moed, wa$, neerthele$$,

in$tinctiel", magneticall", and chemicall" drawn to thi$ oor $ering-maid( )he wa$

hi$ nat#ral a+nit", tho#gh he did not %now it--the one woman who an$wered

$omehow the !igge$t need of hi$ nat#re( =e$ter ane had %nown all $ort$ of women,rich and oor, the highl" !red maiden$ of hi$ own cla$$, the da#ghter$ of the

roletariat, !#t he had neer "et fo#nd one who $eemed to com!ine for him the



trait$ of an ideal woman--$"math", %indline$$ of ;#dgment, "o#th, and !ea#t"( 3et

thi$ ideal remained >5edl" $eated in the !ac% of hi$ !rain--when the right woman

aeared he intended to ta%e her( He had the notion that, for #ro$e$ of marriage,

he o#ght erha$ to >nd thi$ woman on hi$ own lane( or #ro$e$ of temorar"

haine$$ he might ta%e her from an"where, leaing marriage, of co#r$e, o#t of the

'#e$tion( He had no idea of ma%ing an"thing li%e a $erio#$ roo$al to a $erant-

girl( 6#t @ennie wa$ dierent( He had neer $een a $erant '#ite li%e her( And $hewa$ lad"-li%e and loel" witho#t aearing to %now it( /h", thi$ girl wa$ a rare

*ower( /h" $ho#ldn&t he tr" to $ei:e her =et #$ !e ;#$t to =e$ter ane2 let #$ tr" to

#nder$tand him and hi$ o$ition( 9ot eer" mind i$ to !e e$timated !" the weight of

a $ingle foll"2 not eer" er$onalit" i$ to !e ;#dged !" the drag of a $ingle a$$ion(

/e lie in an age in which the imact of materiali:ed force$ i$ well-nigh irre$i$ti!le2

the $irit#al nat#re i$ oerwhelmed !" the $hoc%( The tremendo#$ and comlicated

deeloment of o#r material ciili:ation, the m#ltilicit", and ariet" of o#r $ocial

form$, the deth, $#!tlet", and $ohi$tr" of o#r imaginatie imre$$ion$, gathered,

rem#ltilied, and di$$eminated !" $#ch agencie$ a$ the railroad, the e5re$$ and

the o$t-o+ce, the telehone, the telegrah, the new$aer, and, in $hort, thewhole machiner" of $ocial interco#r$e--the$e element$ of e5i$tence com!ine to

rod#ce what ma" !e termed a %aleido$coic glitter, a da::ling and conf#$ing

hanta$magoria of life that wearie$ and $t#lti>e$ the mental and moral nat#re( It

ind#ce$ a $ort of intellect#al fatig#e thro#gh which we $ee the ran%$ of the ictim$

of in$omnia, melancholia, and in$anit" con$tantl" recr#ited( O#r modern !rain-an

doe$ not $eem caa!le a$ "et of receiing, $orting, and $toring the a$t arm" of

fact$ and imre$$ion$ which re$ent them$ele$ dail"( The white light of #!licit" i$

too white( /e are weighed #on !" too man" thing$( It i$ a$ if the wi$dom of the

in>nite were $tr#ggling to !eat it$elf into >nite and c#-!ig mind$(

=e$ter ane wa$ the nat#ral rod#ct of the$e #ntoward condition$( Hi$ wa$ a

nat#rall" o!$ering mind, Ra!elai$ian in it$ $trength and tendencie$, !#t conf#$ed

!" the m#ltilicit" of thing$, the a$tne$$ of the anorama of life, the glitter of it$

detail$, the #n$#!$tantial nat#re of it$ form$, the #ncertaint" of their ;#$ti>cation(

6orn a Catholic, he wa$ no longer a !elieer in the diine in$iration of Catholici$m2

rai$ed a mem!er of the $ocial elect, he had cea$ed to accet the feti$h that !irth

and $tation re$#o$e an" innate $#eriorit"2 !ro#ght # a$ the heir to a

comforta!le fort#ne and e5ected to marr" in hi$ own $here, he wa$ !" no mean$

$#re that he wanted marriage on an" term$( Of co#r$e the con;#gal $tate wa$ an

in$tit#tion( It wa$ e$ta!li$hed( 3e$, certainl"( 6#t what of it The whole nation

!elieed in it( Tr#e, !#t other nation$ !elieed in ol"gam"( There were other

'#e$tion$ that !othered him--$#ch '#e$tion$ a$ the !elief in a $ingle deit" or r#ler

of the #nier$e, and whether a re#!lican, monarchial, or ari$tocratic form of

goernment were !e$t( In $hort, the whole !od" of thing$ material, $ocial, and

$irit#al had come #nder the %nife of hi$ mental $#rger" and !een left !#t half

di$$ected( =ife wa$ not roed to him( 9ot a $ingle idea of hi$, #nle$$ it were the

need of !eing hone$t, wa$ >nall" $ettled( In all other thing$ he waered, '#e$tioned,

rocra$tinated, leaing to time and to the ower$ !ac% of the #nier$e the $ol#tion

of the ro!lem$ that e5ed him( 3e$, =e$ter ane wa$ the nat#ral rod#ct of a

com!ination of element$--religio#$, commercial, $ocial--modi>ed !" that erading

atmo$here of li!ert" in o#r national life which i$ rod#ctie of almo$t #nco#nted

freedom of tho#ght and action( Thirt"-$i5 "ear$ of age, and aarentl" a man of

igoro#$, aggre$$ie, and $o#nd er$onalit", he wa$, neerthele$$, an e$$entiall"



animal-man, lea$antl" eneered !" ed#cation and enironment( =i%e the h#ndred$

of tho#$and$ of Iri$hmen who in hi$ father&$ da" had wor%ed on the railroad trac%$,

d#g in the mine$, ic%ed and $hoeled in the ditche$, and carried # !ric%$ and

mortar on the endle$$ $tr#ct#re$ of a new land, he wa$ $trong, hair", a5iomatic, and

witt"(

.<o "o# want me to come !ac% here ne5t "ear. he had a$%ed of 6rother Am!ro$e,when, in hi$ $eenteenth "ear, that eccle$ia$tical mem!er wa$ a!o#t to cha$ti$e

him for $ome $chool-!o" mi$demeanor(

The other $tared at him in a$toni$hment( .3o#r father will hae to loo% after that,.

he relied(

./ell, m" father won&t loo% after it,. =e$ter ret#rned( .If "o# to#ch me with that whi

I&ll ta%e thing$ into m" own hand$( I&m not committing an" #ni$ha!le oen$e$, and

I&m not going to !e %noc%ed aro#nd an" more(.

/ord$, #nfort#natel", did not aail in thi$ ca$e, !#t a good, igoro#$ Iri$h-Americanwre$tle did, in which the whi wa$ !ro%en and the di$ciline of the $chool $o far

imaired that he wa$ comelled to ta%e hi$ clothe$ and leae( After that he loo%ed

hi$ father in the e"e and told him that he wa$ not going to $chool an" more(

.I&m erfectl" willing to ;#m in and wor%,. he e5lained( .There&$ nothing in a

cla$$ical ed#cation for me( =et me go into the o+ce, and I g#e$$ I&ll ic% # eno#gh

to carr" me thro#gh(.

Old Archi!ald ane, %een, $ingle-minded, of #n$#llied commercial honor, admired

hi$ $on&$ determination, and did not attemt to coerce him(

.Come down to the o+ce,. he $aid2 .erha$ there i$ $omething "o# can do(.

Entering #on a !#$ine$$ life at the age of eighteen, =e$ter had wor%ed faithf#ll",

ri$ing in hi$ father&$ e$timation, #ntil now he had come to !e, in a wa", hi$ er$onal

rere$entatie( /heneer there wa$ a contract to !e entered #on, an imortant

moe to !e decided, or a rere$entatie of the man#factor" to !e $ent an"where to

con$#mmate a deal, =e$ter wa$ the agent $elected( Hi$ father tr#$ted him imlicitl",

and $o dilomatic and earne$t wa$ he in the f#l>lment of hi$ d#tie$ that thi$ tr#$t

had neer !een imaired(

.6#$ine$$ i$ !#$ine$$,. wa$ a faorite a5iom with him and the er" tone in which herono#nced the word$ wa$ a re*e5 of hi$ character and er$onalit"(

There were molten force$ in him, *ame$ which !#r$t forth now and then in $ite of

the fact that he wa$ $#re that he had them #nder control( One of the$e im#l$e$

wa$ a ta$te for li'#or, of which he wa$ erfectl" $#re he had the #er hand( He

dran% !#t er" little, he tho#ght, and onl", in a $ocial wa", among friend$2 neer to

e5ce$$( Another wea%ne$$ la" in hi$ $en$#al nat#re2 !#t here again he !elieed that

he wa$ the ma$ter( If he cho$e to hae irreg#lar relation$ with women, he wa$

caa!le of deciding where the danger oint la"( If men were onl" g#ided !" a $en$e

of the !reit" inherent in all $#ch relation$hi$ there wo#ld not !e $o man"tro#!le$ome con$e'#ence$ growing o#t of them( inall", he *attered him$elf that he

had a gra$ #on a right method of liing, a method which wa$ nothing more than a



'#iet accetance of $ocial condition$ a$ the" were, temered !" a little er$onal

;#dgment a$ to the right and wrong of indiid#al cond#ct( 9ot to f#$$ and f#me, not

to cr" o#t a!o#t an"thing, not to !e maw%i$hl" $entimental2 to !e igoro#$ and

$#$tain "o#r er$onalit" intact--$#ch wa$ hi$ theor" of life, and he wa$ $ati$>ed that

it wa$ a good one(

A$ to @ennie, hi$ original o!;ect in aroaching her had !een #rel" $el>$h( 6#t nowthat he had a$$erted hi$ ma$c#line rerogatie$, and $he had "ielded, at lea$t in

art, he !egan to reali:e that $he wa$ no common girl, no to" of the a$$ing ho#r(

There i$ a time in $ome men&$ lie$ when the" #ncon$cio#$l" !egin to iew feminine

"o#th and !ea#t" not $o m#ch in relation to the ideal of haine$$, !#t rather with

regard to the $ocial conention$ !" which the" are enironed(

.#$t it !e. the" a$% them$ele$, in $ec#lating concerning the o$$i!ilit" of

ta%ing a maiden to wife, .that I $hall !e comelled to $wallow the whole $ocial code,

ma%e a coenant with $ociet", $ign a ledge of a!$tinence, and gie to another a

life intere$t in all m" aair$, when I %now too well that I am !#t ta%ing to m" arm$ aaria!le creat#re li%e m"$elf, who$e wi$he$ are at to !ecome in$i$tent and

!#rden$ome in roortion to the decrea$e of her !ea#t" and intere$t. The$e are

the men, who, #nwilling to ri$% the manifold contingencie$ of an a#thori:ed

connection, are led to con$ider the adantage$ of a le$$-!inding #nion, a temorar"

comanion$hi( The" $ee% to $ei:e the haine$$ of life witho#t a"ing the co$t of

their ind#lgence( =ater on, the" thin%, the more de>nite and conentional

relation$hi ma" !e e$ta!li$hed witho#t reroach or the nece$$it" of radical

read;#$tment(

=e$ter ane wa$ a$t the "o#thf#l loe eriod, and he %new it( The innocence and#n$ohi$tication of "o#nger ideal$ had gone( He wanted the comfort of feminine

comanion$hi, !#t he wa$ more and more di$inclined to gie # hi$ er$onal

li!ert" in order to o!tain it( He wo#ld not wear the $ocial $hac%le$ if it were o$$i!le

to $ati$f" the need$ of hi$ heart and nat#re and $till remain free and #nfettered( Of

co#r$e he m#$t >nd the right woman, and in @ennie he !elieed that he had

di$coered her( )he aealed to him on eer" $ide2 he had neer %nown an"!od"

'#ite li%e her( arriage wa$ not onl" imo$$i!le !#t #nnece$$ar"( He had onl" to $a"

.Come. and $he m#$t o!e"2 it wa$ her de$tin"(

=e$ter tho#ght the matter oer calml", di$a$$ionatel"( He $trolled o#t to the

$ha!!" $treet where $he lied2 he loo%ed at the h#m!le roof that $heltered her( Her

oert", her narrow and $traitened enironment to#ched hi$ heart( O#ght he not to

treat her genero#$l", fairl", honora!l" Then the remem!rance of her marelo#$

!ea#t" $wet oer him and changed hi$ mood( 9o, he m#$t o$$e$$ her if he co#ld--

to-da", '#ic%l", a$ $oon a$ o$$i!le( It wa$ in that frame of mind that he ret#rned to

r$( 6race!ridge&$ home from hi$ i$it to =orrie )treet( _

CHAPTER 7III

@ennie wa$ now going thro#gh the agon" of one who ha$ a aried and comlicated

ro!lem to confront( Her !a!", her father, her !rother$, and $i$ter$ all ro$e # to

confront her( /hat wa$ thi$ thing that $he wa$ doing /a$ $he allowing her$elf to

$li into another wretched, #n$ancti>ed relation$hi How wa$ $he to e5lain to her



famil" a!o#t thi$ man He wo#ld not marr" her, that wa$ $#re, if he %new all a!o#t

her( He wo#ld not marr" her, an"how, a man of hi$ $tation and o$ition( 3et here $he

wa$ arle"ing with him( /hat o#ght $he to do )he ondered oer the ro!lem #ntil

eening, deciding >r$t that it wa$ !e$t to r#n awa", !#t remem!ering ainf#ll" that

$he had told him where $he lied( Then $he re$oled that $he wo#ld $#mmon # her

co#rage and ref#$e him--tell him $he co#ldn&t, wo#ldn&t hae an"thing to do with

him( Thi$ la$t $ol#tion of the di+c#lt" $eemed $imle eno#gh--in hi$ a!$ence( And$he wo#ld >nd wor% where he co#ld not follow her # $o ea$il"( It all $eemed $imle

eno#gh a$ $he #t on her thing$ in the eening to go home(

Her aggre$$ie loer, howeer, wa$ not witho#t hi$ own concl#$ion in thi$ matter(

)ince leaing @ennie he had tho#ght conci$el" and to the oint( He came to the

deci$ion that he m#$t act at once( )he might tell her famil", $he might tell r$(

6race!ridge, $he might leae the cit"( He wanted to %now more of the condition$

which $#rro#nded her, and there wa$ onl" one wa" to do that--tal% to her( He m#$t

er$#ade her to come and lie with him( )he wo#ld, he tho#ght( )he admitted that

$he li%ed him( That $oft, "ielding note in her character which had originall" attractedhim $eemed to re$age that he co#ld win her witho#t m#ch di+c#lt", if he wi$hed

to tr"( He decided to do $o, an"how, for tr#l" he de$ired her greatl"(

At half-a$t >e he ret#rned to the 6race!ridge home to $ee if $he were $till there(

At $i5 he had an oort#nit" to $a" to her, #no!$ered, .I am going to wal% home

with "o#( /ait for me at the ne5t corner, will "o#.

.3e$,. $he $aid, a $en$e of com#l$ion to do hi$ !idding $ei:ing her( )he e5lained

to her$elf afterward that $he o#ght to tal% to him, that $he m#$t tell him >nall" of

her deci$ion not to $ee him again, and thi$ wa$ a$ good an oort#nit" a$ an"( At

half-a$t $i5 he left the ho#$e on a rete5t--a forgotten engagement--and a littleafter $een he wa$ waiting for her in a clo$ed carriage near the aointed $ot( He

wa$ calm, a!$ol#tel" $ati$>ed a$ to the re$#lt, and c#rio#$l" elated !eneath a

$t#rd", $hoc%-roof e5terior( It wa$ a$ if he !reathed $ome fragrant erf#me, $oft,

gratef#l, entrancing(

A few min#te$ after eight he $aw @ennie coming along( The *are of the ga$-lam

wa$ not $trong, !#t it gae $#+cient light for hi$ e"e$ to ma%e her o#t( A wae of

$"math" a$$ed oer him, for there wa$ a great aeal in her er$onalit"( He

$teed o#t a$ $he neared the corner and confronted her( .Come,. he $aid, .and get

in thi$ carriage with me( I&ll ta%e "o# home(.

.9o,. $he relied( .I don&t thin% I o#ght to(.

.Come with me( I&ll ta%e "o# home( It&$ a !etter wa" to tal%(.

Once more that $en$e of dominance on hi$ art, that ower of com#l$ion( )he

"ielded, feeling all the time that $he $ho#ld not2 he called o#t to the ca!man,

.An"where for a little while(. /hen $he wa$ $eated !e$ide him he !egan at once(

.=i$ten to me, @ennie, I want "o#( Tell me $omething a!o#t "o#r$elf(.

.I hae to tal% to "o#,. $he relied, tr"ing to $tic% to her original line of defen$e(

.A!o#t what. he in'#ired, $ee%ing to fathom her e5re$$ion in the half light(



.I can&t go on thi$ wa",. $he m#rm#red nero#$l"( .I can&t act thi$ wa"( 3o# don&t

%now how it all i$( I $ho#ldn&t hae done what I did thi$ morning( I m#$tn&t $ee "o#

an" more( Reall" I m#$tn&t(.

.3o# didn&t do what "o# did thi$ morning,. he remar%ed, arado5icall", $ei:ing on

that one artic#lar e5re$$ion( .I did that( And a$ for $eeing me an" more, I&m going

to $ee "o#(. He $ei:ed her hand( .3o# don&t %now me, !#t I li%e "o#( I&m cra:" a!o#t"o#, that&$ all( 3o# !elong to me( 9ow li$ten( I&m going to hae "o#( Are "o# going to

come to me.

.9o, no, noB. $he relied in an agoni:ed oice, .I can&t do an"thing li%e that, r(

ane( Plea$e li$ten to me( It can&t !e( 3o# don&t %now( Oh, "o# don&t %now( I can&t do

what "o# want( I don&t want to( I co#ldn&t, een if I wanted to( 3o# don&t %now how

thing$ are( 6#t I don&t want to do an"thing wrong( I m#$tn&t( I can&t( I won&t( Oh, noB

noBB noBBB Plea$e let me go home(.

He li$tened to thi$ tro#!led, feeri$h o#t!#r$t with $"math", with een a little it"(

./hat do "o# mean !" "o# can&t. he a$%ed, c#rio#$l"(

.Oh, I can&t tell "o#,. $he relied( .Plea$e don&t a$% me( 3o# o#ghtn&t to %now( 6#t I

m#$tn&t $ee "o# an" more( It won&t do an" good(.

.6#t "o# li%e me,. he retorted(

.Oh "e$, "e$, I do( I can&t hel that( 6#t "o# m#$tn&t come near me an" more( Plea$e

don&t(.

He t#rned hi$ roo$ition oer in hi$ mind with the $olemnit" of a ;#dge( He %new

that thi$ girl li%ed him--loed him reall", !rief a$ their contact had !een( And he wa$

drawn to her, erha$ not irreoca!l", !#t with e5ceeding $trength( /hat reented

her from "ielding, e$eciall" $ince $he wanted to He wa$ c#rio#$(

.)ee here, @ennie,. he relied( .I hear what "o# $a"( I don&t %now what "o# mean !"

&can&t& if "o# want to( 3o# $a" "o# li%e me( /h" can&t "o# come to me 3o#&re m"

$ort( /e will get along !ea#tif#ll" together( 3o#&re $#ited to me temeramentall"( I&d

li%e to hae "o# with me( /hat ma%e$ "o# $a" "o# can&t come.

.I can&t,. $he relied( .I can&t( I don&t want to( I o#ghtn&t( Oh, lea$e don&t a$% me

an" more( 3o# don&t %now( I can&t tell "o# wh"(. )he wa$ thin%ing of her !a!"(

The man had a %een $en$e of ;#$tice and fair la"( A!oe all thing$ he wanted to !e

decent in hi$ treatment of eole( In thi$ ca$e he intended to !e tender and

con$iderate, and "et he m#$t win her( He t#rned thi$ oer in hi$ mind(

.=i$ten to me,. he $aid >nall", $till holding her hand( .I ma" not want "o# to do

an"thing immediatel"( I want "o# to thin% it oer( 6#t "o# !elong to me( 3o# $a" "o#

care for me( 3o# admitted that thi$ morning( I %now "o# do( 9ow wh" $ho#ld "o#

$tand o#t again$t me I li%e "o#, and I can do a lot of thing$ for "o#( /h" not let #$

!e good friend$ now Then we can tal% the re$t of thi$ oer later(.

.6#t I m#$tn&t do an"thing wrong,. $he in$i$ted( .I don&t want to( Plea$e don&t come

near me an" more( I can&t do what "o# want(.



.9ow, loo% here,. he $aid( .3o# don&t mean that( /h" did "o# $a" "o# li%ed me

Hae "o# changed "o#r mind =oo% at me(. G)he had lowered her e"e$( .=oo% at

meB 3o# haen&t, hae "o#.

.Oh no, no, no,. $he half $o!!ed, $wet !" $ome force !e"ond her control(

./ell, then, wh" $tand o#t again$t me I loe "o#, I tell "o#--I&m cra:" a!o#t "o#(

That&$ wh" I came !ac% thi$ time( It wa$ to $ee "o#B.

./a$ it. a$%ed @ennie, $#rri$ed(

.3e$, it wa$( And I wo#ld hae come again and again if nece$$ar"( I tell "o# I&m cra:"

a!o#t "o#( I&e got to hae "o#( 9ow tell me "o#&ll come with me(.

.9o, no, no,. $he leaded( .I can&t( I m#$t wor%( I want to wor%( I don&t want to do

an"thing wrong( Plea$e don&t a$% me( 3o# m#$tn&t( 3o# m#$t let me go( Reall" "o#

m#$t( I can&t do what "o# want(.

.Tell me, @ennie,. he $aid, changing the $#!;ect( ./hat doe$ "o#r father do.

.He&$ a gla$$-!lower(.

.Here in Cleeland.

.9o, he wor%$ in 3o#ng$town(.

.I$ "o#r mother alie.

.3e$, $ir(.

.3o# lie with her.

.3e$, $ir(.

He $miled at the .$ir(. .<on&t $a" &$ir& to me, $weetB. he leaded in hi$ gr# wa"(

.And don&t in$i$t on the r( ane( I&m not &mi$ter& to "o# an" more( 3o# !elong to

me, little girl, me(. And he #lled her clo$e to him(

.Plea$e don&t, r( ane,. $he leaded( .Oh, lea$e don&t( I can&tB I can&tB 3o#

m#$tn&t(.

6#t he $ealed her li$ with hi$ own(

.=i$ten to me, @ennie,. he reeated, #$ing hi$ faorite e5re$$ion( .I tell "o# "o#

!elong to me( I li%e "o# !etter eer" moment( I haen&t had a chance to %now "o#(

I&m not going to gie "o# #( 3o#&e got to come to me eent#all"( And I&m not going

to hae "o# wor%ing a$ a lad"&$ maid( 3o# can&t $ta" in that lace e5cet for a little

while( I&m going to ta%e "o# $omewhere el$e( And I&m going to leae "o# $ome

mone", do "o# hear 3o# hae to ta%e it(.

At the word mone" $he '#ailed and withdrew her hand(

.9o, no, noB. $he reeated( .9o, I won&t ta%e it(.



.3e$, "o# will( 4ie it to "o#r mother( I&m not tr"ing to !#" "o#( I %now what "o#

thin%( 6#t I&m not( I want to hel "o#( I want to hel "o#r famil"( I %now where "o#

lie( I $aw the lace to-da"( How man" are there of "o#.

.)i5,. $he an$wered faintl"(

.The familie$ of the oor,. he tho#ght(

./ell, "o# ta%e thi$ from me,. he in$i$ted, drawing a #r$e from hi$ coat( .And I&ll

$ee "o# er" $oon again( There&$ no e$cae, $weet(.

.9o, no,. $he rote$ted( .I won&t( I don&t need it( 9o, "o# m#$tn&t a$% me(.

He in$i$ted f#rther, !#t $he wa$ >rm, and >nall" he #t the mone" awa"(

.One thing i$ $#re, @ennie, "o#&re not going to e$cae me,. he $aid $o!erl"( .3o#&ll

hae to come to me eent#all"( <on&t "o# %now "o# will 3o#r own attit#de $how$

that( I&m not going to leae "o# alone(.

.Oh, if "o# %new the tro#!le "o#&re ca#$ing me(.

.I&m not ca#$ing "o# an" real tro#!le, am I. he a$%ed( .)#rel" not(.

.3e$( I can neer do what "o# want(.

.3o# willB 3o# willB. he e5claimed eagerl", the !are tho#ght of thi$ ri:e e$caing

him heightening hi$ a$$ion( .3o#&ll come to me(. And he drew her clo$e in $ite of

all her rote$t$(

.There,. he $aid when, after the $tr#ggle, that m"$tic $omething !etween them

$o%e again, and $he rela5ed( Tear$ were in her e"e$, !#t he did not $ee them(

.<on&t "o# $ee how it i$ 3o# li%e me too(.

.I can&t,. $he reeated, with a $o!(

Her eident di$tre$$ to#ched him( .3o#&re not cr"ing, little girl, are "o#. he a$%ed(

)he made no an$wer(

.I&m $orr",. he went on( .I&ll not $a" an"thing more to-night( /e&re almo$t at "o#r

home( I&m leaing to-morrow, !#t I&ll $ee "o# again( 3e$, I will, $weet( I can&t gie

"o# # now( I&ll do an"thing in rea$on to ma%e it ea$" for "o#, !#t I can&t, do "o#hear.

)he $hoo% her head(

.Here&$ where "o# get o#t,. he $aid, a$ the carriage drew # near the corner( He

co#ld $ee the eening lam gleaming !ehind the 4erhardt cottage c#rtain$(

.4ood-!",. he $aid a$ $he $teed o#t(

.4ood-!",. $he m#rm#red(

.Remem!er,. he $aid, .thi$ i$ ;#$t the !eginning(.

.Oh no, noB. $he leaded(



He loo%ed after her a$ $he wal%ed awa"(

.The !ea#t"B. he e5claimed(

@ennie $teed into the ho#$e wear", di$co#raged, a$hamed( /hat had $he done

There wa$ no den"ing that $he had comromi$ed her$elf irretriea!l"( He wo#ld

come !ac%(

He wo#ld come !ac%( And he had oered her mone"( That wa$ the wor$t of all( _

CHAPTER I

The inconcl#$ie nat#re of thi$ interiew, e5citing a$ it wa$, did not leae an" do#!t

in either =e$ter ane&$ or @ennie&$ mind2 certainl" thi$ wa$ not the end of the aair(

ane %new that he wa$ deel" fa$cinated( Thi$ girl wa$ loel"( )he wa$ $weeter

than he had had an" idea of( Her he$itanc", her reeated rote$t$, her gentle .no,

no, no. moed him a$ m#$ic might( <eend #on it, thi$ girl wa$ for him, and he

wo#ld get her( )he wa$ too $weet to let go( /hat did he care a!o#t what hi$ famil"

or the world might thin%

It wa$ c#rio#$ that ane held the well-fo#nded idea that in time @ennie wo#ld "ield

to him h"$icall", a$ $he had alread" done $irit#all"( @#$t wh" he co#ld not $a"(

)omething a!o#t her--a warm womanhood, a g#ilele$$ e5re$$ion of co#ntenance--

intimated a $"math" toward $e5 relation$hi which had nothing to do with hard,

!r#tal immoralit"( )he wa$ the %ind of a woman who wa$ made for a man--one man(

All her attit#de toward $e5 wa$ !o#nd # with loe, tenderne$$, $erice( /hen the

one man arried $he wo#ld loe him and $he wo#ld go to him( That wa$ @ennie a$

=e$ter #nder$tood her( He felt it( )he wo#ld "ield to him !eca#$e he wa$ the one

man(

On @ennie&$ art there wa$ a great $en$e of comlication and of o$$i!le di$a$ter( If

he followed her of co#r$e he wo#ld learn all( )he had not told him a!o#t 6rander,

!eca#$e $he wa$ $till #nder the ag#e ill#$ion that, in the end, $he might e$cae(

/hen $he left him $he %new that he wo#ld come !ac%( )he %new, in $ite of her$elf

that $he wanted him to do $o( 3et $he felt that $he m#$t not "ield, $he m#$t go on

leading her $traitened, h#mdr#m life( Thi$ wa$ her #ni$hment for haing made a

mi$ta%e( )he had made her !ed, and $he m#$t lie on it(

The ane famil" man$ion at Cincinnati to which =e$ter ret#rned after leaing @ennie

wa$ an imo$ing e$ta!li$hment, which contra$ted $trangel" with the 4erhardt

home( It wa$ a great, ram!ling, two-$tor" aair, done after the manner of the

rench chatea#5, !#t in red !ric% and !rown$tone( It wa$ $et down, among *ower$

and tree$, in an almo$t ar%-li%e inclo$#re, and it$ er" $tone$ $o%e of a $lendid

dignit" and of a re>ned l#5#r"( Old Archi!ald ane, the father, had ama$$ed a

tremendo#$ fort#ne, not !" gra!!ing and !row-!eating and #nfair method$, !#t !"

$eeing a !ig need and >lling it( Earl" in life he had reali:ed that America wa$ a

growing co#ntr"( There wa$ going to !e a !ig demand for ehicle$--wagon$,

carriage$, dra"$--and he %new that $ome one wo#ld hae to $#l" them( Haing

fo#nded a $mall wagon ind#$tr", he had !#ilt it # into a great !#$ine$$2 he made

good wagon$, and he $old them at a good ro>t( It wa$ hi$ theor" that mo$t menwere hone$t2 he !elieed that at !ottom the" wanted hone$t thing$, and if "o# gae

them the$e the" wo#ld !#" of "o#, and come !ac% and !#" again and again, #ntil



"o# were an in*#ential and rich man( He !elieed in the mea$#re .heaed f#ll and

r#nning oer(. All thro#gh hi$ life and now in hi$ old age he en;o"ed the re$ect and

aroal of eer" one who %new him( .Archi!ald ane,. "o# wo#ld hear hi$

cometitor$ $a", .Ah, there i$ a >ne man( )hrewd, !#t hone$t( He&$ a !ig man(.

Thi$ man wa$ the father of two $on$ and three da#ghter$, all health", all good-

loo%ing, all !le$$ed with e5cetional mind$, !#t none of them $o genero#$ andforcef#l a$ their long-liing and !ig-hearted $ire( Ro!ert, the elde$t, a man fort"

"ear$ of age, wa$ hi$ father&$ right-hand man in >nancial matter$, haing a certain

hard inci$iene$$ which >tted him for the $omewhat $ordid detail$ of !#$ine$$ life(

He wa$ of medi#m height, of a rather $are !#ild, with a high forehead, $lightl"

inclined to !aldne$$, !right, li'#id-!l#e e"e$, an eagle no$e, and thin, >rm, een

li$( He wa$ a man of few word$, rather $low to action and of dee tho#ght( He $at

clo$e to hi$ father a$ ice-re$ident of the !ig coman" which occ#ied two whole

!loc%$ in an o#tl"ing $ection of the cit"( He wa$ a $trong man--a coming man, a$ hi$

father well %new(

=e$ter, the $econd !o", wa$ hi$ father&$ faorite( He wa$ not !" an" mean$ the

>nancier that Ro!ert wa$, !#t he had a larger i$ion of the $#!tletie$ that #nderlie

life( He wa$ $ofter, more h#man, more good-nat#red a!o#t eer"thing( And,

$trangel" eno#gh, old Archi!ald admired and tr#$ted him( He %new he had the

!igger i$ion( Perha$ he t#rned to Ro!ert when it wa$ a '#e$tion of $ome intricate

>nancial ro!lem, !#t =e$ter wa$ the mo$t loed a$ a $on(

Then there wa$ Am", thirt"-two "ear$ of age, married, hand$ome, the mother of one

child--a !o"2 Imogene, twent"-eight, al$o married, !#t a$ "et witho#t children, and

=o#i$e, twent"->e, $ingle, the !e$t-loo%ing of the girl$, !#t al$o the colde$t and

mo$t critical( )he wa$ the mo$t eager of all for $ocial di$tinction, the mo$t igoro#$of all in her loe of famil" re$tige, the mo$t de$iro#$ that the ane famil" $ho#ld

o#t$hine eer" other( )he wa$ ro#d to thin% that the famil" wa$ $o well laced

$ociall", and carried her$elf with an air and a ha#te#r which wa$ $ometime$

am#$ing, $ometime$ irritating to =e$terB He li%ed her--in a wa" $he wa$ hi$ faorite

$i$ter--!#t he tho#ght $he might ta%e her$elf with a little le$$ $erio#$ne$$ and not

do the famil" $tanding an" harm(

r$( ane, the mother, wa$ a '#iet, re>ned woman, $i5t" "ear$ of age, who, haing

come # from comaratie oert" with her h#$!and, cared !#t little for $ocial life(

6#t $he loed her children and her h#$!and, and wa$ naiel" ro#d of their o$itionand attainment$( It wa$ eno#gh for her to $hine onl" in their re*ected glor"( A good

woman, a good wife, and a good mother(

=e$ter arried at Cincinnati earl" in the eening, and droe at once to hi$ home( An

old Iri$h $eritor met him at the door(

.Ah, r( =e$ter,. he !egan, ;o"o#$l", .$#re I&m glad to $ee "o# !ac%( I&ll ta%e "o#r

coat( 3e$, "e$, it&$ !een >ne weather we&re haing( 3e$, "e$, the famil"&$ all well(

)#re "o#r $i$ter Am" i$ ;#$t after leain& the ho#$e with the !o"( 3o#r mother&$ #-

$tair$ in her room( 3e$, "e$(.

=e$ter $miled cheeril" and went # to hi$ mother&$ room( In thi$, which wa$ done in

white and gold and oerloo%ed the garden to the $o#th and ea$t, $at r$( ane, a



$#!d#ed, gracef#l, '#iet woman, with $moothl" laid gra" hair( )he loo%ed # when

the door oened, laid down the ol#me that $he had !een reading, and ro$e to

greet him(

.There "o# are, other,. he $aid, #tting hi$ arm$ aro#nd her and %i$$ing her( .How

are "o#.

.Oh, I&m ;#$t a!o#t the $ame, =e$ter( How hae "o# !een.

.ine( I wa$ # with the 6race!ridge$ for a few da"$ again( I had to $to o in

Cleeland to $ee Par$on$( The" all a$%ed after "o#(.

.How i$ innie.

.@#$t the $ame( )he doe$n&t change an" that I can $ee( )he&$ ;#$t a$ intere$ted in

entertaining a$ $he eer wa$(.

.)he&$ a !right girl,. remar%ed hi$ mother, recalling r$( 6race!ridge a$ a girl in

Cincinnati( .I alwa"$ li%ed her( )he&$ $o $en$i!le(.

.)he ha$n&t lo$t an" of that, I can tell "o#,. relied =e$ter $igni>cantl"( r$( ane

$miled and went on to $ea% of ario#$ famil" haening$( Imogene&$ h#$!and wa$

leaing for )t( =o#i$ on $ome errand( Ro!ert&$ wife wa$ $ic% with a cold( Old wingle,

the "ard watchman at the factor", who had !een with r( ane for oer fort" "ear$,

had died( Her h#$!and wa$ going to the f#neral( =e$ter li$tened d#tif#ll", al!eit a

tri*e a!$entl"(

=e$ter, a$ he wal%ed down the hall, enco#ntered =o#i$e( .)mart. wa$ the word for

her( )he wa$ dre$$ed in a !eaded !lac% $il% dre$$, >tting clo$e to her form, with a

!#r$t of r#!ie$ at her throat which contra$ted eectiel" with her dar% comle5ion

and !lac% hair( Her e"e$ were !lac% and iercing(

.Oh, there "o# are, =e$ter,. $he e5claimed( ./hen did "o# get in 6e caref#l how

"o# %i$$ me( I&m going o#t, and I&m all >5ed, een to the owder on m" no$e( Oh,

"o# !earB. =e$ter had gried her >rml" and %i$$ed her $o#ndl"( )he #$hed him

awa" with her $trong hand$(

.I didn&t !r#$h m#ch of it o,. he $aid( .3o# can alwa"$ d#$t more on with that #

of "o#r$(. He a$$ed on to hi$ own room to dre$$ for dinner( <re$$ing for dinner wa$

a c#$tom that had !een adoted !" the ane famil" in the la$t few "ear$( 4#e$t$had !ecome $o common that in a wa" it wa$ a nece$$it", and =o#i$e, in artic#lar,

made a oint of it( To-night Ro!ert wa$ coming, and a r( and r$( 6#rnett, old

friend$ of hi$ father and mother, and $o, of co#r$e, the meal wo#ld !e a formal one(

=e$ter %new that hi$ father wa$ aro#nd $omewhere, !#t he did not tro#!le to loo%

him # now( He wa$ thin%ing of hi$ la$t two da"$ in Cleeland and wondering when

he wo#ld $ee @ennie again( _

CHAPTER

A$ =e$ter came down-$tair$ after ma%ing hi$ toilet he fo#nd hi$ father in the li!rar"

reading(



.Hello, =e$ter,. he $aid, loo%ing # from hi$ aer oer the to of hi$ gla$$e$ and

e5tending hi$ hand( ./here do "o# come from.

.Cleeland,. relied hi$ $on, $ha%ing hand$ heartil", and $miling(

.Ro!ert tell$ me "o#&e !een to 9ew 3or%(.

.3e$, I wa$ there(.

.How did "o# >nd m" old friend Arnold.

.@#$t a!o#t the $ame,. ret#rned =e$ter( .He doe$n&t loo% an" older(.

.I $#o$e not,. $aid Archi!ald ane geniall", a$ if the reort were a comliment to

hi$ own hard" condition( .He&$ !een a temerate man( A >ne old gentleman(.

He led the wa" !ac% to the $itting-room where the" chatted oer !#$ine$$ and

home new$ #ntil the chime of the cloc% in the hall warned the g#e$t$ #-$tair$ that

dinner had !een $ered(

=e$ter $at down in great comfort amid the $lendor$ of the great =o#i$ F#in:e

dining-room( He li%ed thi$ home" home atmo$here--hi$ mother and father and hi$

$i$ter$--the old famil" friend$( )o he $miled and wa$ e5ceedingl" genial(

=o#i$e anno#nced that the =eering$ were going to gie a dance on T#e$da", and

in'#ired whether he intended to go(

.3o# %now I don&t dance,. he ret#rned dr"l"( ./h" $ho#ld I go.

.<on&t dance /on&t dance, "o# mean( 3o#&re getting too la:" to moe( If Ro!ert i$

willing to dance occa$ionall" I thin% "o# might(.

.Ro!ert&$ got it on me in lightne$$,. =e$ter relied, airil"(

.And olitene$$,. retorted =o#i$e(

.6e that a$ it ma",. $aid =e$ter(

.<on&t tr" to $tir # a >ght, =o#i$e,. o!$ered Ro!ert, $agel"(

After dinner the" ad;o#rned to the li!rar", and Ro!ert tal%ed with hi$ !rother a little

on !#$ine$$( There were $ome contract$ coming # for rei$ion( He wanted to $eewhat $#gge$tion$ =e$ter had to ma%e( =o#i$e wa$ going to a art", and the carriage

wa$ now anno#nced( .)o "o# are not coming. $he a$%ed, a tri*e comlainingl"(

.Too tired,. $aid =e$ter lightl"( .a%e m" e5c#$e$ to r$( nowle$(.

.=ett" Pace a$%ed a!o#t "o# the other night,. =o#i$e called !ac% from the door(

.ind,. relied =e$ter( .I&m greatl" o!liged(.

.)he&$ a nice girl, =e$ter,. #t in hi$ father, who wa$ $tanding near the oen >re( .I

onl" wi$h "o# wo#ld marr" her and $ettle down( 3o#&d hae a good wife in her(.

.)he&$ charming,. te$ti>ed r$( ane(



./hat i$ thi$. a$%ed =e$ter ;oc#larl"--.a con$irac" 3o# %now I&m not $trong on the

matrimonial !#$ine$$(.

.And I well %now it,. relied hi$ mother $emi-$erio#$l"( .I wi$h "o# were(.

=e$ter changed the $#!;ect( He reall" co#ld not $tand for thi$ $ort of thing an" more,

he told him$elf( And a$ he tho#ght hi$ mind wandered !ac% to @ennie and her

ec#liar .Oh no, noB. There wa$ $omeone that aealed to him( That wa$ a t"e of

womanhood worth while( 9ot $ohi$ticated, not $elf-$ee%ing, not watched oer and

$et li%e a man-tra in the ath of men, !#t a $weet little girl--$weet a$ a *ower, who

wa$ witho#t an"!od", aarentl", to watch oer her( That night in hi$ room he

como$ed a letter, which he dated a wee% later, !eca#$e he did not want to aear

too #rgent and !eca#$e he co#ld not again leae Cincinnati for at lea$t two wee%$(

.MY DEAR JENNIE, Although it has been a week, and I have said nothing, I have not

forgotten you--believe e! "as the i#ression I gave of yself very bad$ I will

ake it better fro now on, for I love you, little girl--I really do! %here is a &ower ony table whi'h reinds e of you very u'h--white, deli'ate, beautiful! Your

#ersonality, lingering with e, is (ust that! You are the essen'e of everything

beautiful to e! It is in your #ower to strew &owers in y #ath if you will!

)*ut what I want to say here is that I shall be in +leveland on the th, and I shall

e.#e't to see you! I arrive %hursday night, and I want you to eet e in the ladies/

#arlor of the Dornton at noon 0riday! "ill you$ You 'an lun'h with e!

)You see, I res#e't your suggestion that I should not 'all! 1I will not--on 'ondition!2

%hese se#arations are dangerous to good friendshi#! "rite e that you will! I throw

yself on your generosity! *ut I 'an/t take )no) for an answer, not now!

)"ith a world of a3e'tion!

)4E5%ER 6ANE(.

He $ealed the letter and addre$$ed it( .)he&$ a remar%a!le girl in her wa",. he

tho#ght( .)he reall" i$(. _

CHAPTER I

The arrial of thi$ letter, coming after a wee% of $ilence and after $he had had a

chance to thin%, moed @ennie deel"( /hat did $he want to do /hat o#ght $he to

do How did $he tr#l" feel a!o#t thi$ man <id $he $incerel" wi$h to an$wer hi$

letter If $he did $o, what $ho#ld $he $a" Heretofore all her moement$, een the

one in which $he had $o#ght to $acri>ce her$elf for the $a%e of 6a$$ in Col#m!#$,

had not $eemed to inole an" one !#t her$elf( 9ow, there $eemed to !e other$ to

con$ider--her famil", a!oe all, her child( The little 7e$ta wa$ now eighteen month$

of age2 $he wa$ an intere$ting child2 her large, !l#e e"e$ and light hair giing

romi$e of a comeline$$ which wo#ld clo$el" aro5imate that of her mother, while

her mential trait$ indicated a clear and intelligent mind( r$( 4erhardt had !ecomeer" fond of her( 4erhardt had #n!ended $o grad#all" that hi$ intere$t wa$ not een

"et clearl" di$cerni!le, !#t he had a di$tinct feeling of %indline$$ toward her( And



thi$ read;#$tment of her father&$ attit#de had aro#$ed in @ennie an ardent de$ire to

$o cond#ct her$elf that no ain $ho#ld eer come to him again( An" new foll" on her

art wo#ld not onl" !e !a$e ingratit#de to her father, !#t wo#ld tend to in;#re the

ro$ect$ of her little one( Her life wa$ a fail#re, $he fancied, !#t 7e$ta&$ wa$ a thing

aart2 $he m#$t do nothing to $oil it( )he wondered whether it wo#ld not !e !etter

to write =e$ter and e5lain eer"thing( )he had told him that $he did not wi$h to do

wrong( )#o$e $he went on to inform him that $he had a child, and !eg him toleae her in eace( /o#ld he o!e" her )he do#!ted it( <id $he reall" want him to

ta%e her at her word

The need of ma%ing thi$ confe$$ion wa$ a ainf#l thing to @ennie( It ca#$ed her to

he$itate, to $tart a letter in which $he tried to e5lain, and then to tear it #( inall",

fate interened in the $#dden home-coming of her father, who had !een $erio#$l"

in;#red !" an accident at the gla$$-wor%$ in 3o#ng$town where he wor%ed(

It wa$ on a /edne$da" afternoon, in the latter art of A#g#$t, when a letter came

from 4erhardt( 6#t in$tead of the c#$tomar" fatherl" comm#nication, written in

4erman and inclo$ing the reg#lar wee%l" remittance of >e dollar$, there wa$ onl" a

!rief note, written !" another hand, and e5laining that the da" !efore 4erhardt

had receied a $eere !#rn on !oth hand$, d#e to the accidental oert#rning of a

dier of molten gla$$( The letter added that he wo#ld !e home the ne5t morning(

./hat do "o# thin% of that. e5claimed /illiam, hi$ mo#th wide oen(

.Poor aaB. $aid 7eronica, tear$ welling # in her e"e$(

r$( 4erhardt $at down, cla$ed her hand$ in her la, and $tared at the *oor( .9ow,

what to do. $he nero#$l" e5claimed( The o$$i!ilit" that 4erhardt wa$ di$a!led for

life oened long i$ta$ of di+c#ltie$ which $he had not the co#rage to contemlate(

6a$$ came home at half-a$t $i5 and @ennie at eight( The former heard the new$

with an a$toni$hed face(

.4eeB that&$ to#gh, i$n&t it. he e5claimed( .<id the letter $a" how !ad he wa$

h#rt.

.9o,. relied r$( 4erhardt(

./ell, I wo#ldn&t worr" a!o#t it,. $aid 6a$$ ea$il"( .It won&t do an" good( /e&ll get

along $omehow( I wo#ldn&t worr" li%e that if I were "o#(.

The tr#th wa$, he wo#ldn&t, !eca#$e hi$ nat#re wa$ wholl" dierent( =ife did not re$t

heail" #on hi$ $ho#lder$( Hi$ !rain wa$ not large eno#gh to gra$ the $igni>cance

and weigh the re$#lt$ of thing$(

.I %now,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, endeaoring to recoer her$elf( .I can&t hel it, tho#gh(

To thin% that ;#$t when we were getting along fairl" well thi$ new calamit" $ho#ld !e

added( It $eem$ $ometime$ a$ if we were #nder a c#r$e( /e hae $o m#ch !ad

l#c%(.

/hen @ennie came her mother t#rned to her in$tinctiel"2 here wa$ her one $ta"(



./hat&$ the matter, ma. a$%ed @ennie a$ $he oened the door and o!$ered her

mother&$ face( ./hat hae "o# !een cr"ing a!o#t.

r$( 4erhardt loo%ed at her, and then t#rned half awa"(

.Pa&$ had hi$ hand$ !#rned,. #t in 6a$$ $olemnl"( .He&ll !e home to-morrow(.

@ennie t#rned and $tared at him( .Hi$ hand$ !#rnedB. $he e5claimed(

.3e$,. $aid 6a$$(

.How did it haen.

.A ot of gla$$ wa$ t#rned oer(.

@ennie loo%ed at her mother, and her e"e$ dimmed with tear$( In$tinctiel" $he ran

to her and #t her arm$ aro#nd her(

.9ow, don&t "o# cr", ma,. $he $aid, !arel" a!le to control her$elf( .<on&t "o# worr"( I

%now how "o# feel, !#t we&ll get along( <on&t cr" now(. Then her own li$ lo$t their

eenne$$, and $he $tr#ggled long !efore $he co#ld l#c% # co#rage to contemlate

thi$ new di$a$ter( And now witho#t olition #on her art there leaed into her

con$cio#$ne$$ a new and $#!tl" er$i$tent tho#ght( /hat a!o#t =e$ter&$ oer of

a$$i$tance now /hat a!o#t hi$ declaration of loe )omehow it came !ac% to her--

hi$ aection, hi$ er$onalit", hi$ de$ire to hel her, hi$ $"math", $o li%e that which

6rander had $hown when 6a$$ wa$ in ;ail( /a$ $he doomed to a $econd $acri>ce

<id it reall" ma%e an" dierence /a$n&t her life a fail#re alread" )he tho#ght thi$

oer a$ $he loo%ed at her mother $itting there $o $ilent, haggard, and di$tra#ght(

./hat a it",. $he tho#ght, .that her mother m#$t alwa"$ $#erB /a$n&t it a $hame

that $he co#ld neer hae an" real haine$$.

.I wo#ldn&t feel $o !adl",. $he $aid, after a time( .a"!e a i$n&t !#rned $o !adl" a$

we thin%( <id the letter $a" he&d !e home in the morning.

.3e$,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, recoering her$elf(

The" tal%ed more '#ietl" from now on, and grad#all", a$ the detail$ were

e5ha#$ted, a %ind of d#m! eace $ettled down #on the ho#$ehold(

.One of #$ o#ght to go to the train to meet him in the morning,. $aid @ennie to 6a$$(

.I will( I g#e$$ r$( 6race!ridge won&t mind(.

.9o,. $aid 6a$$ gloomil", ."o# m#$tn&t( I can go(.

He wa$ $o#r at thi$ new *ing of fate, and he loo%ed hi$ feeling$2 he $tal%ed o

gloomil" to hi$ room and $h#t him$elf in( @ennie and her mother $aw the other$ o

to !ed, and then $at o#t in the %itchen tal%ing(

.I don&t $ee what&$ to !ecome of #$ now,. $aid r$( 4erhardt at la$t, comletel"

oercome !" the >nancial comlication$ which thi$ new calamit" had !ro#ght

a!o#t( )he loo%ed $o wea% and helle$$ that @ennie co#ld hardl" contain her$elf(

.<on&t worr", mamma dear,. $he $aid, $oftl", a ec#liar re$ole coming into her

heart( The world wa$ wide( There wa$ comfort and ea$e in it $cattered !" other$



with a lai$h hand( )#rel", $#rel" mi$fort#ne co#ld not re$$ $o $harl" !#t that

the" co#ld lieB

)he $at down with her mother, the di+c#ltie$ of the f#t#re $eeming to aroach

with a#di!le and gha$tl" $te$(

./hat do "o# $#o$e will !ecome of #$ now. reeated her mother, who $aw how

her fancif#l concetion of thi$ Cleeland home had cr#m!led !efore her e"e$(

./h",. $aid @ennie, who $aw clearl" and %new what co#ld !e done, .it will !e all

right( I wo#ldn&t worr" a!o#t it( )omething will haen( /e&ll get $omething(.

)he reali:ed, a$ $he $at there, that fate had $hifted the !#rden of the $it#ation to

her( )he m#$t $acri>ce her$elf2 there wa$ no other wa"(

6a$$ met hi$ father at the railwa" $tation in the morning( He loo%ed er" ale, and

$eemed to hae $#ered a great deal( Hi$ chee%$ were $lightl" $#n%en and hi$ !on"

ro>le aeared rather ga#nt( Hi$ hand$ were heail" !andaged, and altogether he

re$ented $#ch a ict#re of di$tre$$ that man" $toed to loo% at him on the wa"

home from the $tation(

.6" cho$,. he $aid to 6a$$, .that wa$ a !#rn I got( I tho#ght once I co#ldn&t $tand

the ain an" longer( )#ch ain I hadB )#ch ainB 6" cho$B I will neer forget it(.

He related ;#$t how the accident had occ#rred, and $aid that he did not %now

whether he wo#ld eer !e a!le to #$e hi$ hand$ again( The th#m! on hi$ right hand

and the >r$t two >nger$ on the left had !een !#rned to the !one( The latter had

!een am#tated at the >r$t ;oint--the th#m! he might $ae, !#t hi$ hand$ wo#ld !e

in danger of !eing $ti(

.6" cho$B. he added, .;#$t at the time when I needed the mone" mo$t( Too !adB

Too !adB.

/hen the" reached the ho#$e, and r$( 4erhardt oened the door, the old mill-

wor%er, con$cio#$ of her oicele$$ $"math", !egan to cr"( r$( 4erhardt $o!!ed

al$o( Een 6a$$ lo$t control of him$elf for a moment or two, !#t '#ic%l" recoered(

The other children wet, #ntil 6a$$ called a halt on all of them(

.<on&t cr" now,. he $aid cheeringl"( ./hat&$ the #$e of cr"ing It i$n&t $o !ad a$ all

that( 3o#&ll !e all right again( /e can get along(.

6a$$&$ word$ had a $oothing eect, temoraril", and, now that her h#$!and wa$

home, r$( 4erhardt recoered her como$#re( Tho#gh hi$ hand$ were !andaged,

the mere fact that he co#ld wal% and wa$ not otherwi$e in;#red wa$ $ome

con$olation( He might recoer the #$e of hi$ hand$ and !e a!le to #nderta%e light

wor% again( An"wa", the" wo#ld hoe for the !e$t(

/hen @ennie came home that night $he wanted to r#n to her father and la" the

trea$#r" of her $erice$ and aection at hi$ feet, !#t $he trem!led le$t he might !e

a$ cold to her a$ formerl"(



4erhardt, too, wa$ tro#!led( 9eer had he comletel" recoered from the $hame

which hi$ da#ghter had !ro#ght #on him( Altho#gh he wanted to !e %indl", hi$

feeling$ were $o tangled that he hardl" %new what to $a" or do(

.Paa,. $aid @ennie, aroaching him timidl"(

4erhardt loo%ed conf#$ed and tried to $a" $omething nat#ral, !#t it wa$ #naailing(

The tho#ght of hi$ helle$$ne$$, the %nowledge of her $orrow and of hi$ own

re$on$iene$$ to her aection--it wa$ all too m#ch for him2 he !ro%e down again

and cried helle$$l"(

.orgie me, aa,. $he leaded, .I&m $o $orr"( Oh, I&m $o $orr"(.

He did not attemt to loo% at her, !#t in the $wirl of feeling that their meeting

created he tho#ght that he co#ld forgie, and he did(

.I hae ra"ed,. he $aid !ro%enl"( .It i$ all right(.

/hen he recoered him$elf he felt a$hamed of hi$ emotion, !#t a new relation$hiof $"math" and of #nder$tanding had !een e$ta!li$hed( rom that time, altho#gh

there wa$ alwa"$ a great re$ere !etween them, 4erhardt tried not to ignore her

comletel", and $he endeaored to $how him the $imle aection of a da#ghter,

;#$t a$ in the old da"$(

6#t while the ho#$ehold wa$ again at eace, there were other care$ and !#rden$ to

!e faced( How were the" to get along now with >e dollar$ ta%en from the wee%l"

!#dget, and with the co$t of 4erhardt&$ re$ence added 6a$$ might hae

contri!#ted more of hi$ wee%l" earning$, !#t he did not feel called #on to do it(

And $o the $mall $#m of nine dollar$ wee%l" m#$t meet a$ !e$t it co#ld the c#rrente5en$e$ of rent, food, and coal, to $a" nothing of incidental$, which now !egan to

re$$ er" heail"( 4erhardt had to go to a doctor to hae hi$ hand$ dre$$ed dail"(

4eorge needed a new air of $hoe$( Either more mone" m#$t come from $ome

$o#rce or the famil" m#$t !eg for credit and $#er the old tort#re$ of want( The

$it#ation cr"$talli:ed the half-formed re$ole in @ennie&$ mind(

=e$ter&$ letter had !een left #nan$wered( The da" wa$ drawing near( )ho#ld $he

write He wo#ld hel them( Had he not tried to force mone" on her )he >nall"

decided that it wa$ her d#t" to aail her$elf of thi$ roered a$$i$tance( )he $at

down and wrote him a !rief note( )he wo#ld meet him a$ he had re'#e$ted, !#t he

wo#ld lea$e not come to the ho#$e( )he mailed the letter, and then waited, with

mingled feeling$ of treidation and thrilling e5ectanc", the arrial of the fatef#l

da"( _

CHAPTER II

The fatal rida" came, and @ennie $tood face to face with thi$ new and

oerwhelming comlication in her mode$t $cheme of e5i$tence( There wa$ reall" no

alternatie, $he tho#ght( Her own life wa$ a fail#re( /h" go on >ghting If $he co#ld

ma%e her famil" ha", if $he co#ld gie 7e$ta a good ed#cation, if $he co#ld

conceal the tr#e nat#re of thi$ older $tor" and %ee 7e$ta in the !ac%gro#nderha$, erha$--well, rich men had married oor girl$ !efore thi$, and =e$ter wa$

er" %ind, he certainl" li%ed her( At $een o&cloc% $he went to r$( 6race!ridge&$2 at



noon $he e5c#$ed her$elf on the rete5t of $ome wor% for her mother and left the

ho#$e for the hotel(

=e$ter, leaing Cincinnati a few da"$ earlier than he e5ected, had failed to receie

her rel"2 he arried at Cleeland feeling $adl" o#t of t#ne with the world( He had a

lingering hoe that a letter from @ennie might !e awaiting him at the hotel, !#t

there wa$ no word from her( He wa$ a man not ea$il" wro#ght #, !#t to-night hefelt dere$$ed, and $o went gloomil" # to hi$ room and changed hi$ linen( After

$#er he roceeded to drown hi$ di$$ati$faction in a game of !illiard$ with $ome

friend$, from whom he did not art #ntil he had ta%en er" m#ch more than hi$

#$#al amo#nt of alcoholic $tim#lant( The ne5t morning he aro$e with a ag#e idea

of a!andoning the whole aair, !#t a$ the ho#r$ ela$ed and the time of hi$

aointment drew near he decided that it might not !e #nwi$e to gie her one la$t

chance( )he might come( Accordingl", when it $till lac%ed a '#arter of an ho#r of the

time, he went down into the arlor( 4reat wa$ hi$ delight when he !eheld her $itting

in a chair and waiting--the o#tcome of her ac'#ie$cence( He wal%ed !ri$%l" #, a

$ati$>ed, grati>ed $mile on hi$ face(

.)o "o# did come after all,. he $aid, ga:ing at her with the loo% of one who ha$ lo$t

and recoered a ri:e( ./hat do "o# mean !" not writing me I tho#ght from the

wa" "o# neglected me that "o# had made # "o#r mind not to come at all(.

.I did write,. $he relied(

./here.

.To the addre$$ "o# gae me( I wrote three da"$ ago(.

.That e5lain$ it( It came too late( 3o# $ho#ld hae written me !efore( How hae"o# !een.

.Oh, all right,. $he relied(

.3o# don&t loo% itB. he $aid( .3o# loo% worried( /hat&$ the tro#!le, @ennie 9othing

gone wrong o#t at "o#r ho#$e, ha$ there.

It wa$ a fort#ito#$ '#e$tion( He hardl" %new wh" lie had a$%ed it( 3et it oened the

door to what $he wanted to $a"(

." father&$ $ic%,. $he relied(

./hat&$ haened to him.

.He !#rned hi$ hand$ at the gla$$-wor%$( /e&e !een terri!l" worried( It loo%$ a$

tho#gh he wo#ld not !e a!le to #$e them an" more(.

)he a#$ed, loo%ing the di$tre$$ $he felt, and he $aw lainl" that $he wa$ facing a

cri$i$(

.That&$ too !ad,. he $aid( .That certainl" i$( /hen did thi$ haen.

.Oh, almo$t three wee%$ ago now(.



.It certainl" i$ !ad( Come in to l#nch, tho#gh( I want to tal% with "o#( I&e !een

wanting to get a !etter #nder$tanding of "o#r famil" aair$ eer $ince I left(. He led

the wa" into the dining-room and $elected a $ecl#ded ta!le( He tried to diert her

mind !" a$%ing her to order the l#ncheon, !#t $he wa$ too worried and too $h" to

do $o and he had to ma%e o#t the men# !" him$elf( Then he t#rned to her with a

cheering air( .9ow, @ennie,. he $aid, .I want "o# to tell me all a!o#t "o#r famil"( I got

a little $omething of it la$t time, !#t I want to get it $traight( 3o#r father, "o# $aid,wa$ a gla$$-!lower !" trade( 9ow he can&t wor% an" more at that, that&$ o!io#$(.

.3e$,. $he $aid(

.How man" other children are there.

.)i5(.

.Are "o# the olde$t.

.9o, m" !rother )e!a$tian i$( He&$ twent"-two(.

.And what doe$ he do.

.He&$ a cler% in a cigar $tore(.

.<o "o# %now how m#ch he ma%e$.

.I thin% it&$ twele dollar$,. $he relied tho#ghtf#ll"(

.And the other children.

.artha and 7eronica don&t do an"thing "et( The"&re too "o#ng( " !rother 4eorge

wor%$ at /il$on&$( He&$ a ca$h-!o"( He get$ three dollar$ and a half(.

.And how m#ch do "o# ma%e.

.I ma%e fo#r(.

He $toed, >g#ring # mentall" ;#$t what the" had to lie on( .How m#ch rent do

"o# a". he contin#ed(

.Twele dollar$(.

.How old i$ "o#r mother.

.)he&$ nearl" >ft" now(.

He t#rned a for% in hi$ hand$ !ac% and forth2 he wa$ thin%ing earne$tl"(

.To tell "o# the hone$t tr#th, I fancied it wa$ $omething li%e that, @ennie,. he $aid(

.I&e !een thin%ing a!o#t "o# a lot( 9ow, I %now( There&$ onl" one an$wer to "o#r

ro!lem, and it i$n&t $#ch a !ad one, if "o#&ll onl" !eliee me(. He a#$ed for an

in'#ir", !#t $he made none( Her mind wa$ r#nning on her own di+c#ltie$(

.<on&t "o# want to %now. he in'#ired(

.3e$,. $he an$wered mechanicall"(



.It&$ me,. he relied( .3o# hae to let me hel "o#( I wanted to la$t time( 9ow "o#

hae to2 do "o# hear.

.I tho#ght I wo#ldn&t,. $he $aid $iml"(

.I %new what "o# tho#ght,. he relied( .That&$ all oer now( I&m going to &tend to

that famil" of "o#r$( And I&ll do it right now while I thin% of it(.

He drew o#t hi$ #r$e and e5tracted $eeral ten and twent"-dollar !ill$--two

h#ndred and >ft" dollar$ in all( .I want "o# to ta%e thi$,. he $aid( .It&$ ;#$t the

!eginning( I will $ee that "o#r famil" i$ roided for from now on( Here, gie me

"o#r hand(.

.Oh no,. $he $aid( .9ot $o m#ch( <on&t gie me all that(.

.3e$,. he relied( .<on&t arg#e( Here( 4ie me "o#r hand(.

)he #t it o#t in an$wer to the $#mmon$ of hi$ e"e$, and he $h#t her >nger$ on the

mone", re$$ing them gentl" at the $ame time( .I want "o# to hae it, $weet( I loe"o#, little girl( I&m not going to $ee "o# $#er, nor an" one !elonging to "o#(.

Her e"e$ loo%ed a d#m! than%f#lne$$, and $he !it her li$(

.I don&t %now how to than% "o#,. $he $aid(

.3o# don&t need to,. he relied( .The than%$ are all the other wa"--!eliee me(.

He a#$ed and loo%ed at her, the !ea#t" of her face holding him( )he loo%ed at the

ta!le, wondering what wo#ld come ne5t(

.How wo#ld "o# li%e to leae what "o#&re doing and $ta" at home. he a$%ed( .That

wo#ld gie "o# "o#r freedom da" time$(.

.I co#ldn&t do that,. $he relied( .Paa wo#ldn&t allow it( He %now$ I o#ght to wor%(.

.That&$ tr#e eno#gh,. he $aid( .6#t there&$ $o little in what "o#&re doing( 4ood

heaen$B o#r dollar$ a wee%B I wo#ld !e glad to gie "o# >ft" time$ that $#m if I

tho#ght there wa$ an" wa" in which "o# co#ld #$e it(. He idl" thr#mmed the cloth

with hi$ >nger$(

.I co#ldn&t,. $he $aid( .I hardl" %now how to #$e thi$( The"&ll $#$ect( I&ll hae to tell

mamma(.

rom the wa" $he $aid it he ;#dged there m#$t !e $ome !ond of $"math" !etween

her and her mother which wo#ld ermit of a con>dence $#ch a$ thi$( He wa$ !" no

mean$ a hard man, and the tho#ght to#ched him( 6#t he wo#ld not relin'#i$h hi$

#ro$e(

.There&$ onl" one thing to !e done, a$ far a$ I can $ee,. he went on er" gentl"(

.3o#&re not $#ited for the %ind of wor% "o#&re doing( 3o#&re too re>ned( I o!;ect to it(

4ie it # and come with me down to 9ew 3or%2 I&ll ta%e good care of "o#( I loe "o#

and want "o#( A$ far a$ "o#r famil" i$ concerned, "o# won&t hae to worr" a!o#tthem an" more( 3o# can ta%e a nice home for them and f#rni$h it in an" $t"le "o#

lea$e( /o#ldn&t "o# li%e that.



He a#$ed, and @ennie&$ tho#ght$ reerted '#ic%l" to her mother, her dear mother(

All her life long r$( 4erhardt had !een tal%ing of thi$ er" thing--a nice home( If

the" co#ld ;#$t hae a larger ho#$e, with good f#rnit#re and a "ard >lled with tree$,

how ha" $he wo#ld !e( In $#ch a home $he wo#ld !e free of the care of rent, the

di$comfort of oor f#rnit#re, the wretchedne$$ of oert"2 $he wo#ld !e $o ha"(

)he he$itated there while hi$ %een e"e followed her in $irit, and he $aw what a

ower he had $et in motion( It had !een a ha" in$iration--the $#gge$tion of adecent home for the famil"( He waited a few min#te$ longer, and then $aid

./ell, wo#ldn&t "o# !etter let me do that.

.It wo#ld !e er" nice,. $he $aid, .!#t it can&t !e done now( I co#ldn&t leae home(

Paa wo#ld want to %now all a!o#t where I wa$ going( I wo#ldn&t %now what to $a"(.

./h" co#ldn&t "o# retend that "o# are going down to 9ew 3or% with r$(

6race!ridge. he $#gge$ted( .There co#ldn&t !e an" o!;ection to that, co#ld there.

.9ot if the" didn&t >nd o#t,. $he $aid, her e"e$ oening in ama:ement( .6#t if the"$ho#ldB.

.The" won&t,. he relied calml"( .The"&re not watching r$( 6race!ridge&$ aair$(

Plent" of mi$tre$$e$ ta%e their maid$ on long tri$( /h" not $iml" tell them "o#&re

inited to go--hae to go--and then go.

.<o "o# thin% I co#ld. $he in'#ired(

.Certainl",. he relied( ./hat i$ there ec#liar a!o#t that.

)he tho#ght it oer, and the lan did $eem fea$i!le( Then $he loo%ed at thi$ man

and reali:ed that relation$hi with him meant o$$i!le motherhood for her again(

The traged" of giing !irth to a child--ah, $he co#ld not go thro#gh that a $econd

time, at lea$t #nder the $ame condition$( )he co#ld not !ring her$elf to tell him

a!o#t 7e$ta, !#t $he m#$t oice thi$ in$#rmo#nta!le o!;ection(

.I--. $he $aid, form#lating the >r$t word of her $entence, and then $toing(

.3e$,. he $aid( .I--what.

.I--. )he a#$ed again(

He loed her $h" wa"$, her $weet, he$itating li$(

./hat i$ it, @ennie. he a$%ed helf#ll"( .3o#&re $o delicio#$( Can&t "o# tell me.

Her hand wa$ on the ta!le( He reached oer and laid hi$ $trong !rown one on to of

it(

.I co#ldn&t hae a !a!",. $he $aid, >nall", and loo%ed down(

He ga:ed at her, and the charm of her fran%ne$$, her innate decenc" #nder

condition$ $o anomalo#$, her $imle #naected recognition of the rimal fact$ of

life lifted her to a lane in hi$ e$teem which $he had not occ#ied #ntil thatmoment(



.3o#&re a great girl, @ennie,. he $aid( .3o#&re wonderf#l( 6#t don&t worr" a!o#t that( It

can !e arranged( 3o# don&t need to hae a child #nle$$ "o# want to, and I don&t

want "o# to(.

He $aw the '#e$tion written in her wondering, $hamed face(

.It&$ $o,. he $aid( .3o# !eliee me, don&t "o# 3o# thin% I %now, don&t "o#.

.3e$,. $he faltered(

./ell, I do( 6#t an"wa", I wo#ldn&t let an" tro#!le come to "o#( I&ll ta%e "o# awa"(

6e$ide$, I don&t want an" children( There wo#ldn&t !e an" $ati$faction in that

roo$ition for me at thi$ time( I&d rather wait( 6#t there won&t !e--don&t worr"(.

.3e$,. $he $aid faintl"( 9ot for world$ co#ld $he hae met hi$ e"e$(

.=oo% here, @ennie,. he $aid, after a time( .3o# care for me, don&t "o# 3o# don&t

thin% I&d $it here and lead with "o# if I didn&t care for "o# I&m cra:" a!o#t "o#, and

that&$ the literal tr#th( 3o#&re li%e wine to me( I want "o# to come with me( I want"o# to do it '#ic%l"( I %now how di+c#lt thi$ famil" !#$ine$$ i$, !#t "o# can arrange

it( Come with me down to 9ew 3or%( /e&ll wor% o#t $omething later( I&ll meet "o#r

famil"( /e&ll retend a co#rt$hi, an"thing "o# li%e--onl" come now(.

.3o# don&t mean right awa", do "o#. $he a$%ed, $tartled(

.3e$, to-morrow if o$$i!le( onda" $#re( 3o# can arrange it( /h", if r$(

6race!ridge a$%ed "o# "o#&d go fa$t eno#gh, and no one wo#ld thin% an"thing

a!o#t it( I$n&t that $o.

.3e$,. $he admitted $lowl"(

./ell, then, wh" not now.

.It&$ alwa"$ $o m#ch harder to wor% o#t a fal$ehood,. $he relied tho#ghtf#ll"(

.I %now it, !#t "o# can come( /on&t "o#.

./on&t "o# wait a little while. $he leaded( .It&$ $o er" $#dden( I&m afraid(.

.9ot a da", $weet, that I can hel( Can&t "o# $ee how I feel =oo% in m" e"e$( /ill

"o#.

.3e$,. $he relied $orrowf#ll", and "et with a $trange thrill of aection( .I will(. _

CHAPTER III

The !#$ine$$ of arranging for thi$ $#dden deart#re wa$ reall" not $o di+c#lt a$ it

>r$t aeared( @ennie roo$ed to tell her mother the whole tr#th, and there wa$

nothing to $a" to her father e5cet that $he wa$ going with r$( 6race!ridge at the

latter&$ re'#e$t( He might '#e$tion her, !#t he reall" co#ld not do#!t 6efore going

home that afternoon $he accomanied =e$ter to a deartment $tore, where $he wa$

>tted o#t with a tr#n%, a $#it-ca$e, and a traeling $#it and hat( =e$ter wa$ er"

ro#d of hi$ ri:e( ./hen we get to 9ew 3or% I am going to get "o# $ome real

thing$,. he told her( .I am going to $how "o# what "o# can !e made to loo% li%e(. He

had all the #rcha$ed article$ ac%ed in the tr#n% and $ent to hi$ hotel( Then he



arranged to hae @ennie come there and dre$$ onda" for the tri which !egan in

the afternoon(

/hen $he came home r$( 4erhardt, who wa$ in the %itchen, receied her with her

#$#al aectionate greeting( .Hae "o# !een wor%ing er" hard. $he a$%ed( .3o#

loo% tired(.

.9o,. $he $aid, .I&m not tired( It i$n&t that( I ;#$t don&t feel good(.

./hat&$ the tro#!le.

.Oh, I hae to tell "o# $omething, mamma( It&$ $o hard(. )he a#$ed, loo%ing

in'#iringl" at her mother, and then awa"(

./h", what i$ it. a$%ed her mother nero#$l"( )o man" thing$ had haened in the

a$t that $he wa$ alwa"$ on the alert for $ome new calamit"( .3o# haen&t lo$t "o#r

lace, hae "o#.

.9o,. relied @ennie, with an eort to maintain her mental oi$e, .!#t I&m going toleae it(.

.9oB. e5claimed her mother( ./h".

.I&m going to 9ew 3or%(.

Her mother&$ e"e$ oened widel"( ./h", when did "o# decide to do that. $he

in'#ired(

.To-da"(.

.3o# don&t mean itB.

.3e$, I do, mamma( =i$ten( I&e got $omething I want to tell "o#( 3o# %now how oor

we are( There i$n&t an" wa" we can ma%e thing$ come o#t right( I hae fo#nd $ome

one who want$ to hel #$( He $a"$ he loe$ me, and he want$ me to go to 9ew 3or%

with him onda"( I&e decided to go(.

.Oh, @ennieB. e5claimed her mother( .)#rel" notB 3o# wo#ldn&t do an"thing li%e that

after all that&$ haened( Thin% of "o#r father(.

.I&e tho#ght it all o#t,. went on @ennie, >rml"( .It&$ reall" for the !e$t( He&$ a good

man( I %now he i$( He ha$ lot$ of mone"( He want$ me to go with him, and I&d !etter

go( He will ta%e a new ho#$e for #$ when we come !ac% and hel #$ to get along(

9o one will eer hae me a$ a wife--"o# %now that( It might a$ well !e thi$ wa"( He

loe$ me( And I loe him( /h" $ho#ldn&t I go.

.<oe$ he %now a!o#t 7e$ta. a$%ed her mother ca#tio#$l"(

.9o,. $aid @ennie g#iltil"( .I tho#ght I&d !etter not tell him a!o#t her( )he o#ghtn&t to

!e !ro#ght into it if I can hel it(.

.I&m afraid "o#&re $toring # tro#!le for "o#r$elf, @ennie,. $aid her mother( .<on&t

"o# thin% he i$ $#re to >nd it o#t $ome time.



.I tho#ght ma"!e that $he co#ld !e %et here,. $#gge$ted @ennie, .#ntil $he&$ old

eno#gh to go to $chool( Then ma"!e I co#ld $end her $omewhere(.

.)he might,. a$$ented her mother2 .!#t don&t "o# thin% it wo#ld !e !etter to tell him

now He won&t thin% an" the wor$e of "o#(.

.It i$n&t that( It&$ her,. $aid @ennie a$$ionatel"( .I don&t want her to !e !ro#ght into

it(.

Her mother $hoo% her head( ./here did "o# meet him. $he in'#ired(

.At r$( 6race!ridge&$(.

.How long ago.

.Oh, it&$ !een almo$t two month$ now(.

.And "o# neer $aid an"thing a!o#t him,. rote$ted r$( 4erhardt reroachf#ll"(

.I didn&t %now that he cared for me thi$ wa",. $aid @ennie defen$iel"(

./h" didn&t "o# wait and let him come o#t here >r$t. a$%ed her mother( .It will

ma%e thing$ $o m#ch ea$ier( 3o# can&t go and not hae "o#r father >nd o#t(.

.I tho#ght I&d $a" I wa$ going with r$( 6race!ridge( Paa can&t o!;ect to m" going

with her(.

.9o,. agreed her mother tho#ghtf#ll"(

The two loo%ed at each other in $ilence( r$( 4erhardt, with her imaginatie nat#re,

endeaored to form#late $ome ict#re of thi$ new and wonderf#l er$onalit" thathad come into @ennie&$ life( He wa$ wealth"2 he wanted to ta%e @ennie2 he wanted to

gie them a good home( /hat a $tor"B

.And he gae me thi$,. #t in @ennie, who, with $ome in$tinctie $"chic fac#lt", had

!een following her mother&$ mood( )he oened her dre$$ at the nec%, and too% o#t

the two h#ndred and >ft" dollar$2 $he laced the mone" in her mother&$ hand$(

The latter $tared at it wide-e"ed( Here wa$ the relief for all her woe$--food, clothe$,

rent, coal--all done # in one $mall ac%age of green and "ellow !ill$( If there were

lent" of mone" in the ho#$e 4erhardt need not worr" a!o#t hi$ !#rned hand$2

4eorge and artha and 7eronica co#ld !e clothed in comfort and made ha"(

@ennie co#ld dre$$ !etter2 there wo#ld !e a f#t#re ed#cation for 7e$ta(

.<o "o# thin% he might eer want to marr" "o#. a$%ed her mother >nall"(

.I don&t %now,. relied @ennie .he might( I %now he loe$ me(.

./ell,. $aid her mother after a long a#$e, .if "o#&re going to tell "o#r father "o#&d

!etter do it right awa"( He&ll thin% it&$ $trange a$ it i$(.

@ennie reali:ed that $he had won( Her mother had ac'#ie$ced from $heer force ofcirc#m$tance$( )he wa$ $orr", !#t $omehow it $eemed to !e for the !e$t( .I&ll hel

"o# o#t with it,. her mother had concl#ded, with a little $igh(



The di+c#lt" of telling thi$ lie wa$ er" great for r$( 4erhardt, !#t $he went

thro#gh the fal$ehood with a $eeming nonchalance which alla"ed 4erhardt&$

$#$icion$( The children were al$o told, and when, after the general di$c#$$ion,

@ennie reeated the fal$ehood to her father it $eemed nat#ral eno#gh(

.How long do "o# thin% "o#&ll !e gone. he in'#ired(

.A!o#t two or three wee%$,. $he relied(

.That&$ a nice tri,. he $aid( .I came thro#gh 9ew 3or% in 18JJ( It wa$ a $mall lace

then comared to what it i$ now(.

)ecretl" he wa$ lea$ed that @ennie $ho#ld hae thi$ >ne chance( Her emlo"er

m#$t li%e her(

/hen onda" came @ennie !ade her arent$ good-!" and left earl", going $traight

to the <ornton, where =e$ter awaited her(

.)o "o# came,. he $aid gail", greeting her a$ $he entered the ladie$& arlor(

.3e$,. $he $aid $iml"(

.3o# are m" niece,. he went on( .I hae engaged H room for "o# near mine( I&ll call

for the %e", and "o# go dre$$( /hen "o#&re read" I&ll hae the tr#n% $ent to the

deot( The train leae$ at one o&cloc%(.

)he went to her room and dre$$ed, while he >dgeted a!o#t, read, $mo%ed, and

>nall" %noc%ed at her door(

)he relied !" oening to him, f#ll" clad(

.3o# loo% charming,. he $aid with a $mile(

)he loo%ed down, for $he wa$ nero#$ and di$tra#ght( The whole roce$$ of

lanning, l"ing, nering her$elf to carr" o#t her art had !een hard on her( )he

loo%ed tired and worried(

.9ot grieing, are "o#. he a$%ed, $eeing how thing$ $tood(

.9o-o,. $he relied(

.Come now, $weet( 3o# m#$tn&t feel thi$ wa"( It&$ coming o#t all right(. He too% herin hi$ arm$ and %i$$ed her, and the" $trolled down the hall( He wa$ a$toni$hed to

$ee how well $he loo%ed in een the$e $imle clothe$--the !e$t $he had eer had(

The" reached the deot after a $hort carriage ride( The accommodation$ had !een

arranged for !efore hand, and ane had allowed ;#$t eno#gh time to ma%e the train(

/hen the" $ettled them$ele$ in a P#llman $tate-room it wa$ with a %een $en$e of

$ati$faction on hi$ art( =ife loo%ed ro$"( @ennie wa$ !e$ide him( He had $#cceeded

in what he had $tarted o#t to do( )o might it alwa"$ !e(

A$ the train rolled o#t of the deot and the long reache$ of the >eld$ $#cceeded

@ennie $t#died them wi$tf#ll"( There were the fore$t$, lea*e$$ and !are2 the wide,

!rown >eld$, wet with the rain$ of winter2 the low farm-ho#$e$ $itting amid *at

$tretche$ of rairie, their low roof$ ma%ing them loo% a$ if the" were h#gging the



gro#nd( The train roared a$t little hamlet$, with cottage$ of white and "ellow and

dra!, their roof$ !lac%ened !" fro$t and rain( @ennie noted one in artic#lar which

$eemed to recall the old neigh!orhood where the" #$ed to lie at Col#m!#$2 $he #t

her hand%erchief to her e"e$ and !egan $ilentl" to cr"(

.I hoe "o#&re not cr"ing, are "o#, @ennie. $aid

=e$ter, loo%ing # $#ddenl" from the letter he had !een reading( .Come, come,. he

went on a$ he $aw a faint tremor $ha%ing her( .Thi$ won&t do( 3o# hae to do !etter

than thi$( 3o#&ll neer get along if "o# act that wa"(.

)he made no rel", and the deth of her $ilent grief >lled him with $trange

$"mathie$(

.<on&t cr",. he contin#ed $oothingl"2 .eer"thing will !e all right( I told "o# that( 3o#

needn&t worr" a!o#t an"thing(.

@ennie made a great eort to recoer her$elf, and !egan to dr" her e"e$(

.3o# don&t want to gie wa" li%e that,. he contin#ed( .It doe$n&t do "o# an" good( I

%now how "o# feel a!o#t leaing home, !#t tear$ won&t hel it an"( It i$n&t a$ if "o#

were going awa" for good, "o# %now( 6e$ide$, "o#&ll !e going !ac% $hortl"( 3o# care

for me, don&t "o#, $weet I&m $omething.

.3e$,. $he $aid, and managed to $mile !ac% at him(

=e$ter ret#rned to hi$ corre$ondence and @ennie fell to thin%ing of 7e$ta( It tro#!led

her to reali:e that $he wa$ %eeing thi$ $ecret from one who wa$ alread" er" dear

to her( )he %new that $he o#ght to tell =e$ter a!o#t the child, !#t $he $hran% from

the ainf#l nece$$it"( Perha$ later on $he might >nd the co#rage to do it(

.I&ll hae to tell him $omething,. $he tho#ght with a $#dden #welling of feeling a$

regarded the $erio#$ne$$ of thi$ d#t"( .If I don&t do it $oon and I $ho#ld go and lie

with him and he $ho#ld >nd it o#t he wo#ld neer forgie me( He might t#rn me o#t,

and then where wo#ld I go I hae no home now( /hat wo#ld I do with 7e$ta.

)he t#rned to contemlate him, a remonitor" wae of terror $weeing oer her,

!#t $he onl" $aw that imo$ing and comfort-loing $o#l '#ietl" reading hi$ letter$,

hi$ $moothl" $haed red chee% and comforta!le head and !od" loo%ing an"thing

!#t militant or li%e an aenging 9eme$i$( )he wa$ ;#$t withdrawing her ga:e whenhe loo%ed #(

./ell, hae "o# wa$hed all "o#r $in$ awa". he in'#ired merril"(

)he $miled faintl" at the all#$ion( The to#ch of fact in it made it $lightl" i'#ant(

.I e5ect $o,. $he relied(

He t#rned to $ome other toic, while $he loo%ed o#t of the window, the reali:ation

that one im#l$e to tell him had roed #naailing dwelling in her mind( .I&ll hae to

do it $hortl",. $he tho#ght, and con$oled her$elf with the idea that $he wo#ld $#rel"

>nd co#rage !efore long(



Their arrial in 9ew 3or% the ne5t da" rai$ed the imortant '#e$tion in =e$ter&$ mind

a$ to where he $ho#ld $to( 9ew 3or% wa$ a er" large lace, and he wa$ not in

m#ch danger of enco#ntering eole who wo#ld %now him, !#t he tho#ght it ;#$t a$

well not to ta%e chance$( Accordingl" he had the ca!man drie them to one of the

more e5cl#$ie aartment hotel$, where he engaged a $#ite of room$2 and the"

$ettled them$ele$ for a $ta" of two or three wee%$(

Thi$ atmo$here into which @ennie wa$ now l#nged wa$ $o wonderf#l, $o

ill#minating, that $he co#ld $carcel" !eliee thi$ wa$ the $ame world that $he had

inha!ited !efore( ane wa$ no loer of #lgar di$la"( The aointment$ with which

he $#rro#nded him$elf were alwa"$ $imle and elegant( He %new at a glance what

@ennie needed, and !o#ght for her with di$crimination and care( And @ennie, a

woman, too% a %een lea$#re in the hand$ome gown$ and rett" frierie$ that he

lai$hed #on her( Co#ld thi$ !e reall" @ennie 4erhardt, the wa$herwoman&$

da#ghter, $he a$%ed her$elf, a$ $he ga:ed in her mirror at the >g#re of a girl clad in

!l#e elet, with "ellow rench lace at her throat and #on her arm$ Co#ld the$e

!e her feet, clad in $oft $hael" $hoe$ at ten dollar$ a air, the$e her hand$ adornedwith *a$hing ;ewel$ /hat wonderf#l good fort#ne $he wa$ en;o"ingB And =e$ter

had romi$ed that her mother wo#ld $hare in it( Tear$ $rang to her e"e$ at the

tho#ght( The dear mother, how $he loed herB

It wa$ =e$ter&$ lea$#re in the$e da"$ to $ee what he co#ld do to ma%e her loo% li%e

$ome one tr#l" worth" of im( He e5erci$ed hi$ mo$t caref#l ;#dgment, and the re$#lt

$#rri$ed een him$elf( Peole t#rned in the hall$, in the dining-room$, and on the

$treet to ga:e at @ennie(

.A $t#nning woman that man ha$ with him,. wa$ a fre'#ent comment(

<e$ite her altered $tate @ennie did not lo$e her ;#dgment of life or her $en$e of

er$ectie or roortion( )he felt a$ tho#gh life were tentatiel" loaning her

$omething which wo#ld !e ta%en awa" after a time( There wa$ no rett" anit" in

her !o$om( =e$ter reali:ed thi$ a$ he watched her( .3o#&re a !ig woman, in "o#r

wa",. he $aid( .3o#&ll amo#nt to $omething( =ife ha$n&t gien "o# m#ch of a deal #

to now(.

He wondered how he co#ld ;#$tif" thi$ new relation$hi to hi$ famil", $ho#ld the"

chance to hear a!o#t it( If he $ho#ld decide to ta%e a home in Chicago or )t( =o#i$

Gthere wa$ $#ch a tho#ght r#nning in hi$ mind co#ld he maintain it $ecretl" <id he

want to He wa$ half er$#aded that he reall", tr#l" loed her(

A$ the time drew near for their ret#rn he !egan to co#n$el her a$ to her f#t#re

co#r$e of action( .3o# o#ght to >nd $ome wa" of introd#cing me, a$ an

ac'#aintance, to "o#r father,. he $aid( .It will ea$e matter$ #( I thin% I&ll call( Then

if "o# tell him "o#&re going to marr" me he&ll thin% nothing of it(. @ennie tho#ght of

7e$ta, and trem!led inwardl"( 6#t erha$ her father co#ld !e ind#ced to remain

$ilent(

=e$ter had made the wi$e $#gge$tion that $he $ho#ld retain the clothe$ $he had

worn in Cleeland in order that $he might wear them home when $he reached there(

.There won&t !e an" tro#!le a!o#t thi$ other $t#,. he $aid( .I&ll hae it cared for



#ntil we ma%e $ome other arrangement(. It wa$ all er" $imle and ea$"2 he wa$ a

ma$ter $trategi$t(

@ennie had written her mother almo$t dail" $ince $he had !een Ea$t( )he had

inclo$ed little $earate note$ to !e read !" r$( 4erhardt onl"( In one $he e5lained

=e$ter&$ de$ire to call, and #rged her mother to reare the wa" !" telling her father

that $he had met $ome one who li%ed her( )he $o%e of the di+c#lt" concerning7e$ta, and her mother at once !egan to lan a camaign o hae 4erhardt hold hi$

eace( There m#$t !e no hitch now( @ennie m#$t !e gien an oort#nit" to !etter

her$elf( /hen $he ret#rned there wa$ great re;oicing( Of co#r$e $he co#ld not go

!ac% to her wor%, !#t r$( 4erhardt e5lained that r$( 6race!ridge had gien

@ennie a few wee%$& acation in order that $he might loo% for $omething !etter,

$omething at which he co#ld ma%e more mone"( _

CHAPTER I7

The ro!lem of the 4erhardt famil" and it$ relation$hi to him$elf comaratiel"

$ettled, ane !etoo% him$elf to Cincinnati and to hi$ !#$ine$$ d#tie$( He wa$

heartil" intere$ted in the immen$e lant, which occ#ied two whole !loc%$ in the

o#t$%irt$ of the cit", and it$ cond#ct and deeloment wa$ a$ m#ch a ro!lem and

a lea$#re to him a$ to either hi$ father or hi$ !rother( He li%ed to feel that he wa$ a

ital art of thi$ great and growing ind#$tr"( /hen he $aw freight car$ going !" on

the railroad$ la!elled .The ane an#fact#ring Coman"--Cincinnati. or chanced to

notice di$la"$ of the coman"&$ rod#ct$ in the window$ of carriage $ale$

comanie$ in the dierent citie$ he wa$ con$cio#$ of a warm glow of $ati$faction( It

wa$ $omething to !e a factor in an in$tit#tion $o $ta!le, $o di$ting#i$hed, $o

hone$tl" worth while( Thi$ wa$ all er" well, !#t now ane wa$ entering #on a new

ha$e of hi$ er$onal e5i$tence--in a word, there wa$ @ennie( He wa$ con$cio#$ a$

he rode toward hi$ home cit" that he wa$ entering on a relation$hi which might

inole di$agreea!le con$e'#ence$( He wa$ a little afraid of hi$ father&$ attit#de2

a!oe all, there wa$ hi$ !rother Ro!ert(

Ro!ert wa$ cold and conentional in character2 an e5cellent !#$ine$$ man2

irreroacha!le in !oth hi$ #!lic and in hi$ riate life( 9eer oer$teing the $trict

!o#ndarie$ of legal righteo#$ne$$, he wa$ neither warm-hearted nor genero#$--in

fact, he wo#ld t#rn an" tric% which co#ld !e $ecio#$l", or at !e$t nece$$ito#$l",

recommended to hi$ con$cience( How he rea$oned =e$ter did not %now--he co#ld

not follow the rami>cation$ of a logic which co#ld com!ine hard !#$ine$$ tactic$

with moral rigidit", !#t $omehow hi$ !rother managed to do it( .He&$ got a )cotchPre$!"terian con$cience mi5ed with an A$iatic ercetion of the main chance(.

=e$ter once told $ome!od", and he had the $it#ation acc#ratel" mea$#red(

9eerthele$$ he co#ld not ro#t hi$ !rother from hi$ o$ition$ nor def" him, for he

had the #!lic con$cience with him( He wa$ in line with conention racticall", and

erha$ $ohi$ticatedl"(

The two !rother$ were o#twardl" friendl"2 inwardl" the" were far aart( Ro!ert li%ed

=e$ter well eno#gh er$onall", !#t he did not tr#$t hi$ >nancial ;#dgment, and,

temeramentall", the" did not agree a$ to how life and it$ aair$ $ho#ld !e

cond#cted( =e$ter had a $ecret contemt for hi$ !rother&$ chill, er$i$tent cha$e of

the almight" dollar( Ro!ert wa$ $#re that =e$ter&$ ea$"-going wa"$ were

rerehen$i!le, and !o#nd to create tro#!le $ooner or later( In the !#$ine$$ the" did



not '#arrel m#ch--there wa$ not $o m#ch chance with the old gentleman $till in

charge--!#t there were certain minor dierence$ con$tantl" croing # which

$howed which wa" the wind !lew( =e$ter wa$ for !#ilding # trade thro#gh friendl"

relation$hi, conce$$ion$, er$onal contact, and faor$( Ro!ert wa$ for #lling

eer"thing tight, c#tting down the co$t of rod#ction, and oering $#ch >nancial

ind#cement$ a$ wo#ld throttle cometition(

The old man#fact#rer alwa"$ did hi$ !e$t to o#r oil on the$e tro#!led water$, !#t

he fore$aw an eent#al cla$h( One or the other wo#ld hae to get o#t or erha$

!oth( .If onl" "o# two !o"$ co#ld agreeB. he #$ed to $a"(

Another thing which di$t#r!ed =e$ter wa$ hi$ father&$ attit#de on the $#!;ect of

marriage--=e$ter&$ marriage, to !e $eci>c( Archi!ald ane neer cea$ed to in$i$t on

the fact that =e$ter o#ght to get married, and that he wa$ ma%ing a !ig mi$ta%e in

#tting it o( All the other children, $ae =o#i$e, were $afel" married( /h" not hi$

faorite $on It wa$ doing him in;#r" morall", $ociall", commerciall", that he wa$

$#re of(

.The world e5ect$ it of a man in "o#r o$ition,. hi$ father had arg#ed from time to

time( .It ma%e$ for $ocial $olidit" and re$tige( 3o# o#ght to ic% o#t a good woman

and rai$e a famil"( /here will "o# !e when "o# get to m" time of life if "o# haen&t

an" children, an" home.

./ell, if the right woman came along,. $aid =e$ter, .I $#o$e I&d marr" her( 6#t $he

ha$n&t come along( /hat do "o# want me to do Ta%e an"!od".

.9o, not an"!od", of co#r$e, !#t there are lot$ of good women( 3o# can $#rel" >nd

$ome one if "o# tr"( There&$ that Pace girl( /hat a!o#t her 3o# #$ed to li%e her( I

wo#ldn&t drift on thi$ wa", =e$ter2 it can&t come to an" good(.

Hi$ $on wo#ld onl" $mile( .There, father, let it go now( I&ll come aro#nd $ome time,

no do#!t( I&e got to !e thir$t" when I&m led to water(.

The old gentleman gae oer, time and again, !#t it wa$ a $ore oint with him( He

wanted hi$ $on to $ettle down and !e a real man of aair$(

The fact that $#ch a $it#ation a$ thi$ might militate again$t an" ermanent

arrangement with @ennie wa$ o!io#$ een to =e$ter at thi$ time( He tho#ght o#t hi$

co#r$e of action caref#ll"( Of co#r$e he wo#ld not gie @ennie #, whateer the

o$$i!le con$e'#ence$( 6#t he m#$t !e ca#tio#$2 he m#$t ta%e no #nnece$$ar"

ri$%$( Co#ld he !ring her to Cincinnati /hat a $candal if it were eer fo#nd o#tB

Co#ld he in$tall her in a nice home $omewhere near the cit" The famil" wo#ld

ro!a!l" eent#all" $#$ect $omething( Co#ld he ta%e her along on hi$ n#mero#$

!#$ine$$ ;o#rne"$ Thi$ >r$t one to 9ew 3or% had !een $#cce$$f#l( /o#ld it alwa"$

!e $o He t#rned the '#e$tion oer in hi$ mind(

The er" di+c#lt" gae it :e$t( Perha$ )t( =o#i$, or Pitt$!#rg, or Chicago wo#ld !e

!e$t after all( He went to the$e lace$ fre'#entl", and artic#larl" to Chicago( He

decided >nall" that it $ho#ld !e Chicago if he co#ld arrange it( He co#ld alwa"$

ma%e e5c#$e$ to r#n # there, and it wa$ onl" a night&$ ride( 3e$, Chicago wa$ !e$t( The er" $i:e and actiit" of the cit" made concealment ea$"( After two wee%$& $ta"

at Cincinnati =e$ter wrote @ennie that he wa$ coming to Cleeland $oon, and $he



an$wered that $he tho#ght it wo#ld !e all right for him to call and $ee her( Her

father had !een told a!o#t him( )he had felt it #nwi$e to $ta" a!o#t the ho#$e, and

$o had $ec#red a o$ition in a $tore at fo#r dollar$ a wee%( He $miled a$ he tho#ght

of her wor%ing, and "et the decenc" and energ" of it aealed to him( .)he&$ all

right,. he $aid( .)he&$ the !e$t I&e come acro$$ "et(.

He ran # to Cleeland the following )at#rda", and, calling at her lace of !#$ine$$,he made an aointment to $ee her that eening( He wa$ an5io#$ that hi$

introd#ction, a$ her !ea#, $ho#ld !e gotten oer with a$ '#ic%l" a$ o$$i!le( /hen

he did call the $ha!!ine$$ of the ho#$e and the manife$t oert" of the famil"

rather di$g#$ted him, !#t $omehow @ennie $eemed a$ $weet to him a$ eer(

4erhardt came in the front-room, after he had !een there a few min#te$, and $hoo%

hand$ with him, a$ did al$o r$( 4erhardt, !#t =e$ter aid little attention to them(

The old 4erman aeared to him to !e merel" commonlace--the $ort of man who

wa$ hired !" h#ndred$ in common caacitie$ in hi$ father&$ factor"( After $ome

de$#ltor" coner$ation =e$ter $#gge$ted to @ennie that the" $ho#ld go for a drie(

@ennie #t on her hat, and together the" dearted( A$ a matter of fact, the" went toan aartment which he had hired for the $torage of her clothe$( /hen $he ret#rned

at eight in the eening the famil" con$idered it nothing ami$$( _

CHAPTER 7

A month later @ennie wa$ a!le to anno#nce that =e$ter intended to marr" her( Hi$

i$it$ had of co#r$e aed the wa" for thi$, and it $eemed nat#ral eno#gh( Onl"

4erhardt $eemed a little do#!tf#l( He did not %now ;#$t how thi$ might !e( Perha$

it wa$ all right( =e$ter $eemed a >ne eno#gh man in all con$cience, and reall", after

6rander, wh" not If a ?nited )tate$ )enator co#ld fall in loe with @ennie, wh" not a

!#$ine$$ man There wa$ ;#$t one thing--the child( .Ha$ $he told him a!o#t 7e$ta.he a$%ed hi$ wife(

.9o,. $aid r$( 4erhardt, .not "et(.

.9ot "et, not "et( Alwa"$ $omething #nderhanded( <o "o# thin% he want$ her if he

%now$ That&$ what come$ of $#ch cond#ct in the >r$t lace( 9ow $he ha$ to $li

aro#nd li%e a thief( The child cannot een hae an hone$t name(.

4erhardt went !ac% to hi$ new$aer reading and !rooding( Hi$ life $eemed a

comlete fail#re to him and he wa$ onl" waiting to get well eno#gh to h#nt #

another ;o! a$ watchman( He wanted to get o#t of thi$ me$$ of decetion anddi$hone$t"(

A wee% or two later @ennie con>ded to her mother that =e$ter had written her to ;oin

him in Chicago( He wa$ not feeling well, and co#ld not come to Cleeland( The two

women e5lained to 4erhardt that @ennie wa$ going awa" to !e married to r( ane(

4erhardt *ared # at thi$, and hi$ $#$icion$ were again aro#$ed( 6#t he co#ld do

nothing !#t gr#m!le oer the $it#ation2 it wo#ld lead to no good end, of that he wa$

$#re(

/hen the da" came for @ennie&$ deart#re $he had to go witho#t $a"ing farewell to

her father( He wa$ o#t loo%ing for wor% #ntil late in the afternoon, and !efore he hadret#rned $he had !een o!liged to leae for the $tation( .I will write a note to him

when I get there,. $he $aid( )he %i$$ed her !a!" oer and oer( .=e$ter will ta%e a



!etter ho#$e for #$ $oon,. $he went on hoef#ll"( .He want$ #$ to moe(. The night

train !ore her to Chicago2 the old life had ended and the new one had !eg#n(

The c#rio#$ fact $ho#ld !e recorded here that, altho#gh =e$ter&$ genero$it" had

relieed the $tre$$ #on the famil" >nance$, the children and 4erhardt were

act#all" none the wi$er( It wa$ ea$" for r$( 4erhardt to deceie her h#$!and a$ to

the #rcha$e of nece$$itie$ and $he had not a$ "et ind#lged in an" of the fancie$which an enlarged #r$e ermitted( ear deterred her( 6#t, after @ennie had !een in

Chicago for a few da"$, $he wrote to her mother $a"ing that =e$ter wanted them to

ta%e a new home( Thi$ letter wa$ $hown to 4erhardt, who had !een merel" !iding

her ret#rn to ma%e a $cene( He frowned, !#t $omehow it $eemed an eidence of

reg#larit"( If he had not married her wh" $ho#ld he want to hel them Perha$

@ennie wa$ well married after all( Perha$ $he reall" had !een lifted to a high $tation

in life, and wa$ now a!le to hel the famil"( 4erhardt almo$t concl#ded to forgie

her eer"thing once and for all(

The end of it wa$ that a new ho#$e wa$ decided #on, and @ennie ret#rned to

Cleeland to hel her mother moe( Together the" $earched the $treet$ for a nice,

'#iet neigh!orhood, and >nall" fo#nd one( A ho#$e of nine room$, with a "ard,

which rented for thirt" dollar$, wa$ $ec#red and $#ita!l" f#rni$hed( There were

comforta!le >tting$ for the dining-room and $itting-room, a hand$ome arlor $et

and !edroom $et$ comlete for each room( The %itchen wa$ $#lied with eer"

conenience, and there wa$ een a !ath-room, a l#5#r" the 4erhardt$ had neer

en;o"ed !efore( Altogether the ho#$e wa$ attractie, tho#gh lain, and @ennie wa$

ha" to %now that her famil" co#ld !e comforta!le in it(

/hen the time came for the act#al moing r$( 4erhardt wa$ fairl" !e$ide her$elf

with ;o", for wa$ not thi$ the reali:ation of her dream$ All thro#gh the long "ear$ of her life $he had !een waiting, and now it had come( A new ho#$e, new f#rnit#re,

lent" of room--thing$ >ner than $he had eer een imagined--thin% of itB Her e"e$

$hone a$ $he loo%ed at the new !ed$ and ta!le$ and !#rea#$ and whatnot$( .<ear,

dear, i$n&t thi$ niceB. $he e5claimed( .I$n&t it !ea#tif#lB. @ennie $miled and tried to

retend $ati$faction witho#t emotion, !#t there were tear$ in her e"e$( )he wa$ $o

glad for her mother&$ $a%e( )he co#ld hae %i$$ed =e$ter&$ feet for hi$ goodne$$ to

her famil"(

The da" the f#rnit#re wa$ moed in r$( 4erhardt, artha, and 7eronica were on

hand to clean and arrange thing$( At the $ight of the large room$ and rett" "ard,!are eno#gh in winter, !#t giing romi$e of a delightf#l greenne$$ in $ring, and

the arra" of new f#rnit#re $tanding a!o#t in e5cel$ior, the whole famil" fell into a

feer of delight( )#ch !ea#t", $#ch $acio#$ne$$B 4eorge r#!!ed hi$ feet oer the

new caret$ and 6a$$ e5amined the '#alit" of the f#rnit#re criticall"( .)well,. wa$

hi$ comment( r$( 4erhardt roed to and fro li%e a er$on in a dream( )he co#ld not

!eliee that the$e !right !edroom$, thi$ !ea#tif#l arlor, thi$ hand$ome dining-

room were act#all" her$(

4erhardt came la$t of all( Altho#gh he tried hard not to $how it, he, too, co#ld

$carcel" refrain from enth#$ia$tic comment( The $ight of an oal-glo!ed chandelier

oer the dining-room ta!le wa$ the >ni$hing to#ch(

.4a$, "etB. he $aid(



He loo%ed griml" aro#nd, #nder hi$ $hagg" e"e!row$, at the new caret$ #nder hi$

feet, the long oa% e5ten$ion ta!le coered with a white cloth and $et with new

di$he$, at the ict#re$ on the wall$, the !right, clean %itchen( He $hoo% hi$ head(

.6" cho$, it&$ >neB. he $aid( .It&$ er" nice( 3e$, it&$ er" nice( /e want to !e caref#l

now not to !rea% an"thing( It&$ $o ea$" to $cratch thing$ #, and then it&$ all oer(.

3e$, een 4erhardt wa$ $ati$>ed( _

CHAPTER 7I

It wo#ld !e #$ele$$ to chronicle the eent$ of the three "ear$ that followed--eent$

and e5erience$ !" which the famil" grew from an a!;ect condition of want to a

$tate of comaratie $elf-reliance, !a$ed, of co#r$e, on the o!io#$ ro$erit" of

@ennie and the genero$it" Gthro#gh her of her di$tant h#$!and( =e$ter wa$ $een

now and then, a $igni>cant >g#re, i$iting Cleeland, and $ometime$ coming o#t to

the ho#$e where he occ#ied with @ennie the two !e$t room$ of the $econd *oor(

There were h#rried tri$ on her art--in an$wer to telegrah ma$$age$--to Chicago,

to )t( =o#i$, to 9ew 3or%( One of hi$ faorite a$time$ wa$ to engage '#arter$ at the

great re$ort$--Hot )ring$, t( Clemen$, )aratoga--and for a eriod of a wee% or two

at a $tretch en;o" the l#5#r" of liing with @ennie a$ hi$ wife( There were other time$

when he wo#ld a$$ thro#gh Cleeland onl" for the riilege of $eeing her for a da"(

All the time he wa$ aware that he wa$ throwing on her the real !#rden of a rather

di+c#lt $it#ation, !#t he did not $ee how he co#ld remed" it at thi$ time( He wa$

not $#re a$ "et that he reall" wanted to( The" were getting along fairl" well(

The attit#de of the 4erhardt famil" toward thi$ condition of aair$ wa$ ec#liar( At

>r$t, in $ite of the irreg#larit" of it, it $eemed nat#ral eno#gh( @ennie $aid $he wa$

married( 9o one had $een her marriage certi>cate, !#t $he $aid $o, and $he $eemed

to carr" her$elf with the air of one who hold$ that relation$hi( )till, $he neer wentto Cincinnati, where hi$ famil" lied, and none of hi$ relatie$ eer came near her(

Then, too, hi$ attit#de, in $ite of the mone" which had >r$t !linded them, wa$

ec#liar( He reall" did not carr" him$elf li%e a married man( He wa$ $o indierent(

There were wee%$ in which $he aeared to receie onl" erf#nctor" note$( There

were time$ when $he wo#ld onl" go awa" for a few da"$ to meet him( Then there

were the long eriod$ in which $he a!$ented her$elf--the onl" worthwhile te$timon"

toward a real relation$hi, and that, in a wa", #nnat#ral(

6a$$, who had grown to !e a "o#ng man of twent"->e, with $ome !#$ine$$

;#dgment and a de$ire to get o#t in the world, wa$ $#$icio#$( He had come to haea rett" %een %nowledge of life, and int#itiel" he felt that thing$ were not right(

4eorge, nineteen, who had gained a $light foothold in a wall-aer factor" and wa$

loo%ing forward to a career in that >eld, wa$ al$o re$tle$$( He felt that $omething

wa$ wrong( artha, $eenteen, wa$ $till in $chool, a$ were /illiam and 7eronica(

Each wa$ oered an oort#nit" to $t#d" inde>nitel"2 !#t there wa$ #nre$t with life(

The" %new a!o#t @ennie&$ child( The neigh!or$ were o!io#$l" drawing concl#$ion$

for them$ele$( The" had few friend$( 4erhardt him$elf >nall" concl#ded that there

wa$ $omething wrong, !#t he had let him$elf into thi$ $it#ation, and wa$ not in

m#ch of a o$ition now to rai$e an arg#ment( He wanted to a$% her at time$--

roo$ed to ma%e her do !etter if he co#ld--!#t the wor$t had alread" !een done( It

deended on the man now, he %new that(



Thing$ were grad#all" nearing a $tate where a general #heaal wo#ld hae ta%en

lace had not life $teed in with one of it$ fort#ito#$ $ol#tion$( r$( 4erhardt&$

health failed( Altho#gh $to#t and formerl" of a fairl" actie di$o$ition, $he had of

late "ear$ !ecome decidedl" $edentar" in her ha!it$ and grown wea%, which,

co#led with a mind nat#rall" gien to worr", and weighed #on a$ it had !een !" a

n#m!er of $erio#$ and di$t#r!ing ill$, $eemed now to c#lminate in a $low !#t er"

certain ca$e of $"$temic oi$oning( )he !ecame decidedl" $l#ggi$h in her motion$,wearied more '#ic%l" at the few ta$%$ left for her to do, and >nall" comlained to

@ennie that it wa$ er" hard for her to clim! $tair$( .I&m not feeling well,. $he $aid( .I

thin% I&m going to !e $ic%(.

@ennie now too% alarm and roo$ed to ta%e her to $ome near-!" watering-lace,

!#t r$( 4erhardt wo#ldn&t go( .I don&t thin% it wo#ld do an" good,. $he $aid( )he $at

a!o#t or went driing with her da#ghter, !#t the fading a#t#mn $cener" dere$$ed

her( .I don&t li%e to get $ic% in the fall,. $he $aid( .The leae$ coming down ma%e me

thin% I am neer going to get well(.

.Oh, ma, how "o# tal%B. $aid @ennie2 !#t $he felt frightened, neerthele$$(

How m#ch the aerage home deend$ #on the mother wa$ $een when it wa$

feared the end wa$ near( 6a$$, who had tho#ght of getting married and getting o#t

of thi$ atmo$here, a!andoned the idea temoraril"( 4erhardt, $hoc%ed and greatl"

dere$$ed, h#ng a!o#t li%e one e5ectant of and greatl" awed !" the o$$i!ilit" of

di$a$ter( @ennie, too ine5erienced in death to feel that $he co#ld o$$i!l" lo$e her

mother, felt a$ if $omehow her liing deended on her( Hoing in $ite of all

oo$ing circ#m$tance$, $he h#ng a!o#t, a white >g#re of atience, waiting and

$ering(

The end came one morning after a month of illne$$ and $eeral da"$ of

#ncon$cio#$ne$$, d#ring which $ilence reigned in the ho#$e and all the famil" went

a!o#t on titoe( r$( 4erhardt a$$ed awa" with her d"ing ga:e fa$tened on

@ennie&$ face for the la$t few min#te$ of con$cio#$ne$$ that life o#ch$afed her(

@ennie $tared into her e"e$ with a "earning horror( .Oh, mammaB mammaB. $he

cried( .Oh no, noB.

4erhardt came r#nning in from the "ard, and, throwing him$elf down !" the

!ed$ide, wr#ng hi$ !on" hand$ in ang#i$h( .I $ho#ld hae gone >r$tB. he cried( .I

$ho#ld hae gone >r$tB.

The death of r$( 4erhardt ha$tened the >nal !rea%ing # of the famil"( 6a$$ wa$

!ent on getting married at once, haing had a girl in town for $ome time( artha,

who$e iew$ of life had !roadened and hardened, wa$ an5io#$ to get o#t al$o( )he

felt that a $ort of $tigma attached to the home--to her$elf, in fact, $o long a$ $he

remained there( artha loo%ed to the #!lic $chool$ a$ a $o#rce of income2 $he wa$

going to !e a teacher( 4erhardt alone $carcel" %new which wa" to t#rn( He wa$

again at wor% a$ a night watchman( @ennie fo#nd him cr"ing one da" alone in the

%itchen, and immediatel" !#r$t into tear$ her$elf( .9ow, aaB. $he leaded, .it i$n&t

a$ !ad a$ that( 3o# will alwa"$ hae a home--"o# %now that--a$ long a$ I hae

an"thing( 3o# can come with me(.



.9o, no,. he rote$ted( He reall" did not want to go with her( .It i$n&t that,. he

contin#ed( ." whole life come$ to nothing(.

It wa$ $ome little time !efore 6a$$, 4eorge and artha >nall" left, !#t, one !" one,

the" got o#t, leaing @ennie, her father, 7eronica, and /illiam, and one other--

@ennie&$ child( Of co#r$e =e$ter %new nothing of 7e$ta&$ arentage, and c#rio#$l"

eno#gh he had neer $een the little girl( <#ring the $hort eriod$ in which hedeigned to i$it the ho#$e--two or three da"$ at mo$t--r$( 4erhardt too% good care

that 7e$ta wa$ %et in the !ac%gro#nd( There wa$ a la"-room on the to *oor, and

al$o a !edroom there, and concealment wa$ ea$"( =e$ter rarel" left hi$ room$, he

een had hi$ meal$ $ered to him in what might hae !een called the liing-room of

the $#ite( He wa$ not at all in'#i$itie or an5io#$ to meet an" one of the other

mem!er$ of the famil"( He wa$ erfectl" willing to $ha%e hand$ with them or to

e5change a few erf#nctor" word$, !#t erf#nctor" word$ onl"( It wa$ generall"

#nder$tood that the child m#$t not aear, and $o it did not(

There i$ an ine5lica!le $"math" !etween old age and childhood, an a+nit" which

i$ a$ loel" a$ it i$ athetic( <#ring that >r$t "ear in =orrie )treet, when no one wa$

loo%ing, 4erhardt often carried 7e$ta a!o#t on hi$ $ho#lder$ and inched her $oft,

red chee%$( /hen $he got old eno#gh to wal% he it wa$ who, with a towel fa$tened

$ec#rel" #nder her arm$, led her atientl" aro#nd the room #ntil $he wa$ a!le to

ta%e a few $te$ of her own accord( /hen $he act#all" reached the oint where $he

co#ld wal% he wa$ the one who coa5ed her to the eort, $h"l", griml", !#t alwa"$

loingl"( 6" $ome $trange leading of fate thi$ $tigma on hi$ famil"&$ honor, thi$

!lotch on conentional moralit", had twined it$ helle$$ !a!" >nger$ a!o#t the

tendon$ of hi$ heart( He loed thi$ little o#tca$t ardentl", hoef#ll"( )he wa$ the one

!right ra" in a narrow, gloom" life, and 4erhardt earl" too% #on him$elf the

re$on$i!ilit" of her ed#cation in religio#$ matter$( /a$ it not he who had in$i$ted

that the infant $ho#ld !e !ati:ed

.)a" &O#r ather,&. he #$ed to demand of the li$ing infant when he had her alone

with him(

.Ow owaw,. wa$ her owel-li%e interretation of hi$ word$(

.&/ho art in heaen(&.

.&Ooh ah in aen,&. reeated the child(

./h" do "o# teach her $o earl". leaded r$( 4erhardt, oerhearing the little one&$

$tr#ggle$ with $t#!!orn con$onant$ and owel$(

.6eca#$e I want $he $ho#ld learn the Chri$tian faith,. ret#rned 4erhardt

determinedl"( .)he o#ght to %now her ra"er$( If $he don&t !egin now $he neer will

%now them(.

r$( 4erhardt $miled( an" of her h#$!and&$ religio#$ idio$"ncra$ie$ were am#$ing

to her( At the $ame time $he li%ed to $ee thi$ $"mathetic intere$t he wa$ ta%ing in

the child&$ #!ringing( If he were onl" not $o hard, $o narrow at time$( He made

him$elf a torment to him$elf and to eer" one el$e(



On the earlie$t !right morning of ret#rning $ring he wa$ wont to ta%e her for her

>r$t little ;o#rne"$ in the world( .Come, now,. he wo#ld $a", .we will go for a little

wal%(.

./al%,. chired 7e$ta(

.3e$, wal%,. echoed 4erhardt(

r$( 4erhardt wo#ld fa$ten on one of her little hood$, for in the$e da"$ @ennie %et

7e$ta&$ wardro!e !ea#tif#ll" relete( Ta%ing her !" the hand, 4erhardt wo#ld i$$#e

forth, $ati$>ed to drag >r$t one foot and then the other in order to accommodate hi$

gait to her toddling $te$(

One !ea#tif#l a" da", when 7e$ta wa$ fo#r "ear$ old, the" $tarted on one of their

wal%$( Eer"where nat#re wa$ !#dding and !o#rgeoning2 the !ird$ twittering their

arrial from the $o#th2 the in$ect$ ma%ing the !e$t of their !rief $an of life(

)arrow$ chired in the road2 ro!in$ $tr#tted #on the gra$$2 !l#e!ird$ !#ilt in the

eae$ of the cottage$( 4erhardt too% a %een delight in ointing o#t the wonder$ ofnat#re to 7e$ta, and $he wa$ '#ic% to re$ond( Eer" new $ight and $o#nd

intere$ted her(

.OohB--oohB. e5claimed 7e$ta, catching $ight of a low, *a$hing to#ch of red a$ a

ro!in lighted #on a twig near!"( Her hand wa$ #, and her e"e$ were wide oen(

.3e$,. $aid 4erhardt, a$ ha" a$ if he him$elf had !#t newl" di$coered thi$

marelo#$ creat#re( .Ro!in( 6ird( Ro!in( )a" ro!in(.

./o!in,. $aid 7e$ta(

.3e$, ro!in,. he an$wered( .It i$ going to loo% for a worm now( /e will $ee if we

cannot >nd it$ ne$t( I thin% I $aw a ne$t in one of the$e tree$(.

He lodded eacef#ll" on, $ee%ing to redi$coer an old a!andoned ne$t that he had

o!$ered on a former wal%( .Here it i$,. he $aid at la$t, coming to a $mall and

lea*e$$ tree, in which a winter-!eaten remnant of a home wa$ $till clinging( .Here,

come now, $ee,. and he lifted the !a!" # at arm&$ length(

.)ee,. $aid 4erhardt, indicating the wi$ of dead gra$$e$ with hi$ free hand, .ne$t(

That i$ a !ird&$ ne$t( )eeB.

.OohB. reeated 7e$ta, imitating hi$ ointing >nger with one of her own( .9e$$--

oohB.

.3e$,. $aid 4erhardt, #tting her down again( .That wa$ a wren&$ ne$t( The" hae all

gone now( The" will not come an" more(.

)till f#rther the" lodded, he #nfolding the $imle fact$ of life, $he wondering with

the wide wonder of a child( /hen the" had gone a !loc% or two he t#rned $lowl"

a!o#t a$ if the end of the world had !een reached(

./e m#$t !e going !ac%B. he $aid(

And $o $he had come to her >fth "ear, growing in $weetne$$, intelligence, and

iacit"( 4erhardt wa$ fa$cinated !" the '#e$tion$ $he a$%ed, the #::le$ $he



rono#nced( .)#ch a girlB. he wo#ld e5claim to hi$ wife( ./hat i$ it $he doe$n&t want

to %now &/here i$ 4od /hat doe$ He do /here doe$ He %ee Hi$ feet. $he a$%$

me( .I gotta la#gh $ometime$(. rom ri$ing in the morning, to dre$$ her to la"ing her

down at night after $he had $aid her ra"er$, $he came to !e the chief $olace and

comfort of hi$ da"$( /itho#t 7e$ta, 4erhardt wo#ld hae fo#nd hi$ life hard indeed

to !ear( _

CHAPTER 7II

or three "ear$ now =e$ter had !een ha" in the comanion$hi of @ennie(

Irreg#lar a$ the connection might !e in the e"e$ of the ch#rch and of $ociet", it had

!ro#ght him eace and comfort, and he wa$ erfectl" $ati$>ed with the o#tcome of

the e5eriment( Hi$ intere$t in the $ocial aair$ of Cincinnati wa$ now racticall" nil,

and he had con$i$tentl" ref#$ed to con$ider an" matrimonial roo$ition which had

him$elf a$ the o!;ect( He loo%ed on hi$ father&$ !#$ine$$ organi:ation a$ oering a

real chance for him$elf if he co#ld get control of it2 !#t he $aw no wa" of doing $o(

Ro!ert&$ intere$t$ were alwa"$ in the wa", and, if an"thing, the two !rother$ were

farther aart than eer in their idea$ and aim$( =e$ter had tho#ght once or twice of

entering $ome other line of !#$ine$$ or of all"ing him$elf with another carriage

coman", !#t he did not feel that ha co#ld con$cientio#$l" do thi$( =e$ter had hi$

$alar"-->fteen tho#$and a "ear a$ $ecretar" and trea$#rer of the coman" Ghi$

!rother wa$ ice-re$ident--and a!o#t >e tho#$and from $ome o#t$ide

ine$tment$( He had not !een $o l#c%" or $o $hrewd in $ec#lation a$ Ro!ert had

!een2 a$ide from the rincial which "ielded hi$ >e tho#$and, he had nothing(

Ro!ert, on the other hand, wa$ #n'#e$tiona!l" worth !etween three and fo#r

h#ndred tho#$and dollar$, in addition to hi$ f#t#re intere$t in the !#$ine$$, which

!oth !rother$ $hrewdl" $#$ected wo#ld !e diided $omewhat in their faor( Ro!ert

and =e$ter wo#ld get a fo#rth each, the" tho#ght2 their $i$ter$ a $i5th( It $eemed

nat#ral that ane $enior $ho#ld ta%e thi$ iew, $eeing that the !rother$ were

act#all" in control and doing the wor%( )till, there wa$ no certaint"( The old

gentleman might do an"thing or nothing( The ro!a!ilitie$ were that he wo#ld !e

er" fair and li!eral( At the $ame time, Ro!ert wa$ o!io#$l" !eating =e$ter in the

game of life( /hat did =e$ter intend to do a!o#t it

There come$ a time in eer" thin%ing man&$ life when he a#$e$ and .ta%e$ $toc%.

of hi$ condition2 when he a$%$ him$elf how it fare$ with hi$ indiid#alit" a$ a whole,

mental, moral, h"$ical, material( Thi$ time come$ after the >r$t heedle$$ *ight$ of"o#th hae a$$ed, when the initiatie and more owerf#l eort$ hae !een made,

and he !egin$ to feel the #ncertaint" of re$#lt$ and >nal al#e$ which attache$ it$elf

to eer"thing( There i$ a deadening tho#ght of #$ele$$ne$$ which cree$ into man"

men&$ mind$--the tho#ght which ha$ !een !e$t e5re$$ed !" the Preacher in

Eccle$ia$te$(

3et =e$ter $troe to !e hilo$ohical( ./hat dierence doe$ it ma%e. he #$ed to

$a" to him$elf, .whether I lie at the /hite Ho#$e, or here at home, or at the 4rand

Paci>c. 6#t in the er" '#e$tion wa$ the imlication that there were achieement$

in life which he had failed to reali:e in hi$ own career( The /hite Ho#$e rere$ented

the ri$e and $#cce$$ of a great #!lic character( Hi$ home and the 4rand Paci>c

were what had come to him witho#t eort(



He decided for the time !eing--it wa$ a!o#t the eriod of the death of @ennie&$

mother--that he wo#ld ma%e $ome eort to reha!ilitate him$elf( He wo#ld c#t o#t

idling--the$e n#mero#$ tri$ with @ennie had co$t him con$idera!le time( He wo#ld

ma%e $ome o#t$ide ine$tment$( If hi$ !rother co#ld >nd aen#e$ of >nancial ro>t,

$o co#ld he( He wo#ld endeaor to a$$ert hi$ a#thorit"--he wo#ld tr" to ma%e

him$elf of more imortance in the !#$ine$$, rather than let Ro!ert grad#all" a!$or!

eer"thing( )ho#ld he for$a%e @ennie--that tho#ght al$o, came to him( )he had noclaim on him( )he co#ld ma%e no rote$t( )omehow he did not $ee how it co#ld !e

done( It $eemed cr#el, #$ele$$2 a!oe all Gtho#gh he di$li%ed to admit it it wo#ld !e

#ncomforta!le for him$elf( He li%ed her--loed her, erha$, in a $el>$h wa"( He

didn&t $ee how he co#ld de$ert her er" well(

@#$t at thi$ time he had a reall" $erio#$ dierence with Ro!ert( Hi$ !rother wanted

to $eer relation$ with an old and well e$ta!li$hed aint coman" in 9ew 3or%,

which had man#fact#red aint$ e$eciall" for the ho#$e, and ine$t in a new

concern in Chicago, which wa$ growing and had a romi$ing f#t#re( =e$ter, %nowing

the mem!er$ of the Ea$tern >rm, their relia!ilit", their long and friendl" relation$with the ho#$e, wa$ in oo$ition( Hi$ father at >r$t $eemed to agree with =e$ter(

6#t Ro!ert arg#ed o#t the '#e$tion in hi$ cold, logical wa", hi$ !l#e e"e$ >5ed

#ncomromi$ingl" #on hi$ !rother&$ face( ./e can&t go on foreer,. he $aid,

.$tanding !" old friend$, ;#$t !eca#$e father here ha$ dealt with them, or "o# li%e

them( /e m#$t hae a change( The !#$ine$$ m#$t !e $tiened #2 we&re going to

hae more and $tronger cometition(.

.It&$ ;#$t a$ father feel$ a!o#t it,. $aid =e$ter at la$t( .I hae no dee feeling in the

matter( It won&t h#rt me one wa" or the other( 3o# $a" the ho#$e i$ going to ro>t

eent#all"( I&e $tated the arg#ment$ on the other $ide(.

.I&m inclined to thin% Ro!ert i$ right,. $aid Archi!ald ane calml"( .o$t of the thing$

he ha$ $#gge$ted $o far hae wor%ed o#t(.

=e$ter colored( ./ell, we won&t hae an" more di$c#$$ion a!o#t it then,. he $aid( He

ro$e and $trolled o#t of the o+ce(

The $hoc% of thi$ defeat, coming at a time when he wa$ con$idering #lling him$elf

together, dere$$ed =e$ter con$idera!l"( It wa$n&t m#ch !#t it wa$ a $traw, and hi$

father&$ remar% a!o#t hi$ !rother&$ !#$ine$$ ac#men wa$ een more irritating( He

wa$ !eginning to wonder whether hi$ father wo#ld di$criminate in an" wa" in the

di$tri!#tion of the roert"( Had he heard an"thing a!o#t hi$ entanglement with

@ennie Had he re$ented the long acation$ he had ta%en from !#$ine$$ It did not

aear to =e$ter that he co#ld !e ;#$tl" chargea!le with either incaacit" or

indierence, $o far a$ the coman" wa$ concerned( He had done hi$ wor% well( He

wa$ $till the ine$tigator of roo$ition$ #t # to the ho#$e, the $t#dent of

contract$, the tr#$ted adi$er of hi$ father and mother--!#t he wa$ !eing wor$ted(

/here wo#ld it end He tho#ght a!o#t thi$, !#t co#ld reach no concl#$ion(

=ater in thi$ $ame "ear Ro!ert came forward with a lan for reorgani:ation in the

e5ec#tie deartment of the !#$ine$$( He roo$ed that the" $ho#ld !#ild an

immen$e e5hi!ition and $torage wareho#$e on ichigan Aen#e in Chicago, andtran$fer a ortion of their comleted $toc% there( Chicago wa$ more central than

Cincinnati( 6#"er$ from the /e$t and co#ntr" merchant$ co#ld !e more ea$il"



reached and dealt with there( It wo#ld !e a !ig aderti$ement for the ho#$e, a

magni>cent eidence of it$ $tanding and ro$erit"( ane $enior and =e$ter

immediatel" aroed of thi$( 6oth $aw it$ adantage$( Ro!ert $#gge$ted that

=e$ter $ho#ld #nderta%e the con$tr#ction of the new !#ilding$( It wo#ld ro!a!l" !e

adi$a!le for him to re$ide in Chicago a art of the time(

The idea aealed to =e$ter, een tho#gh it too% him awa" from Cincinnati, largel"if not entirel"( It wa$ digni>ed and not #nrere$entatie of hi$ $tanding in the

coman"( He co#ld lie in Chicago and he co#ld hae @ennie with him( The $cheme

he had for ta%ing an aartment co#ld now !e arranged witho#t di+c#lt"( He oted

"e$( Ro!ert $miled( .I&m $#re we&ll get good re$#lt$ from thi$ all aro#nd,. he $aid(

A$ con$tr#ction wor% wa$ $oon to !egin, =e$ter decided to moe to Chicago

immediatel"( He $ent word for @ennie to meet him, and together the" $elected an

aartment on the 9orth )ide, a er" comforta!le $#ite of room$ on a $ide $treet

near the la%e, and he had it >tted # to $#it hi$ ta$te( He >g#red that liing in

Chicago he co#ld o$e a$ a !achelor( He wo#ld neer need to inite hi$ friend$ to

hi$ room$( There were hi$ o+ce$, where he co#ld alwa"$ !e fo#nd, hi$ cl#!$ and the

hotel$( To hi$ wa" of thin%ing the arrangement wa$ racticall" ideal(

Of co#r$e @ennie&$ deart#re from Cleeland !ro#ght the aair$ of the 4erhardt

famil" to a clima5( Pro!a!l" the home wo#ld !e !ro%en #, !#t 4erhardt him$elf

too% the matter hilo$ohicall"( He wa$ an old man, and it did not matter m#ch

where he lied( 6a$$, artha, and 4eorge were alread" ta%ing care of them$ele$(

7eronica and /illiam were $till in $chool, !#t $ome roi$ion co#ld !e made for

!oarding them with a neigh!or( The one real concern of @ennie and 4erhardt wa$

7e$ta( It wa$ 4erhardt&$ nat#ral tho#ght that @ennie m#$t ta%e the child with her(

/hat el$e $ho#ld a mother do

.Hae "o# told him "et. he a$%ed her, when the da" of her contemlated

deart#re had !een $et(

.9o2 !#t I&m going to $oon,. $he a$$#red him(

.Alwa"$ $oon,. he $aid(

He $hoo% hi$ head( Hi$ throat $welled(

.It&$ too !ad,. he went on( .It&$ a great $in( 4od will #ni$h "o#, I&m afraid( The child

need$ $ome one( I&m getting old--otherwi$e I wo#ld %ee her( There i$ no one here

all da" now to loo% after her right, a$ $he $ho#ld !e(. Again he $hoo% hi$ head(

.I %now,. $aid @ennie wea%l"( .I&m going to >5 it now( I&m going to hae her lie with

me $oon( I won&t neglect her--"o# %now that(.

.6#t the child&$ name,. he in$i$ted( .)he $ho#ld hae a name( )oon in another "ear

$he goe$ to $chool( Peole will want to %now who $he i$( It can&t go on foreer li%e

thi$(.

@ennie #nder$tood well eno#gh that it co#ldn&t( )he wa$ cra:" a!o#t her !a!"( The

heaie$t cro$$ $he had to !ear wa$ the con$tant $earation$ and the $ilence $hewa$ o!liged to maintain a!o#t 7e$ta&$ er" e5i$tence( It did $eem #nfair to the child,

and "et @ennie did not $ee clearl" how $he co#ld hae acted otherwi$e( 7e$ta had



good clothe$, eer"thing $he needed( )he wa$ at lea$t comforta!le( @ennie hoed to

gie her a good ed#cation( If onl" $he had told the tr#th to =e$ter in the >r$t lace(

9ow it wa$ almo$t too late, and "et $he felt that $he had acted for the !e$t( inall"

$he decided to >nd $ome good woman or famil" in Chicago who wo#ld ta%e charge

of 7e$ta for a con$ideration( In a )wedi$h colon" to the we$t of =a )alle Aen#e $he

came acro$$ an old lad" who $eemed to em!od" all the irt#e$ $he re'#ired--

cleanline$$, $imlicit", hone$t"( )he wa$ a widow, doing wor% !" the da", !#t $hewa$ glad to ma%e an arrangement !" which $he $ho#ld gie her whole time to

7e$ta( The latter wa$ to go to %indergarten when a $#ita!le one $ho#ld !e fo#nd(

)he wa$ to hae to"$ and %indl" attention, and r$( Ol$en wa$ to inform @ennie of

an" change in the child&$ health( @ennie roo$ed to call eer" da", and $he tho#ght

that $ometime$, when =e$ter wa$ o#t of town, 7e$ta might !e !ro#ght to the

aartment( )he had had her with her at Cleeland, and he had neer fo#nd o#t

an"thing(

The arrangement$ comleted, @ennie ret#rned at the >r$t oort#nit" to Cleeland

to ta%e 7e$ta awa"( 4erhardt, who had !een !rooding oer hi$ aroaching lo$$,aeared mo$t $olicito#$ a!o#t her f#t#re( .)he $ho#ld grow # to !e a >ne girl,. he

$aid( .3o# $ho#ld gie her a good ed#cation--$he i$ $o $mart(. He $o%e of the

adi$a!ilit" of $ending her to a =#theran $chool and ch#rch, !#t @ennie wa$ not $o

$#re of that( Time and a$$ociation with =e$ter had led her to thin% that erha$ the

#!lic $chool wa$ !etter than an" riate in$tit#tion( )he had no artic#lar o!;ection

to the ch#rch, !#t $he no longer deended #on it$ teaching$ a$ a g#ide in the

aair$ of life( /h" $ho#ld $he

The ne5t da" it wa$ nece$$ar" for @ennie to ret#rn to Chicago( 7e$ta, e5cited and

eager, wa$ made read" for the ;o#rne"( 4erhardt had !een wandering a!o#t,

re$tle$$ a$ a lo$t $irit, while the roce$$ of dre$$ing wa$ going on2 now that the

ho#r had act#all" $tr#c% he wa$ doing hi$ !e$t to control hi$ feeling$( He co#ld $ee

that the >e-"ear-old child had no concetion of what it meant to him( )he wa$

ha" and $elf-intere$ted, chattering a!o#t the ride and the train(

.6e a good little girl,. he $aid, lifting her # and %i$$ing her( .)ee that "o# $t#d"

"o#r catechi$m and $a" "o#r ra"er$( And "o# won&t forget the granda--what--.

He tried to go on, !#t hi$ oice failed him(

@ennie, who$e heart ached for her father, cho%ed !ac% her emotion( .There,. $he

$aid, .if I&d tho#ght "o# were going to act li%e that--. )he $toed(

.4o,. $aid 4erhardt, manf#ll", .go( It i$ !e$t thi$ wa"(. And he $tood $olemnl" !" a$

the" went o#t of the door( Then he t#rned !ac% to hi$ faorite ha#nt, the %itchen,

and $tood there $taring at the *oor( One !" one the" were leaing him--r$(

4erhardt, 6a$$, artha, @ennie, 7e$ta( He cla$ed hi$ hand$ together, after hi$ old-

time fa$hion, and $hoo% hi$ head again and again( .)o it i$B )o it i$B. he reeated(

.The" all leae me( All m" life goe$ to iece$(. _

CHAPTER 7III

<#ring the three "ear$ in which @ennie and =e$ter had !een a$$ociated there had

grown # !etween them a $trong feeling of m#t#al $"math" and #nder$tanding(

=e$ter tr#l" loed her in hi$ own wa"( It wa$ a $trong, $elf-$ati$f"ing, determined



%ind of wa", !a$ed $olidl" on a !ig nat#ral fo#ndation, !#t ri$ing to a lane of

gen#ine $irit#al a+nit"( The "ielding $weetne$$ of her character !oth attracted and

held him( )he wa$ tr#e, and good, and womanl" to the er" center of her !eing2 he

had learned to tr#$t her, to deend #on her, and the feeling had !#t deeened

with the a$$ing of the "ear$(

On her art @ennie had $incerel", deel", tr#l" learned to loe thi$ man( At >r$twhen he had $wet her o her feet, oerawed her $o#l, and #$ed her nece$$it" a$ a

chain wherewith to !ind her to him, $he wa$ a little do#!tf#l, a little afraid of him,

altho#gh $he had alwa"$ li%ed him( 9ow, howeer, !" liing with him, !" %nowing

him !etter, !" watching hi$ mood$, $he had come to loe him( He wa$ $o !ig, $o

ocal, $o hand$ome( Hi$ oint of iew and oinion$ of an"thing and eer"thing were

$o o$itie( Hi$ et motto, .Hew to the line, let the chi$ fall where the" ma",. had

cl#ng in her !rain a$ $omething immen$el" characteri$tic( Aarentl" he wa$ not

afraid of an"thing--4od, man, or deil( He #$ed to loo% at her, holding her chin

!etween the th#m! and >nger$ of hi$ !ig !rown hand, and $a" .3o#&re $weet, all

right, !#t "o# need co#rage and de>ance( 3o# haen&t eno#gh of tho$e thing$(. Andher e"e$ wo#ld meet hi$ in d#m! aeal( .9eer mind,. he wo#ld add, ."o# hae

other thing$(. And then he wo#ld %i$$ her(

One of the mo$t aealing thing$ to =e$ter wa$ the $imle wa" in which $he tried to

aoid e5o$#re of her ario#$ $ocial and ed#cational $hortcoming$( )he co#ld not

write er" well, and once he fo#nd a li$t of word$ he had #$ed written o#t on a iece

of aer with the meaning$ oo$ite( He $miled, !#t he li%ed her !etter for it(

Another time in the )o#thern hotel in )t( =o#i$ he watched her retending a lo$$ of

aetite !eca#$e $he tho#ght that her lac% of ta!le manner$ wa$ !eing o!$ered !"

near!" diner$( )he co#ld not alwa"$ !e $#re of the right for%$ and %nie$, and the

$trange-loo%ing di$he$ !othered her2 how did one eat a$arag#$ and articho%e$

./h" don&t "o# eat $omething. he a$%ed good-nat#redl"( .3o#&re h#ngr", aren&t

"o#.

.9ot er"(.

.3o# m#$t !e( =i$ten, @ennie( I %now what it i$( 3o# m#$tn&t feel that wa"( 3o#r

manner$ are all right( I wo#ldn&t !ring "o# here if the" weren&t( 3o#r in$tinct$ are all

right( <on&t !e #nea$"( I&d tell "o# '#ic% eno#gh when there wa$ an"thing wrong(.

Hi$ !rown e"e$ held a friendl" gleam(

)he $miled gratef#ll"( .I do feel a little nero#$ at time$,. $he admitted(

.<on&t,. he reeated( .3o#&re all right( <on&t worr"( I&ll $how "o#(. And he did(

6" degree$ @ennie grew into an #nder$tanding of the #$age$ and c#$tom$ of

comforta!le e5i$tence( All that the 4erhardt famil" had eer had were the !are

nece$$itie$ of life( 9ow $he wa$ $#rro#nded with whateer $he wanted--tr#n%$,

clothe$, toilet article$, the whole aried e'#iment of comfort--and while $he li%ed it

all, it did not #$et her $en$e of roortion and her $en$e of the >tne$$ of thing$(

There wa$ no element of anit" in her, onl" a $en$e of ;o" in riilege and

oort#nit"( )he wa$ gratef#l to =e$ter for all that he had done and wa$ doing forher( If onl" $he co#ld hold him--alwa"$B



The detail$ of getting 7e$ta e$ta!li$hed once ad;#$ted, @ennie $ettled down into the

ro#tine of home life( =e$ter, !#$" a!o#t hi$ m#ltit#dino#$ aair$, wa$ in and o#t( He

had a $#ite of room$ re$ered for him$elf at the 4rand Paci>c, which wa$ then the

e5cl#$ie hotel of Chicago, and thi$ wa$ hi$ o$ten$i!le re$idence( Hi$ l#ncheon and

eening aointment$ were %et at the ?nion Cl#!( An earl" atron of the

telehone, he had one in$talled in the aartment, $o that he co#ld reach @ennie

'#ic%l" and at an" time( He wa$ home two or three night$ a wee%, $ometime$oftener( He in$i$ted at >r$t on @ennie haing a girl of general ho#$ewor%, !#t

ac'#ie$ced in the more $en$i!le arrangement which $he $#gge$ted later of letting

$ome one come in to do the cleaning( )he li%ed to wor% aro#nd her own home( Her

nat#ral ind#$tr" and loe of order romted thi$ feeling(

=e$ter li%ed hi$ !rea%fa$t romtl" at eight in the morning( He wanted dinner $ered

nicel" at $een( )ilerware, c#t gla$$, imorted china--all the little l#5#rie$ of life

aealed to him( He %et hi$ tr#n%$ and wardro!e at the aartment(

<#ring the >r$t few month$ eer"thing went $moothl"( He wa$ in the ha!it of ta%ing

@ennie to the theater now and then, and if he chanced to r#n acro$$ an

ac'#aintance he alwa"$ introd#ced her a$ i$$ 4erhardt( /hen he regi$tered her a$

hi$ wife it wa$ #$#all" #nder an a$$#med name2 where there wa$ no danger of

detection he did not mind #$ing hi$ own $ignat#re( Th#$ far there had !een no

di+c#lt" or #nlea$antne$$ of an" %ind(

The tro#!le with thi$ $it#ation wa$ that it wa$ cri$$-cro$$ed with the danger and

con$e'#ent worr" which the decetion in regard to 7e$ta had entailed, a$ well a$

with @ennie&$ nat#ral an5iet" a!o#t her father and the di$organi:ed home( @ennie

feared, a$ 7eronica hinted, that $he and /illiam wo#ld go to lie with artha, who

wa$ in$talled in a !oarding-ho#$e in Cleeland, and that 4erhardt wo#ld !e leftalone( He wa$ $#ch a athetic >g#re to her, with hi$ in;#red hand$ and hi$ one

a!ilit"--that of !eing a watchman--that $he wa$ h#rt to thin% of hi$ !eing left alone(

/o#ld he come to her )he %new that he wo#ld not--feeling a$ he did at re$ent(

/o#ld =e$ter hae him--$he wa$ not $#re of that( If he came 7e$ta wo#ld hae to !e

acco#nted for( )o $he worried(

The $it#ation in regard to 7e$ta wa$ reall" comlicated( Owing to the feeling that

$he wa$ doing her da#ghter a great in;#$tice, @ennie wa$ artic#larl" $en$itie in

regard to her, an5io#$ to do a tho#$and thing$ to ma%e # for the one great d#t"

that $he co#ld not erform( )he dail" aid a i$it to the home of r$( Ol$en, alwa"$ta%ing with her to"$, cand", or whateer came into her mind a$ !eing li%el" to

intere$t and lea$e the child( )he li%ed to $it with 7e$ta and tell her $torie$ of fair"

and giant, which %et the little girl wide-e"ed( At la$t $he went $o far a$ to !ring her

to the aartment, when =e$ter wa$ awa" i$iting hi$ arent$, and $he $oon fo#nd it

o$$i!le, d#ring hi$ $eeral a!$ence$, to do thi$ reg#larl"( After that, a$ time went

on and $he !egan to %now hi$ ha!it$, $he !ecame more !old--altho#gh !old i$

$carcel" the word to #$e in connection with @ennie( )he !ecame ent#re$ome m#ch

a$ a mo#$e might2 $he wo#ld ri$% 7e$ta&$ re$ence on the a$$#rance of een $hort

a!$ence$--two or three da"$( )he een got into the ha!it of %eeing a few of 7e$ta&$

to"$ at the aartment, $o that $he co#ld hae $omething to la" with when $he

came(



<#ring the$e $eeral i$it$ from her child @ennie co#ld not !#t reali:e the loel"

thing life wo#ld !e were $he onl" an honored wife and a ha" mother( 7e$ta wa$ a

mo$t o!$erant little girl( )he co#ld !" her innocent childi$h '#e$tion$ gie a

h#ndred t#rn$ to the dagger of $elf-reroach which wa$ alread" lanted deel" in

@ennie&$ heart(

.Can I come to lie with "o#. wa$ one of her $imle$t and mo$t fre'#entl"reeated '#e$tion$( @ennie wo#ld rel" that mamma co#ld not hae her ;#$t "et, !#t

that er" $oon now, ;#$t a$ $oon a$ $he o$$i!l" co#ld, 7e$ta $ho#ld come to $ta"

alwa"$(

.<on&t "o# %now ;#$t when. 7e$ta wo#ld a$%(

.9o, deare$t, not ;#$t when( 7er" $oon now( 3o# won&t mind waiting a little while(

<on&t "o# li%e r$( Ol$en.

.3e$,. relied 7e$ta2 .!#t then $he ain&t got an" nice thing$ now( )he&$ ;#$t got old

thing$(. And @ennie, $tric%en to the heart, wo#ld ta%e 7e$ta to the to" $ho, and loadher down with a new a$$ortment of la"thing$(

Of co#r$e =e$ter wa$ not in the lea$t $#$icio#$( Hi$ o!$eration of thing$ relating to

the home were rather ca$#al( He went a!o#t hi$ wor% and hi$ lea$#re$ !elieing

@ennie to !e the $o#l of $incerit" and good-nat#red $erice, and it neer occ#rred to

him that there wa$ an"thing #nderhanded in her action$( Once he did come home

$ic% in the afternoon and fo#nd her a!$ent--an a!$ence which end#red from two

o&cloc% to >e( He wa$ a little irritated and gr#m!led on her ret#rn, !#t hi$

anno"ance wa$ a$ nothing to her a$toni$hment and fright when $he fo#nd him

there( )he !lanched at the tho#ght of hi$ $#$ecting $omething, and e5lained a$

!e$t $he co#ld( )he had gone to $ee her wa$herwoman( )he wa$ $low a!o#t her

mar%eting( )he didn&t dream he wa$ there( )he wa$ $orr", too, that her a!$ence had

lo$t her an oort#nit" to $ere him( It $howed her what a me$$ $he wa$ li%el" to

ma%e of it all(

It haened that a!o#t three wee%$ after the a!oe occ#rrence =e$ter had occa$ion

to ret#rn to Cincinnati for a wee%, and d#ring thi$ time @ennie again !ro#ght 7e$ta to

the *at2 for fo#r da"$ there wa$ the haie$t going$ on !etween the mother and

child(

9othing wo#ld hae come of thi$ little re#nion had it not !een for an oer$ight on @ennie&$ art, the far-reaching eect$ of which $he co#ld onl" afterward regret( Thi$

wa$ the leaing of a little to" lam! #nder the large leather dian in the front room,

where =e$ter wa$ wont to lie and $mo%e( A little !ell held !" a thread of !l#e ri!!on

wa$ fa$tened a!o#t it$ nec%, and thi$ tin%led fee!l" wheneer it wa$ $ha%en( 7e$ta,

with the #nacco#nta!le frea%i$hne$$ of children had deli!eratel" droed it !ehind

the dian, an action which @ennie did not notice at the time( /hen $he gathered #

the ario#$ la"thing$ after 7e$ta&$ deart#re $he oerloo%ed it entirel", and there it

re$ted, it$ innocent e"e$ $till $taring #on the $#nlit region$ of to"land, when =e$ter

ret#rned(

That $ame eening, when he wa$ l"ing on the dian, '#ietl" en;o"ing hi$ cigar andhi$ new$aer, he chanced to dro the former, f#ll" lighted( /i$hing to recoer it

!efore it $ho#ld do an" damage, he leaned oer and loo%ed #nder the dian( The



cigar wa$ not in $ight, $o he ro$e and #lled the lo#nge o#t, a moe which reealed

to him the little lam! $till $tanding where 7e$ta had droed it( He ic%ed it #,

t#rning it oer and oer, and wondering how it had come there(

A lam!B It m#$t !elong to $ome neigh!or&$ child in whom @ennie had ta%en an

intere$t, he tho#ght( He wo#ld hae to go and tea$e her a!o#t thi$(

Accordingl" he held the to" ;oiall" !efore him, and, coming o#t into the dining-

room, where @ennie wa$ wor%ing at the $ide!oard, he e5claimed in a moc% $olemn

oice, ./here did thi$ come from.

@ennie, who wa$ totall" #ncon$cio#$ of the e5i$tence of thi$ eidence of her

d#licit", t#rned, and wa$ in$tantl" o$$e$$ed with the idea that he had $#$ected

all and wa$ a!o#t to i$it hi$ ;#$t wrath #on her( In$tantl" the !lood *amed in her

chee%$ and a$ '#ic%l" left them(

./h", wh"B. $he $t#ttered, .it&$ a little to" I !o#ght(.

.I $ee it i$,. he ret#rned geniall", her g#ilt" tremor not e$caing hi$ o!$eration, !#t

haing at the $ame time no e5lica!le $igni>cance to him( .It&$ fri$%ing aro#nd a

might" lone $heefold(.

He to#ched the little !ell at it$ throat, while @ennie $tood there, #na!le to $ea%( It

tin%led fee!l", and then he loo%ed at her again( Hi$ manner wa$ $o h#moro#$ that

$he co#ld tell he $#$ected nothing( Howeer, it wa$ almo$t imo$$i!le for her to

recoer her $elf-o$$e$$ion(

./hat&$ ailing "o#. he a$%ed(

.9othing,. $he relied(

.3o# loo% a$ tho#gh a lam! wa$ a terri!le $hoc% to "o#(.

.I forgot to ta%e it o#t from there, that wa$ all,. $he went on !lindl"(

.It loo%$ a$ tho#gh it ha$ !een la"ed with eno#gh,. he added more $erio#$l", and

then $eeing that the di$c#$$ion wa$ eidentl" ainf#l to her, he droed it( The

lam! had not f#rni$hed him the am#$ement that he had e5ected(

=e$ter went !ac% into the front room, $tretched him$elf o#t and tho#ght it oer( /h"

wa$ $he nero#$ /hat wa$ there a!o#t a to" to ma%e her grow ale )#rel" therewa$ no harm in her har!oring $ome "o#ng$ter of the neigh!orhood when $he wa$

alone--haing it come in and la"( /h" $ho#ld $he !e $o nero#$ He tho#ght it

oer, !#t co#ld come to no concl#$ion(

9othing more wa$ $aid a!o#t the incident of the to" lam!( Time might hae wholl"

eaced the imre$$ion from =e$ter&$ memor" had nothing el$e interened to aro#$e

hi$ $#$icion$2 !#t a mi$ha of an" %ind $eem$ inaria!l" to !e lin%ed with other$

which follow clo$e #on it$ heel$(

One eening when =e$ter haened to !e lingering a!o#t the *at later than #$#al

the door !ell rang, and, @ennie !eing !#$" in the %itchen, =e$ter went him$elf to

oen the door( He wa$ greeted !" a middle-aged lad", who frowned er" nero#$l"

#on him, and in'#ired in !ro%en )wedi$h accent$ for @ennie(



./ait a moment,. $aid =e$ter2 and $teing to the rear door he called her(

@ennie came, and $eeing who the i$itor wa$, $he $teed nero#$l" o#t in the hall

and clo$ed the door after her( The action in$tantl" $tr#c% =e$ter a$ $#$icio#$( He

frowned and determined to in'#ire thoro#ghl" into the matter( A moment later

@ennie reaeared( Her face wa$ white and her >nger$ $eemed to !e nero#$l"

$ee%ing $omething to $ei:e #on(

./hat&$ the tro#!le. he in'#ired, the irritation he had felt the moment !efore

giing hi$ oice a to#ch of gr#ne$$(

.I&e got to go o#t for a little while,. $he at la$t managed to rel"(

.7er" well,. he a$$ented #nwillingl"( .6#t "o# can tell me what&$ the tro#!le with

"o#, can&t "o# /here do "o# hae to go.

.I--I,. !egan @ennie, $tammering( .I--hae--.

.3e$,. he $aid griml"(

.I hae to go on an errand,. $he $t#m!led on( .I--I can&t wait( I&ll tell "o# when I

come !ac%, =e$ter( Plea$e don&t a$% me now(.

)he loo%ed ainl" at him, her tro#!led co#ntenance $till mar%ed !" reocc#ation

and an5iet" to get awa", and =e$ter, who had neer $een thi$ loo% of inten$e

re$on$i!ilit" in her !efore, wa$ moed and irritated !" it(

.That&$ all right,. he $aid, .!#t what&$ the #$e of all thi$ $ecrec" /h" can&t "o#

come o#t and tell what&$ the matter with "o# /hat&$ the #$e of thi$ whi$ering

!ehind door$ /here do "o# hae to go.

He a#$ed, chec%ed !" hi$ own har$hne$$, and @ennie, who wa$ inten$el" wro#ght

# !" the information $he had receied, a$ well a$ the #nwonted er!al ca$tigation

$he wa$ now end#ring, ro$e to an emotional $tate neer reached !" her !efore(

.I will, =e$ter, I will,. $he e5claimed( .Onl" not now( I haen&t time( I&ll tell "o#

eer"thing when I come !ac%( Plea$e don&t $to me now(.

)he h#rried to the ad;oining cham!er to get her wra$, and =e$ter, who had een

"et no clear concetion of what it all meant, followed her $t#!!ornl" to the door(

.)ee here,. he e5claimed in hi$ igoro#$, !r#tal wa", ."o#&re not acting right( /hat&$

the matter with "o# I want to %now(.

He $tood in the doorwa", hi$ whole frame e5hi!iting the #gnacit" and $ettled

determination of a man who i$ !o#nd to !e o!e"ed( @ennie, tro#!led and drien to

!a", t#rned at la$t(

.It&$ m" child, =e$ter,. $he e5claimed( .It&$ d"ing( I haen&t time to tal%( Oh, lea$e

don&t $to me( I&ll tell "o# eer"thing when I come !ac%(.

.3o#r childB. he e5claimed( ./hat the hell are "o# tal%ing a!o#t.

.I co#ldn&t hel it,. $he ret#rned( .I wa$ afraid--I $ho#ld hae told "o# long ago( I

meant to onl"--onl"--Oh, let me go now, and I&ll tell "o# all when I come !ac%B.



He $tared at her in ama:ement2 then he $teed a$ide, #nwilling to force her an"

f#rther for the re$ent( ./ell, go ahead,. he $aid '#ietl"( .<on&t "o# want $ome one

to go along with "o#.

.9o,. $he relied( .r$( Ol$en i$ right here( I&ll go with her(.

)he h#rried forth, white-faced, and he $tood there, ondering( Co#ld thi$ !e the

woman he had tho#ght he %new /h", $he had !een deceiing him for "ear$(

@ennieB The white-facedB The $imleB

He cho%ed a little a$ he m#ttered

./ell, I&ll !e damnedB. _

CHAPTER I

The rea$on wh" @ennie had !een called wa$ nothing more than one of tho$e infantile

$ei:#re$ the coming and re$#lt of which no man can redict two ho#r$ !eforehand(

7e$ta had !een $erio#$l" ta%en with mem!rano#$ cro# onl" a few ho#r$ !efore,and the deeloment $ince had !een $o raid that the oor old )wedi$h mother wa$

half frightened to death her$elf, and ha$til" de$atched a neigh!or to $a" that 7e$ta

wa$ er" ill and r$( ane wa$ to come at once( Thi$ me$$age, deliered a$ it wa$ in

a er" nero#$ manner !" one who$e onl" o!;ect wa$ to !ring her, had ind#ced the

$o#l-rac%ing fear of death in @ennie and ca#$ed her to !rae the di$coer" of =e$ter

in the manner de$cri!ed( @ennie h#rried on an5io#$l", her one tho#ght !eing to

reach her child !efore the arm of death co#ld interfere and $natch it from her, her

mind weighed #on !" a legion of fear$( /hat if it $ho#ld alread" !e too late when

$he got there2 what if 7e$ta alread" $ho#ld !e no more( In$tinctiel" $he '#ic%ened

her ace and a$ the $treet lam$ came and receded in the gloom $he forgot all the$ting of =e$ter&$ word$, all fear that he might t#rn her o#t and leae her alone in a

great cit" with a little child to care for, and remem!ered onl" the fact that her 7e$ta

wa$ er" ill, o$$i!l" d"ing, and that $he wa$ the direct ca#$e of the child&$ a!$ence

from her2 that erha$ !#t for the want of her care and attention 7e$ta might !e

well to-night(

.If I can onl" get there,. $he %et $a"ing to her$elf2 and then, with that frantic

#nrea$on which i$ the chief characteri$tic of the in$tinct-drien mother .I might

hae %nown that 4od wo#ld #ni$h me for m" #nnat#ral cond#ct( I might hae

%nown--I might hae %nown(.

/hen $he reached the gate $he fairl" $ed # the little wal% and into the ho#$e,

where 7e$ta wa$ l"ing ale, '#iet, and wea%, !#t con$idera!l" !etter( )eeral

)wedi$h neigh!or$ and a middle-aged h"$ician were in attendance, all of whom

loo%ed at her c#rio#$l" a$ $he droed !e$ide the child&$ !ed and $o%e to her(

@ennie&$ mind had !een made #( )he had $inned, and $inned grieo#$l", again$t

her da#ghter, !#t now $he wo#ld ma%e amend$ $o far a$ o$$i!le( =e$ter wa$ er"

dear to her, !#t $he wo#ld no longer attemt to deceie him in an"thing, een if he

left her--$he felt an agoni:ed $ta!, a ain at the tho#ght--$he m#$t $till do the one

right thing( 7e$ta m#$t not !e an o#tca$t an" longer( Her mother m#$t gie her ahome( /here @ennie wa$, there m#$t 7e$ta !e(



)itting !" the !ed$ide in thi$ h#m!le )wedi$h cottage, @ennie reali:ed the

fr#itle$$ne$$ of her decetion, the tro#!le and ain it had created in her home, the

month$ of $#ering it had gien her with =e$ter, the agon" it had heaed #on her

thi$ night--and to what end The tr#th had !een di$coered an"how( )he $at there

and meditated, not %nowing what ne5t wa$ to haen, while 7e$ta '#ieted down,

and then went $o#ndl" to $lee(

=e$ter, after recoering from the >r$t hea" imort of thi$ di$coer", a$%ed him$elf

$ome erfectl" nat#ral '#e$tion$( ./ho wa$ the father of the child How old wa$ it

How did it chance to !e in Chicago, and who wa$ ta%ing care of it. He co#ld a$%,

!#t he co#ld not an$wer2 he %new a!$ol#tel" nothing(

C#rio#$l", now, a$ he tho#ght, hi$ >r$t meeting with @ennie at r$( 6race!ridge&$

came !ac% to him( /hat wa$ it a!o#t her then that had attracted him /hat made

him thin%, after a few ho#r$& o!$eration, that he co#ld $ed#ce her to do hi$ will

/hat wa$ it--moral loo$ene$$, or wea%ne$$, or what There m#$t hae !een art in

the $orr" aair, the racti$ed art of the cheat, and, in deceiing $#ch a con>ding

nat#re a$ hi$, $he had done een more than racti$e decetion--$he had !een

#ngratef#l(

9ow the '#alit" of ingratit#de wa$ a er" o!;ectiona!le thing to =e$ter--the la$t and

mo$t oen$ie trait of a de!a$ed nat#re, and to !e a!le to di$coer a trace of it in

@ennie wa$ er" di$t#r!ing( It i$ tr#e that $he had not e5hi!ited it in an" other wa"

!efore--'#ite to the contrar"--!#t neerthele$$ he $aw $trong eidence$ of it now,

and it made him er" !itter in hi$ feeling toward her( How co#ld $he !e g#ilt" of an"

$#ch cond#ct toward him Had he not ic%ed her # o#t of nothing, $o to $ea%, and

!efriended her

He moed from hi$ chair in thi$ $ilent room and !egan to ace $lowl" to and fro, the

weightine$$ of thi$ $#!;ect e5erci$ing to the f#ll hi$ ower of deci$ion( )he wa$

g#ilt" of a mi$deed which he felt a!le to condemn( The original concealment wa$

eil2 the contin#ed decetion more( =a$tl", there wa$ the tho#ght that her loe after

all had !een diided, art for him, art for the child, a di$coer" which no man in hi$

o$ition co#ld contemlate with $erenit"( He moed irrita!l" a$ he tho#ght of it,

$hoed hi$ hand$ in hi$ oc%et$ and wal%ed to and fro acro$$ the *oor(

That a man of =e$ter&$ temerament $ho#ld con$ider him$elf wronged !" @ennie

merel" !eca#$e $he had concealed a child who$e e5i$tence wa$ d#e to cond#ct no

more irreg#lar than wa$ inoled later in the "ielding of her$elf to him wa$ an

e5amle of tho$e ine5lica!le erer$ion$ of ;#dgment to which the h#man mind, in

it$ caacit" of %eeer of the honor of other$, $eem$ ermanentl" committed( =e$ter,

a$ide from hi$ own er$onal cond#ct Gfor men $eldom ;#dge with that in the

!alance, had faith in the ideal that a woman $ho#ld reeal her$elf comletel" to

the one man with whom $he i$ in loe2 and the fact that $he had not done $o wa$ a

grief to him( He had a$%ed her once tentatiel" a!o#t her a$t( )he !egged him not

to re$$ her( That wa$ the time $he $ho#ld hae $o%en of an" child( 9ow--he $hoo%

hi$ head(

Hi$ >r$t im#l$e, after he had tho#ght the thing oer, wa$ to wal% o#t and leae her(At the $ame time he wa$ c#rio#$ to hear the end of thi$ !#$ine$$( He did #t on hi$

hat and coat, howeer, and went o#t, $toing at the >r$t conenient $aloon to get



a drin%( He too% a car and went down to the cl#!, $trolling a!o#t the dierent room$

and chatting with $eeral eole whom he enco#ntered( He wa$ re$tle$$ and

irritated2 and >nall", after three ho#r$ of meditation, he too% a ca! and ret#rned to

hi$ aartment(

The di$tra#ght @ennie, $itting !" her $leeing child, wa$ at la$t made to reali:e, !"

it$ eacef#l !reathing that all danger wa$ oer( There wa$ nothing more that $heco#ld do for 7e$ta, and now the claim$ of the home that $he had de$erted !egan to

rea$$ert them$ele$, the romi$e to =e$ter and the need of !eing lo"al to her d#tie$

#nto the er" end( =e$ter might o$$i!l" !e waiting for her( It wa$ ;#$t ro!a!le that

he wi$hed to hear the remainder of her $tor" !efore !rea%ing with her entirel"(

Altho#gh ang#i$hed and frightened !" the certaint", a$ $he deemed it, of hi$

for$a%ing her, $he neerthele$$ felt that it wa$ no more than $he de$ered--a ;#$t

#ni$hment for all her mi$doing$(

/hen @ennie arried at the *at it wa$ after eleen, and the hall light wa$ alread"

o#t( )he >r$t tried the door, and then in$erted her %e"( 9o one $tirred, howeer,

and, oening the door, $he entered in the e5ectation of $eeing =e$ter $ternl"

confronting her( He wa$ not there, howeer( The !#rning ga$ had merel" !een an

oer$ight on hi$ art( )he glanced '#ic%l" a!o#t, !#t $eeing onl" the emt" room,

$he came in$tantl" to the other concl#$ion, that he had for$a%en her--and $o $tood

there, a meditatie, helle$$ >g#re(

.4oneB. $he tho#ght(

At thi$ moment hi$ foot$te$ $o#nded on the $tair$( He came in with hi$ der!" hat

#lled low oer hi$ !road forehead, clo$e to hi$ $and" e"e!row$, and with hi$

oercoat !#ttoned # clo$el" a!o#t hi$ nec%( He too% o the coat witho#t loo%ing at @ennie and h#ng it on the rac%( Then he deli!eratel" too% o hi$ hat and h#ng that

# al$o( /hen he wa$ thro#gh he t#rned to where $he wa$ watching him with wide

e"e$(

.I want to %now a!o#t thi$ thing now from !eginning to end,. he !egan( ./ho$e

child i$ that.

@ennie waered a moment, a$ one who might !e going to ta%e a lea in the dar%,

then oened her li$ mechanicall" and confe$$ed

.It&$ )enator 6rander&$(.

.)enator 6randerB. echoed =e$ter, the familiar name of the dead !#t $till famo#$

$tate$man ringing with $hoc%ing and #ne5ected force in hi$ ear$( .How did "o#

come to %now him.

./e #$ed to do hi$ wa$hing for him,. $he re;oined $iml"--.m" mother and I(.

=e$ter a#$ed, the !aldne$$ of the $tatement$ i$$#ing from her $o!ering een hi$

rancoro#$ mood( .)enator 6rander&$ child,. he tho#ght to him$elf( )o that great

rere$entatie of the intere$t$ of the common eole wa$ the #ndoer of her--a $elf-

confe$$ed wa$herwoman&$ da#ghter( A >ne traged" of low life all thi$ wa$(.How long ago wa$ thi$. he demanded, hi$ face the ict#re of a dar%ling mood(



.It&$ !een nearl" $i5 "ear$ now,. $he ret#rned(

He calc#lated the time that had ela$ed $ince he had %nown her, and then

contin#ed

.How old i$ the child.

.)he&$ a little oer >e(.

=e$ter moed a little( The need for $erio#$ tho#ght made hi$ tone more eremtor"

!#t le$$ !itter(

./here hae "o# !een %eeing her all thi$ time.

.)he wa$ at home #ntil "o# went to Cincinnati la$t $ring( I went down and !ro#ght

her then(.

./a$ $he there the time$ I came to Cleeland.

.3e$,. $aid @ennie2 .!#t I didn&t let her come o#t an"where where "o# co#ld $ee her(.

.I tho#ght "o# $aid "o# told "o#r eole that "o# were married,. he e5claimed,

wondering how thi$ relation$hi of the child to the famil" co#ld hae !een ad;#$ted(

.I did,. $he relied, .!#t I didn&t want to tell "o# a!o#t her( The" tho#ght all the time

I intended to(.

./ell, wh" didn&t "o#.

.6eca#$e I wa$ afraid(.

.Afraid of what.

.I didn&t %now what wa$ going to !ecome of me when I went with "o#, =e$ter( I

didn&t want to do her an" harm if I co#ld hel it( I wa$ a$hamed, afterward2 when

"o# $aid "o# didn&t li%e children I wa$ afraid(.

.Afraid I&d leae "o#.

.3e$(.

He $toed, the $imlicit" of her an$wer$ remoing a art of the $#$icion of artf#l

d#licit" which had originall" weighed #on him( After all, there wa$ not $o m#ch of

that in it a$ mere wretchedne$$ of circ#m$tance and cowardice of moral$( /hat a

famil" $he m#$t haeB /hat '#eer non-moral nat#re$ the" m#$t hae to hae

!roo%ed an" $#ch a com!ination of aair$B

.<idn&t "o# %now that "o#&d !e fo#nd o#t in the long r#n. he at la$t demanded(

.)#rel" "o# might hae $een that "o# co#ldn&t rai$e her that wa"( /h" didn&t "o#

tell me in the >r$t lace I wo#ldn&t hae tho#ght an"thing of it then(.

.I %now,. $he $aid( .I wanted to rotect her(.

./here i$ $he now. he a$%ed(

@ennie e5lained(



)he $tood there, the contradictor" a$ect of the$e '#e$tion$ and of hi$ attit#de

#::ling een her$elf( )he did tr" to e5lain them after a time, !#t all =e$ter co#ld

gain wa$ that $he had !l#ndered along witho#t an" arti>ce at all--a condition that

wa$ $o manife$t that, had he !een in an" other o$ition than that he wa$, he might

hae itied her( A$ it wa$, the reelation concerning 6rander wa$ hanging oer him,

and he >nall" ret#rned to that(

.3o# $a" "o#r mother #$ed to do wa$hing for him( How did "o# come to get in with

him.

@ennie, who #ntil now had !orne hi$ '#e$tion$ with #nmoing ain, winced at thi$(

He wa$ now encroaching #on the eriod that wa$ !" far the mo$t di$tre$$ing

memor" of her life( /hat he had ;#$t a$%ed $eemed to !e a demand #on her to

ma%e eer"thing clear(

.I wa$ $o "o#ng, =e$ter,. $he leaded( .I wa$ onl" eighteen( I didn&t %now( I #$ed to

go to the hotel where he wa$ $toing and get hi$ la#ndr", and at the end of the

wee% I&d ta%e it to him again(.

)he a#$ed, and a$ he too% a chair, loo%ing a$ if he e5ected to hear the whole

$tor", $he contin#ed ./e were $o oor( He #$ed to gie me mone" to gie to m"

mother( I didn&t %now(.

)he a#$ed again, totall" #na!le to go on, and he, $eeing that it wo#ld !e

imo$$i!le for her to e5lain witho#t romting, too% # hi$ '#e$tioning again--

eliciting !" degree$ the whole itif#l $tor"( 6rander had intended to marr" her( He

had written to her, !#t !efore he co#ld come to her he died(

The confe$$ion wa$ comlete( It wa$ followed !" a eriod of >e min#te$, in which=e$ter $aid nothing at all2 he #t hi$ arm on the mantel and $tared at the wall, while

@ennie waited, not %nowing what wo#ld follow--not wi$hing to ma%e a $ingle lea(

The cloc% tic%ed a#di!l"( =e$ter&$ face !etra"ed no $ign of either tho#ght or feeling(

He wa$ now '#ite calm, '#ite $o!er, wondering what he $ho#ld do( @ennie wa$

!efore him a$ the criminal at the !ar( He, the righteo#$, the moral, the #re of

heart, wa$ in the ;#dgment $eat( 9ow to $entence her--to ma%e # hi$ mind what

co#r$e of action he $ho#ld #r$#e(

It wa$ a di$agreea!le tangle, to !e $#re, $omething that a man of hi$ o$ition and

wealth reall" o#ght not to hae an"thing to do with( Thi$ child, the act#alit" of it,#t an almo$t #n!eara!le face #on the whole matter--and "et he wa$ not '#ite

reared to $ea%( He t#rned after a time, the $iler" tin%le of the rench cloc% on

the mantel $tri%ing three and ca#$ing him to !ecome aware of @ennie, ale,

#ncertain, $till $tanding a$ $he had $tood all thi$ while(

.6etter go to !ed,. he $aid at la$t, and fell again to ondering thi$ di+c#lt ro!lem(

6#t @ennie contin#ed to $tand there wide-e"ed, e5ectant, read" to hear at an"

moment hi$ deci$ion a$ to her fate( )he waited in ain, howeer( After a long time of

m#$ing he t#rned and went to the clothe$-rac% near the door(

.6etter go to !ed,. he $aid, indierentl"( .I&m going o#t(.



)he t#rned in$tinctiel", feeling that een in thi$ cri$i$ there wa$ $ome little $erice

that $he might render, !#t he did not $ee her( He went o#t, o#ch$a>ng no f#rther

$eech(

)he loo%ed after him, and a$ hi$ foot$te$ $o#nded on the $tair $he felt a$ if $he

were doomed and hearing her own death-%nell( /hat had $he done /hat wo#ld he

do now )he $tood there a di$$onance of de$air, and when the lower door clic%edmoed her hand o#t of the agon" of her $#re$$ed hoele$$ne$$(

.4oneB. $he tho#ght( .4oneB.

In the light of a late dawn $he wa$ $till $itting there ondering, her $tate far too

#rgent for idle tear$( _

CHAPTER

The $#llen, hilo$ohic =e$ter wa$ not $o determined #on hi$ f#t#re co#r$e of

action a$ he aeared to !e( )tern a$ wa$ hi$ mood, he did not $ee, after all, e5actl"

what gro#nd$ he had for comlaint( And "et the child&$ e5i$tence comlicated

matter$ con$idera!l"( He did not li%e to $ee the eidence of @ennie&$ reio#$

mi$deed$ wal%ing a!o#t in the $hae of a h#man !eing2 !#t, a$ a matter of fact, he

admitted to him$elf that long ago he might hae forced @ennie&$ $tor" o#t of her if

he had gone a!o#t it in earne$t( )he wo#ld not hae lied, he %new that( At the er"

o#t$et he might hae demanded the hi$tor" of her a$t( He had not done $o2 well,

now it wa$ too late( The one thing it did >5 in hi$ mind wa$ that it wo#ld !e #$ele$$

to eer thin% of marr"ing her( It co#ldn&t !e done, not !" a man in hi$ o$ition( The

!e$t $ol#tion of the ro!lem wa$ to ma%e rea$ona!le roi$ion for @ennie and then

leae her( He went to hi$ hotel with hi$ mind made #, !#t he did not act#all" $a" to

him$elf that he wo#ld do it at once(

It i$ an ea$" thing for a man to theori:e in a $it#ation of thi$ %ind, '#ite another to

act( O#r comfort$, aetite$ and a$$ion$ grow with #$age, and @ennie wa$ not onl"

a comfort, !#t an aetite, with him( Almo$t fo#r "ear$ of con$tant a$$ociation had

ta#ght him $o m#ch a!o#t her and him$elf that he wa$ not reared to let go ea$il"

or '#ic%l"( It wa$ too m#ch of a wrench( He co#ld thin% of it !#$tling a!o#t the wor%

of a great organi:ation d#ring the da"time, !#t when night came it wa$ a dierent

matter( He co#ld !e lonel", too, he di$coered m#ch to hi$ $#rri$e, and it di$t#r!ed

him(

One of the thing$ that intere$ted him in thi$ $it#ation wa$ @ennie&$ earl" theor" that

the intermingling of 7e$ta with him and her in thi$ new relation$hi wo#ld in;#re the

child( @#$t how did $he come !" that feeling, he wanted to %now Hi$ lace in the

world wa$ !etter than her$, "et it dawned on him after a time that there might hae

!een $omething in her oint of iew( )he did not %now who he wa$ or what he wo#ld

do with her( He might leae her $hortl"( 6eing #ncertain, $he wi$hed to rotect her

!a!"( That wa$n&t $o !ad( Then again, he wa$ c#rio#$ to %now what the child wa$

li%e( The da#ghter of a man li%e )enator 6rander might !e $omewhat of an infant(

He wa$ a !rilliant man and @ennie wa$ a charming woman( He tho#ght of thi$, and,

while it irritated him, it aro#$ed hi$ c#rio$it"( He o#ght to go !ac% and $ee the child--

he wa$ reall" entitled to a iew of it--!#t he he$itated !eca#$e of hi$ own attit#de in



the !eginning( It $eemed to him that he reall" o#ght to '#it, and here he wa$

arle"ing with him$elf(

The tr#th wa$ that he co#ldn&t( The$e "ear$ of liing with @ennie had made him

c#rio#$l" deendent #on her( /ho had eer !een $o clo$e to him !efore Hi$

mother loed him, !#t her attit#de toward him had not $o m#ch to do with real loe

a$ with am!ition( Hi$ father--well, hi$ father wa$ a man, li%e him$elf( All of hi$ $i$ter$were di$tinctl" wraed # in their own aair$2 Ro!ert and he were

temeramentall" #ncongenial( /ith @ennie he had reall" !een ha", he had tr#l"

lied( )he wa$ nece$$ar" to him2 the longer he $ta"ed awa" from her the more he

wanted her( He >nall" decided to hae a $traight-o#t tal% with her, to arrie at $ome

$ort of #nder$tanding( )he o#ght to get the child and ta%e care of it( )he m#$t

#nder$tand that he might eent#all" want to '#it( )he o#ght to !e made to feel that

a de>nite change had ta%en lace, tho#gh no immediate !rea% might occ#r( That

$ame eening he went o#t to the aartment( @ennie heard him enter, and her heart

!egan to *#tter( Then $he too% her co#rage in !oth hand$, and went to meet him(

.There&$ ;#$t one thing to !e done a!o#t thi$ a$ far a$ I can $ee,. !egan =e$ter, with

characteri$tic directne$$(

.4et the child and !ring her here where "o# can ta%e care of her( There&$ no #$e

leaing her in the hand$ of $tranger$(.

.I will, =e$ter,. $aid @ennie $#!mi$$iel"( .I alwa"$ wanted to(.

.7er" well, then, "o#&d !etter do it at once(. He too% an eening new$aer o#t of

hi$ oc%et and $trolled toward one of the front window$2 then he t#rned to her( .3o#

and I might a$ well #nder$tand each other, @ennie,. he went on( .I can $ee how thi$

thing came a!o#t( It wa$ a iece of fooli$hne$$ on m" art not to hae a$%ed "o#

!efore, and made "o# tell me( It wa$ $ill" for "o# to conceal it, een if "o# didn&t

want the child&$ life mi5ed with mine( 3o# might hae %nown that it co#ldn&t !e

done( That&$ neither here nor there, tho#gh, now( The thing that I want to oint o#t

i$ that one can&t lie and hold a relation$hi $#ch a$ o#r$ witho#t con>dence( 3o#

and I had that, I tho#ght( I don&t $ee m" wa" clear to eer hold more than a

tentatie relation$hi with "o# on thi$ !a$i$( The thing i$ too tangled( There&$ too

m#ch ca#$e for $candal(.

.I %now,. $aid @ennie(

.9ow, I don&t roo$e to do an"thing ha$t"( or m" art I don&t $ee wh" thing$ can&t

go on a!o#t a$ the" are--certainl" for the re$ent--!#t I want "o# to loo% the fact$ in

the face(.

@ennie $ighed( .I %now, =e$ter,. $he $aid, .I %now(.

He went to the window and $tared o#t( There were $ome tree$ in the "ard, where

the dar%ne$$ wa$ $ettling( He wondered how thi$ wo#ld reall" come o#t, for he li%ed

a home atmo$here( )ho#ld he leae the aartment and go to hi$ cl#!

.3o#&d !etter get the dinner,. he $#gge$ted, after a time, t#rning toward herirrita!l"2 !#t he did not feel $o di$tant a$ he loo%ed( It wa$ a $hame that life co#ld

not !e more decentl" organi:ed( He $trolled !ac% to hi$ lo#nge, and @ennie went



a!o#t her d#tie$( )he wa$ thin%ing of 7e$ta, of her #ngratef#l attit#de toward

=e$ter, of hi$ >nal deci$ion neer to marr" her( )o that wa$ how one dream had

!een wrec%ed !" foll"(

)he $read the ta!le, lighted the rett" $iler candle$, made hi$ faorite !i$c#it, #t

a $mall leg of lam! in the oen to roa$t, and wa$hed $ome lett#ce-leae$ for a

$alad( )he had !een a diligent $t#dent of a coo%-!oo% for $ome time, and $he hadlearned a good deal from her mother( All the time $he wa$ wondering how the

$it#ation wo#ld wor% o#t( He wo#ld leae her eent#all"--no do#!t of that( He wo#ld

go awa" and marr" $ome one el$e(

.Oh, well,. $he tho#ght >nall", .he i$ not going to leae me right awa"--that i$

$omething( And I can !ring 7e$ta here(. )he $ighed a$ $he carried the thing$ to the

ta!le( If life wo#ld onl" gie her =e$ter and 7e$ta together--!#t that hoe wa$ oer(

_

CHAPTER I

There wa$ eace and '#iet for $ome time after thi$ $torm( @ennie went the ne5t da"

and !ro#ght 7e$ta awa" with her( The ;o" of the re#nion !etween mother and child

made # for man" other worrie$( .9ow I can do !" her a$ I o#ght,. $he tho#ght2 and

three or fo#r time$ d#ring the da" $he fo#nd her$elf h#mming a little $ong(

=e$ter came onl" occa$ionall" at >r$t( He wa$ tr"ing to ma%e him$elf !eliee that he

o#ght to do $omething toward reforming hi$ life--toward !ringing a!o#t that

eent#al $earation which he had $#gge$ted( He did not li%e the idea of a child

!eing in thi$ aartment--artic#larl" that artic#lar child( He fo#ght hi$ wa" thro#gh

a eriod of calc#lated neglect, and then !egan to ret#rn to the aartment more

reg#larl"( In $ite of all it$ draw!ac%$, it wa$ a lace of '#iet, eace, and er"

nota!le er$onal comfort(

<#ring the >r$t da"$ of =e$ter&$ ret#rn it wa$ di+c#lt for @ennie to ad;#$t matter$ $o

a$ to %ee the la"f#l, nero#$, almo$t #ncontrolla!le child from anno"ing the $taid,

emhatic, commercial-minded man( @ennie gae 7e$ta a $eere tal%ing to the >r$t

night =e$ter telehoned that he wa$ coming, telling her that he wa$ a er" !ad-

temered man who didn&t li%e children, and that $he m#$tn&t go near him( .3o#

m#$tn&t tal%,. $he $aid( .3o# m#$tn&t a$% '#e$tion$( =et mamma a$% "o# what "o#

want( And don&t reach, eer(.

7e$ta agreed $olemnl", !#t her childi$h mind hardl" gra$ed the f#ll $igni>cance of

the warning(

=e$ter came at $een( @ennie, who had ta%en great ain$ to arra" 7e$ta a$

attractiel" a$ o$$i!le, had gone into her !edroom to gie her own toilet a la$t

to#ch( 7e$ta wa$ $#o$edl" in the %itchen( A$ a matter of fact, $he had followed

her mother to the door of the $itting-room, where now $he co#ld !e lainl" $een(

=e$ter h#ng # hi$ hat and coat, then, t#rning, he ca#ght hi$ >r$t glim$e( The child

loo%ed er" $weet--he admitted that at a glance( )he wa$ arra"ed in a !l#e-dotted,

white *annel dre$$, with a $oft roll collar and c#$, and the co$t#me wa$ comleted

!" white $toc%ing$ and $hoe$( Her corn-colored ringlet$ h#ng gail" a!o#t her face(6l#e e"e$, ro$" li$, ro$" chee%$ comleted the ict#re( =e$ter $tared, almo$t

inclined to $a" $omething, !#t re$trained him$elf( 7e$ta $h"l" retreated(



/hen @ennie came o#t he commented on the fact that 7e$ta had arried( .Rather

$weet-loo%ing child,. he $aid( .<o "o# hae m#ch tro#!le in ma%ing her mind.

.9ot m#ch,. $he ret#rned(

@ennie went on to the dining-room, and =e$ter oerheard a $cra of their

coner$ation(

./ho are he. a$%ed 7e$ta(

.)hB That&$ "o#r ?ncle =e$ter( <idn&t I tell "o# "o# m#$tn&t tal%.

.Are he "o#r #ncle.

.9o, dear( <on&t tal% now( R#n into the %itchen(.

.Are he onl" m" #ncle.

.3e$( 9ow r#n along(.

.All right(.

In $ite of him$elf =e$ter had to $mile(

/hat might hae followed if the child had !een homel", mi$$haen, eei$h, or all

three, can $carcel" !e con;ect#red( Had @ennie !een le$$ tactf#l, een in the

!eginning, he might hae o!tained a di$agreea!le imre$$ion( A$ it wa$, the nat#ral

!ea#t" of the child, com!ined with the mother&$ gentle dilomac" in %eeing her in

the !ac%gro#nd, $ered to gie him that *eeting glim$e of innocence and "o#th

which i$ alwa"$ lea$ant( The tho#ght $tr#c% him that @ennie had !een the mother

of a child all the$e "ear$2 $he had !een $earated from it for month$ at a time2 $he

had neer een hinted at it$ e5i$tence, and "et her aection for 7e$ta wa$ o!io#$l"

great( .It&$ '#eer,. he $aid( .)he&$ a ec#liar woman(.

One morning =e$ter wa$ $itting in the arlor reading hi$ aer when he tho#ght he

heard $omething $tir( He t#rned, and wa$ $#rri$ed to $ee a large !l#e e"e >5ed

#on him thro#gh the crac% of a neigh!oring door--the eect wa$ mo$t

di$concerting( It wa$ not li%e the ordinar" e"e, which, #nder $#ch em!arra$$ing

circ#m$tance$, wo#ld hae !een immediatel" withdrawn2 it %et it$ o$ition with

deli!erate !oldne$$( He t#rned hi$ aer $olemnl" and loo%ed again( There wa$ the

e"e( He t#rned it again( )till wa$ the e"e re$ent( He cro$$ed hi$ leg$ and loo%edagain( 9ow the e"e wa$ gone(

Thi$ little ei$ode, #nimortant in it$elf, wa$ "et informed with the $aing grace of

comed", a thing to which =e$ter wa$ e$eciall" re$on$ie( Altho#gh not in the lea$t

inclined to rela5 hi$ attit#de of aloofne$$, he fo#nd hi$ mind, in the min#te$t degree,

tic%led !" the m"$terio#$ aearance2 the corner$ of hi$ mo#th were animated !" a

de$ire to t#rn #( He did not gie wa" to the feeling, and $t#c% !" hi$ aer, !#t the

incident remained er" clearl" in hi$ mind( The "o#ng wa"farer had made her >r$t

reall" imortant imre$$ion #on him(

9ot long after thi$ =e$ter wa$ $itting one morning at !rea%fa$t, calml" eating hi$

cho and conning hi$ new$aer, when he wa$ aro#$ed !" another i$itation--thi$

time not '#ite $o $imle( @ennie had gien 7e$ta her !rea%fa$t, and $et her to



am#$e her$elf alone #ntil =e$ter $ho#ld leae the ho#$e( @ennie wa$ $eated at the

ta!le, o#ring o#t the coee, when 7e$ta $#ddenl" aeared, er" !#$ine$$-li%e in

manner, and marched thro#gh the room( =e$ter loo%ed #, and @ennie colored and

aro$e(

./hat i$ it, 7e$ta. $he in'#ired, following her(

6" thi$ time, howeer, 7e$ta had reached the %itchen, $ec#red a little !room, and

ret#rned, a droll determination lighting her face(

.I want m" little !room,. $he e5claimed and marched $edatel" a$t, at which

manife$tation of $irit =e$ter again twitched internall", thi$ time allowing the

$lighte$t $#gge$tion of a $mile to la" acro$$ hi$ mo#th(

The >nal eect of thi$ interco#r$e wa$ grad#all" to !rea% down the feeling of

di$ta$te =e$ter had for the child, and to e$ta!li$h in it$ lace a $ort of tolerant

recognition of her o$$i!ilitie$ a$ a h#man !eing(

The deeloment$ of the ne5t $i5 month$ were of a %ind to f#rther rela5 the $train

of oo$ition which $till e5i$ted in =e$ter&$ mind( Altho#gh not at all re$igned to the

$omewhat tainted atmo$here in which he wa$ liing, he "et fo#nd him$elf $o

comforta!le that he co#ld not er$#ade him$elf to gie it #( It wa$ too m#ch li%e a

!ed of down( @ennie wa$ too wor$hif#l( The condition of #n'#e$tioned li!ert", $o far

a$ all hi$ old $ocial relation$hi$ were concerned, co#led with the riilege of

'#iet, $imlicit", and aection in the home wa$ too initing( He lingered on, and

!egan to feel that erha$ it wo#ld !e ;#$t a$ well to let matter$ re$t a$ the" were(

<#ring thi$ eriod hi$ friendl" relation$ with the little 7e$ta in$en$i!l" $trengthened(

He di$coered that there wa$ a real *aor of h#mor a!o#t 7e$ta&$ doing$, and $ocame to watch for it$ deeloment( )he wa$ foreer doing $omething intere$ting,

and altho#gh @ennie watched oer her with a care that wa$ in it$elf a reelation to

him, neerthele$$ 7e$ta managed to el#de eer" eort to $#re$$ her and came

$traight home with her remar%$( Once, for e5amle, $he wa$ $awing awa" at a $mall

iece of meat #on her large late with her !ig %nife, when =e$ter remar%ed to

@ennie that it might !e adi$a!le to get her a little !rea%fa$t $et(

.)he can hardl" handle the$e %nie$(.

.3e$,. $aid 7e$ta in$tantl"( .I need a little %nife( " hand i$ ;#$t $o er" little(.

)he held it #( @ennie, who neer co#ld tell what wa$ to follow, reached oer and #t

it down, while =e$ter with di+c#lt" re$trained a de$ire to la#gh(

Another morning, not long after, $he wa$ watching @ennie #t the l#m$ of $#gar in

=e$ter&$ c#, when $he !ro%e in with, .I want two l#m$ in mine, mamma(.

.9o, deare$t,. relied @ennie, ."o# don&t need an" in "o#r$( 3o# hae mil% to drin%(.

.?ncle =e$ter ha$ two,. $he rote$ted(

.3e$,. ret#rned @ennie2 .!#t "o#&re onl" a little girl( 6e$ide$ "o# m#$tn&t $a" an"thingli%e that at the ta!le( It i$n&t nice(.



.?ncle =e$ter eat$ too m#ch $#gar,. wa$ her immediate re;oinder, at which that >ne

go#rmet $miled !roadl"(

.I don&t %now a!o#t that,. he #t in, for the >r$t time deigning to an$wer her

directl"( .That $o#nd$ li%e the fo5 and grae$ to me(. 7e$ta $miled !ac% at him, and

now that the ice wa$ !ro%en $he chattered on #nre$trainedl"( One thing led to

another, and at la$t =e$ter felt a$ tho#gh, in a wa", the little girl !elonged to him2he wa$ willing een that $he $ho#ld $hare in $#ch oort#nitie$ a$ hi$ o$ition and

wealth might ma%e o$$i!le--roided, of co#r$e, that he $ta"ed with @ennie, and

that the" wor%ed o#t $ome arrangement which wo#ld not #t him hoele$$l" o#t of

to#ch with the world which wa$ !ac% of him, and which he had to %ee con$tantl" in

mind( _

CHAPTER II

The following $ring the $how-room$ and wareho#$e were comleted, and =e$ter

remoed hi$ o+ce to the new !#ilding( Heretofore, he had !een tran$acting all hi$

!#$ine$$ aair$ at the 4rand Paci>c and the cl#!( rom now on he felt him$elf to !e>rml" e$ta!li$hed in Chicago--a$ if that wa$ to !e hi$ f#t#re home( A large n#m!er

of detail$ were thrown #on him--the control of a con$idera!le o+ce force, and the

handling of ario#$ imortant tran$action$( It too% awa" from him the need of

traeling, that d#t" going to Am"&$ h#$!and, #nder the direction of Ro!ert( The

latter wa$ doing hi$ !e$t to #$h hi$ er$onal intere$t$, not onl" thro#gh the

in*#ence he wa$ !ringing to !ear #on hi$ $i$ter$, !#t thro#gh hi$ reorgani:ation of

the factor"( )eeral men whom =e$ter wa$ er$onall" fond of were in danger of

elimination( 6#t =e$ter did not hear of thi$, and ane $enior wa$ inclined to gie

Ro!ert a free hand( Age wa$ telling on him( He wa$ glad to $ee $ome one with a

$trong olic" come # and ta%e charge( =e$ter did not $eem to mind( Aarentl" heand Ro!ert were on !etter term$ than eer !efore(

atter$ might hae gone on $moothl" eno#gh were it not for the fact that =e$ter&$

riate life with @ennie wa$ not a matter which co#ld !e ermanentl" %et #nder

coer( At time$ he wa$ $een driing with her !" eole who %new him in a $ocial

and commercial wa"( He wa$ for !ra:ening it o#t on the gro#nd that he wa$ a $ingle

man, and at li!ert" to a$$ociate with an"!od" he lea$ed( @ennie might !e an"

"o#ng woman of good famil" in whom he wa$ intere$ted( He did not roo$e to

introd#ce her to an"!od" if he co#ld hel it, and he alwa"$ made it a oint to !e a

fa$t traeler in driing, in order that other$ might not attemt to detain and tal% tohim( At the theater, a$ ha$ !een $aid, $he wa$ $iml" .i$$ 4erhardt(.

The tro#!le wa$ that man" of hi$ friend$ were al$o %een o!$erer$ of life( The" had

no '#arrel to ic% with =e$ter&$ cond#ct( Onl" he had !een $een in other citie$, in

time$ a$t, with thi$ $ame woman( )he m#$t !e $ome one whom he wa$

maintaining irreg#larl"( /ell, what of it /ealth and "o#thf#l $irit$ m#$t hae their

*ing( R#mor$ came to Ro!ert, who, howeer, %et hi$ own co#n$el( If =e$ter wanted

to do thi$ $ort of thing, well and good( 6#t there m#$t come a time when there

wo#ld !e a $how-down(

Thi$ came a!o#t in one form a!o#t a "ear and a half after =e$ter and @ennie had!een liing in the north $ide aartment( It $o haened that, d#ring a $tretch of

inclement weather in the fall, =e$ter wa$ $ei:ed with a mild form of gri( /hen he



felt the >r$t $"mtom$ he tho#ght that hi$ indi$o$ition wo#ld !e a matter of $hort

d#ration, and tried to oercome it !" ta%ing a hot !ath and a li!eral do$e of '#inine(

6#t the infection wa$ $tronger than he co#nted on2 !" morning he wa$ *at on hi$

!ac%, with a $eere feer and a $litting headache(

Hi$ long eriod of a$$ociation with @ennie had made him inca#tio#$( Polic" wo#ld

hae dictated that he $ho#ld !eta%e him$elf to hi$ hotel and end#re hi$ $ic%ne$$alone( A$ a matter of fact, he wa$ er" glad to !e in the ho#$e with her( He had to

call # the o+ce to $a" that he wa$ indi$o$ed and wo#ld not !e down for a da" or

$o2 then he "ielded him$elf comforta!l" to her atient mini$tration$(

@ennie, of co#r$e, wa$ delighted to hae =e$ter with her, $ic% or well( )he er$#aded

him to $ee a doctor and hae him re$cri!e( )he !ro#ght him otion$ of hot

lemonade, and !athed hi$ face and hand$ in cold water oer and oer( =ater, when

he wa$ recoering, $he made him aeti:ing c#$ of !eef-tea or gr#el(

It wa$ d#ring thi$ illne$$ that the >r$t real contretem$ occ#rred( =e$ter&$ $i$ter

=o#i$e, who had !een i$iting friend$ in )t( Pa#l, and who had written him that $hemight $to o to $ee him on her wa", decided #on an earlier ret#rn than $he had

originall" lanned( /hile =e$ter wa$ $ic% at hi$ aartment $he arried in Chicago(

Calling # the o+ce, and >nding that he wa$ not there and wo#ld not !e down for

$eeral da"$, $he a$%ed where he co#ld !e reached(

.I thin% he i$ at hi$ room$ in the 4rand Paci>c,. $aid an inca#tio#$ $ecretar"( .He&$

not feeling well(. =o#i$e, a little di$t#r!ed, telehoned to the 4rand Paci>c, and wa$

told that r( ane had not !een there for $eeral da"$--did not, a$ a matter of fact,

occ#" hi$ room$ more than one or two da"$ a wee%( Pi'#ed !" thi$, $he

telehoned hi$ cl#!(

It $o haened that at the cl#! there wa$ a telehone !o" who had called # the

aartment a n#m!er of time$ for =e$ter him$elf( He had not !een ca#tioned not to

gie it$ n#m!er--a$ a matter of fact, it had neer !een a$%ed for !" an" one el$e(

/hen =o#i$e $tated that $he wa$ =e$ter&$ $i$ter, and wa$ an5io#$ to >nd him, the

!o" relied, .I thin% he lie$ at 1K )chiller Place(.

./ho$e addre$$ i$ that "o#&re giing. in'#ired a a$$ing cler%(

.r( ane&$(.

./ell, don&t !e giing o#t addre$$e$( <on&t "o# %now that "et.

The !o" aologi:ed, !#t =o#i$e had h#ng # the receier and wa$ gone(

A!o#t an ho#r later, c#rio#$ a$ to thi$ third re$idence of her !rother, =o#i$e arried

at )chiller Place( A$cending the $te$--it wa$ a two-aartment ho#$e--$he $aw the

name of ane on the door leading to the $econd *oor( Ringing the !ell, $he wa$

oened to !" @ennie, who wa$ $#rri$ed to $ee $o fa$hiona!l" attired a "o#ng

woman(

.Thi$ i$ r( ane&$ aartment, I !eliee,. !egan =o#i$e, conde$cendingl", a$ $he

loo%ed in at the oen door !ehind @ennie( )he wa$ a little $#rri$ed to meet a "o#ngwoman, !#t her $#$icion$ were a$ "et onl" ag#el" aro#$ed(



.3e$,. relied @ennie(

.He&$ $ic%, I !eliee( I&m hi$ $i$ter( a" I come in.

@ennie, had $he had time to collect her tho#ght$, wo#ld hae tried to ma%e $ome

e5c#$e, !#t =o#i$e, with the a#dacit" of her !irth and $tation, $wet a$t !efore

@ennie co#ld $a" a word( Once in$ide =o#i$e loo%ed a!o#t her in'#iringl"( )he fo#nd

her$elf in the $itting-room, which gae into the !edroom where =e$ter wa$ l"ing(

7e$ta haened to !e la"ing in one corner of the room, and $tood # to e"e the

new-comer( The oen !edroom $howed =e$ter '#ite lainl" l"ing in !ed, a window to

the left of him, hi$ e"e$ clo$ed(

.Oh, there "o# are, old fellowB. e5claimed =o#i$e( ./hat&$ ailing "o#. $he h#rried

on(

=e$ter, who at the $o#nd of her oice had oened hi$ e"e$, reali:ed in an in$tant

how thing$ were( He #lled him$elf # on one el!ow, !#t word$ failed him(

./h", hello, =o#i$e,. he >nall" forced him$elf to $a"( ./here did "o# come from.

.)t( Pa#l( I came !ac% $ooner than I tho#ght,. $he an$wered lamel", a $en$e of

$omething wrong irritating her( .I had a hard time >nding "o#, too( /ho&$ "o#r--. $he

wa$ a!o#t to $a" .rett" ho#$e%eeer,. !#t t#rned to >nd @ennie da:edl" gathering

# certain article$ in the ad;oining room and loo%ing dreadf#ll" di$tra#ght(

=e$ter cleared hi$ throat hoele$$l"(

Hi$ $i$ter $wet the lace with an o!$ering e"e( It too% in the home atmo$here,

which wa$ !oth lea$ing and $#gge$tie( There wa$ a dre$$ of @ennie&$ l"ing acro$$

a chair, in a familiar wa", which ca#$ed i$$ ane to draw her$elf # waril"( )he

loo%ed at her !rother, who had a rather c#rio#$ e5re$$ion in hi$ e"e$--he $eemed

$lightl" nonl#$$ed, !#t cool and de>ant(

.3o# $ho#ldn&t hae come o#t here,. $aid =e$ter >nall", !efore =o#i$e co#ld gie

ent to the ri$ing '#e$tion in her mind(

./h" $ho#ldn&t I. $he e5claimed, angered at the !ra:en confe$$ion( .3o#&re m"

!rother, aren&t "o# /h" $ho#ld "o# hae an" lace that I co#ldn&t come( /ell, I li%e

that--and from "o# to me(.

.=i$ten, =o#i$e,. went on =e$ter, drawing him$elf # f#rther on one el!ow( .3o# %now

a$ m#ch a!o#t life a$ I do( There i$ no need of o#r getting into an arg#ment( I didn&t

%now "o# were coming, or I wo#ld hae made other arrangement$(.

.Other arrangement$, indeed,. $he $neered( .I $ho#ld thin% a$ m#ch( The ideaB.

)he wa$ greatl" irritated to thin% that $he had fallen into thi$ tra2 it wa$ reall"

di$gracef#l of =e$ter(

.I wo#ldn&t !e $o ha#ght" a!o#t it,. he declared, hi$ color ri$ing( .I&m not

aologi:ing to "o# for m" cond#ct( I&m $a"ing I wo#ld hae made other

arrangement$, which i$ a er" dierent thing from !egging "o#r ardon( If "o# don&t

want to !e ciil, "o# needn&t(.



./h", =e$ter aneB. $he e5claimed, her chee%$ *aming( .I tho#ght !etter of "o#,

hone$tl" I did( I $ho#ld thin% "o# wo#ld !e a$hamed of "o#r$elf liing here in

oen--. $he a#$ed witho#t #$ing the word--.and o#r friend$ $cattered all oer the

cit"( It&$ terri!leB I tho#ght "o# had more $en$e of decenc" and con$ideration(.

.<ecenc" nothing,. he *ared( .I tell "o# I&m not aologi:ing to "o#( If "o# don&t li%e

thi$ "o# %now what "o# can do(.

.OhB. $he e5claimed( .Thi$ from m" own !rotherB And for the $a%e of that creat#reB

/ho$e child i$ that. $he demanded, $aagel" and "et c#rio#$l"(

.9eer mind, it&$ not mine( If it were it wo#ldn&t ma%e an" dierence( I wi$h "o#

wo#ldn&t !#$" "o#r$elf a!o#t m" aair$(.

@ennie, who had !een moing a!o#t the dining-room !e"ond the $itting-room, heard

the c#tting reference$ to her$elf( )he winced with ain(

.<on&t *atter "o#r$elf( I won&t an" more,. retorted =o#i$e( .I $ho#ld thin%, tho#gh,

that "o#, of all men, wo#ld !e a!oe an"thing li%e thi$--and that with a woman $o

o!io#$l" !eneath "o#( /h", I tho#ght $he wa$--. $he wa$ again going to add ."o#r

ho#$e%eeer,. !#t $he wa$ interr#ted !" =e$ter, who wa$ angr" to the oint of

!r#talit"(

.9eer mind what "o# tho#ght $he wa$,. he growled( .)he&$ !etter than $ome who

do the $o-called $#erior thin%ing( I %now what "o# thin%( It&$ neither here nor there,

I tell "o#( I&m doing thi$, and I don&t care what "o# thin%( I hae to ta%e the !lame(

<on&t !other a!o#t me(.

./ell, I won&t, I a$$#re "o#,. $he *#ng !ac%( .It&$ '#ite lain that "o#r famil" mean$nothing to "o#( 6#t if "o# had an" $en$e of decenc", =e$ter ane, "o# wo#ld neer

let "o#r $i$ter !e traed into coming into a lace li%e thi$( I&m di$g#$ted, that&$ all,

and $o will the other$ !e when the" hear of it(.

)he t#rned on her heel and wal%ed $cornf#ll" o#t, a withering loo% !eing re$ered

for @ennie, who had #nfort#natel" $teed near the door of the dining-room( 7e$ta

had di$aeared( @ennie came in a little while later and clo$ed the door( )he %new of

nothing to $a"( =e$ter, hi$ thic% hair #$hed !ac% from hi$ igoro#$ face, leaned

!ac% moodil" on hi$ illow( ./hat a deili$h tric% of fort#ne,. he tho#ght( 9ow $he

wo#ld go home and tell it to the famil"( Hi$ father wo#ld %now, and hi$ mother(

Ro!ert, Imogene, Am" all wo#ld hear( He wo#ld hae no e5lanation to ma%e--$he

had $een( He $tared at the wall meditatiel"(

eanwhile @ennie, moing a!o#t her d#tie$, al$o fo#nd food for re*ection( )o thi$

wa$ her real o$ition in another woman&$ e"e$( 9ow $he co#ld $ee what the world

tho#ght( Thi$ famil" wa$ a$ aloof from her a$ if it lied on another lanet( To hi$

$i$ter$ and !rother$, hi$ father and mother, $he wa$ a !ad woman, a creat#re far

!eneath him $ociall", far !eneath him mentall" and morall", a creat#re of the

$treet$( And $he had hoed $omehow to reha!ilitate her$elf in the e"e$ of the world(

It c#t her a$ nothing !efore had eer done( The tho#ght tore a great, gaing wo#nd

in her $en$i!ilitie$( )he wa$ reall" low and ile in her--=o#i$e&$--e"e$, in the world&$e"e$, !a$icall" $o in =e$ter&$ e"e$( How co#ld it !e otherwi$e )he went a!o#t n#m!

and $till, !#t the ache of defeat and di$grace wa$ #nder it all( Oh, if $he co#ld onl"



$ee $ome wa" to ma%e her$elf right with the world, to lie honora!l", to !e decent(

How co#ld that o$$i!l" !e !ro#ght a!o#t It o#ght to !e--$he %new that( 6#t how

_

CHAPTER III

O#traged in her famil" ride, =o#i$e lo$t no time in ret#rning to Cincinnati, where

$he told the $tor" of her di$coer", em!elli$hed with man" detail$( According to her,

$he wa$ met at the door !" a .$ill"-loo%ing, white-faced woman,. who did not een

oer to inite her in when $he anno#nced her name, !#t $tood there .loo%ing ;#$t a$

g#ilt" a$ a er$on o$$i!l" co#ld(. =e$ter al$o had acted $hamef#ll", haing

o#t!ra:ened the matter to her face( /hen $he had demanded to %now who$e the

child wa$ he had ref#$ed to tell her( .It i$n&t mine,. wa$ all he wo#ld $a"(

.Oh dear, oh dearB. e5claimed r$( ane, who wa$ the >r$t to hear the $tor"( ."

$on, m" =e$terB How co#ld he hae done itB.

.And $#ch a creat#reB. e5claimed =o#i$e emhaticall", a$ tho#gh the word$ neededto !e reiterated to gie them an" $hadow of realit"(

.I went there $olel" !eca#$e I tho#ght I co#ld hel him,. contin#ed =o#i$e( .I

tho#ght when the" $aid he wa$ indi$o$ed that he might !e $erio#$l" ill( How $ho#ld

I hae %nown.

.Poor =e$terB. e5claimed her mother( .To thin% he wo#ld come to an"thing li%e thatB.

r$( ane t#rned the di+c#lt ro!lem oer in her mind and, haing no reio#$

e5erience$ where!" to mea$#re it, telehoned for old Archi!ald, who came o#t

from the factor" and $at thro#gh the di$c#$$ion with a $olemn co#ntenance( )o=e$ter wa$ liing oenl" with a woman of whom the" had neer heard( He wo#ld

ro!a!l" !e a$ de>ant and indierent a$ hi$ nat#re wa$ $trong( The $tandoint of

arental a#thorit" wa$ imo$$i!le( =e$ter wa$ a centrali:ed a#thorit" in him$elf, and

if an" oert#re$ for a change of cond#ct were to !e made, the" wo#ld hae to !e

er" dilomaticall" e5ec#ted(

Archi!ald ane ret#rned to the man#factor" $ore and di$g#$ted, !#t determined

that $omething o#ght to !e done( He held a con$#ltation with Ro!ert, who

confe$$ed that he had heard di$t#r!ing r#mor$ from time to time, !#t had not

wanted to $a" an"thing( r$( ane $#gge$ted that Ro!ert might go to Chicago and

hae a tal% with =e$ter(

.He o#ght to $ee that thi$ thing, if contin#ed, i$ going to do him irreara!le

damage,. $aid r( ane( .He cannot hoe to carr" it o $#cce$$f#ll"( 9o!od" can( He

o#ght to marr" her or he o#ght to '#it( I want "o# to tell him that for me(.

.All well and good,. $aid Ro!ert, .!#t who&$ going to conince him I&m $#re I don&t

want the ;o!(.

.I hoe to,. $aid old Archi!ald, .eent#all"2 !#t "o#&d !etter go # and tr", an"how(

It can&t do an" harm( He might come to hi$ $en$e$(.

.I don&t !eliee it,. relied Ro!ert( .He&$ a $trong man( 3o# $ee how m#ch good tal%

doe$ down here( )till, I&ll go if it will reliee "o#r feeling$ an"( other want$ it(.



.3e$, "e$,. $aid hi$ father di$tractedl", .!etter go(.

Accordingl" Ro!ert went( /itho#t allowing him$elf to anticiate an" artic#lar

mea$#re of $#cce$$ in thi$ adent#re, he rode lea$antl" into Chicago con>dent in

the re*ection that he had all the ower$ of moralit" and ;#$tice on hi$ $ide(

?on Ro!ert&$ arrial, the third morning after =o#i$e&$ interiew, he called # the

wareroom$, !#t =e$ter wa$ not there( He then telehoned to the ho#$e, and

tactf#ll" made an aointment( =e$ter wa$ $till indi$o$ed, !#t he referred to come

down to the o+ce, and he did( He met Ro!ert in hi$ cheerf#l, nonchalant wa", and

together the" tal%ed !#$ine$$ for a time( Then followed a regnant $ilence(

./ell, I $#o$e "o# %now what !ro#ght me # here,. !egan Ro!ert tentatiel"(

.I thin% I co#ld ma%e a g#e$$ at it,. =e$ter relied(

.The" were all er" m#ch worried oer the fact that "o# were $ic%--mother

artic#larl"( 3o#&re not in an" danger of haing a rela$e, are "o#.

.I thin% not(.

.=o#i$e $aid there wa$ $ome $ort of a ec#liar menage $he ran into # here( 3o#&re

not married, are "o#.

.9o(.

.The "o#ng woman =o#i$e $aw i$ ;#$t--. Ro!ert waed hi$ hand e5re$$iel"(

=e$ter nodded(

.I don&t want to !e in'#i$itie, =e$ter( I didn&t come # for that( I&m $iml" here

!eca#$e the famil" felt that I o#ght to come( other wa$ $o er" m#ch di$tre$$ed

that I co#ldn&t do le$$ than $ee "o# for her $a%e.--he a#$ed, and =e$ter, to#ched !"

the fairne$$ and re$ect of hi$ attit#de, felt that mere co#rte$" at lea$t made $ome

e5lanation d#e(

.I don&t %now that an"thing I can $a" will hel matter$ m#ch,. he relied

tho#ghtf#ll"( .There&$ reall" nothing to !e $aid( I hae the woman and the famil" ha$

it$ o!;ection$( The chief di+c#lt" a!o#t the thing $eem$ to !e the !ad l#c% in !eing

fo#nd o#t(.

He $toed, and Ro!ert t#rned oer the $#!$tance of thi$ worldl" rea$oning in hi$

mind( =e$ter wa$ er" calm a!o#t it( He $eemed, a$ #$#al, to !e mo$t conincingl"

$ane(

.3o#&re not contemlating marr"ing her, are "o#. '#eried Ro!ert he$itatingl"(

.I hadn&t come to that,. an$wered =e$ter cooll"(

The" loo%ed at each other '#ietl" for a moment, and then Ro!ert t#rned hi$ glance

to the di$tant $cene of the cit"(

.It&$ #$ele$$ to a$% whether "o# are $erio#$l" in loe with her, I $#o$e,. ent#red

Ro!ert(



.I don&t %now whether I&d !e a!le to di$c#$$ that diine aDat#$ with "o# or not,.

ret#rned =e$ter, with a to#ch of grim h#mor( .I hae neer e5erienced the

$en$ation m"$elf( All I %now i$ that the lad" i$ er" lea$ing to me(.

./ell, it&$ all a '#e$tion of "o#r own well-!eing and the famil"&$, =e$ter,. went on

Ro!ert, after another a#$e( .oralit" doe$n&t $eem to >g#re in it an"wa"--at lea$t

"o# and I can&t di$c#$$ that together( 3o#r feeling$ on that $core nat#rall" relate to"o# alone( 6#t the matter of "o#r own er$onal welfare $eem$ to me to !e

$#!$tantial eno#gh gro#nd to !a$e a lea on( The famil"&$ feeling$ and ride are

al$o fairl" imortant( ather&$ the %ind of a man who $et$ more $tore !" the honor of

hi$ famil" than mo$t men( 3o# %now that a$ well a$ I do, of co#r$e(.

.I %now how father feel$ a!o#t it,. ret#rned =e$ter( .The whole !#$ine$$ i$ a$ clear

to me a$ it i$ to an" of "o#, tho#gh o-hand I don&t $ee ;#$t what&$ to !e done a!o#t

it( The$e matter$ aren&t alwa"$ of a da"&$ growth, and the" can&t !e $ettled in a da"(

The girl&$ here( To a certain e5tent I&m re$on$i!le that $he i$ here( /hile I&m not

willing to go into detail$, there&$ alwa"$ more in the$e aair$ than aear$ on the

co#rt calendar(.

.Of co#r$e I don&t %now what "o#r relation$ with her hae !een,. ret#rned Ro!ert,

.and I&m not c#rio#$ to %now, !#t it doe$ loo% li%e a !it of in;#$tice all aro#nd, don&t

"o# thin%--#nle$$ "o# intend to marr" her. Thi$ la$t wa$ #t forth a$ a feeler(

.I might !e willing to agree to that, too,. wa$ =e$ter&$ !aDing rel", .if an"thing

were to !e gained !" it( The oint i$, the woman i$ here, and the famil" i$ in

o$$e$$ion of the fact( 9ow if there i$ an"thing to !e done I hae to do it( There i$n&t

an"!od" el$e who can act for me in thi$ matter(.

=e$ter la$ed into a $ilence, and Ro!ert ro$e and aced the *oor, coming !ac% after

a time to $a" .3o# $a" "o# haen&t an" idea of marr"ing her--or rather "o# haen&t

come to it( I wo#ldn&t, =e$ter( It $eem$ to me "o# wo#ld !e ma%ing the mi$ta%e of

"o#r life, from eer" oint of iew( I don&t want to orate, !#t a man of "o#r o$ition

ha$ $o m#ch to lo$e2 "o# can&t aord to do it( A$ide from famil" con$ideration$, "o#

hae too m#ch at $ta%e( 3o#&d !e $iml" throwing "o#r life awa"--.

He a#$ed, with hi$ right hand held o#t !efore him, a$ wa$ c#$tomar" when he wa$

deel" in earne$t, and =e$ter felt the candor and $imlicit" of thi$ aeal( Ro!ert

wa$ not critici:ing him now( He wa$ ma%ing an aeal to him, and thi$ wa$

$omewhat dierent(

The aeal a$$ed witho#t comment, howeer, and then Ro!ert !egan on a new

tac%, thi$ time ict#ring old Archi!ald&$ fondne$$ for =e$ter and the hoe he had

alwa"$ entertained that he wo#ld marr" $ome well-to-do Cincinnati girl, Catholic, if

agreea!le to him, !#t at lea$t worth" of hi$ $tation( And r$( ane felt the $ame

wa"2 $#rel" =e$ter m#$t reali:e that(

.I %now ;#$t how all of them feel a!o#t it,. =e$ter interr#ted at la$t, .!#t I don&t $ee

that an"thing&$ to !e done right now(.

.3o# mean that "o# don&t thin% it wo#ld !e olic" for "o# to gie her # ;#$t atre$ent.



.I mean that $he&$ !een e5cetionall" good to me, and that I&m morall" #nder

o!ligation$ to do the !e$t I can !" her( /hat that ma" !e, I can&t tell(.

.To lie with her. in'#ired Ro!ert cooll"(

.Certainl" not to t#rn her o#t !ag and !aggage if $he ha$ !een acc#$tomed to lie

with me,. relied =e$ter(

Ro!ert $at down again, a$ if he con$idered hi$ recent aeal f#tile(

.Can&t famil" rea$on$ er$#ade "o# to ma%e $ome amica!le arrangement$ with her

and let her go.

.9ot witho#t d#e con$ideration of the matter2 no(.

.3o# don&t thin% "o# co#ld hold o#t $ome hoe that the thing will end '#ic%l"--

$omething that wo#ld gie me a rea$ona!le e5c#$e for $oftening down the ain of it

to the famil".

.I wo#ld !e erfectl" willing to do an"thing which wo#ld ta%e awa" the edge of thi$

thing for the famil", !#t the tr#th&$ the tr#th, and I can&t $ee an" room for

e'#iocation !etween "o# and me( A$ I&e $aid !efore, the$e relation$hi$ are

inoled with thing$ which ma%e it imo$$i!le to di$c#$$ them--#nfair to me, #nfair

to the woman( 9o one can $ee how the" are to !e handled, e5cet the eole that

are in them, and een the" can&t alwa"$ $ee( I&d !e a damned dog to $tand # here

and gie "o# m" word to do an"thing e5cet the !e$t I can(.

=e$ter $toed, and now Ro!ert ro$e and aced the *oor again, onl" to come !ac%

after a time and $a", .3o# don&t thin% there&$ an"thing to !e done ;#$t at re$ent.

.9ot at re$ent(.

.7er" well, then, I e5ect I might a$ well !e going( I don&t %now that there&$ an"thing

el$e we can tal% a!o#t(.

./on&t "o# $ta" and ta%e l#nch with me I thin% I might manage to get down to the

hotel if "o#&ll $ta"(.

.9o, than% "o#,. an$wered Ro!ert( .I !eliee I can ma%e that one o&cloc% train for

Cincinnati( I&ll tr", an"how(.

The" $tood !efore each other now, =e$ter ale and rather *accid, Ro!ert clear, wa5-

li%e, well-%nit, and $hrewd, and one co#ld $ee the dierence time had alread" made(

Ro!ert wa$ the clean, deci$ie man, =e$ter the man of do#!t$( Ro!ert wa$ the $irit

of !#$ine$$ energ" and integrit" em!odied, =e$ter the $irit of commercial $elf-

$#+cienc", loo%ing at life with an #ncertain e"e( Together the" made a $tri%ing

ict#re, which wa$ none the le$$ owerf#l for the tho#ght$ that were now r#nning

thro#gh their mind$(

./ell,. $aid the older !rother, after a time, .I don&t $#o$e there i$ an"thing more I

can $a"( I had hoed to ma%e "o# feel ;#$t a$ we do a!o#t thi$ thing, !#t of co#r$e

"o# are "o#r own !e$t ;#dge of thi$( If "o# don&t $ee it now, nothing I co#ld $a"

wo#ld ma%e "o#( It $tri%e$ me a$ a er" !ad moe on "o#r art tho#gh(.



=e$ter li$tened( He $aid nothing, !#t hi$ face e5re$$ed an #nchanged #ro$e(

Ro!ert t#rned for hi$ hat, and the" wal%ed to the o+ce door together(

.I&ll #t the !e$t face I can on it,. $aid Ro!ert, and wal%ed o#t( _

CHAPTER I7

In thi$ world of o#r$ the actiitie$ of animal life $eem to !e limited to a lane or

circle, a$ if that were an inherent nece$$it" to the creat#re$ of a lanet which i$

erforce comelled to $wing a!o#t the $#n( A >$h, for in$tance, ma" not a$$ o#t of

the circle of the $ea$ witho#t co#rting annihilation2 a !ird ma" not enter the domain

of the >$he$ witho#t a"ing for it dearl"( rom the ara$ite$ of the *ower$ to the

mon$ter$ of the ;#ngle and the dee we $ee clearl" the circ#m$cri!ed nat#re of

their moement$--the emhatic manner in which life ha$ limited them to a $here2

and we are content to note the l#dicro#$ and inaria!l" fatal re$#lt$ which attend

an" eort on their art to deart from their enironment(

In the ca$e of man, howeer, the oeration of thi$ theor" of limitation$ ha$ not a$

"et !een $o clearl" o!$ered( The law$ goerning o#r $ocial life are not $o clearl"

#nder$tood a$ to ermit of a clear generali:ation( )till, the oinion$, lea$, and

;#dgment$ of $ociet" $ere a$ !o#ndarie$ which are none the le$$ real for !eing

intangi!le( /hen men or women err--that i$, a$$ o#t from the $here in which the"

are acc#$tomed to moe--it i$ not a$ if the !ird had intr#ded it$elf into the water, or

the wild animal into the ha#nt$ of man( Annihilation i$ not the immediate re$#lt(

Peole ma" do no more than eleate their e"e!row$ in a$toni$hment, la#gh

$arca$ticall", lift # their hand$ in rote$t( And "et $o well de>ned i$ the $here of

$ocial actiit" that he who deart$ from it i$ doomed( 6orn and !red in thi$

enironment, the indiid#al i$ racticall" #n>tted for an" other $tate( He i$ li%e a

!ird acc#$tomed to a certain den$it" of atmo$here, and which cannot lie

comforta!l" at either higher or lower leel(

=e$ter $at down in hi$ ea$"-chair !" the window after hi$ !rother had gone and

ga:ed r#minatiel" o#t oer the *o#ri$hing cit"( 3onder wa$ $read o#t !efore him

life with it$ concomitant ha$e$ of energ", hoe, ro$erit", and lea$#re, and here

he wa$ $#ddenl" $tr#c% !" a wind of mi$fort#ne and !lown a$ide for the time !eing--

hi$ ro$ect$ and #ro$e$ di$$iated( Co#ld he contin#e a$ cheeril" in the ath$ he

had hitherto #r$#ed /o#ld not hi$ relation$ with @ennie !e nece$$aril" aected !"

thi$ $#dden tide of oo$ition /a$ not hi$ own home now a thing of the a$t $o fara$ hi$ old ea$"-going relation$hi wa$ concerned All the atmo$here of #n$tained

aection wo#ld !e gone o#t of it now( That heart" loo% of aroal which #$ed to

dwell in hi$ father&$ e"e--wo#ld it !e there an" longer Ro!ert, hi$ relation$ with the

man#factor", eer"thing that wa$ a art of hi$ old life, had !een aected !" thi$

$#dden intr#$ion of =o#i$e(

.It&$ #nfort#nate,. wa$ all that he tho#ght to him$elf, and therewith t#rned from

what he con$idered $en$ele$$ !rooding to the con$ideration of what, if an"thing,

wa$ to !e done(

.I&m thin%ing I&d ta%e a r#n # to t( Clemen$ to-morrow, or Th#r$da" an"how, if Ifeel $trong eno#gh,. he $aid to @ennie after he had ret#rned( .I&m not feeling a$ well

a$ I might( A few da"$ will do me good(. He wanted to get o !" him$elf and thin%(



@ennie ac%ed hi$ !ag for him at the gien time, and he dearted, !#t he wa$ in a

$#llen, meditatie mood(

<#ring the wee% that followed he had amle time to thin% it all oer, the re$#lt of

hi$ cogitation$ !eing that there wa$ no need of ma%ing a deci$ie moe at re$ent(

A few wee%$ more, one wa" or the other, co#ld not ma%e an" ractical dierence(

9either Ro!ert nor an" other mem!er of the famil" wa$ at all li%el" to $ee% anotherconference with him( Hi$ !#$ine$$ relation$ wo#ld nece$$aril" go on a$ #$#al, $ince

the" were co#led with the welfare of the man#factor"2 certainl" no attemt to

coerce him wo#ld !e attemted( 6#t the con$cio#$ne$$ that he wa$ at hoele$$

ariance with hi$ famil" weighed #on him( .6ad !#$ine$$,. he meditated--.!ad

!#$ine$$(. 6#t he did not change(

or the eriod of a whole "ear thi$ #n$ati$factor" $tate of aair$ contin#ed( =e$ter

did not go home for $i5 month$2 then an imortant !#$ine$$ conference demanding

hi$ re$ence, he aeared and carried it o '#ite a$ tho#gh nothing imortant had

haened( Hi$ mother %i$$ed him aectionatel", if a little $adl"2 hi$ father gae him

hi$ c#$tomar" greeting, a heart" hand$ha%e2 Ro!ert, =o#i$e, Am", Imogene,

concertedl", tho#gh witho#t an" er!al #nder$tanding, agreed to ignore the one

real i$$#e( 6#t the feeling of e$trangement wa$ there, and it er$i$ted( Hereafter hi$

i$it$ to Cincinnati were a$ few and far !etween a$ he co#ld o$$i!l" ma%e them( _

CHAPTER 7

In the meantime @ennie had !een going thro#gh a moral cri$i$ of her own( or the

>r$t time in her life, a$ide from the famil" attit#de, which had aDicted her greatl",

$he reali:ed what the world tho#ght of her( )he wa$ !ad--$he %new that( )he had

"ielded on two occa$ion$ to the force of circ#m$tance$ which might hae !eenfo#ght o#t dierentl"( If onl" $he had had more co#rageB If $he did not alwa"$ hae

thi$ ha#nting $en$e of fearB If $he co#ld onl" ma%e # her mind to do the right

thingB =e$ter wo#ld neer marr" her( /h" $ho#ld he )he loed him, !#t $he co#ld

leae him, and it wo#ld !e !etter for him( Pro!a!l" her father wo#ld lie with her if

$he went !ac% to Cleeland( He wo#ld honor her for at la$t ta%ing a decent $tand(

3et the tho#ght of leaing =e$ter wa$ a terri!le one to her--he had !een $o good( A$

for her father, $he wa$ not $#re whether he wo#ld receie her or not(

After the tragic i$it of =o#i$e $he !egan to thin% of $aing a little mone", la"ing it

a$ide a$ !e$t $he co#ld from her allowance( =e$ter wa$ genero#$ and $he had !een

a!le to $end home reg#larl" >fteen dollar$ a wee% to maintain the famil"--a$ m#ch

a$ the" had lied on !efore, witho#t an" hel from the o#t$ide( )he $ent twent"

dollar$ to maintain the ta!le, for =e$ter re'#ired the !e$t of eer"thing--fr#it$,

meat$, de$$ert$, li'#or$, and what not( The rent wa$ >ft"->e dollar$, with clothe$

and e5tra$ a ar"ing $#m( =e$ter gae her >ft" dollar$ a wee%, !#t $omehow it had

all gone( )he tho#ght how $he might economi:e !#t thi$ $eemed wrong(

6etter go witho#t ta%ing an"thing, if $he were going, wa$ the tho#ght that came to

her( It wa$ the onl" decent thing to do(

)he tho#ght oer thi$ wee% after wee%, after the adent of =o#i$e, tr"ing to nere

her$elf to the oint where $he co#ld $ea% or act( =e$ter wa$ con$i$tentl" genero#$

and %ind, !#t $he felt at time$ that he him$elf might wi$h it( He wa$ tho#ghtf#l,



a!$tracted( )ince the $cene with =o#i$e it $eemed to her that he had !een a little

dierent( If $he co#ld onl" $a" to him that $he wa$ not $ati$>ed with the wa" $he

wa$ liing, and then leae( 6#t he him$elf had lainl" indicated after hi$ di$coer"

of 7e$ta that her feeling$ on that $core co#ld not matter $o er" m#ch to him, $ince

he tho#ght the re$ence of the child wo#ld de>nitel" interfere with hi$ eer

marr"ing her( It wa$ her re$ence he wanted on another !a$i$( And he wa$ $o

forcef#l, $he co#ld not arg#e with him er" well( )he decided if $he went it wo#ld !e!e$t to write a letter and tell him wh"( Then ma"!e when he %new how $he felt he

wo#ld forgie her and thin% nothing more a!o#t it(

The condition of the 4erhardt famil" wa$ not imroing( )ince @ennie had left artha

had married( After $eeral "ear$ of teaching in the #!lic $chool$ of Cleeland $he

had met a "o#ng architect, and the" were #nited after a $hort engagement( artha

had !een alwa"$ a little a$hamed of her famil", and now, when thi$ new life

dawned, $he wa$ an5io#$ to %ee the connection a$ $light a$ o$$i!le( )he !arel"

noti>ed the mem!er$ of the famil" of the aroaching marriage--@ennie not at all--

and to the act#al ceremon" $he inited onl" 6a$$ and 4eorge( 4erhardt, 7eronica,and /illiam re$ented the $light( 4erhardt ent#red #on no comment( He had had

too man" re!#$( 6#t 7eronica wa$ angr"( )he hoed that life wo#ld gie her an

oort#nit" to a" her $i$ter o( /illiam, of co#r$e, did not mind artic#larl"( He

wa$ intere$ted in the o$$i!ilitie$ of !ecoming an electrical engineer, a career which

one of hi$ $chool-teacher$ had ointed o#t to him a$ !eing attractie and romi$ing(

@ennie heard of artha&$ marriage after it wa$ all oer, a note from 7eronica giing

her the main detail$( )he wa$ glad from one oint of iew, !#t reali:ed that her

!rother$ and $i$ter$ were drifting awa" from her(

A little while after artha&$ marriage 7eronica and /illiam went to re$ide with4eorge, a !rea% which wa$ !ro#ght a!o#t !" the attit#de of 4erhardt him$elf( Eer

$ince hi$ wife&$ death and the deart#re of the other children he had !een $#!;ect

to mood$ of rofo#nd gloom, from which he wa$ not ea$il" aro#$ed( =ife, it $eemed,

wa$ drawing to a clo$e for him, altho#gh he wa$ onl" $i5t"->e "ear$ of age( The

earthl" am!ition$ he had once cheri$hed were gone foreer( He $aw )e!a$tian,

artha, and 4eorge o#t in the world racticall" ignoring him, contri!#ting nothing

at all to a home which $ho#ld neer hae ta%en a dollar from @ennie( 7eronica and

/illiam were re$tle$$( The" o!;ected to leaing $chool and going to wor%,

aarentl" referring to lie on mone" which 4erhardt had long $ince concl#ded

wa$ not !eing come !" hone$tl"( He wa$ now rett" well $ati$>ed a$ to the tr#erelation$ of @ennie and =e$ter( At >r$t he had !elieed them to !e married, !#t the

wa" =e$ter had neglected @ennie for long eriod$, the h#m!lene$$ with which $he

ran at hi$ !ec% and call, her fear of telling him a!o#t 7e$ta--$omehow it all ointed

to the $ame thing( )he had not !een married at home( 4erhardt had neer had

$ight of her marriage certi>cate( )ince $he wa$ awa" $he might hae !een married,

!#t he did not !eliee it(

The real tro#!le wa$ that 4erhardt had grown inten$el" moro$e and crotchet", and

it wa$ !ecoming imo$$i!le for "o#ng eole to lie with him( 7eronica and /illiam

felt it( The" re$ented the wa" in which he too% charge of the e5endit#re$ after

artha left( He acc#$ed them of $ending too m#ch on clothe$ and am#$ement$, he

in$i$ted that a $maller ho#$e $ho#ld !e ta%en, and he reg#larl" $e'#e$tered a art



of the mone" which @ennie $ent, for what #ro$e the" co#ld hardl" g#e$$( A$ a

matter of fact, 4erhardt wa$ $aing a$ m#ch a$ o$$i!le in order to rea" @ennie

eent#all"( He tho#ght it wa$ $inf#l to go on in thi$ wa", and thi$ wa$ hi$ one

method, o#t $ide of hi$ meager earning$, to redeem him$elf( If hi$ other children

had acted rightl" !" him he felt that he wo#ld not now !e left in hi$ old age the

reciient of charit" from one, who, de$ite her other good '#alitie$, wa$ certainl"

not leading a righteo#$ life( )o the" '#arreled(

It ended one winter month when 4eorge agreed to receie hi$ comlaining !rother

and $i$ter on condition that the" $ho#ld get $omething to do( 4erhardt wa$

nonl#$$ed for a moment, !#t inited them to ta%e the f#rnit#re and go their wa"(

Hi$ genero$it" $hamed them for the moment2 the" een tentatiel" inited him to

come and lie with them, !#t thi$ he wo#ld not do( He wo#ld a$% the foreman of the

mill he watched for the riilege of $leeing in $ome o#t-of-the-wa" garret( He wa$

alwa"$ li%ed and tr#$ted( And thi$ wo#ld $ae him a little mone"(

)o in a >t of i'#e he did thi$, and there wa$ $een the $ectacle of an old man

watching thro#gh a drear" $ea$on of night$, in a lonel" tra+cle$$ neigh!orhood

while the cit" #r$#ed it$ gaiet" el$ewhere( He had a wee $mall corner in the

tomo$t loft of a wareho#$e awa" from the tear and grind of the factor" roer(

Here 4erhardt $let !" da"( In the afternoon he wo#ld ta%e a little wal%, $trolling

toward the !#$ine$$ center, or o#t along the !an%$ of the C#"ahoga, or the la%e( A$

a r#le hi$ hand$ were !elow hi$ !ac%, hi$ !row !ent in meditation( He wo#ld een

tal% to him$elf a little--an occa$ional .6" cho$B. or .)o it i$. !eing indicatie of hi$

drear" mood( At d#$% he wo#ld ret#rn, ta%ing hi$ $tand at the lonel" gate which wa$

hi$ o$t of d#t"( Hi$ meal$ he $ec#red at a near!" wor%ingmen&$ !oarding-ho#$e,

$#ch a$ he felt he m#$t hae(

The nat#re of the old 4erman&$ re*ection$ at thi$ time were of a ec#liarl" $#!tle

and $om!er character( /hat wa$ thi$ thing--life /hat did it all come to after the

$tr#ggle, and the worr", and the grieing /here doe$ it all go to Peole die2 "o#

hear nothing more from them( Hi$ wife, now, $he had gone( /here had her $irit

ta%en it$ *ight

3et he contin#ed to hold $ome $trongl" dogmatic coniction$( He !elieed there wa$

a hell, and that eole who $inned wo#ld go there( How a!o#t r$( 4erhardt How

a!o#t @ennie He !elieed that !oth had $inned woef#ll"( He !elieed that the ;#$t

wo#ld !e rewarded in heaen( 6#t who were the ;#$t r$( 4erhardt had not had a!ad heart( @ennie wa$ the $o#l of genero$it"( Ta%e hi$ $on )e!a$tian( )e!a$tian wa$

a good !o", !#t he wa$ cold, and certainl" indierent to hi$ father( Ta%e artha--$he

wa$ am!itio#$, !#t o!io#$l" $el>$h( )omehow the children, o#t$ide of @ennie,

$eemed $elf-centered( 6a$$ wal%ed o when he got married, and did nothing more

for an"!od"( artha in$i$ted that $he needed all $he made to lie on( 4eorge had

contri!#ted for a little while, !#t had >nall" ref#$ed to hel o#t( 7eronica and

/illiam had !een content to lie on @ennie&$ mone" $o long a$ he wo#ld allow it, and

"et the" %new it wa$ not right( Hi$ er" e5i$tence, wa$ it not a commentar" on the

$el>$hne$$ of hi$ children And he wa$ getting $o old( He $hoo% hi$ head( "$ter" of

m"$terie$( =ife wa$ tr#l" $trange, and dar%, and #ncertain( )till he did not want to

go and lie with an" of hi$ children( Act#all" the" were not worth" of him--none !#t

@ennie, and $he wa$ not good( )o he grieed(



Thi$ woef#l condition of aair$ wa$ not made %nown to @ennie for $ome time( )he

had !een $ending her letter$ to artha, !#t, on her leaing, @ennie had !een writing

directl" to 4erhardt( After 7eronica&$ deart#re 4erhardt wrote to @ennie $a"ing that

there wa$ no need of $ending an" more mone"( 7eronica and /illiam were going to

lie with 4eorge( He him$elf had a good lace in a factor", and wo#ld lie there a

little while( He ret#rned her a moderate $#m that he had $aed--one h#ndred and

>fteen dollar$--with the word that he wo#ld not need it(

@ennie did not #nder$tand, !#t a$ the other$ did not write, $he wa$ not $#re !#t

what it might !e all right--her father wa$ $o determined( 6#t !" degree$, howeer, a

$en$e of what it reall" m#$t mean oertoo% her--a $en$e of $omething wrong, and

$he worried, he$itating !etween leaing =e$ter and going to $ee a!o#t her father,

whether $he left him or not( /o#ld he come with her 9ot here certainl"( If $he were

married, "e$, o$$i!l"( If $he were alone--ro!a!l"( 3et if $he did not get $ome wor%

which aid well the" wo#ld hae a di+c#lt time( It wa$ the $ame old ro!lem( /hat

co#ld $he do 9eerthele$$, $he decided to act( If $he co#ld get >e or $i5 dollar$ a

wee% the" co#ld lie( Thi$ h#ndred and >fteen dollar$ which 4erhardt had $aedwo#ld tide them oer the wor$t di+c#ltie$ erha$( _

CHAPTER 7I

The tro#!le with @ennie&$ lan wa$ that it did not de>nitel" ta%e into con$ideration

=e$ter&$ attit#de( He did care for her in an elemental wa", !#t he wa$ hedged a!o#t

!" the idea$ of the conentional world in which he had !een reared( To $a" that he

loed her well eno#gh to ta%e her for !etter or wor$e--to legali:e her anomalo#$

o$ition and to face the world !rael" with the fact that he had cho$en a wife who

$#ited him--wa$ erha$ going a little too far, !#t he did reall" care for her, and he

wa$ not in a mood, at thi$ artic#lar time, to contemlate arting with her for good(

=e$ter wa$ getting along to that time of life when hi$ idea$ of womanhood were

>5ed and not $#!;ect to change( Th#$ far, on hi$ own lane and within the circle of

hi$ own a$$ociate$, he had met no one who aealed to him a$ did @ennie( )he wa$

gentle, intelligent, gracio#$, a handmaiden to hi$ eer" need2 and he had ta#ght her

the little c#$tom$ of olite $ociet", #ntil $he wa$ a$ agreea!le a comanion a$ he

cared to hae( He wa$ comforta!le, he wa$ $ati$>ed--wh" $ee% f#rther

6#t @ennie&$ re$tle$$ne$$ increa$ed da" !" da"( )he tried writing o#t her iew$, and

$tarted a half do:en letter$ !efore $he >nall" worded one which $eemed, artiall" at

lea$t, to e5re$$ her feeling$( It wa$ a long letter for her, and it ran a$ follow$

.4ester dear, "hen you get this I won/t be here, and I want you not to think harshly

of e until you have read it all! I a taking 7esta and leaving, and I think it is really

better that I should! 4ester, I ought to do it! You know when you et e we were

very #oor, and y 'ondition was su'h that I didn/t think any good an would ever

want e! "hen you 'ae along and told e you loved e I was hardly able to

think (ust what I ought to do! You ade e love you, 4ester, in s#ite of yself!

)You know I told you that I oughtn/t to do anything wrong any ore and that I

wasn/t good, but soehow when you were near e I 'ouldn/t think (ust right, and I

didn/t see (ust how I was to get away fro you! 8a#a was si'k at hoe that tie,



and there was hardly anything in the house to eat! "e were all doing so #oorly! My

brother 9eorge didn/t have good shoes, and aa was so worried! I have often

thought, 4ester, if aa had not been 'o#elled to worry so u'h she ight be

alive to-day! I thought if you liked e and I really liked you--I love you, 4ester--

aybe it wouldn/t ake so u'h di3eren'e about e! You know you told e right

away you would like to hel# y faily, and I felt that aybe that would be the right

thing to do! "e were so terribly #oor!

)4ester, dear, I a ashaed to leave you this way: it sees so ean, but if you

knew how I have been feeling these days you would forgive e! ;h, I love you,

4ester, I do, I do! *ut for onths #ast--ever sin'e your sister 'ae--I felt that I was

doing wrong, and that I oughtn/t to go on doing it, for I know how terribly wrong it

is! It was wrong for e ever to have anything to do with 5enator *rander, but I was

su'h a girl then--I hardly knew what I was doing! It was wrong of e not to tell you

about 7esta when I <rst et you, though I thought I was doing right when I did it! It

was terribly wrong of e to kee# her here all that tie 'on'ealed, 4ester, but I was

afraid of you then--afraid of what you would say and do! "hen your sister 4ouise'ae it all 'ae over e soehow, 'learly, and I have never been able to think

right about it sin'e! It 'an/t be right, 4ester, but I don/t blae you! I blae yself!

)I don/t ask you to arry e, 4ester! I know how you feel about e and how you

feel about your faily, and I don/t think it would be right! %hey would never want

you to do it, and it isn/t right that I should ask you! At the sae tie I know I

oughtn/t to go on living this way! 7esta is getting along where she understands

everything! 5he thinks you are her really truly un'le! I have thought of it all so

u'h! I have thought a nuber of ties that I would try to talk to you about it, but

you frighten e when you get serious, and I don/t see to be able to say what I

want to! 5o I thought if I 'ould (ust write you this and then go you would

understand! You do, 4ester, don/t you$ You won/t be angry with e$ I know it/s for

the best for you and for e! I ought to do it! 8lease forgive e, 4ester, #lease: and

don/t think of e any ore! I will get along! *ut I love you--oh yes, I do--and I will

never be grateful enough for all you have done for e! I wish you all the lu'k that

'an 'oe to you! 8lease forgive e, 4ester! I love you, yes, I do! I love you!

)JENNIE!

)8! 5! I e.#e't to go to +leveland with #a#a! =e needs e! =e is all alone! *ut don/t

'oe for e, 4ester! It/s best that you shouldn/t (.

)he #t thi$ in an eneloe, $ealed it, and, haing hidden it in her !o$om, for the

time !eing, awaited the ho#r when $he co#ld conenientl" ta%e her deart#re(

It wa$ $eeral da"$ !efore $he co#ld !ring her$elf to the act#al e5ec#tion of the

lan, !#t one afternoon, =e$ter, haing telehoned that he wo#ld not !e home for a

da" or two, $he ac%ed $ome nece$$ar" garment$ for her$elf and 7e$ta in $eeral

tr#n%$, and $ent for an e5re$$man( )he tho#ght of telegrahing her father that $he

wa$ coming2 !#t, $eeing he had no home, $he tho#ght it wo#ld !e ;#$t a$ well to go

and >nd him( 4eorge and 7eronica had not ta%en all the f#rnit#re( The ma;or ortionof it wa$ in $torage--$o 4erhard t had written( )he might ta%e that and f#rni$h a



little home or *at( )he wa$ read" for the end, waiting for the e5re$$man, when the

door oened and in wal%ed =e$ter(

or $ome #nfore$een rea$on he had changed hi$ mind( He wa$ not in the lea$t

$"chic or int#itional, !#t on thi$ occa$ion hi$ feeling$ had $ered him a ec#liar

t#rn( He had tho#ght of going for a da"&$ d#c%-$hooting with $ome friend$ in the

an%a%ee ar$he$ $o#th of Chicago, !#t had >nall" changed hi$ mind2 he eendecided to go o#t to the ho#$e earl"( /hat romted thi$ he co#ld not hae $aid(

A$ he neared the ho#$e he felt a little ec#liar a!o#t coming home $o earl"2 then at

the $ight of the two tr#n%$ $tanding in the middle of the room he $tood

d#mfo#nded( /hat did it mean--@ennie dre$$ed and read" to deart And 7e$ta in a

$imilar condition He $tared in ama:ement, hi$ !rown e"e$ %een in in'#ir"(

./here are "o# going. he a$%ed(

./h"--wh"--. $he !egan, falling !ac%( .I wa$ going awa"(.

./here to.

.I tho#ght I wo#ld go to Cleeland,. $he relied(

./hat for.

./h"--wh"--I meant to tell "o#, =e$ter, that I didn&t thin% I o#ght to $ta" here an"

longer thi$ wa"( I didn&t thin% it wa$ right( I tho#ght I&d tell "o#, !#t I co#ldn&t( I wrote

"o# a letter(.

.A letter,. he e5claimed( ./hat the de#ce are "o# tal%ing a!o#t /here i$ the

letter.

.There,. $he $aid, mechanicall" ointing to a $mall center-ta!le where the letter la"

con$ic#o#$ on a large !oo%(

.And "o# were reall" going to leae me, @ennie, with ;#$t a letter. $aid =e$ter, hi$

oice hardening a little a$ he $o%e( .I $wear to heaen "o# are !e"ond me( /hat&$

the oint. He tore oen the eneloe and loo%ed at the !eginning( .6etter $end

7e$ta from the room,. he $#gge$ted(

)he o!e"ed( Then $he came !ac% and $tood there ale and wide-e"ed, loo%ing at

the wall, at the tr#n%$, and at him( =e$ter read the letter tho#ghtf#ll"( He $hifted hi$o$ition once or twice, then droed the aer on the *oor(

./ell, I&ll tell "o#, @ennie,. he $aid >nall", loo%ing at her c#rio#$l" and wondering ;#$t

what he wa$ going to $a"( Here again wa$ hi$ chance to end thi$ relation$hi if he

wi$hed( He co#ldn&t feel that he did wi$h it, $eeing how eacef#ll" thing$ were

r#nning( The" had gone $o far together it $eemed ridic#lo#$ to '#it now( He tr#l"

loed her--there wa$ no do#!t of that( )till he did not want to marr" her--co#ld not

er" well( )he %new that( Her letter $aid a$ m#ch( .3o# hae thi$ thing wrong,. he

went on $lowl"( .I don&t %now what come$ oer "o# at time$, !#t "o# don&t iew the

$it#ation right( I&e told "o# !efore that I can&t marr" "o#--not now, an"how( Thereare too man" !ig thing$ inoled in thi$, which "o# don&t %now an"thing a!o#t( I

loe "o#, "o# %now that( 6#t m" famil" ha$ to !e ta%en into con$ideration, and the



!#$ine$$( 3o# can&t $ee the di+c#ltie$ rai$ed on the$e $core$, !#t I can( 9ow I don&t

want "o# to leae me( I care too m#ch a!o#t "o#( I can&t reent "o#, of co#r$e( 3o#

can go if "o# want to( 6#t I don&t thin% "o# o#ght to want to( 3o# don&t reall", do

"o# )it down a min#te(.

@ennie, who had !een co#nting on getting awa" witho#t !eing $een, wa$ now

thoro#ghl" nonl#$$ed( To hae him !egin a '#iet arg#ment--a lea a$ it were( Ith#rt her( He, =e$ter, leading with her, and $he loed him $o(

)he went oer to him, and he too% her hand(

.9ow, li$ten,. he $aid( .There&$ reall" nothing to !e gained !" "o#r leaing me at

re$ent( /here did "o# $a" "o# were going.

.To Cleeland,. $he relied(

./ell, how did "o# e5ect to get along.

.I tho#ght I&d ta%e aa, if he&d come with me--he&$ alone now--and get $omethingto do, ma"!e(.

./ell, what can "o# do, @ennie, dierent from what "o# eer hae done 3o#

wo#ldn&t e5ect to !e a lad"&$ maid again, wo#ld "o# Or cler% in a $tore.

.I tho#ght I might get $ome lace a$ a ho#$e%eeer,. $he $#gge$ted( )he had !een

co#nting # her o$$i!ilitie$, and thi$ wa$ the mo$t romi$ing idea that had

occ#rred to her(

.9o, no,. he gr#m!led, $ha%ing hi$ head( .There&$ nothing to that( There&$ nothing in

thi$ whole moe of "o#r$ e5cet a notion( /h", "o# won&t !e an" !etter o morall"than "o# are right now( 3o# can&t #ndo the a$t( It doe$n&t ma%e an" dierence,

an"how( I can&t marr" "o# now( I might in the f#t#re, !#t I can&t tell an"thing a!o#t

that, and I don&t want to romi$e an"thing( 3o#&re not going to leae me tho#gh with

m" con$ent, and if "o# were going I wo#ldn&t hae "o# droing !ac% into an" $#ch

thing a$ "o#&re contemlating( I&ll ma%e $ome roi$ion for "o#( 3o# don&t reall"

want to leae me, do "o#, @ennie.

Again$t =e$ter&$ $trong er$onalit" and igoro#$ rote$t @ennie&$ own concl#$ion$

and deci$ion$ went to iece$( @#$t the re$$#re of hi$ hand wa$ eno#gh to #$et her(

9ow $he !egan to cr"(

.<on&t cr", @ennie,. he $aid( .Thi$ thing ma" wor% o#t !etter than "o# thin%( =et it

re$t for a while( Ta%e o "o#r thing$( 3o#&re not going to leae me an" more, are

"o#.

.9o-o-oB. $he $o!!ed(

He too% her in hi$ la( .=et thing$ re$t a$ the" are,. he went on( .It&$ a c#rio#$ world(

Thing$ can&t !e ad;#$ted in a min#te( The" ma" wor% o#t( I&m #tting # with $ome

thing$ m"$elf that I ordinaril" wo#ldn&t $tand for(.

He >nall" $aw her re$tored to comaratie calmne$$, $miling $adl" thro#gh her

tear$(



.9ow "o# #t tho$e thing$ awa",. he $aid geniall", ointing to the tr#n%$( .6e$ide$,

I want "o# to romi$e me one thing(.

./hat&$ that. a$%ed @ennie(

.9o more concealment of an"thing, do "o# hear 9o more thin%ing thing$ o#t for

"o#r$elf, and acting witho#t m" %nowing an"thing a!o#t it( If "o# hae an"thing on

"o#r mind, I want "o# to come o#t with it( I&m not going to eat "o#B Tal% to me a!o#t

whateer i$ tro#!ling "o#( I&ll hel "o# $ole it, or, if I can&t, at lea$t there won&t !e

an" concealment !etween #$(.

.I %now, =e$ter,. $he $aid earne$tl", loo%ing him $traight in the e"e$( .I romi$e I&ll

neer conceal an"thing an" more--tr#l" I won&t( I&e !een afraid, !#t I won&t !e now(

3o# can tr#$t me(.

.That $o#nd$ li%e what "o# o#ght to !e,. he relied( .I %now "o# will(. And he let her

go(

A few da"$ later, and in con$e'#ence of thi$ agreement, the f#t#re of 4erhardt

came # for di$c#$$ion( @ennie had !een worr"ing a!o#t him for $eeral da"$2 now it

occ#rred to her that thi$ wa$ $omething to tal% oer with =e$ter( Accordingl", $he

e5lained one night at dinner what had haened in Cleeland( .I %now he i$ er"

#nha" there all alone,. $he $aid, .and I hate to thin% of it( I wa$ going to get him if

I went !ac% to Cleeland( 9ow I don&t %now what to do a!o#t it(.

./h" don&t "o# $end him $ome mone". he in'#ired(

.He won&t ta%e an" more mone" from me, =e$ter,. $he e5lained( .He thin%$ I&m not

good--not acting right( He doe$n&t !eliee I&m married(.

.He ha$ rett" good rea$on, ha$n&t he. $aid =e$ter calml"(

.I hate to thin% of him $leeing in a factor"( He&$ $o old and lonel"(.

./hat&$ the matter with the re$t of the famil" in Cleeland /on&t the" do an"thing

for him /here&$ "o#r !rother 6a$$.

.I thin% ma"!e the" don&t want him, he&$ $o cro$$,. $he $aid $iml"(

.I hardl" %now what to $#gge$t in that ca$e,. $miled =e$ter( .The old gentleman

o#ghtn&t to !e $o f#$$"(.

.I %now,. $he $aid, .!#t he&$ old now, and he ha$ had $o m#ch tro#!le(.

=e$ter r#minated for a while, to"ing with hi$ for%( .I&ll tell "o# what I&e !een

thin%ing, @ennie,. he $aid >nall"( .There&$ no #$e liing thi$ wa" an" longer, if we&re

going to $tic% it o#t( I&e !een thin%ing that we might ta%e a ho#$e o#t in H"de Par%(

It&$ $omething of a r#n from the o+ce, !#t I&m not m#ch for thi$ aartment life( 3o#

and 7e$ta wo#ld !e !etter o for a "ard( In that ca$e "o# might !ring "o#r father on

to lie with #$( He co#ldn&t do an" harm ottering a!o#t2 indeed, he might hel %ee

thing$ $traight(.



.Oh, that wo#ld ;#$t $#it aa, if he&d come,. $he relied( .He loe$ to >5 thing$,

and he&d c#t the gra$$ and loo% after the f#rnace( 6#t he won&t come #nle$$ he&$

$#re I&m married(.

.I don&t %now how that co#ld !e arranged #nle$$ "o# co#ld $how the old gentleman

a marriage certi>cate( He $eem$ to want $omething that can&t !e rod#ced er"

well( A $tead" ;o! he&d hae r#nning the f#rnace of a co#ntr" ho#$e,. he addedmeditatiel"(

@ennie did not notice the grimne$$ of the ;e$t( )he wa$ too !#$" thin%ing what a

tangle $he had made of her life( 4erhardt wo#ld not come now, een if the" had a

loel" home to $hare with him( And "et he o#ght to !e with 7e$ta again( )he wo#ld

ma%e him ha"(

)he remained lo$t in a $ad a!$traction, #ntil =e$ter, following the drift of her

tho#ght$, $aid .I don&t $ee how it can !e arranged( arriage certi>cate !lan%$

aren&t ea$il" roc#ra!le( It&$ !ad !#$ine$$--a criminal oen$e to forge one, I !eliee(

I wo#ldn&t want to !e mi5ed # in that $ort of thing(.

.Oh, I don&t want "o# to do an"thing li%e that, =e$ter( I&m ;#$t $orr" aa i$ $o

$t#!!orn( /hen he get$ a notion "o# can&t change him(.

.)#o$e we wait #ntil we get $ettled after moing,. he $#gge$ted( .Then "o# can

go to Cleeland and tal% to him er$onall"( 3o# might !e a!le to er$#ade him(. He

li%ed her attit#de toward her father( It wa$ $o decent that he rather wi$hed he co#ld

hel her carr" o#t her $cheme( /hile not er" intere$ting, 4erhardt wa$ not

o!;ectiona!le to =e$ter, and if the old man wanted to do the odd ;o!$ aro#nd a !ig

lace, wh" not _

CHAPTER 7II

The lan for a re$idence in H"de Par% wa$ not long in ta%ing $hae( After $eeral

wee%$ had a$$ed, and thing$ had '#ieted down again, =e$ter inited @ennie to go

with him to )o#th H"de Par% to loo% for a ho#$e( On the >r$t tri the" fo#nd

$omething which $eemed to $#it admira!l"--an old-time home of eleen large

room$, $et in a lawn f#ll" two h#ndred feet $'#are and $haded !" tree$ which had

!een lanted when the cit" wa$ "o#ng( It wa$ ornate, homeli%e, eacef#l( @ennie

wa$ fa$cinated !" the $en$e of $ace and co#ntr", altho#gh dere$$ed !" the

re*ection that $he wa$ not entering her new home #nder the right a#$ice$( )he

had ag#el" hoed that in lanning to go awa" $he wa$ !ringing a!o#t a condition

#nder which =e$ter might hae come after her and married her( 9ow all that wa$

oer( )he had romi$ed to $ta", and $he wo#ld hae to ma%e the !e$t of it( )he

$#gge$ted that the" wo#ld neer %now what to do with $o m#ch room, !#t he

waed that a$ide( ./e will er" li%el" hae eole in now and then,. he $aid( ./e

can f#rni$h it # an"how, and $ee how it loo%$(. He had the agent ma%e o#t a >e-

"ear lea$e, with an otion for renewal, and $et at once the force$ to wor% to #t the

e$ta!li$hment in order(

The ho#$e wa$ ainted and decorated, the lawn #t in order, and eer"thing done

to gie the lace a trim and $ati$factor" aearance( There wa$ a large,



comforta!le li!rar" and $itting-room, a !ig dining-room, a hand$ome recetion-hall,

a arlor, a large %itchen, $ering-room, and in fact all the gro#nd-*oor e$$ential$ of

a comforta!le home( On the $econd *oor were !edroom$, !ath$, and the maid&$

room( It wa$ all er" comforta!le and harmonio#$, and @ennie too% an immen$e

ride and lea$#re in getting thing$ in order(

Immediatel" after moing in, @ennie, with =e$ter&$ ermi$$ion, wrote to her fathera$%ing him to come to her( )he did not $a" that $he wa$ married, !#t left it to !e

inferred( )he de$canted on the !ea#t" of the neigh!orhood, the $i:e of the "ard,

and the manifold conenience$ of the e$ta!li$hment( .It i$ $o er" nice,. $he added,

."o# wo#ld li%e it, aa( 7e$ta i$ here and goe$ to $chool eer" da"( /on&t "o# come

and $ta" with #$ It&$ $o m#ch !etter than liing in a factor"( And I wo#ld li%e to

hae "o# $o(.

4erhardt read thi$ letter with a $olemn co#ntenance, /a$ it reall" tr#e /o#ld the"

!e ta%ing a larger ho#$e if the" were not ermanentl" #nited After all the$e "ear$

and all thi$ l"ing Co#ld he hae !een mi$ta%en /ell, it wa$ high time--!#t $ho#ld

he go He had lied alone thi$ long time now--$ho#ld he go to Chicago and lie with

@ennie Her aeal did to#ch him, !#t $omehow he decided again$t it( That wo#ld

!e too genero#$ an ac%nowledgment of the fact that there had !een fa#lt on hi$

$ide a$ well a$ on her$(

@ennie wa$ di$aointed at 4erhardt&$ ref#$al( )he tal%ed it oer with =e$ter, and

decided that $he wo#ld go on to Cleeland and $ee him( Accordingl", $he made the

tri, h#nted # the factor", a great r#m!ling f#rnit#re concern in one of the oore$t

$ection$ of the cit", and in'#ired at the o+ce for her father( The cler% directed her

to a di$tant wareho#$e, and 4erhardt wa$ informed that a lad" wi$hed to $ee him(

He crawled o#t of hi$ h#m!le cot and came down, c#rio#$ a$ to who it co#ld !e(/hen @ennie $aw him in hi$ d#$t", !agg" clothe$, hi$ hair gra", hi$ e"e !row$

$hagg", coming o#t of the dar% door, a %een $en$e of the athetic moed her again(

.Poor aaB. $he tho#ght( He came toward her, hi$ in'#i$itorial e"e $oftened a little

!" hi$ con$cio#$ne$$ of the aection that had in$ired her i$it( ./hat are "o#

come for. he a$%ed ca#tio#$l"(

.I want "o# to come home with me, aa,. $he leaded "earningl"( .I don&t want

"o# to $ta" here an" more( I can&t thin% of "o# liing alone an" longer(.

.)o,. he $aid, nonl#$$ed, .that !ring$ "o#.

.3e$,. $he relied2 ./on&t "o# <on&t $ta" here(.

.I hae a good !ed,. he e5lained !" wa" of aolog" for hi$ $tate(

.I %now,. $he relied, .!#t we hae a good home now and 7e$ta i$ there( /on&t "o#

come =e$ter want$ "o# to(.

.Tell me one thing,. he demanded( .Are "o# married.

.3e$,. $he relied, l"ing hoele$$l"( .I hae !een married a long time( 3o# can a$%

=e$ter when "o# come(. )he co#ld $carcel" loo% him in the face, !#t $he managed$omehow, and he !elieed her(

./ell,. he $aid, .it i$ time(.



./on&t "o# come, aa. $he leaded(

He threw o#t hi$ hand$ after hi$ characteri$tic manner( The #rgenc" of her aeal

to#ched him to the '#ic%( .3e$, I come,. he $aid, and t#rned2 !#t $he $aw !" hi$

$ho#lder$ what wa$ haening( He wa$ cr"ing(

.9ow, aa. $he leaded(

or an$wer he wal%ed !ac% into the dar% wareho#$e to get hi$ thing$( _

CHAPTER 7III

4erhardt, haing !ecome an inmate of the H"de Par% home, at once !e$tirred

him$elf a!o#t the la!or$ which he felt in$tinctiel" concerned him( He too% charge

of the f#rnace and the "ard, o#traged at the tho#ght that good mone" $ho#ld !e

aid to an" o#t$ider when he had nothing to do( The tree$, he declared to @ennie,

were in a dreadf#l condition( If =e$ter wo#ld get him a r#ning %nife and a $aw hewo#ld attend to them in the $ring( In 4erman" the" %new how to care for $#ch

thing$, !#t the$e American$ were $o $hiftle$$( Then he wanted tool$ and nail$, and

in time all the clo$et$ and $hele$ were #t in order( He fo#nd a =#theran Ch#rch

almo$t two mile$ awa", and declared that it wa$ !etter than the one in Cleeland(

The a$tor, of co#r$e, wa$ a heaen-$ent $on of diinit"( And nothing wo#ld do !#t

that 7e$ta m#$t go to ch#rch with him reg#larl"(

@ennie and =e$ter $ettled down into the new order of liing with $ome mi$giing$2

certain di+c#ltie$ were $#re to ari$e( On the 9orth )ide it had !een ea$" for @ennie

to $h#n neigh!or$ and $a" nothing( 9ow the" were occ#"ing a ho#$e of $omereten$ion$2 their immediate neigh!or$ wo#ld feel it their d#t" to call, and @ennie

wo#ld hae to la" the art of an e5erienced ho$te$$( )he and =e$ter had tal%ed

thi$ $it#ation oer( It might a$ well !e #nder$tood here, he $aid, that the" were

h#$!and and wife( 7e$ta wa$ to !e introd#ced a$ @ennie&$ da#ghter !" her >r$t

marriage, her h#$!and, a r( )toer Gher mother&$ maiden name, haing died

immediatel" after the child&$ !irth( =e$ter, of co#r$e, wa$ the $tefather( Thi$

artic#lar neigh!orhood wa$ $o far from the fa$hiona!le heart of Chicago that

=e$ter did not e5ect to r#n into man" of hi$ friend$( He e5lained to @ennie the

ordinar" formalitie$ of $ocial interco#r$e, $o that when the >r$t i$itor called @ennie

might !e reared to receie her( /ithin a fortnight thi$ >r$t i$itor arried in theer$on of r$( @aco! )tendahl, a woman of con$idera!le imortance in thi$

artic#lar $ection( )he lied >e door$ from @ennie--the ho#$e$ of the neigh!orhood

were all $et in $acio#$ lawn$--and droe # in her carriage, on her ret#rn from her

$hoing, one afternoon(

.I$ r$( ane in. $he a$%ed of @eannette, the new maid(

.I thin% $o, mam,. an$wered the girl( ./on&t "o# let me hae "o#r card.

The card wa$ gien and ta%en to @ennie, who loo%ed at it c#rio#$l"(

/hen @ennie came into the arlor r$( )tendahl, a tall dar%, in'#i$itie-loo%ingwoman, greeted her mo$t cordiall"(



.I tho#ght I wo#ld ta%e the li!ert" of intr#ding on "o#,. $he $aid mo$t winningl"( .I

am one of "o#r neigh!or$( I lie on the other $ide of the $treet, $ome few door$ #(

Perha$ "o# hae $een the ho#$e--the one with the white $tone gate-o$t$(.

.Oh, "e$ indeed,. relied @ennie( .I %now it well( r( ane and I were admiring it the

>r$t da" we came o#t here(.

.I %now of "o#r h#$!and, of co#r$e, !" re#tation( " h#$!and i$ connected with

the /il%e$ rog and )witch Coman"(.

@ennie !owed her head( )he %new that the latter concern m#$t !e $omething

imortant and ro>ta!le from the wa" in which r$( )tendahl $o%e of it(

./e hae lied here '#ite a n#m!er of "ear$, and I %now how "o# m#$t feel coming

a$ a total $tranger to a new $ection of the cit"( I hoe "o# will >nd time to come in

and $ee me $ome afternoon( I $hall !e mo$t lea$ed( " reg#lar recetion da" i$

Th#r$da"(.

.Indeed I $hall,. an$wered @ennie, a little nero#$l", for the ordeal wa$ a tr"ing one(

.I areciate "o#r goodne$$ in calling( r( ane i$ er" !#$" a$ a r#le, !#t when he

i$ at home I am $#re he wo#ld !e mo$t lea$ed to meet "o# and "o#r h#$!and(.

.3o# m#$t !oth come oer $ome eening,. relied r$( )tendahl( ./e lead a er"

'#iet life( " h#$!and i$ not m#ch for $ocial gathering$( 6#t we en;o" o#r

neigh!orhood friend$(.

@ennie $miled her a$$#rance$ of good-will( )he accomanied r$( )tendahl to the

door, and $hoo% hand$ with her( .I&m $o glad to >nd "o# $o charming,. o!$ered

r$( )tendahl fran%l"(

.Oh, than% "o#,. $aid @ennie *#$hing a little( .I&m $#re I don&t de$ere $o m#ch

rai$e(.

./ell, now I will e5ect "o# $ome afternoon( 4ood-!",. and $he waed a gracio#$

farewell(

.That wa$n&t $o !ad,. tho#ght @ennie a$ $he watched r$( )tendahl drie awa"( .)he

i$ er" nice, I thin%( I&ll tell =e$ter a!o#t her(.

Among the other caller$ were a r( and r$( Carmichael 6#r%e, a r$( Han$on ield,

and a r$( Timoth" 6allinger--all of whom left card$, or $ta"ed to chat a few

min#te$( @ennie fo#nd her$elf ta%en '#ite $erio#$l" a$ a woman of imortance, and

$he did her !e$t to $#ort the dignit" of her o$ition( And, indeed, $he did

e5cetionall" well( )he wa$ mo$t ho$ita!le and gracio#$( )he had a %indl" $mile

and a manner wholl" nat#ral2 $he $#cceeded in ma%ing a mo$t faora!le

imre$$ion( )he e5lained to her g#e$t$ that $he had !een liing on the 9orth )ide

#ntil recentl", that her h#$!and, r( ane, had long wanted to hae a home in H"de

Par%, that her father and da#ghter were liing here, and that =e$ter wa$ the child&$

$tefather( )he $aid $he hoed to rea" all the$e nice attention$ and to !e a good

neigh!or(

=e$ter heard a!o#t the$e call$ in the eening, for he did not care to meet the$e

eole( @ennie came to en;o" it in a mild wa"( )he li%ed ma%ing new friend$, and $he



wa$ hoing that $omething de>nite co#ld !e wor%ed o#t here which wo#ld ma%e

=e$ter loo% #on her a$ a good wife and an ideal comanion( Perha$, $ome da", he

might reall" want to marr" her(

ir$t imre$$ion$ are not alwa"$ ermanent, a$ @ennie wa$ $oon to di$coer( The

neigh!orhood had acceted her erha$ a little too ha$til", and now r#mor$ !egan

to *" a!o#t( A r$( )ommerille, calling on r$( Craig, one of @ennie&$ nearneigh!or$, intimated that $he %new who =e$ter wa$--.oh, "e$, indeed( 3o# %now, m"

dear,. $he went on, .hi$ re#tation i$ ;#$t a little--. $he rai$ed her e"e!row$ and her

hand at the $ame time(

.3o# don&t $a"B. commented her friend c#rio#$l"( .He loo%$ li%e $#ch a $taid,

con$eratie er$on(.

.Oh, no do#!t, in a wa", he i$,. went on r$( )ommerille( .Hi$ famil" i$ of the er"

!e$t( There wa$ $ome "o#ng woman he went with--$o m" h#$!and tell$ me( I don&t

%now whether thi$ i$ the one or not, !#t $he wa$ introd#ced a$ a i$$ 4orwood, or

$ome $#ch name a$ that, when the" were liing together a$ h#$!and and wife onthe 9orth )ide(.

.T$tB T$tB T$tB. clic%ed r$( Craig with her tong#e at thi$ a$toni$hing new$( .3o# don&t

tell meB Come to thin% of it, it m#$t !e the $ame woman( Her father&$ name i$

4erhardt(.

.4erhardtB. e5claimed r$( )ommerille( .3e$, that&$ the name( It $eem$ to me that

there wa$ $ome earlier $candal in connection with her--at lea$t there wa$ a child(

/hether he married her afterward or not, I don&t %now( An"how, I #nder$tand hi$

famil" will not hae an"thing to do with her(.

.How er" intere$tingB. e5claimed r$( Craig( .And to thin% he $ho#ld hae married

her afterward, if he reall" did( I&m $#re "o# can&t tell with whom "o#&re coming in

contact the$e da"$, can "o#.

.It&$ $o tr#e( =ife doe$ get !adl" mi5ed at time$( )he aear$ to !e a charming

woman(.

.<elightf#lB. e5claimed r$( Craig( .F#ite naie( I wa$ reall" ta%en with her(.

./ell, it ma" !e,. went on her g#e$t, .that thi$ i$n&t the $ame woman after all( I ma"

!e mi$ta%en(.

.Oh, I hardl" thin% $o( 4erhardtB )he told me the" had !een liing on the 9orth

)ide(.

.Then I&m $#re it&$ the $ame er$on( How c#rio#$ that "o# $ho#ld $ea% of herB.

.It i$, indeed,. went on r$( Craig, who wa$ $ec#lating a$ to what her attit#de

toward @ennie $ho#ld !e in the f#t#re(

Other r#mor$ came from other $o#rce$( There were eole who had $een @ennie and

=e$ter o#t driing on the 9orth )ide, who had !een introd#ced to her a$ i$$4erhardt, who %new what the ane famil" tho#ght( Of co#r$e her re$ent o$ition,

the hand$ome ho#$e, the wealth of =e$ter, the !ea#t" of 7e$ta--all the$e thing$



heled to $often the $it#ation( )he wa$ aarentl" too circ#m$ect, too m#ch the

good wife and mother, too reall" nice to !e angr" with2 !#t $he had a a$t, and that

had to !e ta%en into con$ideration(

An oening !olt of the coming $torm fell #on @ennie one da" when 7e$ta, ret#rning

from $chool, $#ddenl" a$%ed .amma, who wa$ m" aa.

.Hi$ name wa$ )toer, dear,. relied her mother, $tr#c% at once !" the tho#ght that

there might hae !een $ome critici$m--that $ome one m#$t hae !een $a"ing

$omething( ./h" do "o# a$%.

./here wa$ I !orn. contin#ed 7e$ta, ignoring the la$t in'#ir", and intere$ted in

clearing # her own identit"(

.In Col#m!#$, Ohio, et( /h".

.Anita 6allinger $aid I didn&t hae an" aa, and that "o# weren&t eer married

when "o# had me( )he $aid I wa$n&t a reall", tr#l" girl at all--;#$t a no!od"( )he

made me $o mad I $laed her(.

@ennie&$ face grew rigid( )he $at $taring $traight !efore her( r$( 6allinger had

called, and @ennie had tho#ght her ec#liarl" gracio#$ and helf#l in her oer of

a$$i$tance, and now her little da#ghter had $aid thi$ to 7e$ta( /here did the child

hear it

.3o# m#$tn&t a" an" attention to her, dearie,. $aid @ennie at la$t( .)he doe$n&t

%now( 3o#r aa wa$ r( )toer, and "o# were !orn in Col#m!#$( 3o# m#$tn&t >ght

other little girl$( Of co#r$e the" $a" na$t" thing$ when the" >ght--$ometime$ thing$

the" don&t reall" mean( @#$t let her alone and don&t go near her an" more( Then $hewon&t $a" an"thing to "o#(.

It wa$ a lame e5lanation, !#t it $ati$>ed 7e$ta for the time !eing( .I&ll $la her if

$he trie$ to $la me,. $he er$i$ted(

.3o# m#$tn&t go near her, et, do "o# hear Then $he can&t tr" to $la "o#,.

ret#rned her mother( .@#$t go a!o#t "o#r $t#die$, and don&t mind her( )he can&t

'#arrel with "o# if "o# don&t let her(.

7e$ta went awa" leaing @ennie !rooding oer her word$( The neigh!or$ were

tal%ing( Her hi$tor" wa$ !ecoming common go$$i( How had the" fo#nd o#t(

It i$ one thing to n#r$e a $ingle thr#$t, another to hae the wo#nd oened from time

to time !" additional $ta!$( One da" @ennie, haing gone to call on r$( Han$on

ield, who wa$ her immediate neigh!or, met a r$( /illi$ton 6a%er, who wa$ there

ta%ing tea( r$( 6a%er %new of the ane$, of @ennie&$ hi$tor" on the 9orth )ide, and

of the attit#de of the ane famil"( )he wa$ a thin, igoro#$, intellect#al woman,

$omewhat on the order of r$( 6race!ridge, and er" caref#l of her $ocial

connection$( )he had alwa"$ con$idered r$( ield a woman of the $ame rigid

circ#m$ectne$$ of attit#de, and when $he fo#nd @ennie calling there $he wa$

o#twardl" calm !#t inwardl" irritated( .Thi$ i$ r$( ane, r$( 6a%er,. $aid r$(

ield, introd#cing her g#e$t$ with a $miling co#ntenance( r$( 6a%er loo%ed at @ennie omino#$l"(



.r$( =e$ter ane. $he in'#ired(

.3e$,. relied r$( ield$(

.Indeed,. $he went on free:ingl"( .I&e heard a great deal a!o#t r$(--. accenting

the word .r$(--=e$ter ane(.

)he t#rned to r$( ield, ignoring @ennie comletel", and $tarted an intimateconer$ation in which @ennie co#ld hae no o$$i!le $hare( @ennie $tood helle$$l"

!", #na!le to form#late a tho#ght which wo#ld !e $#ita!le to $o tr"ing a $it#ation(

r$( 6a%er $oon anno#nced her deart#re, altho#gh $he had intended to $ta"

longer( .I can&t remain another min#te,. $he $aid2 .I romi$ed r$( 9eil that I wo#ld

$to in to $ee her to-da"( I&m $#re I&e !ored "o# eno#gh alread" a$ it i$(.

)he wal%ed to the door, not tro#!ling to loo% at @ennie #ntil $he wa$ nearl" o#t of

the room( Then $he loo%ed in her direction, and gae her a frigid nod(

./e meet $#ch c#rio#$ eole now and again,. $he o!$ered >nall" to her ho$te$$

a$ $he $wet awa"(

r$( ield did not feel a!le to defend @ennie, for $he her$elf wa$ in no nota!le $ocial

o$ition, and wa$ endeaoring, li%e eer" other middle-cla$$ woman of mean$, to

get along( )he did not care to oend r$( /illi$ton 6a%er, who wa$ $ociall" $o m#ch

more imortant than @ennie( )he came !ac% to where @ennie wa$ $itting, $miling

aologeticall", !#t $he wa$ a little !it *#$tered( @ennie wa$ o#t of co#ntenance, of

co#r$e( Pre$entl" $he e5c#$ed her$elf and went home( )he had !een c#t deel" !"

the $light oered her, and $he felt that r$( ield reali:ed that $he had made a

mi$ta%e in eer ta%ing her #( There wo#ld !e no additional e5change of i$it$

there--that $he %new( The old hoele$$ feeling came oer her that her life wa$ afail#re( It co#ldn&t !e made right, or, if it co#ld, it wo#ldn&t !e( =e$ter wa$ not

inclined to marr" her and #t her right(

Time went on and matter$ remained er" m#ch a$ the" were( To loo% at thi$ large

ho#$e, with it$ $mooth lawn and well grown tree$, it$ ine$ clam!ering a!o#t the

illar$ of the eranda and interlacing them$ele$ into a tran$arent eil of green2 to

$ee 4erhardt ottering a!o#t the "ard, 7e$ta coming home from $chool, =e$ter

leaing in the morning in hi$ $mart tra--one wo#ld hae $aid that here i$ eace and

lent", no $hadow of #nhaine$$ hang$ oer thi$ charming home(

And a$ a matter of fact e5i$tence with =e$ter and @ennie did r#n $moothl"( It i$ tr#e

that the neigh!or$ did not call an" more, or onl" a er" few of them, and there wa$

no $ocial life to $ea% of2 !#t the deriation wa$ hardl" noticed2 there wa$ $o m#ch

in the home life to lea$e and intere$t( 7e$ta wa$ learning to la" the iano, and to

la" '#ite well( )he had a good ear for m#$ic( @ennie wa$ a charming >g#re in !l#e,

laender, and olie-green ho#$e-gown$ a$ $he went a!o#t her aair$, $ewing,

d#$ting, getting 7e$ta o to $chool, and $eeing that thing$ generall" were #t to

right$( 4erhardt !#$ied him$elf a!o#t hi$ m#ltit#dino#$ d#tie$, for he wa$ not

$ati$>ed #nle$$ he had hi$ hand$ into all the dome$tic economie$ of the ho#$ehold(

One of hi$ $elf-imo$ed ta$%$ wa$ to go a!o#t the ho#$e after =e$ter, or the

$erant$, t#rning o#t the ga$-;et$ or electric-light !#l!$ which might accidentall"hae !een left !#rning( That wa$ a $inf#l e5traagance(



Again, =e$ter&$ e5en$ie clothe$, which he carele$$l" threw a$ide after a few

month&$ #$e, were a $o#rce of woe to the thrift" old 4erman( oreoer, he grieed

oer $lendid $hoe$ di$carded !eca#$e of a few wrin%le$ in the leather or a $lightl"

r#n down heel or $ole( 4erhardt wa$ for haing them reaired, !#t =e$ter an$wered

the old man&$ '#er#lo#$ in'#ir" a$ to what wa$ wrong .with them $hoe$. !" $a"ing

that the" weren&t comforta!le an" more(

.)#ch e5traaganceB. 4erhardt comlained to @ennie( .)#ch wa$teB 9o good can

come of an"thing li%e that, It will mean want one of the$e da"$(.

.He can&t hel it, aa,. @ennie e5c#$ed( .That&$ the wa" he wa$ rai$ed(.

.HaB A >ne wa" to !e rai$ed( The$e American$, the" %now nothing of econom"( The"

o#ght to lie in 4erman" awhile( Then the" wo#ld %now what a dollar can do(.

=e$ter heard $omething of thi$ thro#gh @ennie, !#t he onl" $miled( 4erhardt wa$

am#$ing to him(

Another grieance wa$ =e$ter&$ e5traagant #$e of matche$( He had the ha!it of

$tri%ing a match, holding it while he tal%ed, in$tead of lighting hi$ cigar, and then

throwing it awa"( )ometime$ he wo#ld !egin to light a cigar two or three min#te$

!efore he wo#ld act#all" do $o, to$$ing a$ide match after match( There wa$ a lace

o#t in one corner of the eranda where he li%ed to $it of a $ring or $#mmer

eening, $mo%ing and throwing awa" half-!#rned matche$( @ennie wo#ld $it with

him, and a a$t n#m!er of matche$ wo#ld !e lit and *#ng o#t on the lawn( At one

time, while engaged in c#tting the gra$$, 4erhardt fo#nd, to hi$ horror, not a

handf#l, !#t literall" !o5e$ of half-!#rned match-$tic%$ l"ing #ncon$#med and

deca"ing #nder the fallen !lade$( He wa$ di$co#raged, to $a" the lea$t( He gathered

# thi$ damning eidence in a new$aer and carried it !ac% into the $itting-room

where @ennie wa$ $ewing(

.)ee here, what I >ndB. he demanded( .@#$t loo% at thatB That man, he ha$ no more

$en$e of econom" than a--than a--. the right term failed him( .He $it$ and $mo%e$,

and thi$ i$ the wa" he #$e$ matche$( ie cent$ a !o5 the" co$t-->e cent$( How can

a man hoe to do well and carr" on li%e that, I li%e to %now( =oo% at them(.

@ennie loo%ed( )he $hoo% her head( .=e$ter i$ e5traagant,. $he $aid(

4erhardt carried them to the !a$ement( At lea$t the" $ho#ld !e !#rned in the

f#rnace( He wo#ld hae #$ed them a$ lighter$ for hi$ own ie, $tic%ing them in the

>re to catch a !la:e, onl" old new$aer$ were !etter, and he had $tac%$ of the$e--

another eidence of hi$ lord and ma$ter&$ wretched, $endthrift di$o$ition( It wa$ a

$ad world to wor% in( Almo$t eer"thing wa$ again$t him( )till he fo#ght a$ aliantl"

a$ he co#ld again$t wa$te and $hamele$$ e5traagance( Hi$ own economie$ were

rigid( He wo#ld wear the $ame $#it of !lac%--c#t down from one of =e$ter&$

e5en$ie ine$tment$ of "ear$ !efore--eer" )#nda" for a co#le of "ear$( =e$ter&$

$hoe$, !" a little $tretch of the imagination, co#ld !e made to $eem to >t, and the$e

he wore( Hi$ old tie$ al$o--the !lac% one$--the" were >ne( If he co#ld hae c#t down

=e$ter&$ $hirt$ he wo#ld hae done $o2 he did ma%e oer the #nderwear, with the

friendl" aid of the coo%&$ needle( =e$ter&$ $oc%$, of co#r$e, were ;#$t right( Therewa$ neer an" e5en$e for 4erhardt&$ clothing(



The remaining $toc% of =e$ter&$ di$carded clothing--$hoe$, $hirt$, collar$, $#it$, tie$,

and what not--he wo#ld $tore awa" for wee%$ and month$, and then, in a $ad and

gloom" frame of mind, he wo#ld call in a tailor, or an old-$hoe man, or a ragman,

and di$o$e of the lot at the !e$t rice he co#ld( He learned that all $econd-hand

clothe$ men were $har%$2 that there wa$ no #$e in #tting the lea$t faith in the

rote$t$ of an" rag dealer or old-$hoe man( The" all lied( The" all claimed to !e er"

oor, when a$ a matter of fact the" were act#all" rolling in wealth( 4erhardt hadine$tigated the$e $torie$2 he had followed them #2 he had $een what the" were

doing with the thing$ he $old them(

.)co#ndrel$B. he declared( .The" oer me ten cent$ for a air of $hoe$, and then I

$ee them hanging o#t in front of their lace$ mar%ed two dollar$( )#ch ro!!er"B "

4odB The" co#ld aord to gie me a dollar(.

@ennie $miled( It wa$ onl" to her that he comlained, for he co#ld e5ect no

$"math" from& =e$ter( )o far a$ hi$ own meager $tore of mone" wa$ concerned, he

gae the mo$t of it to hi$ !eloed ch#rch, where he wa$ con$idered to !e a model of

roriet", hone$t", faith--in fact, the em!odiment of all the irt#e$(

And $o, for all the ill wind$ that were !eginning to !low $ociall", @ennie wa$ now

leading the dream "ear$ of her e5i$tence( =e$ter, in $ite of the do#!t$ which

a$$ailed him at time$ a$ to the wi$dom of hi$ career, wa$ inaria!l" %ind and

con$iderate, and he $eemed to en;o" hi$ home life(

.Eer"thing all right. $he wo#ld a$% when he came in of an eening(

.)#reB. he wo#ld an$wer, and inch her chin or chee%(

)he wo#ld follow him in while @eannette, alwa"$ alert, wo#ld ta%e hi$ coat and hat(In the winter-time the" wo#ld $it in the li!rar" !efore the !ig grate->re( In the

$ring, $#mmer, or fall =e$ter referred to wal% o#t on the orch, one corner of

which commanded a $weeing iew of the lawn and the di$tant $treet, and light hi$

!efore-dinner cigar( @ennie wo#ld $it on the $ide of hi$ chair and $tro%e hi$ head(

.3o#r hair i$ not getting the lea$t !it thin, =e$ter2 aren&t "o# glad. $he wo#ld $a"2

or, .Oh, $ee how "o#r !row i$ wrin%led now( 3o# m#$tn&t do that( 3o# didn&t change

"o#r tie, mi$ter, thi$ morning( /h" didn&t "o# I laid one o#t for "o#(.

.Oh, I forgot,. he wo#ld an$wer, or he wo#ld ca#$e the wrin%le$ to di$aear, or

la#ghingl" redict that he wo#ld $oon !e getting !ald if he wa$n&t $o now(

In the drawing-room or li!rar", !efore 7e$ta and 4erhardt, $he wa$ not le$$ loing,

tho#gh a little more circ#m$ect( )he loed odd #::le$ li%e ig$ in cloer, the

$ider&$ hole, !a!" !illiard$, and the li%e( =e$ter $hared in the$e $imle

am#$ement$( He wo#ld wor% !" the ho#r, if nece$$ar", to ma%e a di+c#lt #::le

come right( @ennie wa$ cleer at $oling the$e mechanical ro!lem$( )ometime$ $he

wo#ld hae to $how him the right method, and then $he wo#ld !e immen$el"

lea$ed with her$elf( At other time$ $he wo#ld $tand !ehind him watching, her chin

on hi$ $ho#lder, her arm$ a!o#t hi$ nec%( He $eemed not to mind--indeed, he wa$

ha" in the wealth of aection $he !e$towed( Her cleerne$$, her gentlene$$, her

tact created an atmo$here which wa$ immen$el" lea$ing2 a!oe all her "o#th and!ea#t" aealed to him( It made him feel "o#ng, and if there wa$ one thing =e$ter

o!;ected to, it wa$ the tho#ght of dr"ing # into an aimle$$ old age( .I want to %ee



"o#ng, or die "o#ng,. wa$ one of hi$ et remar%$2 and @ennie came to #nder$tand(

)he wa$ glad that $he wa$ $o m#ch "o#nger now for hi$ $a%e(

Another lea$ant feat#re of the home life wa$ =e$ter&$ $teadil" increa$ing aection

for 7e$ta( The child wo#ld $it at the !ig ta!le in the li!rar" in the eening conning

her !oo%$, while @ennie wo#ld $ew, and 4erhardt wo#ld read hi$ intermina!le li$t of

4erman =#theran aer$( It grieed the old man that 7e$ta $ho#ld not !e allowed togo to a 4erman =#theran arochial $chool, !#t =e$ter wo#ld li$ten to nothing of the

$ort( ./e&ll not hae an" thic%-headed 4erman training in thi$,. he $aid to @ennie,

when $he $#gge$ted that 4erhardt had comlained( .The #!lic $chool$ are good

eno#gh for an" child( 3o# tell him to let her alone(.

There were reall" $ome delightf#l ho#r$ among the fo#r( =e$ter li%ed to ta%e the

little $een-"ear-old $chool-girl !etween hi$ %nee$ and tea$e her( He li%ed to inert

the $o-called fact$ of life, to roo#nd it$ arado5e$, and watch how the child&$

!#dding mind too% them( ./hat&$ water. he wo#ld a$%2 and !eing informed that it

wa$ .what we drin%,. he wo#ld $tare and $a", .That&$ $o, !#t what i$ it <on&t the"

teach "o# an" !etter than that.

./ell, it i$ what we drin%, i$n&t it. er$i$ted 7e$ta(

.The fact that we drin% it doe$n&t e5lain what it i$,. he wo#ld retort( .3o# a$% "o#r

teacher what water i$.2 and then he wo#ld leae her with thi$ irritating ro!lem

tro#!ling her "o#ng $o#l(

ood, china, her dre$$, an"thing wa$ at to !e !ro#ght !ac% to it$ chemical

con$tit#ent$, and he wo#ld leae her to $tr#ggle with the$e dar% $#gge$tion$ of

$omething el$e !ac% of the $#er>cial aearance of thing$ #ntil $he wa$ act#all" in

awe of him( )he had a wa" of $howing him how nice $he loo%ed !efore $he $tarted

to $chool in the morning, a ha!it that aro$e !eca#$e of hi$ con$tant critici$m of her

aearance( He wanted her to loo% $mart, he in$i$ted on a !ig !ow of !l#e ri!!on

for her hair, he demanded that her $hoe$ !e changed from low '#arter to high

!oot$ with the changing character of the $ea$on$& and that her clothing !e carried

o#t on a color $cheme $#ited to her comle5ion and di$o$ition(

.That child&$ light and ga" !" di$o$ition( <on&t #t an"thing $om!er on her,. he

once remar%ed(

@ennie had come to reali:e that he m#$t !e con$#lted in thi$, and wo#ld $a", .R#n to"o#r aa and $how him how "o# loo%(.

7e$ta wo#ld come and t#rn !ri$%l" aro#nd !efore him, $a"ing, .)ee(.

.3e$( 3o#&re all right( 4o on.2 and on $he wo#ld go(

He grew $o ro#d of her that on )#nda"$ and $ome wee%-da"$ when the" droe he

wo#ld alwa"$ hae her in !etween them( He in$i$ted that @ennie $end her to

dancing-$chool, and 4erhardt wa$ !e$ide him$elf with rage and grief( .)#ch

irreligionB. he comlained to @ennie( .)#ch deil&$ fol-de-rol( 9ow $he goe$ to dance(

/hat for To ma%e a no-good o#t of her--a creat#re to !e a$hamed of..Oh no, aa,. relied @ennie( .It i$n&t a$ !ad a$ that( Thi$ i$ an awf#l nice $chool(

=e$ter $a"$ $he ha$ to go(.



.=e$ter, =e$ter2 that manB A >ne lot he %now$ a!o#t what i$ good for a child( A card-

la"er, a whi$%"-drin%erB.

.9ow, h#$h, aa2 I won&t hae "o# tal% li%e that,. @ennie wo#ld rel" warml"( .He&$

a good man, and "o# %now it(.

.3e$, "e$, a good man( In $ome thing$, ma"!e( 9ot in thi$( 9o(.

He went awa" groaning( /hen =e$ter wa$ near he $aid nothing, and 7e$ta co#ld

wind him aro#nd her >nger(

.Oh "o#,. $he wo#ld $a", #lling at hi$ arm or r#!!ing hi$ gri::led chee%( There wa$

no more >ght in 4erhardt when 7e$ta did thi$( He lo$t control of him$elf--$omething

welled # and cho%ed hi$ throat( .3e$, I %now how "o# do,. he wo#ld e5claim(

7e$ta wo#ld twea% hi$ ear(

.)to nowB. he wo#ld $a"( .That i$ eno#gh(.

It wa$ noticea!le, howeer, that $he did not hae to $to #nle$$ $he her$elf willed it(

4erhardt adored the child, and $he co#ld do an"thing with him2 he wa$ alwa"$ her

deoted $eritor( _

CHAPTER I

<#ring thi$ eriod the di$$ati$faction of the ane famil" with =e$ter&$ irreg#lar ha!it

of life grew $teadil" $tronger( That it co#ld not hel !#t !ecome an oen $candal, in

the co#r$e of time, wa$ $#+cientl" o!io#$ to them( R#mor$ were alread" going

a!o#t( Peole $eemed to #nder$tand in a wi$e wa", tho#gh nothing wa$ eer $aid

directl"( ane $enior co#ld $carcel" imagine what o$$e$$ed hi$ $on to *" in theface of conention$ in thi$ manner( If the woman had !een $ome one of di$tinction--

$ome $orcere$$ of the $tage, or of the world of art, or letter$, hi$ action wo#ld hae

!een e5lica!le if not commenda!le, !#t with thi$ creat#re of er" ordinar"

caa!ilitie$, a$ =o#i$e had de$cri!ed her, thi$ #tt"-faced no!od"--he co#ld not

o$$i!l" #nder$tand it(

=e$ter wa$ hi$ $on, hi$ faorite $on2 it wa$ too !ad that he had not $ettled down in

the ordinar" wa"( =oo% at the women in Cincinnati who %new him and li%ed him(

Ta%e =ett" Pace, for in$tance( /h" in the name of common $en$e had he not

married her )he wa$ good loo%ing, $"mathetic, talented( The old man grieed!itterl", and then, !" degree$, he !egan to harden( It $eemed a $hame that =e$ter

$ho#ld treat him $o( It wa$n&t nat#ral, or ;#$ti>a!le, or decent( Archi!ald ane

!rooded oer it #ntil he felt that $ome change o#ght to !e enforced, !#t ;#$t what it

$ho#ld !e he co#ld not $a"( =e$ter wa$ hi$ own !o$$, and he wo#ld re$ent an"

critici$m of hi$ action$( Aarentl", nothing co#ld !e done(

Certain change$ heled along an aroaching deno#ement( =o#i$e married not

man" month$ after her er" di$t#r!ing i$it to Chicago, and then the home roert"

wa$ fairl" emt" e5cet for i$iting grandchildren( =e$ter did not attend the

wedding, tho#gh he wa$ inited( or another thing, r$( ane died, ma%ing a

read;#$tment of the famil" will nece$$ar"( =e$ter came home on thi$ occa$ion,grieed to thin% he had latel" $een $o little of hi$ mother--that he had ca#$ed her $o

m#ch ain--!#t he had no e5lanation to ma%e( Hi$ father tho#ght at the time of



tal%ing to him, !#t #t it o !eca#$e of hi$ o!io#$ gloom( He went !ac% to Chicago,

and there were more month$ of $ilence(

After r$( ane&$ death and =o#i$e&$ marriage, the father went to lie with Ro!ert,

for hi$ three grandchildren aorded him hi$ greate$t lea$#re in hi$ old age( The

!#$ine$$, e5cet for the >nal ad;#$tment which wo#ld come after hi$ death, wa$ in

Ro!ert&$ hand$( The latter wa$ con$i$tentl" agreea!le to hi$ $i$ter$ and theirh#$!and$ and to hi$ father, in iew of the eent#al control he hoed to o!tain( He

wa$ not a $"cohant in an" $en$e of the word, !#t a $hrewd, cold !#$ine$$ man, far

$hrewder than hi$ !rother gae him credit for( He wa$ alread" richer than an" two of

the other children #t together, !#t he cho$e to %ee hi$ co#n$el and to retend

mode$t" of fort#ne( He reali:ed the danger of en", and referred a )artan form of

e5i$tence, #tting all the emha$i$ on incon$ic#o#$ !#t er" read" and er" hard

ca$h( /hile =e$ter wa$ drifting Ro!ert wa$ wor%ing--wor%ing all the time(

Ro!ert&$ $cheme for eliminating hi$ !rother from articiation in the control of the

!#$ine$$ wa$ reall" not er" e$$ential, for hi$ father, after long !rooding oer the

detail$ of the Chicago $it#ation, had come to the de>nite concl#$ion that an" large

$hare of hi$ roert" o#ght not to go to =e$ter( O!io#$l", =e$ter wa$ not $o $trong

a man a$ he had tho#ght him to !e( Of the two !rother$, =e$ter might !e the !igger

intellect#all" or $"matheticall"--arti$ticall" and $ociall" there wa$ no comari$on--

!#t Ro!ert got commercial re$#lt$ in a $ilent, eectie wa"( If =e$ter wa$ not going

to #ll him$elf together at thi$ $tage of the game, when wo#ld he 6etter leae hi$

roert" to tho$e who wo#ld ta%e care of it( Archi!ald ane tho#ght $erio#$l" of

haing hi$ law"er rei$e hi$ will in $#ch a wa" that, #nle$$ =e$ter $ho#ld reform, he

wo#ld !e c#t o with onl" a nominal income( 6#t he decided to gie =e$ter one

more chance--to ma%e a lea, in fact, that he $ho#ld a!andon hi$ fal$e wa" of liing,

and #t him$elf on a $o#nd !a$i$ !efore the world( It wa$n&t too late( He reall" had a

great f#t#re( /o#ld he deli!eratel" choo$e to throw it awa" Old Archi!ald wrote

=e$ter that he wo#ld li%e to hae a tal% with him at hi$ conenience, and within the

la$e of thirt"-$i5 ho#r$ =e$ter wa$ in Cincinnati(

.I tho#ght I&d hae one more tal% with "o#, =e$ter, on a $#!;ect that&$ rather di+c#lt

for me to !ring #,. !egan the elder ane( .3o# %now what I&m referring to.

.3e$, I %now,. relied =e$ter, calml"(

.I #$ed to thin%, when I wa$ m#ch "o#nger that m" $on&$ matrimonial ent#re$

wo#ld neer concern me, !#t I changed m" iew$ on that $core when I got a little

farther along( I !egan to $ee thro#gh m" !#$ine$$ connection$ how m#ch the right

$ort of a marriage hel$ a man, and then I got rather an5io#$ that m" !o"$ $ho#ld

marr" well( I #$ed to worr" a!o#t "o#, =e$ter, and I&m worr"ing "et( Thi$ recent

connection "o#&e made ha$ ca#$ed me no end of tro#!le( It worried "o#r mother

# to the er" la$t( It wa$ her one great $orrow( <on&t "o# thin% "o# hae gone far

eno#gh with it The $candal ha$ reached down here( /hat it i$ in Chicago I don&t

%now, !#t it can&t !e a $ecret( That can&t hel the ho#$e in !#$ine$$ there( It

certainl" can&t hel "o#( The whole thing ha$ gone on $o long that "o# hae in;#red

"o#r ro$ect$ all aro#nd, and "et "o# contin#e( /h" do "o#.

.I $#o$e !eca#$e I loe her,. =e$ter relied(



.3o# can&t !e $erio#$ in that,. $aid hi$ father( .If "o# had loed her, "o#&d hae

married her in the >r$t lace( )#rel" "o# wo#ldn&t ta%e a woman and lie with her a$

"o# hae with thi$ woman for "ear$, di$gracing her and "o#r$elf, and $till claim that

"o# loe her( 3o# ma" hae a a$$ion for her, !#t it i$n&t loe(.

.How do "o# %now I haen&t married her. in'#ired =e$ter cooll"( He wanted to $ee

how hi$ father wo#ld ta%e to that idea(

.3o#&re not $erio#$B. The old gentleman roed him$elf # on hi$ arm$ and loo%ed

at him(

.9o, I&m not,. relied =e$ter, .!#t I might !e( I might marr" her(.

.Imo$$i!leB. e5claimed hi$ father igoro#$l"( .I can&t !eliee it( I can&t !eliee a

man of "o#r intelligence wo#ld do a thing li%e that, =e$ter( /here i$ "o#r ;#dgment

/h", "o#&e lied in oen ad#lter" with her for "ear$, and now "o# tal% of marr"ing

her( /h", in heaen&$ name, if "o# were going to do an"thing li%e that, didn&t "o# do

it in the >r$t lace <i$grace "o#r arent$, !rea% "o#r mother&$ heart, in;#re the!#$ine$$, !ecome a #!lic $candal, and then marr" the ca#$e of it I don&t !eliee

it(.

Old Archi!ald got #(

.<on&t get e5cited, father,. $aid =e$ter '#ic%l"( ./e won&t get an"where that wa"( I

$a" I might marr" her( )he&$ not a !ad woman, and I wi$h "o# wo#ldn&t tal% a!o#t

her a$ "o# do( 3o#&e neer $een her( 3o# %now nothing a!o#t her(.

.I %now eno#gh,. in$i$ted old Archi!ald, determinedl"( .I %now that no good woman

wo#ld act a$ $he ha$ done( /h", man, $he&$ after "o#r mone"( /hat el$e co#ld $hewant It&$ a$ lain a$ the no$e on "o#r face(.

.ather,. $aid =e$ter, hi$ oice lowering omino#$l", .wh" do "o# tal% li%e that 3o#

neer $aw the woman( 3o# wo#ldn&t %now her from Adam&$ o o5( =o#i$e come$

down here and gie$ an e5cited reort, and "o# eole $wallow it whole( )he i$n&t

a$ !ad a$ "o# thin% $he i$, and I wo#ldn&t #$e the lang#age "o#&re #$ing a!o#t her if

I were "o#( 3o#&re doing a good woman an in;#$tice, and "o# won&t, for $ome

rea$on, !e fair(.

.airB airB. interr#ted Archi!ald( .Tal% a!o#t !eing fair( I$ it fair to me, to "o#r

famil", to "o#r dead mother to ta%e a woman of the $treet$ and lie with her I$ it--.

.)to now, father,. e5claimed =e$ter, #tting # hi$ hand( .I warn "o#( I won&t li$ten

to tal% li%e that( 3o#&re tal%ing a!o#t the woman that I&m liing with--that I ma"

marr"( I loe "o#, !#t I won&t hae "o# $a"ing thing$ that aren&t $o( )he i$n&t a

woman of the $treet$( 3o# %now, a$ well a$ "o# %now an"thing, that I wo#ldn&t ta%e

# with a woman of that %ind( /e&ll hae to di$c#$$ thi$ in a calmer mood, or I won&t

$ta" here( I&m $orr"( I&m awf#ll" $orr"( 6#t I won&t li$ten to an" $#ch lang#age a$

that(.

Old Archi!ald '#ieted him$elf( In $ite of hi$ oo$ition, he re$ected hi$ $on&$ oint

of iew( He $at !ac% in hi$ chair and $tared at the *oor( .How wa$ he to handle thi$thing. he a$%ed him$elf(



.Are "o# liing in the $ame lace. he >nall" in'#ired(

.9o, we&e moed o#t to H"de Par%( I&e ta%en a ho#$e o#t there(.

.I hear there&$ a child( I$ that "o#r$.

.9o(.

.Hae "o# an" children of "o#r own.

.9o(.

./ell, that&$ a 4od&$ !le$$ing(.

=e$ter merel" $cratched hi$ chin(

.And "o# in$i$t "o# will marr" her. Archi!ald went on(

.I didn&t $a" that,. relied hi$ $on( .I $aid I might(.

.ightB ightB. e5claimed hi$ father, hi$ anger !#!!ling again( ./hat a traged"B

3o# with "o#r ro$ect$B 3o#r o#tloo%B How do "o# $#o$e I can $erio#$l"

contemlate entr#$ting an" $hare of m" fort#ne to a man who ha$ $o little regard

for what the world con$ider$ a$ right and roer /h", =e$ter, thi$ carriage

!#$ine$$, "o#r famil", "o#r er$onal re#tation aear to !e a$ nothing at all to

"o#( I can&t #nder$tand what ha$ haened to "o#r ride( It $eem$ li%e $ome wild,

imo$$i!le fanc"(.

.It&$ rett" hard to e5lain, father, and I can&t do it er" well( I $iml" %now that I&m

in thi$ aair, and that I&m !o#nd to $ee it thro#gh( It ma" come o#t all right( I ma"

not marr" her--I ma"( I&m not reared now to $a" what I&ll do( 3o#&ll hae to wait( I&ll

do the !e$t I can(.

Old Archi!ald merel" $hoo% hi$ head di$aroingl"(

.3o#&e made a !ad me$$ of thi$, =e$ter,. he $aid >nall"( .)#rel" "o# hae( 6#t I

$#o$e "o# are determined to go "o#r wa"( 9othing that I hae $aid aear$ to

moe "o#(.

.9ot now, father( I&m $orr"(.

./ell, I warn "o#, then, that, #nle$$ "o# $how $ome con$ideration for the dignit" of"o#r famil" and the honor of "o#r o$ition it will ma%e a dierence in m" will( I can&t

go on co#ntenancing thi$ thing, and not !e a art" to it morall" and eer" other

wa"( I won&t do it( 3o# can leae her, or "o# can marr" her( 3o# certainl" o#ght to do

one or the other( If "o# leae her, eer"thing will !e all right( 3o# can ma%e an"

roi$ion for her "o# li%e( I hae no o!;ection to that( I&ll gladl" a" whateer "o#

agree to( 3o# will $hare with the re$t of the children, ;#$t a$ I had lanned( If "o#

marr" her it will ma%e a dierence( 9ow do a$ "o# lea$e( 6#t don&t !lame me( I

loe "o#( I&m "o#r father( I&m doing what I thin% i$ m" !o#nden d#t"( 9ow "o# thin%

that oer and let me %now(.

=e$ter $ighed( He $aw how hoele$$ thi$ arg#ment wa$( He felt that hi$ father

ro!a!l" meant what he $aid, !#t how co#ld he leae @ennie, and ;#$tif" him$elf to



him$elf /o#ld hi$ father reall" c#t him o )#rel" not( The old gentleman loed

him een now--he co#ld $ee it( =e$ter felt tro#!led and di$tre$$ed2 thi$ attemt at

coercion irritated him( The idea--he, =e$ter ane, !eing made to do $#ch a thing to

throw @ennie down( He $tared at the *oor(

Old Archi!ald $aw that he had let *" a telling !#llet(

./ell,. $aid =e$ter >nall", .there&$ no #$e of o#r di$c#$$ing it an" f#rther now--that&$

certain, i$n&t it I can&t $a" what I&ll do( I&ll hae to ta%e time and thin%( I can&t decide

thi$ ohand(.

The two loo%ed at each other( =e$ter wa$ $orr" for the world&$ attit#de and for hi$

father&$ %een feeling a!o#t the aair( ane $enior wa$ $orr" for hi$ $on, !#t he wa$

determined to $ee the thing thro#gh( He wa$n&t $#re whether he had conerted

=e$ter or not, !#t he wa$ hoef#l( a"!e he wo#ld come aro#nd "et(

.4ood-!", father,. $aid =e$ter, holding o#t hi$ hand( .I thin% I&ll tr" and ma%e that

two-ten train( There i$n&t an"thing el$e "o# wanted to $ee me a!o#t.

.9o(.

The old man $at there after =e$ter had gone, thin%ing deel"( /hat a twi$ted careerB

/hat an end to great o$$i!ilitie$ /hat a foolhard" er$i$tence in eil and errorB

He $hoo% hi$ head( Ro!ert wa$ wi$er( He wa$ the one to control a !#$ine$$( He wa$

cool and con$eratie( If =e$ter were onl" li%e that( He tho#ght and tho#ght( It wa$ a

long time !efore he $tirred( And $till, in the !ottom of hi$ heart, hi$ erring $on

contin#ed to aeal to him( _

_______________________________________________ _ CHAPTER = GJ0

=e$ter ret#rned to Chicago( He reali:ed that he had oended hi$ father $erio#$l",

how $erio#$l" he co#ld not $a"( In all hi$ er$onal relation$ with old Archi!ald he had

neer $een him $o wor%ed #( 6#t een now =e$ter did not feel that the !reach wa$

irreara!le2 he hardl" reali:ed that it wa$ nece$$ar" for him to act deci$iel" if he

hoed to retain hi$ father&$ aection and con>dence( A$ for the world at large, what

did it matter how m#ch eole tal%ed or what the" $aid( He wa$ !ig eno#gh to

$tand alone( 6#t wa$ he Peole t#rn $o '#ic%l" from wea%ne$$ or the $hadow of it(

To get awa" from fail#re--een the mere $#$icion of it--that $eem$ to !e a

$#!con$cio#$ feeling with the aerage man and woman2 we all aoid non-$#cce$$ a$

tho#gh we fear that it ma" roe contagio#$( =e$ter wa$ $oon to feel the force of

thi$ re;#dice(

One da" =e$ter haened to r#n acro$$ 6err" <odge, the millionaire head of <odge,

Hol!roo% L ing$!#r", a >rm that $tood in the dr"-good$ world, where the ane

Coman" $tood in the carriage world( <odge had !een one of =e$ter&$ !e$t friend$(

He %new him a$ intimatel" a$ he %new Henr" 6race!ridge, of Cleeland, and 4eorge

nowle$, of Cincinnati( He i$ited at hi$ hand$ome home on the 9orth )hore <rie,

and the" met con$tantl" in a !#$ine$$ and $ocial wa"( 6#t $ince =e$ter had moed

o#t to H"de Par%, the old intimac" had la$ed( 9ow the" came face to face onichigan Aen#e near the ane !#ilding(



./h", =e$ter, I&m glad to $ee "o# again,. $aid <odge(

He e5tended a formal hand, and $eemed ;#$t a little cool( .I hear "o#&e gone and

married $ince I $aw "o#(.

.9o, nothing li%e that,. relied =e$ter, ea$il", with the air of one who refer$ to !e

#nder$tood in the wa" of the world $en$e(

./h" $o $ecret a!o#t it, if "o# hae. a$%ed <odge, attemting to $mile, !#t with a

wr" twi$t to the corner$ of hi$ mo#th( He wa$ tr"ing to !e nice, and to go thro#gh a

di+c#lt $it#ation gracef#ll"( ./e fellow$ #$#all" ma%e a f#$$ a!o#t that $ort of thing(

3o# o#ght to let "o#r friend$ %now(.

./ell,. $aid =e$ter, feeling the edge of the $ocial !lade that wa$ !eing drien into

him, .I tho#ght I&d do it in a new wa"( I&m not m#ch for e5citement in that direction,

an"how(.

.It i$ a matter of ta$te, i$n&t it. $aid <odge a little a!$entl"( .3o#&re liing in the cit",

of co#r$e.

.In H"de Par%(.

.That&$ a lea$ant territor"( How are thing$ otherwi$e. And he deftl" changed the

$#!;ect !efore waing him a erf#nctor" farewell(

=e$ter mi$$ed at once the in'#irie$ which a man li%e <odge wo#ld hae made if he

had reall" !elieed that he wa$ married( ?nder ordinar" circ#m$tance$ hi$ friend

wo#ld hae wanted to %now a great deal a!o#t the new r$( ane( There wo#ld

hae !een all tho$e little familiar to#che$ common to eole liing on the $ame

$ocial lane( <odge wo#ld hae a$%ed =e$ter to !ring hi$ wife oer to $ee them,

wo#ld hae de>nitel" romi$ed to call( 9othing of the $ort haened, and =e$ter

noticed the $igni>cant omi$$ion(

It wa$ the $ame with the 6#rnham oore$, the Henr" Aldriche$, and a $core of other

eole whom he %new e'#all" well( Aarentl" the" all tho#ght that he had married

and $ettled down( The" were intere$ted to %now where he wa$ liing, and the" were

rather di$o$ed to ;o%e him a!o#t !eing $o er" $ecretie on the $#!;ect, !#t the"

were not willing to di$c#$$ the $#o$ed r$( ane( He wa$ !eginning to $ee that

thi$ moe of hi$ wa$ going to tell again$t him nota!l"(

One of the wor$t $ta!$--it wa$ the cr#ele$t !eca#$e, in a wa", it wa$ the mo$t

#nintentional--he receied from an old ac'#aintance, /ill /hitne", at the ?nion

Cl#!( =e$ter wa$ dining there one eening, and /hitne" met him in the main

reading-room a$ he wa$ cro$$ing from the cloa%-room to the cigar-$tand( The latter

wa$ a t"ical $ociet" >g#re, tall, lean, $mooth-faced, immac#latel" gar!ed, a little

c"nical, and to-night a little the wor$e for li'#or( .Hi, =e$terB. he called o#t, .what&$

thi$ tal% a!o#t a menage of "o#r$ o#t in H"de Par% )a", "o#&re going $ome( How

are "o# going to e5lain all thi$ to "o#r wife when "o# get married.

.I don&t hae to e5lain it,. relied =e$ter irrita!l"( ./h" $ho#ld "o# !e $o intere$ted

in m" aair$ 3o#&re not liing in a $tone ho#$e, are "o#.



.)a", haB haB that&$ rett" good now, i$n&t it 3o# didn&t marr" that little !ea#t" "o#

#$ed to trael aro#nd with on the 9orth )ide, did "o# Eh, nowB Ha, haB /ell, I

$wear( 3o# marriedB 3o# didn&t, now, did "o#.

.C#t it o#t, /hitne",. $aid =e$ter ro#ghl"( .3o#&re tal%ing wild(.

.Pardon, =e$ter,. $aid the other aimle$$l", !#t $o!ering( .I !eg "o#r ardon(

Remem!er, I&m ;#$t a little warm( Eight whi$%"-$o#r$ $traight in the other room

there( Pardon( I&ll tal% to "o# $ome time when I&m all right( )ee, =e$ter EhB HaB haB

I&m a little loo$e, that&$ right( /ell, $o longB HaB haB.

=e$ter co#ld not get oer that cacohono#$ .haB haB. It c#t him, een tho#gh it

came from a dr#n%en man&$ mo#th( .That little !ea#t" "o# #$ed to trael with on

the 9orth )ide( 3o# didn&t marr" her, did "o#. He '#oted /hitne"&$ imertinence$

re$entf#ll"( 4eorgeB 6#t thi$ wa$ getting a little ro#ghB He had neer end#red

an"thing li%e thi$ !efore--he, =e$ter ane( It $et him thin%ing( Certainl" he wa$

a"ing dearl" for tr"ing to do the %ind thing !" @ennie( _

CHAPTER =I

6#t wor$e wa$ to follow( The American #!lic li%e$ go$$i a!o#t well-%nown eole,

and the ane$ were wealth" and $ociall" rominent( The reort wa$ that =e$ter, one

of it$ rincial heir$, had married a $erant girl( He, an heir to million$B Co#ld it !e

o$$i!le /hat a i'#ant mor$el for the new$aer$B 7er" $oon the aragrah$

!egan to aear( A $mall $ociet" aer, called the )o#th )ide 6#dget, referred to

him anon"mo#$l" a$ .the $on of a famo#$ and wealth" carriage man#fact#rer of

Cincinnati,. and o#tlined !rie*" what it %new of the $tor"( .Of r$( ----. it went on,

$agel", .not $o m#ch i$ %nown, e5cet that $he once wor%ed in a well-%nown

Cleeland $ociet" famil" a$ a maid and wa$, !efore that, a wor%ing-girl in Col#m!#$,

Ohio( After $#ch a ict#re$'#e loe-aair in high $ociet", who $hall $a" that

romance i$ dead.

=e$ter $aw thi$ item( He did not ta%e the aer, !#t $ome %ind $o#l too% good care

to $ee that a co" wa$ mar%ed and mailed to him( It irritated him greatl", for he

$#$ected at once that it wa$ a $cheme to !lac%mail him( 6#t he did not %now

e5actl" what to do a!o#t it( He referred, of co#r$e, that $#ch comment$ $ho#ld

cea$e, !#t he al$o tho#ght that if he made an" eort to hae them $toed he

might ma%e matter$ wor$e( )o he did nothing( 9at#rall", the aragrah in the

6#dget attracted the attention of other new$aer$( It $o#nded li%e a good $tor",and one )#nda" editor, more enterri$ing than the other$, conceied the notion of

haing thi$ romance written #( A f#ll-age )#nda" $tor" with a $care-head $#ch a$

.)acri>ce$ illion$ for Hi$ )erant 4irl =oe,. ict#re$ of =e$ter, @ennie, the ho#$e at

H"de Par%, the ane man#factor" at Cincinnati, the wareho#$e on ichigan

Aen#e--certainl", $#ch a di$la" wo#ld ma%e a $en$ation( The ane Coman" wa$

not an aderti$er in an" dail" or )#nda" aer( The new$aer owed him nothing( If

=e$ter had !een forewarned he might hae #t a $to to the whole !#$ine$$ !"

#tting an aderti$ement in the aer or aealing to the #!li$her( He did not

%now, howeer, and $o wa$ witho#t ower to reent the #!lication( The editor

made a thoro#gh ;o! of the !#$ine$$( =ocal new$aer men in Cincinnati, Cleeland,and Col#m!#$ were in$tr#cted to reort !" wire whether an"thing of @ennie&$ hi$tor"

wa$ %nown in their cit"( The 6race!ridge famil" in Cleeland wa$ a$%ed whether



@ennie had eer wor%ed there( A gar!led hi$tor" of the 4erhardt$ wa$ o!tained from

Col#m!#$( @ennie&$ re$idence on the 9orth )ide, for $eeral "ear$ rior to her

$#o$ed marriage, wa$ di$coered and $o the whole $tor" wa$ nicel" ieced

together( It wa$ not the idea of the new$aer editor to !e cr#el or critical, !#t

rather comlimentar"( All the !itter thing$, $#ch a$ the ro!a!le illegitimac" of

7e$ta, the $#$ected immoralit" of =e$ter and @ennie in re$iding together a$ man

and wife, the real gro#nd$ of the well-%nown o!;ection$ of hi$ famil" to the match,were ignored( The idea wa$ to frame # a Romeo and @#liet $tor" in which =e$ter

$ho#ld aear a$ an ardent, $elf-$acri>cing loer, and @ennie a$ a oor and loel"

wor%ing-girl, lifted to great >nancial and $ocial height$ !" the deotion of her

millionaire loer( An e5cetional new$aer arti$t wa$ engaged to ma%e $cene$

deicting the ario#$ $te$ of the romance and the whole thing wa$ handled in the

mo$t aroed "ellow-;o#rnal $t"le( There wa$ a ict#re of =e$ter o!tained from hi$

Cincinnati hotograher for a con$ideration2 @ennie had !een $#rretitio#$l"

.$naed. !" a $ta arti$t while $he wa$ o#t wal%ing(

And $o, aarentl" o#t of a clear $%", the $tor" aeared--highl" comlimentar",r#nning oer with $#gar" hra$e$, !#t with all the dar%, $ad fact$ looming # in the

!ac%gro#nd( @ennie did not $ee it at >r$t( =e$ter came acro$$ the age accidentall",

and tore it o#t( He wa$ $t#nned and chagrined !e"ond word$( .To thin% the damned

new$aer wo#ld do that to a riate citi:en who wa$ '#ietl" minding hi$ own

!#$ine$$B. he tho#ght( He went o#t of the ho#$e, the !etter to conceal hi$ dee

inward morti>cation( He aoided the more o#lo#$ art$ of the town, artic#larl"

the down-town $ection, and rode far o#t on Cottage 4roe Aen#e to the oen

rairie( He wondered, a$ the trolle"-car r#m!led along, what hi$ friend$ were

thin%ing--<odge, and 6#rnham oore, and Henr" Aldrich, and the other$( Thi$ wa$ a

$ma$h, indeed( The !e$t he co#ld do wa$ to #t a !rae face on it and $a" nothing,or el$e wae it o with an indierent motion of the hand( One thing wa$ $#re--he

wo#ld reent f#rther comment( He ret#rned to the ho#$e calmer, hi$ $elf-oi$e

re$tored, !#t he wa$ eager for onda" to come in order that he might get in to#ch

with hi$ law"er, r( /at$on( 6#t when he did $ee r( /at$on it wa$ $oon agreed

!etween the two men that it wo#ld !e fooli$h to ta%e an" legal action( It wa$ the

art of wi$dom to let the matter dro( .6#t I won&t $tand for an"thing more,.

concl#ded =e$ter(

.I&ll attend to that,. $aid the law"er, con$olingl"(

=e$ter got #( .It&$ ama:ing--thi$ damned co#ntr" of o#r$B. he e5claimed( .A manwith a little mone" ha$n&t an" more riac" than a #!lic mon#ment(.

.A man with a little mone",. $aid r( /at$on, .i$ ;#$t li%e a cat with a !ell aro#nd it$

nec%( Eer" rat %now$ e5actl" where it i$ and what it i$ doing(.

.That&$ an at $imile,. a$$ented =e$ter, !itterl"(

@ennie %new nothing of thi$ new$aer $tor" for $eeral da"$( =e$ter felt that he

co#ld not tal% it oer, and 4erhardt neer read the wic%ed )#nda" new$aer$(

inall", one of @ennie&$ neigh!orhood friend$, le$$ tactf#l than the other$, called her

attention to the fact of it$ aearance !" anno#ncing that $he had $een it( @enniedid not #nder$tand at >r$t( .A $tor" a!o#t me. $he e5claimed(



.3o# and r( ane, "e$,. relied her g#e$t( .3o#r loe romance(.

@ennie colored $wiftl"( ./h", I hadn&t $een it,. $he $aid( .Are "o# $#re it wa$ a!o#t

#$.

./h", of co#r$e,. la#ghed r$( )tendahl( .How co#ld I !e mi$ta%en I hae the

aer oer at the ho#$e( I&ll $end arie oer with it when I get !ac%( 3o# loo% er"

$weet in "o#r ict#re(.

@ennie winced(

.I wi$h "o# wo#ld,. $he $aid, wea%l"(

)he wa$ wondering where the" had $ec#red her ict#re, what the article $aid(

A!oe all, $he wa$ di$ma"ed to thin% of it$ eect #on =e$ter( Had he $een the

article /h" had he not $o%en to her a!o#t it

The neigh!or&$ da#ghter !ro#ght oer the aer, and @ennie&$ heart $tood $till a$

$he glanced at the title-age( There it all wa$--#ncomromi$ing and direct( Howdreadf#ll" con$ic#o#$ the headline--.Thi$ illionaire ell in =oe /ith Thi$ =ad"&$

aid,. which ran !etween a ict#re of =e$ter on the left and @ennie on the right(

There wa$ an additional cation which e5lained how =e$ter, $on of the famo#$

carriage famil" of Cincinnati, had $acri>ced great $ocial oort#nit" and di$tinction

to marr" hi$ heart&$ de$ire( 6elow were $cattered a n#m!er of other ict#re$--=e$ter

addre$$ing @ennie in the man$ion of r$( 6race!ridge, =e$ter $tanding with her

!efore an imo$ing and conentional-loo%ing ar$on, =e$ter driing with her in a

hand$ome ictoria, @ennie $tanding !e$ide the window of an imo$ing man$ion Gthe

fact that it wa$ a man$ion !eing indicated !" mo$t $#mt#o#$-loo%ing hanging$

and ga:ing o#t on a er" mode$t wor%ing-man&$ cottage ict#red in the di$tance( @ennie felt a$ tho#gh $he m#$t die for er" $hame( )he did not $o m#ch mind what it

meant to her, !#t =e$ter, =e$ter, how m#$t he feel And hi$ famil" 9ow the" wo#ld

hae another cl#! with which to $tri%e him and her( )he tried to %ee calm a!o#t it,

to e5ert emotional control, !#t again the tear$ wo#ld ri$e, onl" thi$ time the" were

tear$ of oo$ition to defeat( )he did not want to !e ho#nded thi$ wa"( )he wanted

to !e let alone( )he wa$ tr"ing to do right now( /h" co#ldn&t the world hel her,

in$tead of $ee%ing to #$h her down _

CHAPTER =II

The fact that =e$ter had $een thi$ age wa$ made erfectl" clear to @ennie that

eening, for he !ro#ght it home him$elf, haing concl#ded, after mat#re

deli!eration, that he o#ght to( He had told her once that there wa$ to !e no

concealment !etween them, and thi$ thing, coming $o !r#tall" to di$t#r! their

eace, wa$ neerthele$$ a ca$e in oint( He had decided to tell her not to thin%

an"thing of it--that it did not ma%e m#ch dierence, tho#gh to him it made all the

dierence in the world( The eect of thi$ chill hi$tor" co#ld neer !e #ndone( The

wi$e--and the" incl#ded all hi$ $ocial world and man" who were not of it--co#ld $ee

;#$t how he had !een liing( The article which accomanied the ict#re$ told how he

had followed @ennie from Cleeland to Chicago, how $he had !een co" and di$tant

and that he had to co#rt her a long time to win her con$ent( Thi$ wa$ to e5laintheir liing together on the 9orth )ide( =e$ter reali:ed that thi$ wa$ an a$inine

attemt to $#gar-coat the tr#e $tor" and it made him angr"( )till he referred to



hae it that wa" rather than in $ome more !r#tal ein( He too% the aer o#t of hi$

oc%et when he arried at the ho#$e, $reading it on the li!rar" ta!le( @ennie, who

wa$ clo$e !", watched him, for $he %new what wa$ coming(

.Here&$ $omething that will intere$t "o#, @ennie,. he $aid dr"l", ointing to the arra"

of te5t and ict#re$(

.I&e alread" $een it, =e$ter,. $he $aid wearil"( .r$( )tendahl $howed it to me thi$

afternoon( I wa$ wondering whether "o# had(.

.Rather high-*own de$crition of m" attit#de, i$n&t it I didn&t %now I wa$ $#ch an

ardent Romeo(.

.I&m awf#ll" $orr", =e$ter,. $aid @ennie, reading !ehind the dr" face of h#mor the

$erio#$ imort of thi$ aair to him( )he had long $ince learned that =e$ter did not

e5re$$ hi$ real feeling, hi$ !ig ill$ in word$( He wa$ inclined to ;e$t and ma%e light

of the ineita!le, the ine5ora!le( Thi$ light comment merel" meant .thi$ matter

cannot !e heled, $o we will ma%e the !e$t of it(.

.Oh, don&t feel !adl" a!o#t it,. he went on( .It i$n&t an"thing which can !e ad;#$ted

now( The" ro!a!l" meant well eno#gh( /e ;#$t haen to !e in the limelight(.

.I #nder$tand,. $aid @ennie, coming oer to him( .I&m $orr", tho#gh, an"wa"(. <inner

wa$ anno#nced a moment later and the incident wa$ clo$ed(

6#t =e$ter co#ld not di$mi$$ the tho#ght that matter$ were getting in a !ad wa"( Hi$

father had ointed it o#t to him rather lainl" at the la$t interiew, and now thi$

new$aer notoriet" had caed the clima5( He might a$ well a!andon hi$

reten$ion to intimac" with hi$ old world( It wo#ld hae none of him, or at lea$t themore con$eratie art of it wo#ld not( There were a few !achelor$, a few ga"

married men, $ome $ohi$ticated women, $ingle and married, who $aw thro#gh it all

and li%ed him ;#$t the $ame, !#t the" did not ma%e $ociet"( He wa$ irt#all" an

o#tca$t, and nothing co#ld $ae him !#t to reform hi$ wa"$2 in other word$, he m#$t

gie # @ennie once and for all(

6#t he did not want to do thi$( The tho#ght wa$ ainf#l to him--o!;ectiona!le in

eer" wa"( @ennie wa$ growing in mental ac#men( )he wa$ !eginning to $ee thing$

'#ite a$ clearl" a$ he did( )he wa$ not a chea, am!itio#$, clim!ing creat#re( )he

wa$ a !ig woman and a good one( It wo#ld !e a $hame to throw her down, and

!e$ide$ $he wa$ good-loo%ing( He wa$ fort"-$i5 and $he wa$ twent"-nine2 and $he

loo%ed twent"-fo#r or >e( It i$ an e5cetional thing to >nd !ea#t", "o#th,

comati!ilit", intelligence, "o#r own oint of iew--$oftened and charmingl"

emotionali:ed--in another( He had made hi$ !ed, a$ hi$ father had $aid( He had

!etter lie on it(

It wa$ onl" a little while after thi$ di$agreea!le new$aer incident that =e$ter had

word that hi$ father wa$ '#ite ill and failing2 it might !e nece$$ar" for him to go to

Cincinnati at an" moment( Pre$$#re of wor% wa$ holding him rett" clo$e when the

new$ came that hi$ father wa$ dead( =e$ter, of co#r$e, wa$ greatl" $hoc%ed and

grieed, and he ret#rned to Cincinnati in a retro$ectie and $orrowf#l mood( Hi$father had !een a great character to him--a >ne and intere$ting old gentleman

entirel" a$ide from hi$ relation$hi to him a$ hi$ $on( He remem!ered him now



dandling him #on hi$ %nee a$ a child, telling him $torie$ of hi$ earl" life in Ireland,

and of hi$ $#!$e'#ent commercial $tr#ggle when he wa$ a little older, imre$$ing

the ma5im$ of hi$ !#$ine$$ career and hi$ commercial wi$dom on him a$ he grew to

manhood( Old Archi!ald had !een radicall" hone$t( It wa$ to him that =e$ter owed

hi$ in$tinct$ for lain $eech and direct $tatement of fact( .9eer lie,. wa$

Archi!ald&$ con$tant, reiterated $tatement( .9eer tr" to ma%e a thing loo% dierent

from what it i$ to "o#( It&$ the !reath of life--tr#th--it&$ the !a$i$ of real worth, whilecommercial $#cce$$--it will ma%e a nota!le character of an" one who will $tic% to it(.

=e$ter !elieed thi$( He admired hi$ father inten$el" for hi$ rigid in$i$tence on tr#th,

and now that he wa$ reall" gone he felt $orr"( He wi$hed he might hae !een $ared

to !e reconciled to him( He half fancied that old Archi!ald wo#ld hae li%ed @ennie if

he had %nown her( He did not imagine that he wo#ld eer hae had the oort#nit"

to $traighten thing$ o#t, altho#gh he $till felt that Archi!ald wo#ld hae li%ed her(

/hen he reached Cincinnati it wa$ $nowing, a wind", !l#$ter" $now( The *a%e$ were

coming down thic% and fa$t( The tra+c of the cit" had a m#Ded $o#nd( /hen he

$teed down from the train he wa$ met !" Am", who wa$ glad to $ee him in $iteof all their a$t dierence$( Of all the girl$ $he wa$ the mo$t tolerant( =e$ter #t hi$

arm$ a!o#t her, and %i$$ed her(

.It $eem$ li%e old time$ to $ee "o#, Am",. he $aid, ."o#r coming to meet me thi$

wa"( How&$ the famil" I $#o$e the"&re all here( /ell, oor father, hi$ time had to

come( )till, he lied to $ee eer"thing that he wanted to $ee( I g#e$$ he wa$ rett"

well $ati$>ed with the o#tcome of hi$ eort$(.

.3e$,. relied Am", .and $ince mother died he wa$ er" lonel"(.

The" rode # to the ho#$e in %indl" good feeling, chatting of old time$ and lace$(All the mem!er$ of the immediate famil", and the ario#$ relatie$, were gathered

in the old famil" man$ion( =e$ter e5changed the c#$tomar" condolence$ with the

other$, reali:ing all the while that hi$ father had lied long eno#gh( He had had a

$#cce$$f#l life, and had fallen li%e a rie ale from the tree( =e$ter loo%ed at him

where he la" in the great arlor, in hi$ !lac% co+n, and a feeling of the old-time

aection $wet oer him( He $miled at the clean-c#t, determined, con$cientio#$

face(

.The old gentleman wa$ a !ig man all the wa" thro#gh,. he $aid to Ro!ert, who wa$

re$ent( ./e won&t >nd a !etter >g#re of a man $oon(.

./e will not,. $aid hi$ !rother, $olemnl"(

After the f#neral it wa$ decided to read the will at once( =o#i$e&$ h#$!and wa$

an5io#$ to ret#rn to 6#alo2 =e$ter wa$ comelled to !e in Chicago( A conference of

the ario#$ mem!er$ of the famil" wa$ called for the $econd da" after the f#neral,

to !e held at the o+ce$ of e$$r$( night, eatle" L O&6rien, co#n$elor$ of the late

man#fact#rer(

A$ =e$ter rode to the meeting he had the feeling that hi$ father had not acted in an"

wa" re;#dicial to hi$ intere$t$( It had not !een $o er" long $ince the" had had

their la$t coner$ation2 he had !een ta%ing hi$ time to thin% a!o#t thing$, and hi$father had gien him time( He alwa"$ felt that he had $tood well with the old

gentleman, e5cet for hi$ alliance with @ennie( Hi$ !#$ine$$ ;#dgment had !een



al#a!le to the coman"( /h" $ho#ld there !e an" di$crimination again$t him He

reall" did not thin% it o$$i!le(

/hen the" reached the o+ce$ of the law >rm, r( O&6rien, a $hort, f#$$", al!eit

comforta!le-loo%ing little er$on, greeted all the mem!er$ of the famil" and the

ario#$ heir$ and a$$ign$ with a heart" hand$ha%e( He had !een er$onal co#n$el

to Archi!ald ane for twent" "ear$( He %new hi$ whim$ and idio$"ncra$ie$, andcon$idered him$elf er" m#ch in the light of a father confe$$or( He li%ed all the

children, =e$ter e$eciall"(

.9ow I !eliee we are all here,. he $aid, >nall", e5tracting a air of large horn

reading-gla$$e$ from hi$ coat oc%et and loo%ing $agel" a!o#t( .7er" well( /e might

a$ well roceed to !#$ine$$( I will ;#$t read the will witho#t an" reliminar"

remar%$(.

He t#rned to hi$ de$%, ic%ed # a aer l"ing #on it, cleared hi$ throat, and

!egan(

It wa$ a ec#liar doc#ment, in $ome re$ect$, for it !egan with all the minor

!e'#e$t$2 >r$t, $mall $#m$ to old emlo"ee$, $erant$, and friend$( It then too% #

a few in$tit#tional !e'#e$t$, and >nall" came to the immediate famil", !eginning

with the girl$( Imogene, a$ a faithf#l and loing da#ghter wa$ left a $i5th of the

$toc% of the carriage coman" and a fo#rth of the remaining roertie$ of the

decea$ed, which ro#ghl" aggregated Gthe e$tate--not her $hare a!o#t eight

h#ndred tho#$and dollar$( Am" and =o#i$e were roided for in e5actl" the $ame

roortion( The grandchildren were gien certain little !on#$e$ for good cond#ct,

when the" $ho#ld come of age( Then it too% # the ca$e$ of Ro!ert and =e$ter(

.Owing to certain comlication$ which hae ari$en in the aair$ of m" $on =e$ter,. it

!egan, .I deem it m" d#t" to ma%e certain condition$ which $hall goern the

di$tri!#tion of the remainder of m" roert", to wit One-fo#rth of the $toc% of the

ane an#fact#ring Coman" and one-fo#rth of the remainder of m" ario#$

roertie$, real, er$onal, mone"$, $toc%$ and !ond$, to go to m" !eloed $on

Ro!ert, in recognition of the faithf#l erformance of hi$ d#t", and one-fo#rth of the

$toc% of the ane an#fact#ring Coman" and the remaining fo#rth of m" ario#$

roertie$, real, er$onal, mone"$, $toc%$ and !ond$, to !e held in tr#$t !" him for

the !ene>t of hi$ !rother =e$ter, #ntil $#ch time a$ $#ch condition$ a$ ma"

hereinafter !e $et forth $hall hae !een comlied with( And it i$ m" wi$h and de$ire

that m" children $hall conc#r in hi$ direction of the ane an#fact#ring Coman",

and of $#ch other intere$t$ a$ are entr#$ted to him, #ntil $#ch time a$ he $hall

ol#ntaril" relin'#i$h $#ch control, or $hall indicate another arrangement which

$hall !e !etter(.

=e$ter $wore #nder hi$ !reath( Hi$ chee%$ changed color, !#t he did not moe( He

wa$ not inclined to ma%e a $how( It aeared that he wa$ not een mentioned

$earatel"(

The condition$ .hereinafter $et forth. dealt er" f#ll" with hi$ ca$e, howeer, tho#gh

the" were not read alo#d to the famil" at the time, r( O&6rien $tating that thi$ wa$

in accordance with their father&$ wi$h( =e$ter learned immediatel" afterward that he

wa$ to hae ten tho#$and a "ear for three "ear$, d#ring which time he had the



choice of doing either one of two thing$ ir$t, he wa$ to leae @ennie, if he had not

alread" married her, and $o !ring hi$ life into moral conformit" with the wi$he$ of

hi$ father( In thi$ eent =e$ter&$ $hare of the e$tate wa$ to !e immediatel" t#rned

oer to him( )econdl", he might elect to marr" @ennie, if he had not alread" done $o,

in which ca$e the ten tho#$and a "ear, $eci>call" $et a$ide to him for three "ear$,

wa$ to !e contin#ed for life--!#t for hi$ life onl"( @ennie wa$ not to hae an"thing of

it after hi$ death( The ten tho#$and in '#e$tion rere$ented the ann#al intere$t ontwo h#ndred $hare$ of =( )( and ( )( $toc% which were al$o to !e held in tr#$t #ntil

hi$ deci$ion had !een reached and their >nal di$o$ition eected( If =e$ter ref#$ed

to marr" @ennie, or to leae her, he wa$ to hae nothing at all after the three "ear$

were #( At =e$ter&$ death the $toc% on which hi$ intere$t wa$ drawn wa$ to !e

diided ro rata among the $#riing mem!er$ of the famil"( If an" heir or a$$ign

conte$ted the will, hi$ or her $hare wa$ there!" forfeited entirel"(

It wa$ a$toni$hing to =e$ter to $ee how thoro#ghl" hi$ father had ta%en hi$ ca$e into

con$ideration( He half $#$ected, on reading the$e condition$, that hi$ !rother

Ro!ert had had $omething to do with the framing of them, !#t of co#r$e he co#ldnot !e $#re( Ro!ert had not gien an" direct eidence of enmit"(

./ho drew thi$ will. he demanded of O&6rien, a little later(

./ell, we all had a hand in it,. relied O&6rien, a little $hamefacedl"( .It wa$ a er"

di+c#lt doc#ment to draw #( 3o# %now, r( ane, there wa$ no !#dging "o#r

father( He wa$ adamant( He ha$ come er" near defeating hi$ own wi$he$ in $ome

of the$e cla#$e$( Of co#r$e, "o# %now, we had nothing to do with it$ $irit( That wa$

!etween "o# and him( I hated er" m#ch to hae to do it(.

.Oh, I #nder$tand all thatB. $aid =e$ter( .<on&t let that worr" "o#(.

r( O&6rien wa$ er" gratef#l(

<#ring the reading of the will =e$ter had $at a$ $tolid a$ an o5(

He got # after a time, a$ did the other$, a$$#ming an air of nonchalance( Ro!ert,

Am", =o#i$e and Imogene all felt $hoc%ed, !#t not e5actl", not #n'#ali>edl"

regretf#l( Certainl" =e$ter had acted er" !adl"( He had gien hi$ father great

roocation(

.I thin% the old gentleman ha$ !een a little ro#gh in thi$,. $aid Ro!ert, who had

!een $itting ne5t him( .I certainl" did not e5ect him to go a$ far a$ that( )o far a$ I

am concerned $ome other arrangement wo#ld hae !een $ati$factor"(.

=e$ter $miled griml"( .It doe$n&t matter,. he $aid(

Imogene, Am", and =o#i$e were an5io#$ to !e con$olator", !#t the" did not %now

what to $a"( =e$ter had !ro#ght it all on him$elf( .I don&t thin% aa acted '#ite

right, =e$ter,. ent#red Am", !#t =e$ter waed her awa" almo$t gr#D"(

.I can $tand it,. he $aid(

He >g#red o#t, a$ he $tood there, what hi$ income wo#ld !e in ca$e he ref#$ed tocoml" with hi$ father&$ wi$he$( Two h#ndred $hare$ of =( )( and ( )(, in oen

mar%et, were worth a little oer one tho#$and each( The" "ielded from >e to $i5



er cent(, $ometime$ more, $ometime$ le$$( At thi$ rate he wo#ld hae ten

tho#$and a "ear, not more(

The famil" gathering !ro%e #, each going hi$ wa", and =e$ter ret#rned to hi$

$i$ter&$ ho#$e( He wanted to get o#t of the cit" '#ic%l", gae !#$ine$$ a$ an e5c#$e

to aoid l#nching with an" one, and ca#ght the earlie$t train !ac% to Chicago( A$ he

rode he meditated(

)o thi$ wa$ how m#ch hi$ father reall" cared for himB Co#ld it reall" !e $o He,

=e$ter ane, ten tho#$and a "ear, for onl" three "ear$, and then longer onl" on

condition that he married @ennieB .Ten tho#$and a "ear,. he tho#ght, .and that for

three "ear$B 4ood =ordB An" $mart cler% can earn that( To thin% he $ho#ld hae

done that to meB. _

CHAPTER =III

Thi$ attemt at coercion wa$ the one thing which wo#ld de>nitel" $et =e$ter in

oo$ition to hi$ famil", at lea$t for the time !eing( He had reali:ed clearl" eno#ghof late that he had made a !ig mi$ta%e2 >r$t in not haing married @ennie, th#$

aoiding $candal2 and in the $econd lace in not haing acceted her roo$ition at

the time when $he wanted to leae him2 There were no two wa"$ a!o#t it, he had

made a me$$ of thi$ !#$ine$$( He co#ld not aord to lo$e hi$ fort#ne entirel"( He did

not hae eno#gh mone" of hi$ own( @ennie wa$ #nha", he co#ld $ee that( /h"

$ho#ldn&t $he !e He wa$ #nha"( <id he want to accet the $ha!!" ten tho#$and

a "ear, een if he were willing to marr" her inall", did he want to lo$e @ennie, to

hae her go o#t of hi$ life once and for all He co#ld not ma%e # hi$ mind2 the

ro!lem wa$ too comlicated(

/hen =e$ter ret#rned to hi$ home, after the f#neral, @ennie $aw at once that

$omething wa$ ami$$ with him, $omething !e"ond a $on&$ nat#ral grief for hi$

father&$ death wa$ weighing #on hi$ $irit$( /hat wa$ it, $he wondered( )he tried

to draw near to him $"matheticall", !#t hi$ wo#nded $irit co#ld not !e healed $o

ea$il"( /hen h#rt in hi$ ride he wa$ $aage and $#llen--he co#ld hae $tr#c% an"

man who irritated him( )he watched him intere$tedl", wi$hing to do $omething for

him, !#t he wo#ld not gie her hi$ con>dence( He grieed, and $he co#ld onl"

griee with him(

<a"$ a$$ed, and now the >nancial $it#ation which had !een created !" hi$ father&$

death came # for caref#l con$ideration( The factor" management had to !ereorgani:ed( Ro!ert wo#ld hae to !e made re$ident, a$ hi$ father wi$hed( =e$ter&$

own relation$hi to the !#$ine$$ wo#ld hae to come # for ad;#dication( ?nle$$ he

changed hi$ mind a!o#t @ennie, he wa$ not a $toc%holder( A$ a matter of fact, he

wa$ not an"thing( To contin#e to !e $ecretar" and trea$#rer, it wa$ nece$$ar" that

he $ho#ld own at lea$t one $hare of the coman"&$ $toc%( /o#ld Ro!ert gie him

an" /o#ld Am", =o#i$e, or Imogene /o#ld the" $ell him an" /o#ld the other

mem!er$ of the famil" care to do an"thing which wo#ld infringe on Ro!ert&$

rerogatie$ #nder the will The" were all rather #nfriendl" to =e$ter at re$ent, and

he reali:ed that he wa$ facing a tic%li$h $it#ation( The $ol#tion wa$--to get rid of

@ennie( If he did that he wo#ld not need to !e !egging for $toc%( If he didn&t, he wa$*"ing in the face of hi$ father&$ la$t will and te$tament( He t#rned the matter oer in



hi$ mind $lowl" and deli!eratel"( He co#ld '#ite $ee how thing$ were coming o#t( He

m#$t a!andon either @ennie or hi$ ro$ect$ in life( /hat a dilemmaB

<e$ite Ro!ert&$ a$$ertion, that $o far a$ he wa$ concerned another arrangement

wo#ld hae !een $ati$factor", he wa$ reall" er" well lea$ed with the $it#ation2 hi$

dream$ were $lowl" nearing comletion( Ro!ert had long had hi$ lan$ erfected,

not onl" for a thoro#gh reorgani:ation of the coman" roer, !#t for an e5ten$ionof the !#$ine$$ in the direction of a com!ination of carriage comanie$( If he co#ld

get two or three of the larger organi:ation$ in the Ea$t and /e$t to ;oin with him,

$elling co$t$ co#ld !e red#ced, oer-rod#ction wo#ld !e aoided, and the general

e5en$e$ co#ld !e materiall" $caled down( Thro#gh a 9ew 3or% rere$entatie, he

had !een ic%ing # $toc% in o#t$ide carriage comanie$ for $ome time and he wa$

almo$t read" to act( In the >r$t lace he wo#ld hae him$elf elected re$ident of the

ane Coman", and $ince =e$ter wa$ no longer a factor, he co#ld $elect Am"&$

h#$!and a$ ice-re$ident, and o$$i!l" $ome one other than =e$ter a$ $ecretar"

and trea$#rer( ?nder the condition$ of the will, the $toc% and other roertie$ $et

a$ide temoraril" for =e$ter, in the hoe that he wo#ld come to hi$ $en$e$, were to!e managed and oted !" Ro!ert( Hi$ father had meant, o!io#$l", that he, Ro!ert,

$ho#ld hel him coerce hi$ !rother( He did not want to aear mean, !#t thi$ wa$

$#ch an ea$" wa"( It gae him a righteo#$ d#t" to erform( =e$ter m#$t come to hi$

$en$e$ or he m#$t let Ro!ert r#n the !#$ine$$ to $#it him$elf(

=e$ter, attending to hi$ !ranch d#tie$ in Chicago, fore$aw the drift of thing$( He

reali:ed now that he wa$ ermanentl" o#t of the coman", a !ranch manager at hi$

!rother&$ $#erance, and the tho#ght irritated him greatl"( 9othing had !een $aid

!" Ro!ert to indicate that $#ch a change had ta%en lace--thing$ went on er"

m#ch a$ !efore--!#t Ro!ert&$ $#gge$tion$ were now o!io#$l" law( =e$ter wa$ reall"

hi$ !rother&$ emlo"ee at $o m#ch a "ear( It $ic%ened hi$ $o#l(

There came a time, after a few wee%$, when he felt a$ if he co#ld not $tand thi$ an"

longer( Hitherto he had !een a free and indeendent agent( The aroaching ann#al

$toc%holder&$ meeting which hitherto had !een a one-man aair and a formalit", hi$

father doing all the oting, wo#ld !e now a com!ination of oter$, hi$ !rother

re$iding, hi$ $i$ter$ er" li%el" rere$ented !" their h#$!and$, and he not there at

all( It wa$ going to !e a great come-down, !#t a$ Ro!ert had not $aid an"thing

a!o#t oering to gie or $ell him an" $toc% which wo#ld entitle him to $it a$ a

director or hold an" o+cial o$ition in the coman", he decided to write and re$ign(

That wo#ld !ring matter$ to a cri$i$( It wo#ld $how hi$ !rother that he felt no de$ireto !e #nder o!ligation$ to him in an" wa" or to retain an"thing which wa$ not hi$--

and gladl" $o--!" right of a!ilit" and the de$ire of tho$e with whom he wa$

a$$ociated( If he wanted to moe !ac% into the coman" !" de$erting @ennie he

wo#ld come in a er" dierent caacit" from that of !ranch manager( He dictated a

$imle, $traight-forward !#$ine$$ letter, $a"ing

.DEAR R;*ER%, I know the tie is drawing near when the 'o#any ust be

reorgani>ed under your dire'tion! Not having any sto'k, I a not entitled to sit as a

dire'tor, or to hold the (oint #osition of se'retary and treasurer! I want you to a''e#t

this letter as foral noti'e of y resignation fro both #ositions, and I want to

have your dire'tors 'onsider what dis#osition should be ade of this #osition and

y servi'es! I a not an.ious to retain the bran'h-anagershi# as a bran'h-



anagershi# erely: at the sae tie I do not want to do anything whi'h will

ebarrass you in your #lans for the future! You see by this that I a not ready to

a''e#t the #ro#osition laid down in father/s will--at least, not at #resent! I would like

a de<nite understanding of how you feel in this atter! "ill you write and let e

know$

)Yours,

)4E5%ER(.

Ro!ert, $itting in hi$ o+ce at Cincinnati, con$idered thi$ letter grael"( It wa$ li%e hi$

!rother to come down to .!ra$$ tac%$(. If =e$ter were onl" a$ ca#tio#$ a$ he wa$

$traightforward and direct, what a man he wo#ld !eB 6#t there wa$ no g#ile in the

man--no $#!tlet"( He wo#ld neer do a $na%" thing--and Ro!ert %new, in hi$ own

$o#l, that to $#cceed greatl" one m#$t( .3o# hae to !e r#thle$$ at time$--"o# hae

to !e $#!tle,. Ro!ert wo#ld $a" to him$elf( ./h" not face the fact$ to "o#r$elf when

"o# are la"ing for !ig $ta%e$. He wo#ld, for one, and he did(

Ro!ert felt that altho#gh =e$ter wa$ a tremendo#$l" decent fellow and hi$ !rother,

he wa$n&t lia!le eno#gh to $#it hi$ need$( He wa$ too o#t$o%en, too inclined to

ta%e i$$#e( If =e$ter "ielded to hi$ father&$ wi$he$, and too% o$$e$$ion of hi$ $hare

of the e$tate, he wo#ld !ecome, nece$$aril", an actie artner in the aair$ of the

coman"( =e$ter wo#ld !e a !arrier in Ro!ert&$ ath( <id Ro!ert want thi$

<ecidedl" he did not( He m#ch referred that =e$ter $ho#ld hold fa$t to @ennie, for

the re$ent at lea$t, and $o !e '#ietl" $heled !" hi$ own act(

After long con$ideration, Ro!ert dictated a olitic letter( He hadn&t made # hi$ mind

"et ;#$t what he wanted to do( He did not %now what hi$ $i$ter$& h#$!and$ wo#ld

li%e( A con$#ltation wo#ld hae to !e held( or hi$ art, he wo#ld !e er" glad to

hae =e$ter remain a$ $ecretar" and trea$#rer, if it co#ld !e arranged( Perha$ it

wo#ld !e !etter to let the matter re$t for the re$ent(

=e$ter c#r$ed( /hat did Ro!ert mean !" !eating aro#nd the !#$h He %new well

eno#gh how it co#ld !e arranged( One $hare of $toc% wo#ld !e eno#gh for =e$ter to

'#alif"( Ro!ert wa$ afraid of him--that wa$ the !a$ic fact( /ell, he wo#ld not retain

an" !ranch-manager$hi, deend on that( He wo#ld re$ign at once( =e$ter

accordingl" wrote !ac%, $a"ing that he had con$idered all $ide$, and had decided to

loo% after $ome intere$t$ of hi$ own, for the time !eing( If Ro!ert co#ld arrange it,

he wo#ld li%e to hae $ome one come on to Chicago and ta%e oer the !ranchagenc"( Thirt" da"$ wo#ld !e time eno#gh( In a few da"$ came a regretf#l rel",

$a"ing that Ro!ert wa$ awf#ll" $orr", !#t that if =e$ter wa$ determined he did not

want to interfere with an" lan$ he might hae in iew( Imogene&$ h#$!and,

@eer$on idgel", had long tho#ght he wo#ld li%e to re$ide in Chicago( He co#ld

#nderta%e the wor% for the time !eing(

=e$ter $miled( Eidentl" Ro!ert wa$ ma%ing the !e$t of a er" $#!tle $it#ation(

Ro!ert %new that he, =e$ter, co#ld $#e and tie thing$ #, and al$o that he wo#ld !e

er" loath to do $o( The new$aer$ wo#ld get hold of the whole $tor"( Thi$ matter

of hi$ relation$hi to @ennie wa$ in the air, an"how( He co#ld !e$t $ole the ro!lem

!" leaing her( )o it all came !ac% to that( _

CHAPTER =I7



or a man of =e$ter&$ "ear$--he wa$ now fort"-$i5--to !e to$$ed o#t in the world

witho#t a de>nite connection, een tho#gh he did hae a re$ent income Gincl#ding

thi$ new ten tho#$and of >fteen tho#$and a "ear, wa$ a di$t#r!ing and

di$co#raging thing( He reali:ed now that, #nle$$ he made $ome er" fort#nate and

ro>ta!le arrangement$ in the near f#t#re, hi$ career wa$ irt#all" at an end( Of

co#r$e he co#ld marr" @ennie( That wo#ld gie him the ten tho#$and for the re$t of

hi$ life, !#t it wo#ld al$o end hi$ chance of getting hi$ legitimate $hare of the anee$tate( Again, he might $ell o#t the $eent"->e tho#$and dollar$& worth of

moderate intere$t-!earing $toc%$, which now "ielded him a!o#t >e tho#$and, and

tr" a ractical ine$tment of $ome %ind--$a" a rial carriage coman"( 6#t did he

want to ;#m in, at thi$ $tage of the game, and !egin a r#nning >ght on hi$ father&$

old organi:ation oreoer, it wo#ld !e a hard row to hoe( There wa$ the %eene$t

rialr" for !#$ine$$ a$ it wa$, with the ane Coman" er" m#ch in the lead(

=e$ter&$ onl" aaila!le caital wa$ hi$ $eent"->e tho#$and dollar$( <id he want to

!egin in a ica"#ne, o!$c#re wa" It too% mone" to get a foothold in the carriage

!#$ine$$ a$ thing$ were now(

The tro#!le with =e$ter wa$ that, while !le$$ed with a >ne imagination and

con$idera!le in$ight, he lac%ed the r#thle$$, narrow-minded in$i$tence on hi$

indiid#al $#eriorit" which i$ a nece$$ar" element in almo$t eer" great !#$ine$$

$#cce$$( To !e a forcef#l >g#re in the !#$ine$$ world mean$, a$ a r#le, that "o#

m#$t !e an indiid#al of one idea, and that idea the 4od-gien one that life ha$

de$tined "o# for a tremendo#$ f#t#re in the artic#lar >eld "o# hae cho$en( It

mean$ that one thing, a ca%e of $oa, a new can-oener, a $afet" ra:or, or $eed-

accelerator, m#$t $ei:e on "o#r imagination with tremendo#$ force, !#rn a$ a

raging *ame, and ma%e it$elf the !e-all and end-all of "o#r e5i$tence( A$ a r#le, a

man need$ oert" to hel him to thi$ enth#$ia$m, and "o#th( The thing he ha$di$coered, and with which he i$ going to !#$" him$elf, m#$t !e the door to a

tho#$and oort#nitie$ and a tho#$and ;o"$( Haine$$ m#$t !e !e"ond or the >re

will not !#rn a$ !rightl" a$ it might--the #rge will not !e great eno#gh to ma%e a

great $#cce$$(

=e$ter did not o$$e$$ thi$ indi$en$a!le '#alit" of enth#$ia$m( =ife had alread"

$hown him the greater art of it$ $o-called ;o"$( He $aw thro#gh the ill#$ion$ that

are $o often and $o noi$il" la!eled lea$#re( one", of co#r$e, wa$ e$$ential, and he

had alread" had mone"--eno#gh to %ee him comforta!l"( <id he want to ri$% it He

loo%ed a!o#t him tho#ghtf#ll"( Perha$ he did( Certainl" he co#ld not comforta!l"

contemlate the tho#ght of $itting !" and watching other eole wor% for the re$t of hi$ da"$(

In the end he decided that he wo#ld !e$tir him$elf and loo% into thing$( He wa$, a$

he $aid to him$elf, in no h#rr"2 he wa$ not going to ma%e a mi$ta%e( He wo#ld >r$t

gie the trade, the eole who were identi>ed with he man#fact#re and $ale of

carriage$, time to reali:e that he wa$ o#t of the ane Coman", for the time !eing,

an"how, and oen to other connection$( )o he anno#nced that he wa$ leaing the

ane Coman" and going to E#roe, o$ten$i!l" for a re$t( He had neer !een

a!road, and @ennie, too, wo#ld en;o" it( 7e$ta co#ld !e left at home with 4erhardt

and a maid, and he and @ennie wo#ld trael aro#nd a !it, $eeing what E#roe had to$how( He wanted to i$it 7enice and 6aden-6aden, and the great watering-lace$

that had !een recommended to him( Cairo and =#5or and the Parthenon had alwa"$



aealed to hi$ imagination( After he had had hi$ o#ting he co#ld come !ac% and

$erio#$l" gather # the thread$ of hi$ intention$(

The $ring after hi$ father died, he #t hi$ lan into e5ec#tion( He had wo#nd # the

wor% of the wareroom$ and with a lea$ant deli!eration had $t#died o#t a to#r( He

made @ennie hi$ con>dante, and now, haing gathered together their traeling

comfort$ the" too% a $teamer from 9ew 3or% to =ierool( After a few wee%$ in the6riti$h I$le$ the" went to Eg"t( rom there the" came !ac%, thro#gh 4reece and

Ital", into A#$tria and )wit:erland, and then later, thro#gh rance and Pari$, to

4erman" and 6erlin( =e$ter wa$ dierted !" the noelt" of the e5erience and "et

he had an #ncomforta!le feeling that he wa$ wa$ting hi$ time( 4reat !#$ine$$

enterri$e$ were not !#ilt !" traeler$, and he wa$ not loo%ing for health(

@ennie, on the other hand, wa$ tran$orted !" what $he $aw, and en;o"ed the new

life to the f#ll( 6efore =#5or and arna%--lace$ which @ennie had neer dreamed

e5i$ted--$he learned of an older ciili:ation, owerf#l, comle5, comlete( illion$ of

eole had lied and died here, !elieing in other god$, other form$ of goernment,

other condition$ of e5i$tence( or the >r$t time in her life @ennie gained a clear idea

of how a$t the world i$( 9ow from thi$ oint of iew--of deca"ed 4reece, of fallen

Rome, of forgotten Eg"t, $he $aw how ointle$$ are o#r minor di+c#ltie$, o#r

minor !elief$( Her father&$ =#therani$m--it did not $eem $o $igni>cant an" more2 and

the $ocial econom" of Col#m!#$, Ohio--rather ointle$$, erha$( Her mother had

worried $o of what eole--her neigh!or$--tho#ght, !#t here were dead world$ of

eole, $ome !ad, $ome good( =e$ter e5lained that their dierence$ in $tandard$

of moral$ were d#e $ometime$ to climate, $ometime$ to religio#$ !elief$, and

$ometime$ to the ri$e of ec#liar er$onalitie$ li%e ohammed( =e$ter li%ed to oint

o#t how $mall conention$ !#l%ed in thi$, the larger world, and ag#el" $he !egan

to $ee( Admitting that $he had !een !ad--locall" it wa$ imortant, erha$, !#t in

the $#m of ciili:ation, in the $#m of !ig force$, what did it all amo#nt to The"

wo#ld !e dead after a little while, $he and =e$ter and all the$e eole( <id an"thing

matter e5cet goodne$$--goodne$$ of heart /hat el$e wa$ there that wa$ real _

CHAPTER =7

It wa$ while traeling a!road that =e$ter came acro$$, >r$t at the Carlton in =ondon

and later at )heheard$ in Cairo, the one girl, !efore @ennie, whom it might hae

!een $aid he tr#l" admired--=ett" Pace( He had not $een her for a long time, and

$he had !een r$( alcolm 4erald for nearl" fo#r "ear$, and a charming widow fornearl" two "ear$ more( alcolm 4erald had !een a wealth" man, haing ama$$ed a

fort#ne in !an%ing and $toc%-!ro%ering in Cincinnati, and he had left r$( alcolm

4erald er" well o( )he wa$ the mother of one child, a little girl, who wa$ $afel" in

charge of a n#r$e and maid at all time$, and $he wa$ inaria!l" the ict#re$'#e

center of a gro# of admirer$ recr#ited from eer" caital of the ciili:ed world(

=ett" 4erald wa$ a talented woman, !ea#tif#l, gracef#l, arti$tic, a writer of er$e, an

omnioro#$ reader, a $t#dent of art, and a $incere and ardent admirer of =e$ter

ane(

In her da" $he had tr#l" loed him, for $he had !een a wi$e o!$erer of men and

aair$, and =e$ter had alwa"$ aealed to her a$ a real man( He wa$ $o $ane, $hetho#ght, $o calm( He wa$ alwa"$ intolerant of $ham, and $he li%ed him for it( He wa$

inclined to wae a$ide the ett" little friolitie$ of common $ociet" coner$ation,



and to tal% of $imle and homel" thing$( an" and man" a time, in "ear$ a$t, the"

had de$erted a dance to $it o#t on a !alcon" $omewhere, and tal% while =e$ter

$mo%ed( He had arg#ed hilo$oh" with her, di$c#$$ed !oo%$, de$cri!ed olitical

and $ocial condition$ in other citie$--in a word, he had treated her li%e a $en$i!le

h#man !eing, and $he had hoed and hoed and hoed that he wo#ld roo$e to

her( ore than once $he had loo%ed at hi$ !ig, $olid head with it$ $hort growth of

hard" !rown hair, and wi$hed that $he co#ld $tro%e it( It wa$ a hard !low to herwhen he >nall" moed awa" to Chicago2 at that time $he %new nothing of @ennie,

!#t $he felt in$tinctiel" that her chance of winning him wa$ gone(

Then alcolm 4erald, alwa"$ an ardent admirer, roo$ed for $omething li%e the

$i5t"->fth time, and $he too% him( )he did not loe him, !#t $he wa$ getting along,

and $he had to marr" $ome one( He wa$ fort"-fo#r when he married her, and he

lied onl" fo#r "ear$--;#$t long eno#gh to reali:e that he had married a charming,

tolerant, !road-minded woman( Then he died of ne#monia and r$( 4erald wa$ a

rich widow, $"mathetic, attractie, delightf#l in her %nowledge of the world, and

with nothing to do e5cet to lie and to $end her mone"(

)he wa$ not inclined to do either indierentl"( )he had long $ince had her ideal of a

man e$ta!li$hed !" =e$ter( The$e whier-$naer$ of co#nt$, earl$, lord$, !aron$,

whom $he met in one $ocial world and another Gfor her friend$hi and connection$

had !roadened nota!l" with the "ear$, did not intere$t her a article( )he wa$

terri!l" wear" of the $#er>cial eneer of the titled fort#ne-h#nter whom $he met

a!road( A good ;#dge of character, a $t#dent of men and manner$, a nat#ral

rea$oner along $ociologic and $"chologic line$, $he $aw thro#gh them and thro#gh

the ciili:ation which the" rere$ented( .I co#ld hae !een ha" in a cottage with a

man I once %new o#t in Cincinnati,. $he told one of her titled women friend$ who

had !een an American !efore her marriage( .He wa$ the !igge$t, cleane$t, $ane$t

fellow( If he had roo$ed to me I wo#ld hae married him if I had had to wor% for a

liing m"$elf(.

./a$ he $o oor. a$%ed her friend(

.Indeed he wa$n&t( He wa$ comforta!l" rich, !#t that did not ma%e an" dierence to

me( It wa$ the man I wanted(.

.It wo#ld hae made a dierence in the long r#n,. $aid the other(

.3o# mi$;#dge me,. relied r$( 4erald( .I waited for him for a n#m!er of "ear$, andI %now(.

=e$ter had alwa"$ retained lea$ant imre$$ion$ and %indl" memorie$ of =ett" Pace,

or r$( 4erald, a$ $he wa$ now( He had !een fond of her in a wa", er" fond( /h"

hadn&t he married her He had a$%ed him$elf that '#e$tion time and again( )he

wo#ld hae made him an ideal wife, hi$ father wo#ld hae !een lea$ed, eer"!od"

wo#ld hae !een delighted( In$tead he had drifted and drifted, and then he had met

@ennie2 and $omehow, after that, he did not want her an" more( 9ow after $i5 "ear$

of $earation he met her again( He %new $he wa$ married( )he wa$ ag#el" aware

he had had $ome $ort of an aair--$he had heard that he had $#!$e'#entl" married

the woman and wa$ liing on the )o#th )ide( )he did not %now of the lo$$ of hi$

fort#ne( )he ran acro$$ him >r$t in the Carlton one @#ne eening( The window$ were



oen, and the *ower$ were !looming eer"where, odoro#$ with that $en$e of new

life in the air which r#n$ thro#gh the world when $ring come$ !ac%( or the

moment $he wa$ a little !e$ide her$elf( )omething cho%ed in her throat2 !#t $he

collected her$elf and e5tended a gracef#l arm and hand(

./h", =e$ter ane,. $he e5claimed( .How do "o# doB I am $o glad( And thi$ i$ r$(

ane Charmed, I&m $#re( It $eem$ tr#l" li%e a !reath of $ring to $ee "o# again( Ihoe "o#&ll e5c#$e me, r$( ane, !#t I&m delighted to $ee "o#r h#$!and( I&m

a$hamed to $a" how man" "ear$ it i$, =e$ter, $ince I $aw "o# la$tB I feel '#ite old

when I thin% of it( /h", =e$ter, thin%2 it&$ !een all of $i5 or $een "ear$B And I&e

!een married and had a child, and oor r( 4erald ha$ died, and oh, dear, I don&t

%now what all ha$n&t haened to me(.

.3o# don&t loo% it,. commented =e$ter, $miling( He wa$ lea$ed to $ee her again, for

the" had !een good friend$( )he li%ed him $till--that wa$ eident, and he tr#l" li%ed

her(

@ennie $miled( )he wa$ glad to $ee thi$ old friend of =e$ter&$( Thi$ woman, trailing amagni>cent "ellow lace train oer ale, mother-of-earl $atin, her ro#nd, $mooth

arm$ !are to the $ho#lder, her cor$age c#t low and a dar% red ro$e !lowing at her

wai$t, $eemed to her the ideal of what a woman $ho#ld !e( )he li%ed loo%ing at

loel" women '#ite a$ m#ch a$ =e$ter2 $he en;o"ed calling hi$ attention to them,

and tea$ing him, in the milde$t wa", a!o#t their charm$( ./o#ldn&t "o# li%e to r#n

and tal% to her, =e$ter, in$tead of to me. $he wo#ld a$% when $ome artic#larl"

$tri%ing or !ea#tif#l woman chanced to attract her attention( =e$ter wo#ld e5amine

her choice criticall", for he had come to %now that her ;#dge of feminine charm$

wa$ e5cellent( .Oh, I&m rett" well o where I am,. he wo#ld retort, loo%ing into her

e"e$2 or, ;e$tingl", .I&m not a$ "o#ng a$ I #$ed to !e, or I&d get in tow of that(.

.R#n on,. wa$ her comment( .I&ll wait for "o#(.

./hat wo#ld "o# do if I reall" $ho#ld.

./h", =e$ter, I wo#ldn&t do an"thing( 3o#&d come !ac% to me, ma"!e(.

./o#ldn&t "o# care.

.3o# %now I&d care( 6#t if "o# felt that "o# wanted to, I wo#ldn&t tr" to $to "o#( I

wo#ldn&t e5ect to !e all in all to one man, #nle$$ he wanted me to !e(.

./here do "o# get tho$e idea$, @ennie. he a$%ed her once, c#rio#$ to te$t the

!readth of her hilo$oh"(

.Oh, I don&t %now, wh".

.The"&re $o !road, $o good-nat#red, $o charita!le( The"&re not common, that&$

$#re(.

./h", I don&t thin% we o#ght to !e $el>$h, =e$ter( I don&t %now wh"( )ome women

thin% dierentl", I %now, !#t a man and a woman o#ght to want to lie together, or

the" o#ght not to--don&t "o# thin% It doe$n&t ma%e $o m#ch dierence if a mangoe$ o for a little while--;#$t $o long a$ he doe$n&t $ta"--if he want$ to come !ac%

at all(.



=e$ter $miled, !#t he re$ected her for the $weetne$$ of her oint of iew--he had

to(

To-night, when $he $aw thi$ woman $o eager to tal% to =e$ter, $he reali:ed at once

that the" m#$t hae a great deal in common to tal% oer2 where#on $he did a

characteri$tic thing( ./on&t "o# e5c#$e me for a little while. $he a$%ed, $miling( .I

left $ome thing$ #ncared for in o#r room$( I&ll !e !ac%(.

)he went awa", remaining in her room a$ long a$ $he rea$ona!l" co#ld, and =e$ter

and =ett" fell to di$c#$$ing old time$ in earne$t( He reco#nted a$ m#ch of hi$

e5erience$ a$ he deemed wi$e, and =ett" !ro#ght the hi$tor" of her life # to date(

.9ow that "o#&re $afel" married, =e$ter,. $he $aid daringl", .I&ll confe$$ to "o# that

"o# were the one man I alwa"$ wanted to hae roo$e to me--and "o# neer did(.

.a"!e I neer dared,. he $aid, ga:ing into her $#er! !lac% e"e$, and thin%ing that

erha$ $he might %now that he wa$ not married( He felt that $he had grown more

!ea#tif#l in eer" wa"( )he $eemed to him now to !e an ideal $ociet" >g#re-

erfection it$elf--gracio#$, nat#ral, witt", the t"e of woman who mi5e$ and mingle$well, meeting each new-comer #on the lane !e$t $#ited to him or her(

.3e$, "o# tho#ghtB I %now what "o# tho#ght( 3o#r real tho#ght ;#$t left the ta!le(.

.T#t, t#t, m" dear( 9ot $o fa$t( 3o# don&t %now what I tho#ght(.

.An"how, I allow "o# $ome credit( )he&$ charming(.

.@ennie ha$ her good oint$,. he relied $iml"(

.And are "o# ha".

.Oh, fairl" $o( 3e$, I $#o$e I&m ha"--a$ ha" a$ an" one can !e who $ee$ life a$

it i$( 3o# %now I&m not tro#!led with man" ill#$ion$(.

.9ot an", I thin%, %ind $ir, if I %now "o#(.

.7er" li%el", not an", =ett"2 !#t $ometime$ I wi$h I had a few( I thin% I wo#ld !e

haier(.

.And I, too, =e$ter( Reall", I loo% on m" life a$ a %ind of fail#re, "o# %now, in $ite of

the fact that I&m almo$t a$ rich a$ Croe$#$--not '#ite( I thin% he had $ome more than

I hae(.

./hat tal% from "o#--"o#, with "o#r !ea#t" and talent, and mone"--good heaen$B.

.And what can I do with it Trael, tal%, $hoo awa" $ill" fort#ne-h#nter$( Oh, dear,

$ometime$ I get $o tiredB.

=ett" loo%ed at =e$ter( In $ite of @ennie, the old feeling came !ac%( /h" $ho#ld $he

hae !een cheated of him The" were a$ comforta!le together a$ old married

eole, or "o#ng loer$( @ennie had had no !etter claim( )he loo%ed at him, and her

e"e$ fairl" $o%e( He $miled a little $adl"(

.Here come$ m" wife,. he $aid( ./e&ll hae to !race # and tal% of other thing$(

3o#&ll >nd her intere$ting--reall"(.



.3e$, I %now,. $he relied, and t#rned on @ennie a radiant $mile(

@ennie felt a faint $en$e of mi$giing( )he tho#ght ag#el" that thi$ might !e one of

=e$ter&$ old *ame$( Thi$ wa$ the %ind of woman he $ho#ld hae cho$en--not her(

)he wa$ $#ited to hi$ $tation in life, and he wo#ld hae !een a$ ha"--erha$

haier( /a$ he !eginning to reali:e it Then $he #t awa" the #ncomforta!le

tho#ght2 rett" $oon $he wo#ld !e getting ;ealo#$, and that wo#ld !e contemti!le(

r$( 4erald contin#ed to !e mo$t agreea!le in her attit#de toward the ane$( )he

inited them the ne5t da" to ;oin her on a drie thro#gh Rotten Row( There wa$ a

dinner later at Claridge&$, and then $he wa$ comelled to %ee $ome engagement

which wa$ ta%ing her to Pari$( )he !ade them !oth an aectionate farewell, and

hoed that the" wo#ld $oon meet again( )he wa$ enio#$, in a $ad wa", of @ennie&$

good fort#ne( =e$ter had lo$t none of hi$ charm for her( If an"thing, he $eemed

nicer, more con$iderate, more whole$ome( )he wi$hed $incerel" that he were free(

And =e$ter--$#!con$cio#$l" erha$--wa$ thin%ing the $ame thing(

9o do#!t !eca#$e of the fact that $he wa$ thin%ing of it, he had !een led oermentall" all of the thing$ which might hae haened if he had married her( The"

were $o congenial now, hilo$ohicall", arti$ticall", racticall"( There wa$ a nat#ral

*ow of coner$ation !etween them all the time, li%e two old comrade$ among men(

)he %new eer"!od" in hi$ $ocial $here, which wa$ e'#all" her$, !#t @ennie did not(

The" co#ld tal% of certain $#!tle characteri$tic$ of life in a wa" which wa$ not

o$$i!le !etween him and @ennie, for the latter did not hae the oca!#lar"( Her

idea$ did not *ow a$ fa$t a$ tho$e of r$( 4erald( @ennie had act#all" the deeer,

more comrehen$ie, $"mathetic, and emotional note in her nat#re, !#t $he co#ld

not $how it in light coner$ation( Act#all" $he wa$ liing the thing $he wa$, and that

wa$ erha$ the thing which drew =e$ter to her( @#$t now, and often in $it#ation$ ofthi$ %ind, $he $eemed at a di$adantage, and $he wa$( It $eemed to =e$ter for the

time !eing a$ if r$( 4erald wo#ld erha$ hae !een a !etter choice after all--

certainl" a$ good, and he wo#ld not now hae thi$ di$tre$$ing tho#ght a$ to hi$

f#t#re(

The" did not $ee r$( 4erald again #ntil the" reached Cairo( In the garden$ a!o#t

the hotel the" $#ddenl" enco#ntered her, or rather =e$ter did, for he wa$ alone at

the time, $trolling and $mo%ing(

./ell, thi$ i$ good l#c%,. he e5claimed( ./here do "o# come from.

.adrid, if "o# lea$e( I didn&t %now I wa$ coming #ntil la$t Th#r$da"( The Ellicott$

are here( I came oer with them( 3o# %now I wondered where "o# might !e( Then I

remem!ered that "o# $aid "o# were going to Eg"t( /here i$ "o#r wife.

.In her !ath, I fanc", at thi$ moment( Thi$ warm weather ma%e$ @ennie ta%e to

water( I wa$ thin%ing of a l#nge m"$elf(.

The" $trolled a!o#t for a time( =ett" wa$ in light !l#e $il%, with a !l#e and white

ara$ol held daintil" oer her $ho#lder, and loo%ed er" rett"( .Oh, dearB. $he

$#ddenl" e;ac#lated, .I wonder $ometime$ what I am to do with m"$elf( I can&t loaf

alwa"$ thi$ wa"( I thin% I&ll go !ac% to the )tate$ to lie(.

./h" don&t "o#.



./hat good wo#ld it do me I don&t want to get married( I haen&t an" one to marr"

now--that I want(. )he glanced at =e$ter $igni>cantl", then loo%ed awa"(

.Oh, "o#&ll >nd $ome one eent#all",. he $aid, $omewhat aw%wardl"( .3o# can&t

e$cae for long--not with "o#r loo%$ and mone"(.

.Oh, =e$ter, h#$hB.

.All rightB Hae it otherwi$e, if "o# want( I&m telling "o#(.

.<o "o# $till dance. $he in'#ired lightl", thin%ing of a !all which wa$ to !e gien at

the hotel that eening( He had danced $o well a few "ear$ !efore(

.<o I loo% it.

.9ow, =e$ter, "o# don&t mean to $a" that "o# hae gone and a!andoned that la$t

charming art( I $till loe to dance( <oe$n&t r$( ane.

.9o, $he doe$n&t care to( At lea$t $he ha$n&t ta%en it #( Come to thin% of it, I$#o$e that i$ m" fa#lt( I haen&t tho#ght of dancing in $ome time(.

It occ#rred to him that he hadn&t !een going to f#nction$ of an" %ind m#ch for $ome

time( The oo$ition hi$ entanglement had generated had #t a $to to that(

.Come and dance with me to-night( 3o#r wife won&t o!;ect( It&$ a $lendid *oor( I $aw

it thi$ morning(.

.I&ll hae to thin% a!o#t that,. relied =e$ter( .I&m not m#ch in ractice( <ancing will

ro!a!l" go hard with me at m" time of life(.

.Oh, h#$h, =e$ter,. relied r$( 4erald( .3o# ma%e me feel old( <on&t tal% $o

$edatel"( erc" alie, "o#&d thin% "o# were an old manB.

.I am in e5erience, m" dear(.

.P$haw, that $iml" ma%e$ #$ more attractie,. relied hi$ old *ame( _

CHAPTER =7I

That night after dinner the m#$ic wa$ alread" $o#nding in the !all-room of the great

hotel ad;acent to the alm-garden$ when r$( 4erald fo#nd =e$ter $mo%ing on one

of the eranda$ with @ennie !" hi$ $ide( The latter wa$ in white $atin and white$lier$, her hair l"ing a hea", enticing ma$$ a!o#t her forehead and ear$( =e$ter

wa$ !rooding oer the hi$tor" of Eg"t, it$ $#cce$$ie tide$ or wae$ of rather

wea%-!odied eole2 the thin, narrow $tri of $oil along either $ide of the 9ile that

had gien the$e $#cce$$ie wae$ of o#lation $#$tenance2 the wonder of heat

and troic life, and thi$ hotel with it$ modern conenience$ and fa$hiona!le crowd

$et down among ancient, $o#l-wear", almo$t de$airing condition$( He and @ennie

had loo%ed thi$ morning on the "ramid$( The" had ta%en a trolle" to the )hin5B

The" had watched $warm$ of ragged, half-clad, c#rio#$l" co$t#med men and !o"$

moing thro#gh narrow, $mell", al!eit !rightl" colored, lane$ and alle"$(

.It all $eem$ $#ch a me$$ to me,. @ennie had $aid at one lace( .The" are $o dirt"

and oil"( I li%e it, !#t $omehow the" $eem tangled #, li%e a lot of worm$(.



=e$ter ch#c%led, .3o#&re almo$t right( 6#t climate doe$ it( Heat( The troic$( =ife i$

alwa"$ m#$h" and $en$#al #nder the$e condition$( The" can&t hel it(.

.Oh, I %now that( I don&t !lame them( The"&re ;#$t '#eer(.

To-night he wa$ !rooding oer thi$, the moon $hining down into the gro#nd$ with an

e5#!erant, $en$#o#$ l#$ter(

./ell, at la$t I&e fo#nd "o#B. r$( 4erald e5claimed( .I co#ldn&t get down to dinner,

after all( O#r art" wa$ $o late getting !ac%( I&e made "o#r h#$!and agree to dance

with me, r$( ane,. $he went on $milingl"( )he, li%e =e$ter and @ennie, wa$ #nder

the $en$#o#$ in*#ence of the warmth, the $ring, the moonlight( There were rich

odor$ a!road, *oating $#!tl" from groe$ and garden$2 from the remote di$tance

camel-!ell$ were $o#nding and e5otic crie$, .A"ahB. and .oo$hB oo$hB. a$ tho#gh a

droe of $trange animal$ were !eing ro#nded # and drien thro#gh the crowded

$treet$(

.3o#&re welcome to him,. relied @ennie lea$antl"( .He o#ght to dance( I $ometime$wi$h I did(.

.3o# o#ght to ta%e le$$on$ right awa" then,. relied =e$ter geniall"( .I&ll do m" !e$t

to %ee "o# coman"( I&m not a$ light on m" feet a$ I wa$ once, !#t I g#e$$ I can get

aro#nd(.

.Oh, I don&t want to dance that !adl",. $miled @ennie( .6#t "o# two go on, I&m going

#-$tair$ in a little while, an"wa"(.

./h" don&t "o# come $it in the !all-room I can&t do more than a few ro#nd$( Then

we can watch the other$,. $aid =e$ter ri$ing(

.9o( I thin% I&ll $ta" here( It&$ $o lea$ant( 3o# go( Ta%e him, r$( 4erald(.

=e$ter and =ett" $trolled awa"( The" made a $tri%ing air--r$( 4erald in dar% wine-

colored $il%, coered with gli$tening !lac% !ead$, her $hael" arm$ and nec% !are,

and a *a$hing diamond of great $i:e $et ;#$t a!oe her forehead in her dar% hair(

Her li$ were red, and $he had an engaging $mile, $howing an een row of white

teeth !etween wide, f#ll, friendl" li$( =e$ter&$ $trong, igoro#$ >g#re wa$ well $et

o !" hi$ eening clothe$, he loo%ed di$ting#i$hed(

.That i$ the woman he $ho#ld hae married,. $aid @ennie to her$elf a$ hedi$aeared( )he fell into a reerie, going oer the $te$ of her a$t life( )ometime$

it $eemed to her now a$ if $he had !een liing in a dream( At other time$ $he felt a$

tho#gh $he were in that dream "et( =ife $o#nded in her ear$ m#ch a$ thi$ night did(

)he heard it$ crie$( )he %new it$ large-ma$$ feat#re$( 6#t !ac% of it were $#!tletie$

that $haded and changed one into the other li%e the $hifting of dream$( /h" had

$he !een $o attractie to men /h" had =e$ter !een $o eager to follow her Co#ld

$he hae reented him )he tho#ght of her life in Col#m!#$, when $he carried

coal2 to-night $he wa$ in Eg"t, at thi$ great hotel, the chatelaine of a $#ite of

room$, $#rro#nded !" eer" l#5#r", =e$ter $till deoted to her( He had end#red $o

man" thing$ for herB /h" /a$ $he $o wonderf#l 6rander had $aid $o( =e$ter hadtold her $o( )till $he felt h#m!le, o#t of lace, holding handf#l$ of ;ewel$ that did not

!elong to her( Again $he e5erienced that ec#liar feeling which had come oer her



the >r$t time $he went to 9ew 3or% with =e$ter--namel", that thi$ fair" e5i$tence

co#ld not end#re( Her life wa$ fated( )omething wo#ld haen( )he wo#ld go !ac%

to $imle thing$, to a $ide $treet, a oor cottage, to old clothe$(

And then a$ $he tho#ght of her home in Chicago, and the attit#de of hi$ friend$, $he

%new it m#$t !e $o( )he wo#ld neer !e receied, een if he married her( And $he

co#ld #nder$tand wh"( )he co#ld loo% into the charming, $miling face of thi$ womanwho wa$ now with =e$ter, and $ee that $he con$idered her er" nice, erha$, !#t

not of =e$ter&$ cla$$( )he wa$ $a"ing to her$elf now no do#!t a$ $he danced with

=e$ter that he needed $ome one li%e her( He needed $ome one who had !een rai$ed

in the atmo$here of the thing$ to which he had !een acc#$tomed( He co#ldn&t er"

well e5ect to >nd in her, @ennie, the familiarit" with, the areciation of the

nicetie$ to, which he had alwa"$ !een acc#$tomed( )he #nder$tood what the" were(

Her mind had awa%ened raidl" to detail$ of f#rnit#re, clothing, arrangement,

decoration$, manner, form$, c#$tom$, !#t--$he wa$ not to the manner !orn(

If $he went awa" =e$ter wo#ld ret#rn to hi$ old world, the world of the attractie,

well-!red, cleer woman who now h#ng #on hi$ arm( The tear$ came into @ennie&$

e"e$2 $he wi$hed, for the moment, that $he might die( It wo#ld !e !etter $o(

eanwhile =e$ter wa$ dancing with r$( 4erald, or $itting o#t !etween the walt:e$

tal%ing oer old time$, old lace$, and old friend$( A$ he loo%ed at =ett" he

mareled at her "o#th and !ea#t"( )he wa$ more deeloed than formerl", !#t $till

a$ $lender and $hael" a$ <iana( )he had $trength, too, in thi$ $mooth !od" of her$,

and her !lac% e"e$ were li'#id and l#$terf#l(

.I $wear, =ett",. he $aid im#l$iel", ."o#&re reall" more !ea#tif#l than eer( 3o#&re

e5'#i$ite( 3o#&e grown "o#nger in$tead of older(.

.3o# thin% $o. $he $miled, loo%ing # into hi$ face(

.3o# %now I do, or I wo#ldn&t $a" $o( I&m not m#ch on hilandering(.

.Oh, =e$ter, "o# !ear, can&t "o# allow a woman ;#$t a little co"ne$$ <on&t "o# %now

we all loe to $i o#r rai$e, and not !e comelled to $wallow it in one great

mo#thf#l.

./hat&$ the oint. he a$%ed( ./hat did I $a".

.Oh, nothing( 3o#&re $#ch a !ear( 3o#&re $#ch a !ig, determined, $traightforward !o"(

6#t neer mind( I li%e "o#( That&$ eno#gh, i$n&t it.

.It $#rel" i$,. he $aid(

The" $trolled into the garden a$ the m#$ic cea$ed, and he $'#ee:ed her arm $oftl"(

He co#ldn&t hel it2 $he made him feel a$ if he owned her( )he wanted him to feel

that wa"( )he $aid to her$elf, a$ the" $at loo%ing at the lantern$ in the garden$, that

if eer he were free, and wo#ld come to her, $he wo#ld ta%e him( )he wa$ almo$t

read" to ta%e him an"how--onl" he ro!a!l" wo#ldn&t( He wa$ $o $traight-laced, $o

con$iderate( He wo#ldn&t, li%e $o man" other men $he %new, do a mean thing( He

co#ldn&t( inall" =e$ter ro$e and e5c#$ed him$elf( He and @ennie were going farther# the 9ile in the morning--toward arna% and The!e$ and the water-wa$hed



temle$ at Ph"lae( The" wo#ld hae to $tart at an #nearthl" earl" ho#r, and he m#$t

get to !ed(

./hen are "o# going home. a$%ed r$( 4erald, r#ef#ll"(

.In )etem!er(.

.Hae "o# engaged "o#r a$$age.

.3e$2 we $ail from Ham!#rg on the ninth--the #lda(.

.I ma" !e going !ac% in the fall,. la#ghed =ett"( .<on&t !e $#rri$ed if I crowd in on

the $ame !oat with "o#( I&m er" #n$ettled in m" mind(.

.Come along, for goodne$$ $a%e,. relied =e$ter( .I hoe "o# do(((( I&ll $ee "o# to-

morrow !efore we leae(. He a#$ed, and $he loo%ed at him wi$tf#ll"(

.Cheer #,. he $aid, ta%ing her hand( .3o# neer can tell what life will do( /e

$ometime$ >nd o#r$ele$ right when we tho#ght we were all wrong(.

He wa$ thin%ing that $he wa$ $orr" to lo$e him, and he wa$ $orr" that $he wa$ not

in a o$ition to hae what $he wanted( A$ for him$elf, he wa$ $a"ing that here wa$

one $ol#tion that ro!a!l" he wo#ld neer accet2 "et it wa$ a $ol#tion( /h" had he

not $een thi$ "ear$ !efore

.And "et $he wa$n&t a$ !ea#tif#l then a$ $he i$ now, nor a$ wi$e, nor a$ wealth"(.

a"!eB a"!eB 6#t he co#ldn&t !e #nfaithf#l to @ennie nor wi$h her an" !ad l#c%(

)he had had eno#gh witho#t hi$ willing, and had !orne it !rael"( _

CHAPTER =7II

The tri home did !ring another wee% with r$( 4erald, for after mat#re

con$ideration $he had decided to ent#re to America for a while( Chicago and

Cincinnati were her de$tination$, and $he hoed to $ee more of =e$ter( Her re$ence

wa$ a good deal of a $#rri$e to @ennie, and it $tarted her thin%ing again( )he co#ld

$ee what the oint wa$( If $he were o#t of the wa" r$( 4erald wo#ld marr" =e$ter2

that wa$ certain( A$ it wa$--well, the '#e$tion wa$ a comlicated one( =ett" wa$

=e$ter&$ nat#ral mate, $o far a$ !irth, !reeding, and o$ition went( And "et @ennie

felt in$tinctiel" that, on the large h#man $ide, =e$ter referred her( Perha$ time

wo#ld $ole the ro!lem2 in the mean time the little art" of three contin#ed to

remain e5cellent friend$( /hen the" reached Chicago r$( 4erald went her wa",

and @ennie and =e$ter too% # the c#$tomar" thread of their e5i$tence(

On hi$ ret#rn from E#roe =e$ter $et to wor% in earne$t to >nd a !#$ine$$ oening(

9one of the !ig comanie$ made him an" oert#re$, rinciall" !eca#$e he wa$

con$idered a $trong man who wa$ loo%ing for a control in an"thing he to#ched( The

nat#re of hi$ altered fort#ne$ had not !een made #!lic( All the little comanie$

that he ine$tigated were haing a hand-to-mo#th e5i$tence, or man#fact#ring a

rod#ct which wa$ not $ati$factor" to him( He did >nd one coman" in a $mall town

in northern Indiana which loo%ed a$ tho#gh it might hae a f#t#re( It wa$ controlled

!" a ractical !#ilder of wagon$ and carriage$--$#ch a$ =e$ter&$ father had !een inhi$ da"--who, howeer, wa$ not a good !#$ine$$ man( He wa$ ma%ing $ome $mall

mone" on an ine$tment of >fteen tho#$and dollar$ and a lant worth, $a", twent"-



>e tho#$and( =e$ter felt that $omething co#ld !e done here if roer method$ were

#r$#ed and !#$ine$$ ac#men e5erci$ed( It wo#ld !e $low wor%( There wo#ld neer

!e a great fort#ne in it( 9ot in hi$ lifetime( He wa$ thin%ing of ma%ing an oer to the

$mall man#fact#rer when the >r$t r#mor$ of a carriage tr#$t reached him(

Ro!ert had gone ahead raidl" with hi$ $cheme for reorgani:ing the carriage trade(

He $howed hi$ cometitor$ how m#ch greater ro>t$ co#ld !e made thro#ghcon$olidation than thro#gh a m#t#all" de$tr#ctie rialr"( )o conincing were hi$

arg#ment$ that one !" one the !ig carriage man#fact#ring comanie$ fell into line(

/ithin a few month$ the deal had !een #$hed thro#gh, and Ro!ert fo#nd him$elf

re$ident of the ?nited Carriage and /agon an#fact#rer$& A$$ociation, with a

caital $toc% of ten million dollar$, and with a$$et$ aggregating nearl" three-fo#rth$

of that $#m at a forced $ale( He wa$ a ha" man(

/hile all thi$ wa$ going forward =e$ter wa$ comletel" in the dar%( Hi$ tri to

E#roe reented him from $eeing three or fo#r minor notice$ in the new$aer$ of

$ome of the eort$ that were !eing made to #nite the ario#$ carriage and wagon

man#factorie$( He ret#rned to Chicago to learn that @eer$on idgel", Imogene&$

h#$!and, wa$ $till in f#ll charge of the !ranch and liing in Ean$ton, !#t !eca#$e of

hi$ '#arrel with hi$ famil" he wa$ in no o$ition to get the new$ direct( Accident

!ro#ght it fa$t eno#gh, howeer, and that rather irritatingl"(

The indiid#al who cone"ed thi$ information wa$ none other than r( Henr"

6race!ridge, of Cleeland, into whom he ran at the ?nion Cl#! one eening after he

had !een in the cit" a month(

.I hear "o#&re o#t of the old coman",. 6race!ridge remar%ed, $miling !landl"(

.3e$,. $aid =e$ter, .I&m o#t(.

./hat are "o# # to now.

.Oh, I hae a deal of m" own #nder con$ideration, I&m thin%ing $omething of

handling an indeendent concern(.

.)#rel" "o# won&t r#n co#nter to "o#r !rother He ha$ a rett" good thing in that

com!ination of hi$(.

.Com!inationB I hadn&t heard of it,. $aid =e$ter( .I&e ;#$t got !ac% from E#roe(.

./ell, "o# want to wa%e #, =e$ter,. relied 6race!ridge( .He&$ got the !igge$t thing

in "o#r line( I tho#ght "o# %new all a!o#t it( The ="man-/inthro Coman", the

"er-6roo%$ Coman", the /ood$ Coman"--in fact, >e or $i5 of the !ig comanie$

are all in( 3o#r !rother wa$ elected re$ident of the new concern( I dare $a" he

cleaned # a co#le of million$ o#t of the deal(.

=e$ter $tared( Hi$ glance hardened a little(

./ell, that&$ >ne for Ro!ert( I&m glad of it(.

6race!ridge co#ld $ee that he had gien him a ital $ta!(

./ell, $o long, old man,. he e5claimed( ./hen "o#&re in Cleeland loo% #$ #( 3o#

%now how fond m" wife i$ of "o#(.



.I %now,. relied =e$ter( .6"-!"(.

He $trolled awa" to the $mo%ing-room, !#t the new$ too% all the :e$t o#t of hi$

riate ent#re( /here wo#ld he !e with a $ha!!" little wagon coman" and hi$

!rother re$ident of a carriage tr#$t 4ood heaen$B Ro!ert co#ld #t him o#t of

!#$ine$$ in a "ear( /h", he him$elf had dreamed of $#ch a com!ination a$ thi$( 9ow

hi$ !rother had done it(

It i$ one thing to hae "o#th, co#rage, and a >ghting $irit to meet the !low$ with

which fort#ne often aDict$ the talented( It i$ '#ite another to $ee middle age

coming on, "o#r rincial fort#ne o$$i!l" gone, and aen#e after aen#e of

oort#nit" !eing $ealed to "o# on ario#$ $ide$( @ennie&$ o!io#$ $ocial

in$#+cienc", the '#alit" of new$aer re#tation which had now !ecome attached

to her, hi$ father&$ oo$ition and death, the lo$$ of hi$ fort#ne, the lo$$ of hi$

connection with the coman", hi$ !rother&$ attit#de, thi$ tr#$t, all com!ined in a

wa" to di$hearten and di$co#rage him( He tried to %ee a !rae face--and he had

$#cceeded th#$ far, he tho#ght, admira!l", !#t thi$ la$t !low aeared for the time

!eing a little too m#ch( He went home, the $ame eening that he heard the new$,

$orel" di$heartened( @ennie $aw it( )he reali:ed it, a$ a matter of fact, all d#ring the

eening that he wa$ awa"( )he felt !l#e and de$ondent her$elf( /hen he came

home $he $aw what it wa$--$omething had haened to him( Her >r$t im#l$e wa$

to $a", ./hat i$ the matter, =e$ter. !#t her ne5t and $o#nder one wa$ to ignore it

#ntil he wa$ read" to $ea%, if eer( )he tried not to let him $ee that $he $aw,

coming a$ near a$ $he might aectionatel" witho#t di$t#r!ing him(

.7e$ta i$ $o delighted with her$elf to-da",. $he ol#nteered !" wa" of dier$ion(

.)he got $#ch nice mar%$ in $chool(.

.That&$ good,. he relied $olemnl"(

.And $he dance$ !ea#tif#ll" the$e da"$( )he $howed me $ome of her new dance$

to-night( 3o# haen&t an" idea how $weet $he loo%$(.

.I&m glad of it,. he gr#m!led( .I alwa"$ wanted her to !e erfect in that( It&$ time

$he wa$ going into $ome good girl$& $chool, I thin%(.

.And aa get$ in $#ch a rage( I hae to la#gh( )he tea$e$ him a!o#t it--the little

im( )he oered to teach him to dance to-night( If he didn&t loe her $o he&d !o5 her

ear$(.

.I can $ee that,. $aid =e$ter, $miling( .Him dancingB That&$ rett" goodB.

.)he&$ not the lea$t !it di$t#r!ed !" hi$ $torming, either(.

.4ood for her,. $aid =e$ter( He wa$ er" fond of 7e$ta, who wa$ now '#ite a girl(

)o @ennie tried on #ntil hi$ mood wa$ modi>ed a little, and then $ome in%ling of

what had haened came o#t( It wa$ when the" were retiring for the night(

.Ro!ert&$ form#lated a rett" !ig thing in a >nancial wa" $ince we&e !een awa",.

he ol#nteered(

./hat i$ it. a$%ed @ennie, all ear$(



.Oh, he&$ gotten # a carriage tr#$t( It&$ $omething which will ta%e in eer"

man#factor" of an" imortance in the co#ntr"( 6race!ridge wa$ telling me that

Ro!ert wa$ made re$ident, and that the" hae nearl" eight million$ in caital(.

.3o# don&t $a"B. relied @ennie( ./ell, then "o# won&t want to do m#ch with "o#r

new coman", will "o#.

.9o2 there&$ nothing in that, ;#$t now,. he $aid( .=ater on I fanc" it ma" !e all right(

I&ll wait and $ee how thi$ thing come$ o#t( 3o# neer can tell what a tr#$t li%e that

will do(.

@ennie wa$ inten$el" $orr"( )he had neer heard =e$ter comlain !efore( It wa$ a

new note( )he wi$hed $incerel" that $he might do $omething to comfort him, !#t

$he %new that her eort$ were #$ele$$( .Oh, well,. $he $aid, .there are $o man"

intere$ting thing$ in thi$ world( If I were "o# I wo#ldn&t !e in a h#rr" to do an"thing,

=e$ter( 3o# hae $o m#ch time(.

)he didn&t tr#$t her$elf to $a" an"thing more, and he felt that it wa$ #$ele$$ toworr"( /h" $ho#ld he After all, he had an amle income that wa$ a!$ol#tel" $ec#re

for two "ear$ "et( He co#ld hae more if he wanted it( Onl" hi$ !rother wa$ moing

$o da::lingl" onward, while he wa$ $tanding $till--erha$ .drifting. wo#ld !e the

!etter word( It did $eem a it"2 wor$t of all, he wa$ !eginning to feel a little

#ncertain of him$elf( _

CHAPTER =7III

=e$ter had !een doing $ome rett" hard thin%ing, !#t $o far he had !een #na!le to

form#late an" fea$i!le lan for hi$ re-entrance into actie life( The $#cce$$f#l

organi:ation of Ro!ert&$ carriage trade tr#$t had %noc%ed in the head an" f#rthertho#ght on hi$ art of ta%ing an intere$t in the $mall Indiana wagon man#factor"( He

co#ld not !e e5ected to $in% hi$ $en$e of ride and lace, and enter a ett"

camaign for !#$ine$$ $#cce$$ with a man who wa$ $o o!io#$l" hi$ >nancial

$#erior( He had loo%ed # the detail$ of the com!ination, and he fo#nd that

6race!ridge had !arel" indicated how wonderf#ll" comlete it wa$( There were

million$ in the com!ine( It wo#ld hae eer" little man#fact#rer !" the throat(

)ho#ld he !egin now in a $mall wa" and .i%e along. in the $hadow of hi$ giant

!rother He co#ldn&t $ee it( It wa$ too ignominio#$( He wo#ld !e r#nning aro#nd the

co#ntr" tr"ing to >ght a new tr#$t, with hi$ own !rother a$ hi$ tolerant rial and hi$

own rightf#l caital arra"ed again$t him( It co#ldn&t !e done( 6etter $it $till for thetime !eing( )omething el$e might $how #( If not--well, he had hi$ indeendent

income and the right to come !ac% into the ane Coman" if he wi$hed( <id he

wi$h The '#e$tion wa$ alwa"$ with him(

It wa$ while =e$ter wa$ in thi$ mood, drifting, that he receied a i$it from )am#el E(

Ro$$, a real e$tate dealer, who$e great, wooden $ign$ might !e $een eer"where on

the wind" $tretche$ of rairie a!o#t the cit"( =e$ter had $een Ro$$ once or twice at

the ?nion Cl#!, where he had !een ointed o#t a$ a daring and $#cce$$f#l real

e$tate $ec#lator, and he had noticed hi$ rather con$ic#o#$ o+ce$ at =a )alle and

/a$hington $treet$( Ro$$ wa$ a magnetic-loo%ing er$on of a!o#t >ft" "ear$ of age,

tall, !lac%-!earded, !lac%-e"ed, an arched, wide-no$triled no$e, and hair that c#rled



nat#rall", almo$t electricall"( =e$ter wa$ imre$$ed with hi$ lithe, cat-li%e >g#re, and

hi$ long, thin, imre$$ie white hand$(

r( Ro$$ had a real e$tate roo$ition to la" !efore r( ane( Of co#r$e r( ane

%new who he wa$( And r( Ro$$ admitted f#ll" that he %new all a!o#t r( ane(

Recentl", in con;#nction with r( 9orman 3ale, of the whole$ale grocer" >rm of 3ale,

)im$on L Rice, he had deeloed .3alewood(. r( ane %new of that

3e$, r( ane %new of that(

Onl" within $i5 wee%$ the la$t lot$ in the Ridgewood $ection of .3alewood. had !een

clo$ed o#t at a total ro>t of fort"-two er cent( He went oer a li$t of other deal$ in

real e$tate which he had #t thro#gh, all well-%nown roertie$( He admitted fran%l"

that there were fail#re$ in the !#$ine$$2 he had had one or two him$elf( 6#t the

$#cce$$e$ far o#tn#m!ered the !ad $ec#lation$, a$ eer" one %new( 9ow =e$ter

wa$ no longer connected with the ane Coman"( He wa$ ro!a!l" loo%ing for a

good ine$tment, and r( Ro$$ had a roo$ition to la" !efore him( =e$ter

con$ented to li$ten, and r( Ro$$ !lin%ed hi$ cat-li%e e"e$ and $tarted in(

The idea wa$ that he and =e$ter $ho#ld enter into a one-deal artner$hi, coering

the #rcha$e and deeloment of a fort"-acre tract of land l"ing !etween ift"->fth,

)eent"->r$t, Hal$tead $treet$, and A$hland Aen#e, on the $o#thwe$t $ide( There

were indication$ of a gen#ine real e$tate !oom there--health", nat#ral, and

ermanent( The cit" wa$ a!o#t to ae ift"->fth )treet( There wa$ a lan to e5tend

the Hal$tead )treet car line far !elow it$ re$ent termin#$( The Chicago, 6#rlington

L F#inc", which ran near there, wo#ld !e glad to #t a a$$enger $tation on the

roert"( The initial co$t of the land wo#ld !e fort" tho#$and dollar$ which the"

wo#ld $hare e'#all"( 4rading, aing, lighting, tree lanting, $#re"ing wo#ld co$t,ro#ghl", an additional twent"->e tho#$and( There wo#ld !e e5en$e$ for

aderti$ing--$a" ten er cent, of the total ine$tment for two "ear$, or erha$

three--a total of nineteen tho#$and >e h#ndred or twent" tho#$and dollar$( All told,

the" wo#ld $tand to ine$t ;ointl" the $#m of ninet"->e tho#$and, or o$$i!l" one

h#ndred tho#$and dollar$, of which =e$ter&$ $hare wo#ld !e >ft" tho#$and( Then r(

Ro$$ !egan to >g#re on the ro>t$(

The character of the land, it$ $ala!ilit", and the li%elihood of a ri$e in al#e co#ld !e

;#dged !" the roert" ad;acent, the $ale$ that had !een made north of ift"->fth

)treet and ea$t of Hal$tead( Ta%e, for in$tance, the ortimer lot, at Hal$tead and

ift"->fth $treet$, on the $o#th-ea$t corner( Here wa$ a iece of land that in 188M

wa$ held at fort"->e dollar$ an acre( In 188N it had ri$en to >e h#ndred dollar$ an

acre, a$ atte$ted !" it$ $ale to a r( @ohn =( )lo$$on at that time( In 188K, three

"ear$ later, it had !een $old to r( ortimer for one tho#$and er acre, reci$el" the

>g#re at which thi$ tract wa$ now oered( It co#ld !e arceled o#t into lot$ >ft" !"

one h#ndred feet at >e h#ndred dollar$ er lot( /a$ there an" ro>t in that

=e$ter admitted that there wa$(

Ro$$ went on, $omewhat !oa$tf#ll", to e5lain ;#$t how real e$tate ro>t$ were

made( It wa$ #$ele$$ for an" o#t$ider to r#$h into the game, and imagine that he

co#ld do in a few wee%$ or "ear$ what trained real e$tate $ec#lator$ li%e him$elf

had !een wor%ing on for a '#arter of a cent#r"( There wa$ $omething in re$tige,



$omething in ta$te, $omething in $"chic arehen$ion( )#o$ing that the" went

into the deal, he, Ro$$, wo#ld !e the re$iding geni#$( He had a trained $ta, he

controlled giant contractor$, he had friend$ in the ta5 o+ce, in the water o+ce, and

in the ario#$ other cit" deartment$ which made or marred cit" imroement$( If

=e$ter wo#ld come in with him he wo#ld ma%e him $ome mone"--how m#ch he

wo#ld not $a" e5actl"-->ft" tho#$and dollar$ at the lowe$t--one h#ndred and >ft" to

two h#ndred tho#$and in all li%elihood( /o#ld =e$ter let him go into detail$, ande5lain ;#$t how the $cheme co#ld !e wor%ed o#t After a few da"$ of '#iet

cogitation, =e$ter decided to accede to r( Ro$$&$ re'#e$t2 he wo#ld loo% into thi$

thing( _

CHAPTER =I

The ec#liarit" of thi$ artic#lar roo$ition wa$ that it had the !a$ic element$ of

$#cce$$( r( Ro$$ had the e5erience and the ;#dgment which were '#ite caa!le of

ma%ing a $#cce$$ of almo$t an"thing he #ndertoo%( He wa$ in a >eld which wa$

entirel" familiar( He co#ld conince almo$t an" a!le man if he co#ld get hi$ ear

$#+cientl" long to la" hi$ fact$ !efore him(

=e$ter wa$ not coninced at >r$t, altho#gh, generall" $ea%ing, he wa$ intere$ted in

real e$tate roo$ition$( He li%ed land( He con$idered it a $o#nd ine$tment

roiding "o# did not get too m#ch of it( He had neer ine$ted in an", or $carcel"

an", $olel" !eca#$e he had not !een in a realm where real e$tate roo$ition$ were

tal%ed of( A$ it wa$ he wa$ landle$$ and, in a wa", ;o!le$$(

He rather li%ed r( Ro$$ and hi$ wa" of doing !#$ine$$( It wa$ ea$" to erif" hi$

$tatement$, and he did erif" them in $eeral artic#lar$( There were hi$ $ign$ o#t

on the rairie $tretche$, and here were hi$ ad$ in the dail" aer$( It $eemed not a!ad wa" at all in hi$ idlene$$ to $tart and ma%e $ome mone"(

The tro#!le with =e$ter wa$ that he had reached the time where he wa$ not a$ %een

for detail$ a$ he had formerl" !een( All hi$ wor% in recent "ear$--in fact, from the

er" !eginning--had !een with large roo$ition$, the #rcha$ing of great '#antitie$

of $#lie$, the lacing of large order$, the di$c#$$ion of thing$ which were

whole$ale and which had er" little to do with the minor detail$ which ma%e # the

$ecial intere$t$ of the $maller trader$ of the world( In the factor" hi$ !rother Ro!ert

had >g#red the ennie$ and nic%el$ of la!or-co$t, had $een to it that all the little

lea%$ were $h#t o( =e$ter had !een left to deal with larger thing$, and he had

con$i$tentl" done $o( /hen it came to thi$ artic#lar roo$ition hi$ intere$t wa$ in

the whole$ale ha$e$ of it, not the ett" detail$ of $elling( He co#ld not hel $eeing

that Chicago wa$ a growing cit", and that land al#e$ m#$t ri$e( /hat wa$ now far-

o#t rairie roert" wo#ld $oon, in the co#r$e of a few "ear$, !e well !#ilt-#

$#!#r!an re$idence territor"( )carcel" an" land that co#ld !e #rcha$ed now wo#ld

fall in al#e( It might drag in $ale$ or increa$e, !#t it co#ldn&t fall( Ro$$ coninced

him of thi$( He %new it of hi$ own ;#dgment to !e tr#e(

The $eeral thing$ on which he did not $ec#late $#+cientl" were the life or health

of r( Ro$$2 the chance that $ome o!no5io#$ neigh!orhood growth wo#ld aect the

territor" he had $elected a$ re$idence territor"2 the fact that di+c#lt mone"$it#ation$ might red#ce real e$tate al#e$--in fact, !ring a!o#t a *#rr" of real e$tate



li'#idation which wo#ld $end rice$ cra$hing down and ca#$e the fail#re of $trong

romoter$, een $#ch romoter$ for in$tance, a$ r( )am#el E( Ro$$(

or $eeral month$ he $t#died the $it#ation a$ re$ented !" hi$ new g#ide and

mentor, and then, haing $ati$>ed him$elf that he wa$ rea$ona!l" $afe, decided to

$ell $ome of the holding$ which were netting him a !eggarl" $i5 er cent, and ine$t

in thi$ new roo$ition( The >r$t ca$h o#tla" wa$ twent" tho#$and dollar$ for theland, which wa$ ta%en oer #nder an oeratie agreement !etween him$elf and

Ro$$2 thi$ wa$ r#n inde>nitel"--$o long a$ there wa$ an" of thi$ land left to $ell( The

ne5t thing wa$ to rai$e twele tho#$and >e h#ndred dollar$ for imroement$,

which he did, and then to f#rni$h $ome twent"->e h#ndred dollar$ more for ta5e$

and #ncon$idered e5en$e$, item$ which had come # in carr"ing o#t the

imroement wor% which had !een lanned( It $eemed that hard and $oft earth

made a dierence in grading co$t$, that tree$ wo#ld not alwa"$ *o#ri$h a$

e5ected, that certain mem!er$ of the cit" water and ga$ deartment$ had to !e

.$een. and .>5ed. !efore certain other imroement$ co#ld !e eected( r( Ro$$

attended to all thi$, !#t the co$t of the roceeding$ wa$ $omething which had to !edi$c#$$ed, and =e$ter heard it all(

After the land wa$ #t in $hae, a!o#t a "ear after the original coner$ation, it wa$

nece$$ar" to wait #ntil $ring for the roer aderti$ing and !ooming of the new

$ection2 and thi$ aderti$ing !egan to call at once for the third a"ment( =e$ter

di$o$ed of an additional >fteen tho#$and dollar$ worth of $ec#ritie$ in order to

follow thi$ ent#re to it$ logical and ro>ta!le concl#$ion(

? to thi$ time he wa$ rather lea$ed with hi$ ent#re( Ro$$ had certainl" !een

thoro#gh and !#$ine$$-li%e in hi$ handling of the ario#$ detail$( The land wa$ #t in

e5cellent $hae( It wa$ gien a rather attractie title--.Inwood,. altho#gh, a$ =e$ternoted, there wa$ recio#$ little wood an"where aro#nd there( 6#t Ro$$ a$$#red him

that eole loo%ing for a $#!#r!an re$idence wo#ld !e attracted !" the name2

$eeing the igoro#$ eort$ in tree-lanting that had !een made to roide for $hade

in the f#t#re, the" wo#ld ta%e the will for the deed( =e$ter $miled(

The >r$t chill wind that !lew #on the infant ro;ect came in the form of a r#mor

that the International Pac%ing Coman", one of the !ig con$tit#ent mem!er$ of the

ac%ing ho#$e com!ination at Hal$tead and Thirt"-ninth $treet$, had determined to

de$ert the old gro# and la" o#t a new ac%ing area for it$elf( The aer$ e5lained

that the coman" intended to go farther $o#th, ro!a!l" !elow ift"->fth )treet andwe$t of A$hland Aen#e( Thi$ wa$ the territor" that wa$ located d#e we$t of =e$ter&$

roert", and the mere $#$icion that the ac%ing coman" might inade the

territor" wa$ $#+cient to !light the ro$ect$ of an" !#dding real e$tate deal(

Ro$$ wa$ !e$ide him$elf with rage( He decided, after '#ic% deli!eration, that the

!e$t thing to do wo#ld !e to !oom the roert" heail", !" mean$ of new$aer

aderti$ing, and $ee if it co#ld not !e di$o$ed of !efore an" additional damage wa$

li%el" to !e done to it( He laid the matter !efore =e$ter, who agreed that thi$ wo#ld

!e adi$a!le( The" had alread" e5ended $i5 tho#$and dollar$ in aderti$ing, and

now the additional $#m of three tho#$and dollar$ wa$ $ent in ten da"$, to ma%e it

aear that In wood wa$ an ideal re$idence $ection, e'#ied with eer" modernconenience for the home-loer, and de$tined to !e one of the mo$t e5cl#$ie and

!ea#tif#l $#!#r!$ of the cit"( It wa$ .no go(. A few lot$ were $old, !#t the r#mor that



the International Pac%ing Coman" might come wa$ er$i$tent and deadl"2 from an"

oint of iew, $ae that of a foreign o#lation neigh!orhood, the enterri$e wa$ a

fail#re(

To $a" that =e$ter wa$ greatl" di$heartened !" thi$ !low i$ to #t it mildl"(

Practicall" >ft" tho#$and dollar$, two-third$ of all hi$ earthl" o$$e$$ion$, o#t$ide of

hi$ $ti#lated ann#al income, wa$ tied # here2 and there were ta5e$ to a", reair$to maintain, act#al dereciation in al#e to face( He $#gge$ted to Ro$$ that the area

might !e $old at it$ co$t al#e, or a loan rai$ed on it, and the whole enterri$e

a!andoned2 !#t that e5erienced real e$tate dealer wa$ not $o $ang#ine( He had

had one or two fail#re$ of thi$ %ind !efore( He wa$ $#er$titio#$ a!o#t an"thing

which did not go $moothl" from the !eginning( If it didn&t go it wa$ a hoodoo--a

!lac% $hadow--and he wanted no more to do with it( Other real e$tate men, a$ he

%new to hi$ co$t, were of the $ame oinion(

)ome three "ear$ later the roert" wa$ $old #nder the $heri&$ hammer( =e$ter,

haing #t in >ft" tho#$and dollar$ all told, recoered a tri*e more than eighteen

tho#$and2 and $ome of hi$ wi$e friend$ a$$#red him that he wa$ l#c%" in getting o

$o ea$il"( _

CHAPTER = G0

/hile the real e$tate deal wa$ in rogre$$ r$( 4erald decided to moe to Chicago(

)he had !een $ta"ing in Cincinnati for a few month$, and had learned a great deal

a$ to the real fact$ of =e$ter&$ irreg#lar mode of life( The '#e$tion whether or not he

wa$ reall" married to @ennie remained an oen one( The gar!led detail$ of @ennie&$

earl" "ear$, the fact that a Chicago aer had written him # a$ a "o#ng millionaire

who wa$ $acri>cing hi$ fort#ne for loe of her, the certaint" that Ro!ert hadracticall" eliminated him from an" oice in the ane Coman", all came to her

ear$( )he hated to thin% that =e$ter wa$ ma%ing $#ch a $acri>ce of him$elf( He had

let nearl" a "ear $li !" witho#t doing an"thing( In two more "ear$ hi$ chance wo#ld

!e gone( He had $aid to her in =ondon that he wa$ witho#t man" ill#$ion$( /a$

@ennie one <id he reall" loe her, or wa$ he ;#$t $orr" for her =ett" wanted er"

m#ch to >nd o#t for $#re(

The ho#$e that r$( 4erald lea$ed in Chicago wa$ a mo$t imo$ing one on <re5el

6o#leard( .I&m going to ta%e a ho#$e in "o#r town thi$ winter, and I hoe to $ee a

lot of "o#,. $he wrote to =e$ter( .I&m awf#ll" !ored with life here in Cincinnati( After

E#roe it&$ $o--well, "o# %now( I $aw r$( nowle$ on )at#rda"( )he a$%ed after "o#(

3o# o#ght to %now that "o# hae a loing friend in her( Her da#ghter i$ going to

marr" @imm" )eerance in the $ring(.

=e$ter tho#ght of her coming with mingled feeling$ of lea$#re and #ncertaint"( )he

wo#ld !e entertaining largel", of co#r$e( /o#ld $he fooli$hl" !egin !" attemting to

inite him and @ennie )#rel" not( )he m#$t %now the tr#th !" thi$ time( Her letter

indicated a$ m#ch( )he $o%e of $eeing a lot of him( That meant that @ennie wo#ld

hae to !e eliminated( He wo#ld hae to ma%e a clean !rea$t of the whole aair to

=ett"( Then $he co#ld do a$ $he lea$ed a!o#t their f#t#re intimac"( )eated in

=ett"&$ comforta!le !o#doir one afternoon, facing a i$ion of loeline$$ in ale"ellow, he decided that he might a$ well hae it o#t with her( )he wo#ld #nder$tand(

@#$t at thi$ time he wa$ !eginning to do#!t the o#tcome of the real e$tate deal, and



con$e'#entl" he wa$ feeling a little !l#e, and, a$ a concomitant, a little con>dential(

He co#ld not a$ "et tal% to @ennie a!o#t hi$ tro#!le$(

.3o# %now, =e$ter,. $aid =ett", !" wa" of heling him to hi$ confe$$ion--the maid

had !ro#ght tea for her and $ome !rand" and $oda for him, and dearted--.that I

hae !een hearing a lot of thing$ a!o#t "o# $ince I&e !een !ac% in thi$ co#ntr"(

Aren&t "o# going to tell me all a!o#t "o#r$elf 3o# %now I hae "o#r real intere$t$ atheart(.

./hat hae "o# !een hearing, =ett". he a$%ed, '#ietl"(

.Oh, a!o#t "o#r father&$ will for one thing, and the fact that "o#&re o#t of the

coman", and $ome go$$i a!o#t r$( ane which doe$n&t intere$t me er" m#ch(

3o# %now what I mean( Aren&t "o# going to $traighten thing$ o#t, $o that "o# can

hae what rightf#ll" !elong$ to "o# It $eem$ to me $#ch a great $acri>ce, =e$ter,

#nle$$, of co#r$e, "o# are er" m#ch in loe( Are "o#. $he a$%ed archl"(

=e$ter a#$ed and deli!erated !efore rel"ing( .I reall" don&t %now how to an$werthat la$t '#e$tion, =ett",. he $aid( .)ometime$ I thin% that I loe her2 $ometime$ I

wonder whether I do or not( I&m going to !e erfectl" fran% with "o#( I wa$ neer in

$#ch a c#rio#$ o$ition in m" life !efore( 3o# li%e me $o m#ch, and I--well, I don&t

$a" what I thin% of "o#,. he $miled( .6#t an"how, I can tal% to "o# fran%l"( I&m not

married(.

.I tho#ght a$ m#ch,. $he $aid, a$ he a#$ed(

.And I&m not married !eca#$e I hae neer !een a!le to ma%e # m" mind ;#$t what

to do a!o#t it( /hen I >r$t met @ennie I tho#ght her the mo$t entrancing girl I had

eer laid e"e$ on(.

.That $ea%$ ol#me$ for m" charm$ at that time,. interr#ted hi$ i$-a-i$(

.<on&t interr#t me if "o# want to hear thi$,. he $miled(

.Tell me one thing,. $he '#e$tioned, .and then I won&t( /a$ that in Cleeland.

.3e$(.

.)o I heard,. $he a$$ented(

.There wa$ $omething a!o#t her $o--.

.=oe at >r$t $ight,. again interolated =ett" fooli$hl"( Her heart wa$ h#rting her( .I

%now(.

.Are "o# going to let me tell thi$.

.Pardon me, =e$ter( I can&t hel a twinge or two(.

./ell, an"how, I lo$t m" head( I tho#ght $he wa$ the mo$t erfect thing #nder the

$#n, een if $he wa$ a little o#t of m" world( Thi$ i$ a democratic co#ntr"( I tho#ght

that I co#ld ;#$t ta%e her, and then--well, "o# %now( That i$ where I made m"mi$ta%e( I didn&t thin% that wo#ld roe a$ $erio#$ a$ it did( I neer cared for an"

other woman !#t "o# !efore and--I&ll !e fran%--I didn&t %now whether I wanted to



marr" "o#( I tho#ght I didn&t want to marr" an" woman( I $aid to m"$elf that I co#ld

;#$t ta%e @ennie, and then, after a while, when thing$ had '#ieted down $ome, we

co#ld $earate( )he wo#ld !e well roided for( I wo#ldn&t care er" m#ch( )he

wo#ldn&t care( 3o# #nder$tand(.

.3e$, I #nder$tand,. relied hi$ confe$$or(

./ell, "o# $ee, =ett", it ha$n&t wor%ed o#t that wa"( )he&$ a woman of a c#rio#$

temerament( )he o$$e$$e$ a world of feeling and emotion( )he&$ not ed#cated in

the $en$e in which we #nder$tand that word, !#t $he ha$ nat#ral re>nement and

tact( )he&$ a good ho#$e%eeer( )he&$ an ideal mother( )he&$ the mo$t aectionate

creat#re #nder the $#n( Her deotion to her mother and father wa$ !e"ond word$(

Her loe for her--da#ghter $he&$ her$, not mine--i$ erfect( )he ha$n&t an" of the

grace$ of the $mart $ociet" woman( )he i$n&t '#ic% at reartee( )he can&t ;oin in an"

raid->re coner$ation( )he thin%$ rather $lowl", I imagine( )ome of her !ig

tho#ght$ neer come to the $#rface at all, !#t "o# can feel that $he i$ thin%ing and

that $he i$ feeling(.

.3o# a" her a loel" tri!#te, =e$ter,. $aid =ett"(

.I o#ght to,. he relied( .)he&$ a good woman, =ett"2 !#t, for all that I hae $aid, I

$ometime$ thin% that it&$ onl" $"math" that&$ holding me(.

.<on&t !e too $#re,. $he $aid warningl"(

.3e$, !#t I&e gone thro#gh with a great deal( The thing for me to hae done wa$ to

hae married her in the >r$t lace( There hae !een $o man" entanglement$ $ince,

$o m#ch rowing and di$c#$$ion, that I&e rather lo$t m" !earing$( Thi$ will of father&$

comlicate$ matter$( I $tand to lo$e eight h#ndred tho#$and if I marr" her--reall", agreat deal more, now that the coman" ha$ !een organi:ed into a tr#$t( I might

!etter $a" two million$( If I don&t marr" her, I lo$e eer"thing o#tright in a!o#t two

more "ear$( Of co#r$e, I might retend that I hae $earated from her, !#t I don&t

care to lie( I can&t wor% it o#t that wa" witho#t h#rting her feeling$, and $he&$ !een

the $o#l of deotion( Right down in m" heart, at thi$ min#te, I don&t %now whether I

want to gie her #( Hone$tl", I don&t %now what the deil to do(.

=e$ter loo%ed, lit a cigar in a far-o, $ec#latie fa$hion, and loo%ed o#t of the

window(

./a$ there eer $#ch a ro!lem. '#e$tioned =ett", $taring at the *oor( )he ro$e,

after a few moment$ of $ilence, and #t her hand$ on hi$ ro#nd, $olid head( Her

"ellow, $il%en ho#$e-gown, faintl" $cented, to#ched hi$ $ho#lder$( .Poor =e$ter,. $he

$aid( .3o# certainl" hae tied "o#r$elf # in a %not( 6#t it&$ a 4ordian %not, m" dear,

and it will hae to !e c#t( /h" don&t "o# di$c#$$ thi$ whole thing with her, ;#$t a$

"o# hae with me, and $ee how $he feel$ a!o#t it.

.It $eem$ $#ch an #n%ind thing to do,. he relied(

.3o# m#$t ta%e $ome action, =e$ter dear,. $he in$i$ted( .3o# can&t ;#$t drift( 3o# are

doing "o#r$elf $#ch a great in;#$tice( ran%l", I can&t adi$e "o# to marr" her2 andI&m not $ea%ing for m"$elf in that, tho#gh I&ll ta%e "o# gladl", een if "o# did



for$a%e me in the >r$t lace( I&ll !e erfectl" hone$t--whether "o# eer come to me

or not--I loe "o#, and alwa"$ $hall loe "o#(.

.I %now it,. $aid =e$ter, getting #( He too% her hand$ in hi$, and $t#died her face

c#rio#$l"( Then he t#rned awa"( =ett" a#$ed to get her !reath( Hi$ action

di$como$ed her(

.6#t "o#&re too !ig a man, =e$ter, to $ettle down on ten tho#$and a "ear,. $he

contin#ed( .3o#&re too m#ch of a $ocial >g#re to drift( 3o# o#ght to get !ac% into the

$ocial and >nancial world where "o# !elong( All that&$ haened won&t in;#re "o#, if

"o# reclaim "o#r intere$t in the coman"( 3o# can dictate "o#r own term$( And if

"o# tell her the tr#th $he won&t o!;ect, I&m $#re( If $he care$ for "o#, a$ "o# thin%

$he doe$, $he will !e glad to ma%e thi$ $acri>ce( I&m o$itie of that( 3o# can roide

for her hand$omel", of co#r$e(.

.It i$n&t the mone" that @ennie want$,. $aid =e$ter, gloomil"(

./ell, een if it i$n&t, $he can lie witho#t "o# and $he can lie !etter for haing anamle income(.

.)he will neer want if I can hel it,. he $aid $olemnl"(

.3o# m#$t leae her,. $he #rged, with a new to#ch of deci$iene$$( .3o# m#$t( Eer"

da" i$ recio#$ with "o#, =e$terB /h" don&t "o# ma%e # "o#r mind to act at once--

to-da", for that matter /h" not.

.9ot $o fa$t,. he rote$ted( .Thi$ i$ a tic%li$h !#$ine$$( To tell "o# the tr#th, I hate to

do it( It $eem$ $o !r#tal--$o #nfair( I&m not one to r#n aro#nd and di$c#$$ m" aair$

with other eole( I&e ref#$ed to tal% a!o#t thi$ to an" one heretofore--m" father,m" mother, an" one( 6#t $omehow "o# hae alwa"$ $eemed clo$er to me than an"

one el$e, and, $ince I met "o# thi$ time, I hae felt a$ tho#gh I o#ght to e5lain--I

hae reall" wanted to( I care for "o#( I don&t %now whether "o# #nder$tand how that

can !e #nder the circ#m$tance$( 6#t I do( 3o#&re nearer to me intellect#all" and

emotionall" than I tho#ght "o# were( <on&t frown( 3o# want the tr#th, don&t "o#

/ell, there "o# hae it( 9ow e5lain me to m"$elf, if "o# can(.

.I don&t want to arg#e with "o#, =e$ter,. $he $aid $oftl", la"ing her hand on hi$ arm(

.I merel" want to loe "o#( I #nder$tand '#ite well how it ha$ all come a!o#t( I&m

$orr" for m"$elf( I&m $orr" for "o#( I&m $orr"--. $he he$itated--.for r$( ane( )he&$ a

charming woman( I li%e her( I reall" do( 6#t $he i$n&t the woman for "o#, =e$ter2 $he

reall" i$n&t( 3o# need another t"e( It $eem$ $o #nfair for #$ two to di$c#$$ her in

thi$ wa", !#t reall" it i$n&t( /e all hae to $tand on o#r merit$( And I&m $ati$>ed, if

the fact$ in thi$ ca$e were #t !efore her, a$ "o# hae #t them !efore me, $he

wo#ld $ee ;#$t how it all i$, and agree( )he can&t want to harm "o#( /h", =e$ter, if I

were in her o$ition I wo#ld let "o# go( I wo#ld, tr#l"( I thin% "o# %now that I wo#ld(

An" good woman wo#ld( It wo#ld h#rt me, !#t I&d do it( It will h#rt her, !#t $he&ll do

it( 9ow, mar% "o# m" word$, $he will( I thin% I #nder$tand her a$ well a$ "o# do--

!etter--for I am a woman( Oh,. $he $aid, a#$ing, .I wi$h I were in a o$ition to tal%

to her( I co#ld ma%e her #nder$tand(.

=e$ter loo%ed at =ett", wondering at her eagerne$$( )he wa$ !ea#tif#l, magnetic,

immen$el" worth while(



.9ot $o fa$t,. he reeated( .I want to thin% a!o#t thi$( I hae $ome time "et(.

)he a#$ed, a little cre$tfallen !#t determined(

.Thi$ i$ the time to act,. $he reeated, her whole $o#l in her e"e$( )he wanted thi$

man, and $he wa$ not a$hamed to let him $ee that $he wanted him(

./ell, I&ll thin% of it,. he $aid #nea$il", then, rather ha$til", he !ade her good-!" andwent awa"( _

CHAPTER =I

=e$ter had tho#ght of hi$ redicament earne$tl" eno#gh, and he wo#ld hae !een

$ati$>ed to act $oon if it had not !een that one of tho$e di$r#ting in*#ence$ which

$ometime$ comlicate o#r aair$ entered into hi$ H"de Par% domicile( 4erhardt&$

health !egan raidl" to fail(

=ittle !" little he had !een o!liged to gie # hi$ ario#$ d#tie$ a!o#t the lace2

>nall" he wa$ o!liged to ta%e to hi$ !ed( He la" in hi$ room, deotedl" attended !" @ennie and i$ited con$tantl" !" 7e$ta, and occa$ionall" !" =e$ter( There wa$ a

window not far from hi$ !ed, which commanded a charming iew of the lawn and

one of the $#rro#nding $treet$, and thro#gh thi$ he wo#ld ga:e !" the ho#r,

wondering how the world wa$ getting on witho#t him( He $#$ected that /ood$, the

coachman, wa$ not loo%ing after the hor$e$ and harne$$e$ a$ well a$ he $ho#ld,

that the new$aer carrier wa$ getting negligent in hi$ delier" of the aer$, that

the f#rnace man wa$ wa$ting coal, or wa$ not giing them eno#gh heat( A $core of

little ett" worrie$, which were neerthele$$ real eno#gh to him( He %new how a

ho#$e $ho#ld !e %et( He wa$ alwa"$ rigid in hi$ erformance of hi$ $elf-aointed

d#tie$, and he wa$ $o afraid that thing$ wo#ld not go right( @ennie made for him amo$t imo$ing and $#mt#o#$ dre$$ing-gown of !a$ted wool, coered with dar%-

!l#e $il%, and !o#ght him a air of $oft, thic%, wool $lier$ to match, !#t he did not

wear them often( He referred to lie in !ed, read hi$ 6i!le and the =#theran aer$,

and a$% @ennie how thing$ were getting along(

.I want "o# $ho#ld go down in the !a$ement and $ee what that feller i$ doing( He&$

not giing #$ an" heat,. he wo#ld comlain( .I !et I %now what he doe$( He $it$

down there and read$, and then he forget$ what the >re i$ doing #ntil it i$ almo$t

o#t( The !eer i$ right there where he can ta%e it( 3o# $ho#ld loc% it #( 3o# don&t

%now what %ind of a man he i$( He ma" !e no good(.

@ennie wo#ld rote$t that the ho#$e wa$ fairl" comforta!le, that the man wa$ a nice,

'#iet, re$ecta!le-loo%ing American--that if he did drin% a little !eer it wo#ld not

matter( 4erhardt wo#ld immediatel" !ecome incen$ed(

.That i$ alwa"$ the wa",. he declared igoro#$l"( .3o# hae no $en$e of econom"(

3o# are alwa"$ $o read" to let thing$ go if I am not there( He i$ a nice manB How do

"o# %now he i$ a nice man <oe$ he %ee the >re # 9oB <oe$ he %ee the wal%$

clean If "o# don&t watch him he will !e ;#$t li%e the other$, no good( 3o# $ho#ld go

aro#nd and $ee how thing$ are for "o#r$elf(.

.All right, aa,. $he wo#ld rel" in a genial eort to $oothe him, .I will( Plea$e don&t

worr"( I&ll loc% # the !eer( <on&t "o# want a c# of coee now and $ome toa$t.



.9o,. 4erhardt wo#ld $igh immediatel", .m" $tomach it don&t do right( I don&t %now

how I am going to come o#t of thi$(.

<r( a%in, the leading h"$ician of the icinit", and a man of con$idera!le

e5erience and a!ilit", called at @ennie&$ re'#e$t and $#gge$ted a few $imle

thing$--hot mil%, a wine tonic, re$t, !#t he told @ennie that $he m#$t not e5ect too

m#ch( .3o# %now he i$ '#ite well along in "ear$ now( He i$ '#ite fee!le( If he weretwent" "ear$ "o#nger we might do a great deal for him( A$ it i$ he i$ '#ite well o

where he i$( He ma" lie for $ome time( He ma" get # and !e aro#nd again, and

then he ma" not( /e m#$t all e5ect the$e thing$( I hae neer an" care a$ to what

ma" haen to me( I am too old m"$elf(.

@ennie felt $orr" to thin% that her father might die, !#t $he wa$ lea$ed to thin% that

if he m#$t it wa$ going to !e #nder $#ch comforta!le circ#m$tance$( Here at lea$t

he co#ld hae eer" care(

It $oon !ecame eident that thi$ wa$ 4erhardt&$ la$t illne$$, and @ennie tho#ght it

her d#t" to comm#nicate with her !rother$ and $i$ter$( )he wrote 6a$$ that hi$father wa$ not well, and had a letter from him $a"ing that he wa$ er" !#$" and

co#ldn&t come on #nle$$ the danger wa$ an immediate one( He went on to $a" that

4eorge wa$ in Roche$ter, wor%ing for a whole$ale wall-aer ho#$e--the )he-

@eer$on Coman", he tho#ght( artha and her h#$!and had gone to 6o$ton( Her

addre$$ wa$ a little $#!#r! named 6elmont, ;#$t o#t$ide the cit"( /illiam wa$ in

Omaha, wor%ing for a local electric coman"( 7eronica wa$ married to a man named

Al!ert )heridan, who wa$ connected with a whole$ale dr#g coman" in Cleeland(

.)he neer come$ to $ee me,. comlained 6a$$, .!#t I&ll let her %now(. @ennie wrote

each one er$onall"( rom 7eronica and artha $he receied !rief relie$( The"

were er" $orr", and wo#ld $he let them %now if an"thing haened( 4eorge wrotethat he co#ld not thin% of coming to Chicago #nle$$ hi$ father wa$ er" ill indeed,

!#t that he wo#ld li%e to !e informed from time to time how he wa$ getting along(

/illiam, a$ he told @ennie $ome time afterward, did not get her letter(

The rogre$$ of the old 4erman&$ malad" toward >nal di$$ol#tion re"ed greatl" on

@ennie&$ mind2 for, in $ite of the fact that the" had !een $o far aart in time$ a$t,

the" had now grown er" clo$e together( 4erhardt had come to reali:e clearl" that

hi$ o#tca$t da#ghter wa$ goodne$$ it$elf--at lea$t, $o far a$ he wa$ concerned( )he

neer '#arreled with him, neer cro$$ed him in an" wa"( 9ow that he wa$ $ic%, $he

wa$ in and o#t of hi$ room a do:en time$ in an eening or an afternoon, $eeingwhether he wa$ .all right,. a$%ing how he li%ed hi$ !rea%fa$t, or hi$ l#nch, or hi$

dinner( A$ he grew wea%er $he wo#ld $it !" him and read, or do her $ewing in hi$

room( One da" when $he wa$ $traightening hi$ illow he too% her hand and %i$$ed

it( He wa$ feeling er" wea%--and de$ondent( )he loo%ed # in a$toni$hment, a

l#m in her throat( There were tear$ in hi$ e"e$(

.3o#&re a good girl, @ennie,. he $aid !ro%enl"( .3o#&e !een good to me( I&e !een

hard and cro$$, !#t I&m an old man( 3o# forgie me, don&t "o#.

.Oh, aa, lea$e don&t,. $he leaded, tear$ welling from her e"e$( .3o# %now I hae

nothing to forgie( I&m the one who ha$ !een all wrong(.



.9o, no,. he $aid2 and $he $an% down on her %nee$ !e$ide him and cried( He #t hi$

thin, "ellow hand on her hair( .There, there,. he $aid !ro%enl", .I #nder$tand a lot of

thing$ I didn&t( /e get wi$er a$ we get older(.

)he left the room, o$ten$i!l" to wa$h her face and hand$, and cried her e"e$ o#t(

/a$ he reall" forgiing her at la$t And $he had lied to him $oB )he tried to !e more

attentie, !#t that wa$ imo$$i!le( 6#t after thi$ reconciliation he $eemed haierand more contented, and the" $ent a n#m!er of ha" ho#r$ together, ;#$t tal%ing(

Once he $aid to her, .3o# %now I feel ;#$t li%e I did when I wa$ a !o"( If it wa$n&t for

m" !one$ I co#ld get # and dance on the gra$$(.

@ennie fairl" $miled and $o!!ed in one !reath( .3o#&ll get $tronger, aa,. $he $aid(

.3o#&re going to get well( Then I&ll ta%e "o# o#t driing(. )he wa$ $o glad $he had

!een a!le to ma%e him comforta!le the$e la$t few "ear$(

A$ for =e$ter, he wa$ aectionate and con$iderate(

./ell, how i$ it to-night. he wo#ld a$% the moment he entered the ho#$e, and hewo#ld alwa"$ dro in for a few min#te$ !efore dinner to $ee how the old man wa$

getting along( .He loo%$ rett" well,. he wo#ld tell @ennie( .He&$ at to lie $ome

time "et( I wo#ldn&t worr"(.

7e$ta al$o $ent m#ch time with her grandfather, for $he had come to loe him

dearl"( )he wo#ld !ring her !oo%$, if it didn&t di$t#r! him too m#ch, and recite $ome

of her le$$on$, or $he wo#ld leae hi$ door oen, and la" for him on the iano(

=e$ter had !o#ght her a hand$ome m#$ic-!o5 al$o, which $he wo#ld $ometime$

carr" to hi$ room and la" for him( At time$ he wearied of eer"thing and

eer"!od" $ae @ennie2 he wanted to !e alone with her( )he wo#ld $it !e$ide him

'#ite $till and $ew( )he co#ld $ee lainl" that the end wa$ onl" a little wa" o(

4erhardt, tr#e to hi$ nat#re, too% into con$ideration all the ario#$ arrangement$

contingent #on hi$ death( He wi$hed to !e !#ried in the little =#theran cemeter",

which wa$ $eeral mile$ farther o#t on the )o#th )ide, and he wanted the !eloed

mini$ter of hi$ ch#rch to o+ciate(

.I want eer"thing lain,. he $aid( .@#$t m" !lac% $#it and tho$e )#nda" $hoe$ of

mine, and that !lac% $tring tie( I don&t want an"thing el$e( I will !e all right(.

@ennie !egged him not to tal% of it, !#t he wo#ld( One da" at fo#r o&cloc% he had a

$#dden $in%ing $ell, and at >e he wa$ dead( @ennie held hi$ hand$, watching hi$

la!ored !reathing2 once or twice he oened hi$ e"e$ to $mile at her( .I don&t mind

going,. he $aid, in thi$ >nal ho#r( .I&e done what I co#ld(.

.<on&t tal% of d"ing, aa,. $he leaded(

.It&$ the end,. he $aid( .3o#&e !een good to me( 3o#&re a good woman(.

)he heard no other word$ from hi$ li$(

The >ni$h which time th#$ #t to thi$ tro#!led life aected @ennie deel"( )trong in

her %indl", emotional relation$hi$, 4erhardt had aealed to her not onl" a$ herfather, !#t a$ a friend and co#n$elor( )he $aw him now in hi$ tr#e er$ectie, a

hard-wor%ing, hone$t, $incere old 4erman, who had done hi$ !e$t to rai$e a



tro#!le$ome famil" and lead an hone$t life( Tr#l" $he had !een hi$ one great

!#rden, and $he had neer reall" dealt tr#thf#ll" with him to the end( )he wondered

now if where he wa$ he co#ld $ee that $he had lied( And wo#ld he forgie her He

had called her a good woman(

Telegram$ were $ent to all the children( 6a$$ wired that he wa$ coming, and arried

the ne5t da"( The other$ wired that the" co#ld not come, !#t a$%ed for detail$,which @ennie wrote( The =#theran mini$ter wa$ called in to $a" ra"er$ and >5 the

time of the !#rial $erice( A fat, $m#g #nderta%er wa$ commi$$ioned to arrange all

the detail$( )ome few neigh!orhood friend$ called--tho$e who had remained mo$t

faithf#l--and on the $econd morning following hi$ death the $erice$ were held(

=e$ter accomanied @ennie and 7e$ta and 6a$$ to the little red !ric% =#theran

ch#rch, and $at $tolidl" thro#gh the rather dr" $erice$( He li$tened wearil" to the

long di$co#r$e on the !ea#tie$ and reward$ of a f#t#re life and $tirred irrita!l" when

reference wa$ made to a hell( 6a$$ wa$ rather !ored, !#t con$iderate( He loo%ed

#on hi$ father now m#ch a$ he wo#ld on an" other man( Onl" @ennie wet

$"matheticall"( )he $aw her father in er$ectie, the long "ear$ of tro#!le he hadhad, the da"$ in which he had had to $aw wood for a liing, the da"$ in which he

had lied in a factor" loft, the little $ha!!" ho#$e the" had !een comelled to lie in

in Thirteenth )treet, the terri!le da"$ of $#ering the" had $ent in =orrie )treet, in

Cleeland, hi$ grief oer her, hi$ grief oer r$( 4erhardt, hi$ loe and care of 7e$ta,

and >nall" the$e la$t da"$(

.Oh, he wa$ a good man,. $he tho#ght( .He meant $o well(. The" $ang a h"mn, .A

ight" ortre$$ I$ O#r 4od,. and then $he $o!!ed(

=e$ter #lled at her arm( He wa$ moed to the danger-line him$elf !" her grief(

.3o#&ll hae to do !etter than thi$,. he whi$ered( ." 4od, I can&t $tand it( I&ll haeto get # and get o#t(. @ennie '#ieted a little, !#t the fact that the la$t i$i!le tie$

were !eing !ro%en !etween her and her father wa$ almo$t too m#ch(

At the grae in the Cemeter" of the Redeemer, where =e$ter had immediatel"

arranged to #rcha$e a lot, the" $aw the lain co+n lowered and the earth $hoeled

in( =e$ter loo%ed c#rio#$l" at the !are tree$, the !rown dead gra$$, and the !rown

$oil of the rairie t#rned # at thi$ $imle grae$ide( There wa$ no di$tinction to thi$

!#rial lot( It wa$ commonlace and $ha!!", a wor%ing-man&$ re$ting-lace, !#t $o

long a$ he wanted it, it wa$ all right( He $t#died 6a$$&$ %een, lean face, wondering

what $ort of a career he wa$ c#tting o#t for him$elf( 6a$$ loo%ed to him li%e $omeone who wo#ld r#n a cigar $tore $#cce$$f#ll"( He watched @ennie wiing her red

e"e$, and then he $aid to him$elf again, ./ell, there i$ $omething to her(. The

woman&$ emotion wa$ $o dee, $o real( .There&$ no e5laining a good woman,. he

$aid to him$elf(

On the wa" home, thro#gh the wind-$wet, d#$t" $treet$, he tal%ed of life in

general, 6a$$ and 7e$ta !eing re$ent( .@ennie ta%e$ thing$ too $erio#$l",. he $aid(

.)he&$ inclined to !e mor!id( =ife i$n&t a$ !ad a$ $he ma%e$ o#t with her $en$itie

feeling$( /e all hae o#r tro#!le$, and we all hae to $tand them, $ome more, $ome

le$$( /e can&t a$$#me that an" one i$ $o m#ch !etter or wor$e o than an" one

el$e( /e all hae o#r $hare of tro#!le$(.

.I can&t hel it,. $aid @ennie( .I feel $o $orr" for $ome eole(.



.@ennie alwa"$ wa$ a little gloom",. #t in 6a$$(

He wa$ thin%ing what a >ne >g#re of a man =e$ter wa$, how !ea#tif#ll" the" lied,

how @ennie had come # in the world( He wa$ thin%ing that there m#$t !e a lot more

to her than he had originall" tho#ght( =ife $#rel" did t#rn o#t '#eer( At one time he

tho#ght @ennie wa$ a hoele$$ fail#re and no good(

.3o# o#ght to tr" to $teel "o#r$elf to ta%e thing$ a$ the" come witho#t going to

iece$ thi$ wa",. $aid =e$ter >nall"(

6a$$ tho#ght $o too(

@ennie $tared tho#ghtf#ll" o#t of the carriage window( There wa$ the old ho#$e now,

large and $ilent witho#t 4erhardt( @#$t thin%, $he wo#ld neer $ee him an" more(

The" >nall" t#rned into the drie and entered the li!rar"( @eannette, nero#$ and

$"mathetic, $ered tea( @ennie went to loo% after ario#$ detail$( )he wondered

c#rio#$l" where $he wo#ld !e when $he died( _

CHAPTER =II

The fact that 4erhardt wa$ dead made no artic#lar dierence to =e$ter, e5cet a$

it aected @ennie( He had li%ed the old 4erman for hi$ man" $terling '#alitie$, !#t

!e"ond that he tho#ght nothing of him one wa" or the other( He too% @ennie to a

watering-lace for ten da"$ to hel her recoer her $irit$, and it wa$ $oon after thi$

that he decided to tell her ;#$t how thing$ $tood with him2 he wo#ld #t the ro!lem

lainl" !efore her( It wo#ld !e ea$ier now, for @ennie had !een informed of the

di$a$tro#$ ro$ect$ of the real-e$tate deal( )he wa$ al$o aware of hi$ contin#ed

intere$t in r$( 4erald( =e$ter did not he$itate to let @ennie %now that he wa$ on

er" friendl" term$ with her( r$( 4erald had, at >r$t, formall" re'#e$ted him to!ring @ennie to $ee her, !#t $he neer had called her$elf, and @ennie #nder$tood

'#ite clearl" that it wa$ not to !e( 9ow that her father wa$ dead, $he wa$ !eginning

to wonder what wa$ going to !ecome of her2 $he wa$ afraid that =e$ter might not

marr" her( Certainl" he $howed no $ign$ of intending to do $o(

6" one of tho$e c#rio#$ coincidence$ of tho#ght, Ro!ert al$o had reached the

concl#$ion that $omething $ho#ld !e done( He did not, for one moment, imagine

that he co#ld directl" wor% #on =e$ter--he did not care to tr"--!#t he did thin% that

$ome in*#ence might !e !ro#ght to !ear on @ennie( )he wa$ ro!a!l" amena!le to

rea$on( If =e$ter had not married her alread", $he m#$t reali:e f#ll well that he didnot intend to do $o( )#o$e that $ome re$on$i!le third er$on were to aroach

her, and e5lain how thing$ were, incl#ding, of co#r$e, the oer of an indeendent

income ight $he not !e willing to leae =e$ter, and end all thi$ tro#!le After all,

=e$ter wa$ hi$ !rother, and he o#ght not to lo$e hi$ fort#ne( Ro!ert had thing$ er"

m#ch in hi$ own hand$ now, and co#ld aord to !e genero#$( He >nall" decided

that r( O&6rien, of night, eatle" L O&6rien, wo#ld !e the roer intermediar", for

O&6rien wa$ $#ae, good-nat#red, and well-meaning, een if he wa$ a law"er( He

might e5lain to @ennie er" delicatel" ;#$t how the famil" felt, and how m#ch

=e$ter $tood to lo$e if he contin#ed to maintain hi$ connection with her( If =e$ter

had married @ennie, O&6rien wo#ld >nd it o#t( A li!eral roi$ion wo#ld !e made for

her--$a" >ft" or one h#ndred tho#$and, or een one h#ndred and >ft" tho#$and

dollar$( He $ent for r( O&6rien and gae him hi$ in$tr#ction$( A$ one of the



e5ec#tor$ of Archi!ald ane&$ e$tate, it wa$ reall" the law"er&$ d#t" to loo% into the

matter of =e$ter&$ #ltimate deci$ion(

r( O&6rien ;o#rne"ed to Chicago( On reaching the cit", he called # =e$ter, and

fo#nd o#t to hi$ $ati$faction that he wa$ o#t of town for the da"( He went o#t to the

ho#$e in H"de Par%, and $ent in hi$ card to @ennie( )he came down-$tair$ in a few

min#te$ '#ite #ncon$cio#$ of the imort of hi$ me$$age2 he greeted her mo$t!landl"(

.Thi$ i$ r$( ane. he a$%ed, with an interloc#tor" ;er% of hi$ head(

.3e$,. relied @ennie(

.I am, a$ "o# $ee !" m" card, r( O&6rien, of night, eatle" L O&6rien,. he !egan(

./e are the attorne"$ and e5ec#tor$ of the late r( ane, "o#r--ah--r( ane&$

father( 3o#&ll thin% it&$ rather c#rio#$, m" coming to "o#, !#t #nder "o#r h#$!and&$

father&$ will there were certain condition$ $ti#lated which aect "o# and r( ane

er" materiall"( The$e roi$ion$ are $o imortant that I thin% "o# o#ght to %nowa!o#t them--that i$ if r( ane ha$n&t alread" told "o#( I--ardon me--!#t the

ec#liar nat#re of them ma%e$ me concl#de that--o$$i!l"--he ha$n&t(. He a#$ed, a

er" '#e$tion-mar% of a man--eer" feat#re of hi$ face an interrogation(

.I don&t '#ite #nder$tand,. $aid @ennie( .I don&t %now an"thing a!o#t the will( If

there&$ an"thing that I o#ght to %now, I $#o$e r( ane will tell me( He ha$n&t told

me an"thing a$ "et(.

.AhB. !reathed r( O&6rien, highl" grati>ed( .@#$t a$ I tho#ght( 9ow, if "o# will allow

me I&ll go into the matter !rie*"( Then "o# can ;#dge for "o#r$elf whether "o# wi$h

to hear the f#ll artic#lar$( /on&t "o# $it down. The" had !oth !een $tanding( @ennie $eated her$elf, and r( O&6rien #lled # a chair near to her$(

.9ow to !egin,. he $aid( .I need not $a" to "o#, of co#r$e, that there wa$

con$idera!le oo$ition on the art of r( ane&$ father, to thi$--ah--#nion !etween

"o#r$elf and hi$ $on(.

.I %now--. @ennie $tarted to $a", !#t chec%ed her$elf( )he wa$ #::led, di$t#r!ed,

and a little arehen$ie(

.6efore r( ane $enior died,. he went on, .he indicated to "o#r--ah--to r( =e$ter

ane, that he felt thi$ wa"( In hi$ will he made certain condition$ goerning thedi$tri!#tion of hi$ roert" which made it rather hard for hi$ $on, "o#r--ah--h#$!and,

to come into hi$ rightf#l $hare( Ordinaril", he wo#ld hae inherited one-fo#rth of the

ane an#fact#ring Coman", worth to-da" in the neigh!orhood of a million dollar$,

erha$ more2 al$o one-fo#rth of the other roertie$, which now aggregate

$omething li%e >e h#ndred tho#$and dollar$( I !eliee r( ane $enior wa$ reall"

er" an5io#$ that hi$ $on $ho#ld inherit thi$ roert"( 6#t owing to the condition$

which "o#r--ah--which r( ane&$ father made, r( =e$ter ane cannot o$$i!l"

o!tain hi$ $hare, e5cet !" coml"ing with a--with a--certain wi$h which hi$ father

had e5re$$ed(.

r( O&6rien a#$ed, hi$ e"e$ moing !ac% and forth $ide wi$e in their $oc%et$( In

$ite of the nat#ral re;#dice of the $it#ation, he wa$ con$idera!l" imre$$ed with



@ennie&$ lea$ing aearance( He co#ld $ee '#ite lainl" wh" =e$ter might cling to

her in the face of all oo$ition( He contin#ed to $t#d" her f#rtiel" a$ he $at there

waiting for her to $ea%(

.And what wa$ that wi$h. $he >nall" a$%ed, her nere$ !ecoming ;#$t a little ten$e

#nder the $train of the $ilence(

.I am glad "o# were %ind eno#gh to a$% me that,. he went on( .The $#!;ect i$ a er"

di+c#lt one for me to introd#ce--er" di+c#lt( I come a$ an emi$$ar" of the e$tate, I

might $a" a$ one of the e5ec#tor$ #nder the will of r( ane&$ father( I %now how

%eenl" "o#r--ah--how %eenl" r( ane feel$ a!o#t it( I %now how %eenl" "o# will

ro!a!l" feel a!o#t it( 6#t it i$ one of tho$e er" di+c#lt thing$ which cannot !e

heled--which m#$t !e got oer $omehow( And while I he$itate er" m#ch to $a" $o,

I m#$t tell "o# that r( ane $enior $ti#lated in hi$ will that #nle$$, #nle$$.--again

hi$ e"e$ were moing $idewi$e to and fro--.he $aw >t to $earate from--ah--"o#. he

a#$ed to get !reath--.he co#ld not inherit thi$ or an" other $#m or, at lea$t, onl" a

er" minor income of ten tho#$and a "ear2 and that onl" on condition that he $ho#ld

marr" "o#(. He a#$ed again( .I $ho#ld add,. he went on, .that #nder the will he

wa$ gien three "ear$ in which to indicate hi$ intention$( That time i$ now drawing

to a clo$e(.

He a#$ed, half e5ecting $ome o#t!#r$t of feeling from @ennie, !#t $he onl" loo%ed

at him >5edl", her e"e$ clo#ded with $#rri$e, di$tre$$, #nhaine$$( 9ow $he

#nder$tood( =e$ter wa$ $acri>cing hi$ fort#ne for her( Hi$ recent commercial ent#re

wa$ an eort to reha!ilitate him$elf, to #t him$elf in an indeendent o$ition( The

recent eriod$ of reocc#ation, of $#!tle #nre$t, and of di$$ati$faction oer which

$he had grieed were now e5lained( He wa$ #nha", he wa$ !rooding oer thi$

ro$ectie lo$$, and he had neer told her( )o hi$ father had reall" di$inheritedhimB

r( O&6rien $at !efore her, tro#!led him$elf( He wa$ er" $orr" for her, now that he

$aw the e5re$$ion of her face( )till the tr#th had to come o#t( )he o#ght to %now(

.I&m $orr",. he $aid, when he $aw that $he wa$ not going to ma%e an" immediate

rel", .that I hae !een the !earer of $#ch #nfort#nate new$( It i$ a er" ainf#l

$it#ation that I >nd m"$elf in at thi$ moment, I a$$#re "o#( I !ear "o# no ill will

er$onall"--of co#r$e "o# #nder$tand that( The famil" reall" !ear$ "o# no ill will

now--I hoe "o# !eliee that( A$ I told "o#r--ah--a$ I told r( ane, at the time the

will wa$ read, I con$idered it mo$t #nfair, !#t, of co#r$e, a$ a mere e5ec#tie #nder

it and co#n$el for hi$ father, I co#ld do nothing( I reall" thin% it !e$t that "o# $ho#ld

%now how thing$ $tand, in order that "o# ma" hel "o#r--"o#r h#$!and.--he a#$ed,

$igni>cantl"--.if o$$i!le, to $ome $ol#tion( It $eem$ a it" to me, a$ it doe$ to the

ario#$ other mem!er$ of hi$ famil", that he $ho#ld lo$e all thi$ mone"(.

@ennie had t#rned her head awa" and wa$ $taring at the *oor( )he faced him now

$teadil"( .He m#$tn&t lo$e it,. $he $aid2 .it i$n&t fair that he $ho#ld(.

.I am mo$t delighted to hear "o# $a" that, r$(--r$( ane,. he went on, #$ing for

the >r$t time her imro!a!le title a$ =e$ter&$ wife, witho#t he$itation( .I ma" a$ well

!e er" fran% with "o#, and $a" that I feared "o# might ta%e thi$ information in

'#ite another $irit( Of co#r$e "o# %now to !egin with that the ane famil" i$ er"



clanni$h( r$( ane, "o#r--ah--"o#r h#$!and&$ mother, wa$ a er" ro#d and rather

di$tant woman, and hi$ $i$ter$ and !rother$ are rather $et in their notion$ a$ to

what con$tit#te roer famil" connection$( The" loo% #on hi$ relation$hi to "o# a$

irreg#lar, and--ardon me if I aear to !e a little cr#el--a$ not generall"

$ati$factor"( A$ "o# %now, there had !een $o m#ch tal% in the la$t few "ear$ that r(

ane $enior did not !eliee that the $it#ation co#ld eer !e nicel" ad;#$ted, $o far

a$ the famil" wa$ concerned( He felt that hi$ $on had not gone a!o#t it right in the>r$t lace( One of the condition$ of hi$ will wa$ that if "o#r h#$!and--ardon me--if

hi$ $on did not accet the roo$ition in regard to $earating from "o# and ta%ing

# hi$ rightf#l $hare of the e$tate, then to inherit an"thing at all--the mere ten

tho#$and a "ear I mentioned !efore--he m#$t--ah--he m#$t ardon me, I $eem a

little !r#tal, !#t not intentionall" $o--marr" "o#(.

@ennie winced( It wa$ $#ch a cr#el thing to $a" thi$ to her face( Thi$ whole attemt

to lie together illegall" had roed di$a$tro#$ at eer" $te( There wa$ onl" one

$ol#tion to the #nfort#nate !#$ine$$--$he co#ld $ee that lainl"( )he m#$t leae him,

or he m#$t leae her( There wa$ no other alternatie( =e$ter liing on ten tho#$anddollar$ a "earB It $eemed $ill"(

r( O&6rien wa$ watching her c#rio#$l"( He wa$ thin%ing that =e$ter !oth had and

had not made a mi$ta%e( /h" had he not married her in the >r$t lace )he wa$

charming(

.There i$ ;#$t one other oint which I wi$h to ma%e in thi$ connection, r$( ane,.

he went on $oftl" and ea$il"( .I $ee now that it will not ma%e an" dierence to "o#,

!#t I am commi$$ioned and in a wa" con$trained to ma%e it( I hoe "o# will ta%e it

in the manner in which it i$ gien( I don&t %now whether "o# are familiar with "o#r

h#$!and&$ commercial intere$t$ or not.

.9o,. $aid @ennie $iml"(

./ell, in order to $imlif" matter$, and to ma%e it ea$ier for "o#, $ho#ld "o# decide

to a$$i$t "o#r h#$!and to a $ol#tion of thi$ er" di+c#lt $it#ation--fran%l", in ca$e

"o# might o$$i!l" decide to leae on "o#r own acco#nt, and maintain a $earate

e$ta!li$hment of "o#r own I am delighted to $a" that--ah--an" $#m, $a"--ah--.

@ennie ro$e and wal%ed da:edl" to one of the window$, cla$ing her hand$ a$ $he

went( r( O&6rien ro$e al$o(

./ell, !e that a$ it ma"( In the eent of "o#r deciding to end the connection it ha$

!een $#gge$ted that an" rea$ona!le $#m "o# might name, >ft", $eent"->e, a

h#ndred tho#$and dollar$.--r( O&6rien wa$ feeling er" genero#$ toward

her--.wo#ld !e gladl" $et a$ide for "o#r !ene>t--#t in tr#$t, a$ it were, $o that "o#

wo#ld hae it wheneer "o# needed it( 3o# wo#ld neer want for an"thing(.

.Plea$e don&t,. $aid @ennie, h#rt !e"ond the ower to e5re$$ her$elf, #na!le

mentall" and h"$icall" to li$ten to another word( .Plea$e don&t $a" an" more(

Plea$e go awa"( =et me alone now, lea$e( I can go awa"( I will( It will !e arranged(

6#t lea$e don&t tal% to me an" more, will "o#.

.I #nder$tand how "o# feel, r$( ane,. went on r( O&6rien, coming to a %een

reali:ation of her $#ering$( .I %now e5actl", !eliee me( I hae $aid all I intend to



$a"( It ha$ !een er" hard for me to do thi$--er" hard( I regret the nece$$it"( 3o#

hae m" card( Plea$e note the name( I will come an" time "o# $#gge$t, or "o# can

write me( I will not detain "o# an" longer( I am $orr"( I hoe "o# will $ee >t to $a"

nothing to "o#r h#$!and of m" i$it--it will !e adi$a!le that "o# $ho#ld %ee "o#r

own co#n$el in the matter( I al#e hi$ friend$hi er" highl", and I am $incerel"

$orr"(.

@ennie onl" $tared at the *oor(

r( O&6rien went o#t into the hall to get hi$ coat( @ennie to#ched the electric !#tton

to $#mmon the maid, and @eannette came( @ennie went !ac% into the li!rar", and r(

O&6rien aced !ri$%l" down the front wal%( /hen $he wa$ reall" alone $he #t her

do#!led hand$ to her chin, and $tared at the *oor, the '#eer de$ign of the $il%en

T#r%i$h r#g re$oling it$elf into $ome c#rio#$ ict#re( )he $aw her$elf in a $mall

cottage $omewhere, alone with 7e$ta2 $he $aw =e$ter liing in another world, and

!e$ide him r$( 4erald( )he $aw thi$ ho#$e acant, and then a long $tretch of time,

and then--

.Oh,. $he $ighed, cho%ing !ac% a de$ire to cr"( /ith her hand$ $he !r#$hed awa" a

hot tear from each e"e( Then $he got #(

.It m#$t !e,. $he $aid to her$elf in tho#ght( .It m#$t !e( It $ho#ld hae !een $o long

ago(. And then--.Oh, than% 4od that aa i$ dead An"how, he did not lie to $ee

thi$(. _

CHAPTER =III

The e5lanation which =e$ter had concl#ded to !e ineita!le, whether it led to

$earation or legali:ation of their hitherto !anal condition, followed '#ic%l" #on theaearance of r( O&6rien( On the da" r( O&6rien called he had gone on a ;o#rne"

to Hegewi$ch, a $mall man#fact#ring town in /i$con$in, where he had !een inited

to witne$$ the trial of a new motor intended to oerate eleator$--with a iew to

o$$i!le ine$tment( /hen he came o#t to the ho#$e, intere$ted to tell @ennie

$omething a!o#t it een in $ite of the fact that he wa$ thin%ing of leaing her, he

felt a $en$e of dere$$ion eer"where, for @ennie, in $ite of the $erio#$ and

$en$i!le concl#$ion $he had reached, wa$ not one who co#ld conceal her feeling$

ea$il"( )he wa$ !rooding $adl" oer her roo$ed action, reali:ing that it wa$ !e$t to

leae !#t >nding it hard to $#mmon the co#rage which wo#ld let her tal% to him

a!o#t it( )he co#ld not go witho#t telling him what $he tho#ght( He o#ght to want toleae her( )he wa$ a!$ol#tel" coninced that thi$ one co#r$e of action--$earation--

wa$ nece$$ar" and adi$a!le( )he co#ld not thin% of him a$ daring to ma%e a

$acri>ce of $#ch roortion$ for her $a%e een if he wanted to( It wa$ imo$$i!le( It

wa$ a$toni$hing to her that he had let thing$ go along a$ dangero#$l" and $ilentl"

a$ he had(

/hen he came in @ennie did her !e$t to greet him with her acc#$tomed $mile, !#t it

wa$ a rett" oor imitation(

.Eer"thing all right. $he a$%ed, #$ing her c#$tomar" hra$e of in'#ir"(

.F#ite,. he an$wered( .How are thing$ with "o#.



.Oh, ;#$t the $ame(. )he wal%ed with him to the li!rar", and he o%ed at the oen

>re with a long-handled o%er !efore t#rning aro#nd to $#re" the room generall"( It

wa$ >e o&cloc% of a @an#ar" afternoon( @ennie had gone to one of the window$ to

lower the $hade( A$ $he came !ac% he loo%ed at her criticall"( .3o#&re not '#ite "o#r

#$#al $elf, are "o#. he a$%ed, $en$ing $omething o#t of the common in her

attit#de(

./h", "e$, I feel all right,. $he relied, !#t there wa$ a ec#liar #neen motion to

the moement of her li$--a riling tremor which wa$ #nmi$ta%a!le to him(

.I thin% I %now !etter than that,. he $aid, $till ga:ing at her $teadil"( ./hat&$ the

tro#!le An"thing haened.

)he t#rned awa" from him a moment to get her !reath and collect her $en$e$( Then

$he faced him again( .There i$ $omething,. $he managed to $a"( .I hae to tell "o#

$omething(.

.I %now "o# hae,. he agreed, half $miling, !#t with a feeling that there wa$ m#chof grae imort !ac% of thi$( ./hat i$ it.

)he wa$ $ilent for a moment, !iting her li$( )he did not '#ite %now how to !egin(

inall" $he !ro%e the $ell with .There wa$ a man here "e$terda"--a r( O&6rien, of

Cincinnati( <o "o# %now him.

.3e$, I %now him( /hat did he want.

.He came to tal% to me a!o#t "o# and "o#r father&$ will(.

)he a#$ed, for hi$ face clo#ded immediatel"( ./h" the deil $ho#ld he !e tal%ing

to "o# a!o#t m" father&$ willB. he e5claimed( ./hat did he hae to $a".

.Plea$e don&t get angr", =e$ter,. $aid @ennie calml", for $he reali:ed that $he m#$t

remain a!$ol#te mi$tre$$ of her$elf if an"thing were to !e accomli$hed toward the

re$ol#tion of her ro!lem( .He wanted to tell me what a $acri>ce "o# are ma%ing,.

$he went on( .He wi$hed to $how me that there wa$ onl" a little time left !efore "o#

wo#ld lo$e "o#r inheritance( <on&t "o# want to act rett" $oon <on&t "o# want to

leae me(.

.<amn himB. $aid =e$ter >ercel"( ./hat the deil doe$ he mean !" #tting hi$ no$e

in m" riate aair$ Can&t the" let me alone. He $hoo% him$elf angril"( .<amnthemB. he e5claimed again( .Thi$ i$ $ome of Ro!ert&$ wor%( /h" $ho#ld night,

eatle" L O&6rien !e meddling in m" aair$ Thi$ whole !#$ine$$ i$ getting to !e a

n#i$anceB. He wa$ in a !oiling rage in a moment, a$ wa$ $hown !" hi$ dar%ening

$%in and $#lh#ro#$ e"e$(

@ennie trem!led !efore hi$ anger( )he did not %now what to $a"(

He came to him$elf $#+cientl" after a time to add

./ell( @#$t what did he tell "o#.

.He $aid that if "o# married me "o# wo#ld onl" get ten tho#$and a "ear( That if "o#

didn&t and $till lied with me "o# wo#ld get nothing at all( If "o# wo#ld leae me, or I



wo#ld leae "o#, "o# wo#ld get all of a million and a half( <on&t "o# thin% "o# had

!etter leae me now.

)he had not intended to roo#nd thi$ leading '#e$tion $o '#ic%l", !#t it came o#t

a$ a nat#ral clima5 to the $it#ation( )he reali:ed in$tantl" that if he were reall" in

loe with her he wo#ld an$wer with an emhatic .no(. If he didn&t care, he wo#ld

he$itate, he wo#ld dela", he wo#ld $ee% to #t o the eil da" of rec%oning(

.I don&t $ee that,. he retorted irrita!l"( .I don&t $ee that there&$ an" need for either

interference or ha$t" action( /hat I o!;ect to i$ their coming here and mi5ing in m"

riate aair$(.

@ennie wa$ c#t to the '#ic% !" hi$ indierence, hi$ wrath in$tead of aection( To her

the main oint at i$$#e wa$ her leaing him or hi$ leaing her( To him thi$ recent

interference wa$ o!io#$l" the chief matter for di$c#$$ion and con$ideration( The

meddling of other$ !efore he wa$ read" to act wa$ the terri!le thing( )he had

hoed, in $ite of what $he had $een, that o$$i!l", !eca#$e of the long time the"

had lied together and the thing$ which Gin a wa" the" had end#red together, hemight hae come to care for her deel"--that $he had $tirred $ome emotion in him

which wo#ld neer !roo% real $earation, tho#gh $ome $eeming $earation might

!e nece$$ar"( He had not married her, of co#r$e, !#t then there had !een $o man"

thing$ again$t them( 9ow, in thi$ >nal ho#r, an"how, he might hae $hown that he

cared deel", een if he had deemed it nece$$ar" to let her go( )he felt for the time

!eing a$ if, for all that $he had lied with him $o long, $he did not #nder$tand him,

and "et, in $ite of thi$ feeling, $he %new al$o that $he did( He cared, in hi$ wa"( He

co#ld not care for an" one enth#$ia$ticall" and demon$tratiel"( He co#ld care

eno#gh to $ei:e her and ta%e her to him$elf a$ he had, !#t he co#ld not care

eno#gh to %ee her if $omething more imortant aeared( He wa$ de!ating herfate now( )he wa$ in a '#andar", h#rt, !leeding, !#t for once in her life, determined(

/hether he wanted to or not, $he m#$t not let him ma%e thi$ $acri>ce( )he m#$t

leae him--if he wo#ld not leae her( It wa$ not imortant eno#gh that $he $ho#ld

$ta"( There might !e !#t one an$wer( 6#t might he not $how aection

.<on&t "o# thin% "o# had !etter act $oon. $he contin#ed, hoing that $ome word of

feeling wo#ld come from him( .There i$ onl" a little time left, i$n&t there.

@ennie nero#$l" #$hed a !oo% to and fro on the ta!le, her fear that $he wo#ld not

!e a!le to %ee # aearance$ tro#!ling her greatl"( It wa$ hard for her to %now

what to do or $a"( =e$ter wa$ $o terri!le when he !ecame angr"( )till it o#ght not to

!e $o hard for him to go, now that he had r$( 4erald, if he onl" wi$hed to do $o--

and he o#ght to( Hi$ fort#ne wa$ $o m#ch more imortant to him than an"thing $he

co#ld !e(

.<on&t worr" a!o#t that,. he relied $t#!!ornl", hi$ wrath at hi$ !rother, and hi$

famil", and O&6rien $till holding him( .There&$ time eno#gh( I don&t %now what I want

to do "et( I li%e the eronter" of the$e eoleB 6#t I won&t tal% an" more a!o#t it2

i$n&t dinner nearl" read". He wa$ $o in;#red in hi$ ride that he $carcel" too% the

tro#!le to !e ciil( He wa$ forgetting all a!o#t her and what $he wa$ feeling( He

hated hi$ !rother Ro!ert for thi$ aront( He wo#ld hae en;o"ed wringing the nec%$of e$$r$( night, eatle" L O&6rien, $ingl" and collectiel"(



The '#e$tion co#ld not !e droed for good and all, and it came # again at dinner,

after @ennie had done her !e$t to collect her tho#ght$ and '#iet her nere$( The"

co#ld not tal% er" freel" !eca#$e of 7e$ta and @eannette, !#t $he managed to get

in a word or two(

.I co#ld ta%e a little cottage $omewhere,. $he $#gge$ted $oftl", hoing to >nd him in

a modi>ed mood( .I wo#ld not want to $ta" here( I wo#ld not %now what to do with a!ig ho#$e li%e thi$ alone(.

.I wi$h "o# wo#ldn&t di$c#$$ thi$ !#$ine$$ an" longer, @ennie,. he er$i$ted( .I&m in

no mood for it( I don&t %now that I&m going to do an"thing of the $ort( I don&t %now

what I&m going to do(. He wa$ $o $o#r and o!$tinate, !eca#$e of O&6rien, that $he

>nall" gae it #( 7e$ta wa$ a$toni$hed to $ee her $tefather, #$#all" $o co#rteo#$,

in $o grim a mood(

@ennie felt a c#rio#$ $en$e that $he might hold him if $he wo#ld, for he wa$

do#!ting2 !#t $he %new al$o that $he $ho#ld not wi$h( It wa$ not fair to him( It wa$

not fair to her$elf, or %ind, or decent(

.Oh "e$, =e$ter, "o# m#$t,. $he leaded, at a later time( .I won&t tal% a!o#t it an"

more, !#t "o# m#$t( I won&t let "o# do an"thing el$e(.

There were ho#r$ when it came # afterward--eer" da", in fact--in their !o#doir, in

the li!rar", in the dining-room, at !rea%fa$t, !#t not alwa"$ in word$( @ennie wa$

worried( )he wa$ loo%ing the worr" $he felt( )he wa$ $#re that he $ho#ld !e made to

act( )ince he wa$ $howing more %indl" con$ideration for her, $he wa$ all the more

certain that he $ho#ld act $oon( @#$t how to go a!o#t it $he did not %now, !#t $he

loo%ed at him longingl", tr"ing to hel him ma%e # hi$ mind( )he wo#ld !e ha",

$he a$$#red her$elf--$he wo#ld !e ha" thin%ing that he wa$ ha" once $he wa$

awa" from him( He wa$ a good man, mo$t delightf#l in eer"thing, erha$, $ae

hi$ gift of loe( He reall" did not loe her--co#ld not erha$, after all that had

haened, een tho#gh $he loed him mo$t earne$tl"( 6#t hi$ famil" had !een mo$t

!r#tal in their oo$ition, and thi$ had aected hi$ attit#de( )he co#ld #nder$tand

that, too( )he co#ld $ee now how hi$ !ig, $trong !rain might !e wor%ing in a circle(

He wa$ too decent to !e a!$ol#tel" !r#tal a!o#t thi$ thing and leae her, too reall"

con$iderate to loo% $harl" after hi$ own intere$t$ a$ he $ho#ld, or her$--!#t he

o#ght to(

.3o# m#$t decide, =e$ter,. $he %et $a"ing to him, from time to time( .3o# m#$t letme go( /hat dierence doe$ it ma%e I will !e all right( a"!e, when thi$ thing i$ all

oer "o# might want to come !ac% to me( If "o# do, I will !e there(.

.I&m not read" to come to a deci$ion,. wa$ hi$ inaria!le rel"( .I don&t %now that I

want to leae "o#( Thi$ mone" i$ imortant, of co#r$e, !#t mone" i$n&t eer"thing( I

can lie on ten tho#$and a "ear if nece$$ar"( I&e done it in the a$t(.

.Oh, !#t "o#&re $o m#ch more laced in the world now, =e$ter,. $he arg#ed( .3o#

can&t do it( =oo% how m#ch it co$t$ to r#n thi$ ho#$e alone( And a million and a half

of dollar$--wh", I wo#ldn&t let "o# thin% of lo$ing that( I&ll go m"$elf >r$t(.

./here wo#ld "o# thin% of going if it came to that. he a$%ed c#rio#$l"(



.Oh, I&d >nd $ome lace( <o "o# remem!er that little town of )andwood, thi$ $ide of

eno$ha I hae often tho#ght it wo#ld !e a lea$ant lace to lie(.

.I don&t li%e to thin% of thi$,. he $aid >nall" in an o#t!#r$t of fran%ne$$( .It doe$n&t

$eem fair( The condition$ hae all !een again$t thi$ #nion of o#r$( I $#o$e I $ho#ld

hae married "o# in the >r$t lace( I&m $orr" now that I didn&t(.

@ennie cho%ed in her throat, !#t $aid nothing(

.An"how, thi$ won&t !e the la$t of it, if I can hel it,. he concl#ded( He wa$ thin%ing

that the $torm might !low oer2 once he had the mone", and then--!#t he hated

comromi$e$ and $#!terf#ge$(

It came !" degree$ to !e #nder$tood that, toward the end of e!r#ar", $he $ho#ld

loo% aro#nd at )andwood and $ee what $he co#ld >nd( )he wa$ to hae amle

mean$, he told her, eer"thing that $he wanted( After a time he might come o#t

and i$it her occa$ionall"( And he wa$ determined in hi$ heart that he wo#ld ma%e

$ome eole a" for the tro#!le the" had ca#$ed him( He decided to $end for r(O&6rien $hortl" and tal% thing$ oer( He wanted for hi$ er$onal $ati$faction to tell

him what he tho#ght of him(

At the $ame time, in the !ac%gro#nd of hi$ mind, moed the $hadow" >g#re of r$(

4erald--charming, $ohi$ticated, well laced in eer" $en$e of the word( He did not

want to gie her the !road realit" of f#ll tho#ght, !#t $he wa$ alwa"$ there( He

tho#ght and tho#ght( .Perha$ I&d !etter,. he half concl#ded( /hen e!r#ar" came

he wa$ read" to act( _

CHAPTER =I7

The little town of )andwood, .thi$ $ide of eno$ha,. a$ @ennie had e5re$$ed it, wa$

onl" a $hort di$tance from Chicago, an ho#r and >fteen min#te$ !" the local train( It

had a o#lation of $ome three h#ndred familie$, dwelling in $mall cottage$, which

were $cattered oer a lea$ant area of la%e-$hore roert"( The" were not rich

eole( The ho#$e$ were not worth more than from three to >e tho#$and dollar$

each, !#t, in mo$t ca$e$, the" were harmonio#$l" con$tr#cted, and the $#rro#nding

tree$, green for the entire "ear, gae them a lea$ing $#mmer" aearance( @ennie,

at the time the" had a$$ed !" there--it wa$ an o#ting ta%en !ehind a air of fa$t

hor$e$--had admired the loo% of a little white ch#rch $teele, $et down among green

tree$, and the gentle roc%ing of the !oat$ #on the $#mmer water(

.I $ho#ld li%e to lie in a lace li%e thi$ $ome time,. $he had $aid to =e$ter, and he

had made the comment that it wa$ a little too eacef#l for him( .I can imagine

getting to the lace where I might li%e thi$, !#t not now( It&$ too withdrawn(.

@ennie tho#ght of that e5re$$ion afterward( It came to her when $he tho#ght that

the world wa$ tr"ing( If $he had to !e alone eer and co#ld aord it $he wo#ld li%e

to lie in a lace li%e )andwood( There $he wo#ld hae a little garden, $ome

chic%en$, erha$, a tall ole with a rett" !ird-ho#$e on it, and *ower$ and tree$

and green gra$$ eer"where a!o#t( If $he co#ld hae a little cottage in a lace li%e

thi$ which commanded a iew of the la%e $he co#ld $it of a $#mmer eening and$ew( 7e$ta co#ld la" a!o#t or come home from $chool( )he might hae a few

friend$, or not an"( )he wa$ !eginning to thin% that $he co#ld do er" well liing



alone if it were not for 7e$ta&$ $ocial need$( 6oo%$ were lea$ant thing$--$he wa$

>nding that o#t--!oo%$ li%e Iring&$ )%etch 6oo%, =am!&$ Elia, and Hawthorne&$ Twice

Told Tale$( 7e$ta wa$ coming to !e '#ite a m#$ician in her wa", haing a %een $en$e

of the delicate and re>ned in m#$ical como$ition( )he had a nat#ral $en$e of

harmon" and a loe for tho$e $ong$ and in$tr#mental como$ition$ which re*ect

$entimental and a$$ionate mood$2 and $he co#ld $ing and la" '#ite well( Her

oice wa$, of co#r$e, '#ite #ntrained--$he wa$ onl" fo#rteen--!#t it wa$ lea$ant toli$ten to( )he wa$ !eginning to $how the com!ined trait$ of her mother and father--

@ennie&$ gentle, $ec#latie t#rn of mind, com!ined with 6rander&$ iacit" of $irit

and innate e5ec#tie caacit"( )he co#ld tal% to her mother in a $en$i!le wa" a!o#t

thing$, nat#re, !oo%$, dre$$, loe, and from her deeloing tendencie$ @ennie

ca#ght %een glim$e$ of the new world$ which 7e$ta wa$ to e5lore( The nat#re of

modern $chool life, it$ con$ideration of ario#$ dii$ion$ of %nowledge, m#$ic,

$cience, all came to @ennie watching her da#ghter ta%e # new theme$( 7e$ta wa$

eidentl" going to !e a woman of con$idera!le a!ilit"--not irrita!l" aggre$$ie, !#t

$elf-con$tr#ctie( )he wo#ld !e a!le to ta%e care of her$elf( All thi$ lea$ed @ennie

and gae her great hoe$ for 7e$ta&$ f#t#re(

The cottage which wa$ >nall" $ec#red at )andwood wa$ onl" a $tor" and a half in

height, !#t it wa$ rai$ed #on red !ric% ier$ !etween which were $et green lattice$

and a!o#t which ran a eranda( The ho#$e wa$ long and narrow, it$ f#ll length--

$ome >e room$ in a row--facing the la%e( There wa$ a dining-room with window$

oening een with the *oor, a large li!rar" with !#ilt-in $hele$ for !oo%$, and a

arlor who$e three large window$ aorded air and $#n$hine at all time$(

The lot of gro#nd in which thi$ cottage $tood wa$ one h#ndred feet $'#are and

ornamented with a few tree$( The former owner had laid o#t *ower-!ed$, and

arranged green hardwood t#!$ for the recetion of ario#$ hard" lant$ and ine$(

The ho#$e wa$ ainted white, with green $h#tter$ and green $hingle$(

It had !een =e$ter&$ idea, $ince thi$ thing m#$t !e, that @ennie might %ee the ho#$e

in H"de Par% ;#$t a$ it wa$, !#t $he did not want to do that( )he co#ld not thin% of

liing there alone( The lace wa$ too f#ll of memorie$( At >r$t, $he did not thin% $he

wo#ld ta%e an"thing m#ch with her, !#t $he >nall" $aw that it wa$ adi$a!le to do

a$ =e$ter $#gge$ted--to >t o#t the new lace with a $election of $ilerware,

hanging$, and f#rnit#re from the H"de Par% ho#$e(

.3o# hae no idea what "o# will or ma" want,. he $aid( .Ta%e eer"thing( I certainl"don&t want an" of it(.

A lea$e of the cottage wa$ ta%en for two "ear$, together with an otion for an

additional >e "ear$, incl#ding the riilege of #rcha$e( )o long a$ he wa$ letting

her go, =e$ter wanted to !e genero#$( He co#ld not thin% of her a$ wanting for

an"thing, and he did not roo$e that $he $ho#ld( Hi$ one tro#!le$ome tho#ght

wa$, what e5lanation wa$ to !e made to 7e$ta( He li%ed her er" m#ch and wanted

her .life %et free of comlication$(

./h" not $end her o to a !oarding-$chool #ntil $ring. he $#gge$ted once2 !#t

owing to the latene$$ of the $ea$on thi$ wa$ a!andoned a$ inadi$a!le( =ater the"agreed that !#$ine$$ aair$ made it nece$$ar" for him to trael and for @ennie to

moe( =ater 7e$ta co#ld !e told that @ennie had left him for an" rea$on $he cho$e to



gie( It wa$ a tr"ing $it#ation, all the more !itter to @ennie !eca#$e $he reali:ed that

in $ite of the wi$dom of it indierence to her wa$ inoled( He reall" did not care

eno#gh, a$ m#ch a$ he cared(

The relation$hi of man and woman which we $t#d" $o a$$ionatel" in the hoe of

>nding heaen %now$ what %e" to the m"$ter" of e5i$tence hold$ no more di+c#lt

or tr"ing $it#ation than thi$ of m#t#al comati!ilit" !ro%en or di$r#ted !" #ntowardcondition$ which in them$ele$ hae $o little to do with the real force and !ea#t" of

the relation$hi it$elf( The$e da"$ of >nal di$$ol#tion in which thi$ ho#$ehold, $o

charmingl" arranged, the $cene of $o man" lea$ant actiitie$, wa$ literall" going to

iece$ wa$ a eriod of great trial to !oth @ennie and =e$ter( On her art it wa$ one of

inten$e $#ering, for $he wa$ of that $ta!le nat#re that re;oice$ to >5 it$elf in a

$ericea!le and harmonio#$ relation$hi, and then $ta" $o( or her life wa$ made #

of tho$e m"$tic chord$ of $"math" and memor" which !ind # the tran$ient

element$ of nat#re into a harmonio#$ and end#ring $cene( One of tho$e chord$--thi$

home wa$ her home, #nited and made !ea#tif#l !" her aection and con$ideration

for each er$on and eer" o!;ect( 9ow the time had come when it m#$t cea$e(

If $he had eer had an"thing !efore in her life which had !een li%e thi$ it might hae

!een ea$ier to art with it now, tho#gh, a$ $he had roed, @ennie&$ aection$ were

not !a$ed in an" wa" #on material con$ideration$( Her loe of life and of

er$onalit" were free from the taint of $el>$hne$$( )he went a!o#t among the$e

ario#$ room$ $electing thi$ r#g, that $et of f#rnit#re, thi$ and that ornament,

wi$hing all the time with all her heart and $o#l that it need not !e( @#$t to thin%, in a

little while =e$ter wo#ld not come an" more of an eeningB )he wo#ld not need to

get # >r$t of a morning and $ee that coee wa$ made for her lord, that the ta!le in

the dining-room loo%ed ;#$t $o( It had !een a ha!it of her$ to arrange a !o#'#et for

the ta!le o#t of the riche$t !looming *ower$ of the con$erator", and $he had

alwa"$ felt in doing it that it wa$ artic#larl" for him( 9ow it wo#ld not !e nece$$ar"

an" more--not for him( /hen one i$ acc#$tomed to wait for the $o#nd of a certain

carriage-wheel of an eening grating #on "o#r carriage drie, when one i$ #$ed to

li$ten at eleen, twele, and one, wa%ing nat#rall" and ;o"f#ll" to the echo of a

certain $te on the $tair, the $earation, the ending of the$e thing$, i$ %een with

ain( The$e were the tho#ght$ that were r#nning thro#gh @ennie&$ !rain ho#r after

ho#r and da" after da"(

=e$ter on hi$ art wa$ $#ering in another fa$hion( Hi$ wa$ not the $orrow of

lacerated aection, of di$carded and de$i$ed loe, !#t of that ainf#l $en$e of#nfairne$$ which come$ to one who %now$ that he i$ ma%ing a $acri>ce of the

irt#e$--%indne$$, lo"alt", aection--to olic"( Polic" wa$ dictating a er" $lendid

co#r$e of action from one oint of iew( ree of @ennie, roiding for her admira!l",

he wa$ free to go hi$ wa", ta%ing to him$elf the ma$$ of aair$ which come

nat#rall" with great wealth( He co#ld not hel thin%ing of the tho#$and and one

little thing$ which @ennie had !een acc#$tomed to do for him, the h#ndred and one

comforta!le and lea$ant and delightf#l thing$ $he meant to him( The irt#e$ which

$he o$$e$$ed were '#ite dear to hi$ mind( He had gone oer them time and again(

9ow he wa$ comelled to go oer them >nall", to $ee that $he wa$ $#ering witho#t

ma%ing a $ign( Her manner and attit#de toward him in the$e la$t da"$ were '#itethe $ame a$ the" had alwa"$ !een--no more, no le$$( )he wa$ not ind#lging in

riate h"$teric$, a$ another woman might hae done2 $he wa$ not retending a



fortit#de in $#ering $he did not feel, $howing him one face while wi$hing him to

$ee another !ehind it( )he wa$ calm, gentle, con$iderate--tho#ghtf#l of him--where

he wo#ld go and what he wo#ld do, witho#t irritating him !" her in'#irie$( He wa$

$tr#c% '#ite faora!l" !" her a!ilit" to ta%e a large $it#ation largel", and he admired

her( There wa$ $omething to thi$ woman, let the world thin% what it might( It wa$ a

$hame that her life wa$ a$$ed #nder $#ch a tro#!led $tar( )till a great world wa$

calling him( The $o#nd of it$ oice wa$ in hi$ ear$( It had on occa$ion $hown him it$!ared teeth( <id he reall" dare to he$itate

The la$t ho#r came, when haing made e5c#$e$ to thi$ and that neigh!or, when

haing $read the information that the" were going a!road, when =e$ter had

engaged room$ at the A#ditori#m, and the ma$$ of f#rnit#re which co#ld not !e

#$ed had gone to $torage, that it wa$ nece$$ar" to $a" farewell to thi$ H"de Par%

domicile( @ennie had i$ited )andwood in coman" with =e$ter $eeral time$( He

had caref#ll" e5amined the character of the lace( He wa$ $ati$>ed that it wa$ nice

!#t lonel"( )ring wa$ at hand, the *ower$ wo#ld !e $omething( )he wa$ going to

%ee a gardener and man of all wor%( 7e$ta wo#ld !e with her(

.7er" well,. he $aid, .onl" I want "o# to !e comforta!le(.

In the mean time =e$ter had !een arranging hi$ er$onal aair$( He had noti>ed

e$$r$( night, eatle" L O&6rien thro#gh hi$ own attorne", r( /at$on, that he

wo#ld e5ect them to delier hi$ $hare of hi$ father&$ $ec#ritie$ on a gien date( He

had made # hi$ mind that a$ long a$ he wa$ comelled !" circ#m$tance$ to do thi$

thing he wo#ld do a n#m!er of other thing$ e'#all" r#thle$$( He wo#ld ro!a!l"

marr" r$( 4erald( He wo#ld $it a$ a director in the ?nited Carriage Coman"--with

hi$ $hare of the $toc% it wo#ld !e imo$$i!le to %ee him o#t( If he had r$( 4erald&$

mone" he wo#ld !ecome a controlling factor in the ?nited Traction of Cincinnati, inwhich hi$ !rother wa$ heail" intere$ted, and in the /e$tern )teel /or%$, of which

hi$ !rother wa$ now the leading adi$er( /hat a dierent >g#re he wo#ld !e now

from that which he had !een d#ring the a$t few "ear$B

@ennie wa$ dere$$ed to the oint of de$air( )he wa$ tremendo#$l" lonel"( Thi$

home had meant $o m#ch to her( /hen $he >r$t came here and neigh!or$ had

!eg#n to dro in $he had imagined her$elf on the thre$hold of a great career, that

$ome da", o$$i!l", =e$ter wo#ld marr" her( 9ow, !low after !low had !een

deliered, and the home and dream were a r#in( 4erhardt wa$ gone( @eannette,

Harr" /ard, and r$( ri$$ell had !een di$charged, the f#rnit#re for a good art wa$in $torage, and for her, racticall", =e$ter wa$ no more( )he reali:ed clearl" that he

wo#ld not come !ac%( If he co#ld do thi$ thing now, een con$ideratel", he co#ld do

m#ch more when he wa$ free and awa" later( Immer$ed in hi$ great aair$, he

wo#ld forget, of co#r$e( And wh" not )he did not >t in( Had not eer"thing--

eer"thing ill#$trated that to her =oe wa$ not eno#gh in thi$ world--that wa$ $o

lain( One needed ed#cation, wealth, training, the a!ilit" to >ght and $cheme, )he

did not want to do that( )he co#ld not(

The da" came when the ho#$e wa$ >nall" clo$ed and the old life wa$ at an end(

=e$ter traeled with @ennie to )andwood( He $ent $ome little while in the ho#$e

tr"ing to get her #$ed to the idea of change--it wa$ not $o !ad( He intimated that hewo#ld come again $oon, !#t he went awa", and all hi$ word$ were a$ nothing

again$t the fact of the act#al and $irit#al $earation( /hen @ennie $aw him going



down the !ric% wal% that afternoon, hi$ $olid, con$eratie >g#re clad in a new

tweed $#it, hi$ oercoat on hi$ arm, $elf-reliance and ro$erit" written all oer him,

$he tho#ght that $he wo#ld die( )he had %i$$ed =e$ter good-!" and had wi$hed him

;o", ro$erit", eace2 then $he made an e5c#$e to go to her !edroom( 7e$ta came

after a time, to $ee% her, !#t now her e"e$ were '#ite dr"2 eer"thing had $#!$ided

to a d#ll ache( The new life wa$ act#all" !eg#n for her--a life witho#t =e$ter, witho#t

4erhardt, witho#t an" one $ae 7e$ta(

./hat c#rio#$ thing$ hae haened to meB. $he tho#ght, a$ $he went into the

%itchen, for $he had determined to do at lea$t $ome of her own wor%( )he needed

the di$traction( )he did not want to thin%( If it were not for 7e$ta $he wo#ld hae

$o#ght $ome reg#lar o#t$ide emlo"ment( An"thing to %ee from !rooding, for in

that direction la" madne$$( _

CHAPTER =7

The $ocial and !#$ine$$ world$ of Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleeland, and other citie$

$aw, d#ring the "ear or two which followed the !rea%ing of hi$ relation$hi with @ennie, a c#rio#$ re;#enation in the $ocial and !#$ine$$ $irit of =e$ter ane( He

had !ecome rather di$tant and indierent to certain er$onage$ and aair$ while he

wa$ liing with her, !#t now he $#ddenl" aeared again, armed with a#thorit" from

a n#m!er of $o#rce$, loo%ing into thi$ and that matter with the air of one who ha$

the riilege of ower, and $howing him$elf to !e '#ite a er$onage from the oint

of iew of >nance and commerce( He wa$ older of co#r$e( It m#$t !e admitted that

he wa$ in $ome re$ect$ a mentall" altered =e$ter( ? to the time he had met @ennie

he wa$ f#ll of the a$$#rance of the man who ha$ neer %nown defeat( To hae !een

reared in l#5#r" a$ he had !een, to hae $een onl" the lea$ant $ide of $ociet",

which i$ $o er$i$tent and $o del#ding where mone" i$ concerned, to hae !een inthe r#n of !ig aair$ not !eca#$e one ha$ created them, !#t !eca#$e one i$ a art

of them and !eca#$e the" are one&$ !irthright, li%e the air one !reathe$, co#ld not

hel !#t create one of tho$e ill#$ion$ of $olidarit" which i$ at to !efog the cleare$t

!rain( It i$ $o hard for #$ to %now what we hae not $een( It i$ $o di+c#lt for #$ to

feel what we hae not e5erienced( =i%e thi$ world of o#r$, which $eem$ $o $olid

and er$i$tent $olel" !eca#$e we hae no %nowledge of the ower which create$ it,

=e$ter&$ world $eemed $olid and er$i$tent and real eno#gh to him( It wa$ onl" when

the $torm$ $et in and the wind$ of ader$it" !lew and he fo#nd him$elf facing the

armed force$ of conention that he reali:ed he might !e mi$ta%en a$ to the al#e of

hi$ er$onalit", that hi$ riate de$ire$ and oinion$ were a$ nothing in the face of a#!lic coniction2 that he wa$ wrong( The race $irit, or $ocial aatar, the

.eitgei$t. a$ the 4erman$ term it, manife$ted it$elf a$ $omething haing a $"$tem

in charge, and the organi:ation of $ociet" !egan to $how it$elf to him a$ $omething

!a$ed on o$$i!l" a $irit#al, or, at lea$t, $#erh#man co#nterart( He co#ld not *"

in the face of it( He co#ld not deli!eratel" ignore it$ mandate$( The eole of hi$

time !elieed that $ome artic#lar form of $ocial arrangement wa$ nece$$ar", and

#nle$$ he comlied with that he co#ld, a$ he $aw, readil" !ecome a $ocial o#tca$t(

Hi$ own father and mother had t#rned on him--hi$ !rother and $i$ter$, $ociet", hi$

friend$( <ear heaen, what a to-do thi$ action of hi$ had createdB /h", een the

fate$ $eemed ader$e( Hi$ real e$tate ent#re wa$ one of the mo$t fort#ito#$l"#nl#c%" thing$ he had eer heard of( /h" /ere the god$ !attling on the $ide of a

to him #nimortant $ocial arrangement Aarentl"( An"how, he had !een



comelled to '#it, and here he wa$, igoro#$, determined, $omewhat !attered !"

the e5erience, !#t $till forcef#l and worth while(

And it wa$ a art of the enalt" that he had !ecome mea$#ra!l" $o#red !" what

had occ#rred( He wa$ feeling that he had !een comelled to do the >r$t #gl", !r#tal

thing of hi$ life( @ennie de$ered !etter of him( It wa$ a $hame to for$a%e her after

all the deotion $he had manife$ted( Tr#l" $he had la"ed a >ner art than he(/or$t of all, hi$ deed co#ld not !e e5c#$ed on the gro#nd$ of nece$$it"( He co#ld

hae lied on ten tho#$and a "ear2 he co#ld hae done witho#t the million and more

which wa$ now hi$( He co#ld hae done witho#t the $ociet", the lea$#re$ of which

had alwa"$ !een a l#re( He co#ld hae, !#t he had not, and he had comlicated it

all with the tho#ght of another woman(

/a$ $he a$ good a$ @ennie That wa$ a '#e$tion which alwa"$ ro$e !efore him( /a$

$he a$ %indl" /a$n&t $he deli!eratel" $cheming #nder hi$ er" e"e$ to win him

awa" from the woman who wa$ a$ good a$ hi$ wife /a$ that admira!le /a$ it the

thing a tr#l" !ig woman wo#ld do /a$ $he good eno#gh for him after all O#ght he

to marr" her O#ght he to marr" an" one $eeing that he reall" owed a $irit#al if

not a legal allegiance to @ennie /a$ it worth while for an" woman to marr" him

The$e thing$ t#rned in hi$ !rain( The" ha#nted him( He co#ld not $h#t o#t the fact

that he wa$ doing a cr#el and #nloel" thing(

aterial error in the >r$t lace wa$ now !eing comlicated with $irit#al error( He

wa$ attemting to right the >r$t !" committing the $econd( Co#ld it !e done to hi$

own $ati$faction /o#ld it a" mentall" and $irit#all" /o#ld it !ring him eace of

mind He wa$ thin%ing, thin%ing, all the while he wa$ read;#$ting hi$ life to the old

Gor erha$ !etter "et, new condition$, and he wa$ not feeling an" haier( A$ a

matter of fact he wa$ feeling wor$e--grim, reengef#l( If he married =ett" hetho#ght at time$ it wo#ld !e to #$e her fort#ne a$ a cl#! to %noc% other enemie$

oer the head, and he hated to thin% he wa$ marr"ing her for that( He too% # hi$

a!ode at the A#ditori#m, i$ited Cincinnati in a di$tant and aggre$$ie $irit, $at in

co#ncil with the !oard of director$, wi$hing that he wa$ more at eace with him$elf,

more intere$ted in life( 6#t he did not change hi$ olic" in regard to @ennie(

Of co#r$e r$( 4erald had !een itall" intere$ted in =e$ter&$ reha!ilitation( )he

waited tactf#ll" $ome little time !efore $ending him an" word2 >nall" $he ent#red

to write to him at the H"de Par% addre$$ Ga$ if $he did not %now where he wa$,

a$%ing, ./here are "o#. 6" thi$ time =e$ter had !ecome $lightl" acc#$tomed tothe change in hi$ life( He wa$ $a"ing to him$elf that he needed $"mathetic

comanion$hi, the comanion$hi of a woman, of co#r$e( )ocial initation$ had

!eg#n to come to him now that he wa$ alone and that hi$ >nancial connection$

were $o o!io#$l" re$tored( He had made hi$ aearance, accomanied onl" !" a

@aane$e alet, at $eeral co#ntr" ho#$e$, the !e$t $ign that he wa$ once more a

$ingle man( 9o reference wa$ made !" an" one to the a$t(

On receiing r$( 4erald&$ note he decided that he o#ght to go and $ee her( He had

treated her rather $ha!!il"( or month$ receding hi$ $earation from @ennie he had

not gone near her( Een now he waited #ntil time !ro#ght a &honed initation to

dinner( Thi$ he acceted(



r$( 4erald wa$ at her !e$t a$ a ho$te$$ at her erfectl" aointed dinner-ta!le(

Al!oni, the iani$t, wa$ there on thi$ occa$ion, together with Adam Ra$caage, the

$c#ltor, a i$iting $cienti$t from England, )ir 9el$on e"e$, and, c#rio#$l" eno#gh,

r( and r$( 6err" <odge, whom =e$ter had not met $ociall" in $eeral "ear$( r$(

4erald and =e$ter e5changed the ;o"f#l greeting$ of tho$e who #nder$tand each

other thoro#ghl" and are ha" in each other&$ coman"( .Aren&t "o# a$hamed of

"o#r$elf, $ir,. $he $aid to him when he made hi$ aearance, .to treat me $oindierentl" 3o# are going to !e #ni$hed for thi$(.

./hat&$ the damage. he $miled( .I&e !een e5tremel" r#$hed( I $#o$e $omething

li%e ninet" $trie$ will $ere me a!o#t right(.

.9inet" $trie$, indeedB. $he retorted( .3o#&re letting "o#r$elf o ea$"( /hat i$ it

the" do to eil-doer$ in )iam.

.6oil them in oil, I $#o$e(.

./ell, an"how, that&$ more li%e( I&m thin%ing of $omething terri!le(.

.6e $#re and tell me when "o# decide,. he la#ghed, and a$$ed on to !e re$ented

to di$ting#i$hed $tranger$ !" r$( <e =inc#m who aided r$( 4erald in receiing(

The tal% wa$ $tim#lating( =e$ter wa$ alwa"$ at hi$ ea$e intellect#all", and thi$

mental atmo$here reied him( Pre$entl" he t#rned to greet 6err" <odge, who wa$

$tanding at hi$ el!ow(

<odge wa$ all cordialit"( ./here are "o# now. he a$%ed( ./e haen&t $een "o# in--

oh, when r$( <odge i$ waiting to hae a word with "o#(. =e$ter noticed the

change in <odge&$ attit#de(

.)ome time, that&$ $#re,. he relied ea$il"( .I&m liing at the A#ditori#m(.

.I wa$ a$%ing after "o# the other da"( 3o# %now @ac%$on <# 6oi$ Of co#r$e "o# do(

/e were thin%ing of r#nning # into Canada for $ome h#nting( /h" don&t "o# ;oin

#$.

.I can&t,. relied =e$ter( .Too man" thing$ on hand ;#$t now( =ater, $#rel"(.

<odge wa$ an5io#$ to contin#e( He had $een =e$ter&$ election a$ a director of the C(

H( L <( O!io#$l" he wa$ coming !ac% into the world( 6#t dinner wa$ anno#nced

and =e$ter $at at r$( 4erald&$ right hand(

.Aren&t "o# coming to a" me a dinner call $ome afternoon after thi$. a$%ed r$(

4erald con>dentiall" when the coner$ation wa$ !ri$% at the other end of the ta!le(

.I am, indeed,. he relied, .and $hortl"( )erio#$l", I&e !een wanting to loo% "o# #(

3o# #nder$tand tho#gh how thing$ are now.

.I do( I&e heard a great deal( That&$ wh" I want "o# to come( /e need to tal%

together(.

Ten da"$ later he did call( He felt a$ if he m#$t tal% with her2 he wa$ feeling !oredand lonel"2 hi$ long home life with @ennie had made hotel life o!;ectiona!le( He felt

a$ tho#gh he m#$t >nd a $"mathetic, intelligent ear, and where !etter than here



=ett" wa$ all ear$ for hi$ tro#!le$( )he wo#ld hae illowed hi$ $olid head #on her

!rea$t in a moment if that had !een o$$i!le(

./ell,. he $aid, when the #$#al fencing reliminarie$ were oer, .what will "o# hae

me $a" in e5lanation.

.Hae "o# !#rned "o#r !ridge$ !ehind "o#. $he a$%ed(

.I&m not $o $#re,. he relied grael"( .And I can&t $a" that I&m feeling an" too ;o"o#$

a!o#t the matter a$ a whole(.

.I tho#ght a$ m#ch,. $he relied( .I %new how it wo#ld !e with "o#( I can $ee "o#

wading thro#gh thi$ mentall", =e$ter( I hae !een watching "o#, eer" $te of the

wa", wi$hing "o# eace of mind( The$e thing$ are alwa"$ $o di+c#lt, !#t don&t "o#

%now I am $till $#re it&$ for the !e$t( It neer wa$ right the other wa"( It neer co#ld

!e( 3o# co#ldn&t aord to $in% !ac% into a mere $hell->$h life( 3o# are not organi:ed

temeramentall" for that an" more than I am( 3o# ma" regret what "o# are doing

now, !#t "o# wo#ld hae regretted the other thing '#ite a$ m#ch and more( 3o#co#ldn&t wor% "o#r life o#t that wa"--now, co#ld "o#.

.I don&t %now a!o#t that, =ett"( Reall", I don&t( I&e wanted to come and $ee "o# for a

long time, !#t I didn&t thin% that I o#ght to( The >ght wa$ o#t$ide--"o# %now what I

mean(.

.3e$, indeed, I do,. $he $aid $oothingl"(

.It&$ $till in$ide( I haen&t gotten oer it( I don&t %now whether thi$ >nancial !#$ine$$

!ind$ me $#+cientl" or not( I&ll !e fran% and tell "o# that I can&t $a" I loe her

entirel"2 !#t I&m $orr", and that&$ $omething(.

.)he&$ comforta!l" roided for, of co#r$e,. $he commented rather than in'#ired(

.Eer"thing $he want$( @ennie i$ of a ec#liar di$o$ition( )he doe$n&t want m#ch(

)he&$ retiring !" nat#re and doe$n&t care for $how( I&e ta%en a cottage for her at

)andwood, a little lace north of here on the la%e2 and there&$ lent" of mone" in

tr#$t, !#t, of co#r$e, $he %now$ $he can lie an"where $he lea$e$(.

.I #nder$tand e5actl" how $he feel$, =e$ter( I %now how "o# feel( )he i$ going to

$#er er" %eenl" for a while--we all do when we hae to gie # the thing we loe(

6#t we can get oer it, and we do( At lea$t, we can lie( )he will( It will go hard at>r$t, !#t after a while $he will $ee how it i$, and $he won&t feel an" the wor$e toward

"o#(.

.@ennie will neer reroach me, I %now that,. he relied( .I&m the one who will do the

reroaching( I&ll !e a!#$ing m"$elf for $ome time( The tro#!le i$ with m" artic#lar

t#rn of mind( I can&t tell, for the life of me, how m#ch of thi$ di$t#r!ing feeling of

mine i$ ha!it--the condition that I&m acc#$tomed to--and how m#ch i$ $"math"( I

$ometime$ thin% I&m the the mo$t ointle$$ indiid#al in the world( I thin% too

m#ch(.

.Poor =e$terB. $he $aid tenderl"( ./ell, I #nder$tand for one( 3o#&re lonel" liingwhere "o# are, aren&t "o#.



.I am that,. he relied(

./h" not come and $end a few da"$ down at /e$t 6aden I&m going there(.

./hen. he in'#ired(

.9e5t T#e$da"(.

.=et me $ee,. he relied( .I&m not $#re that I can(. He con$#lted hi$ note!oo%( .I

co#ld come Th#r$da", for a few da"$(.

./h" not do that 3o# need coman"( /e can wal% and tal% thing$ o#t down there(

/ill "o#.

.3e$, I will,. he relied(

)he came toward him, trailing a laender lo#nging ro!e( .3o#&re $#ch a $olemn

hilo$oher, $ir,. $he o!$ered comforta!l", .wor%ing thro#gh all the rami>cation$

of thing$( /h" do "o# 3o# were alwa"$ li%e that(.

.I can&t hel it,. he relied( .It&$ m" nat#re to thin%(.

./ell, one thing I %now--. and $he twea%ed hi$ ear gentl"( .3o#&re not going to ma%e

another mi$ta%e thro#gh $"math" if I can hel it,. $he $aid daringl"( .3o#&re going

to $ta" di$entangled long eno#gh to gie "o#r$elf a chance to thin% o#t what "o#

want to do( 3o# m#$t( And I wi$h for one thing "o#&d ta%e oer the management of

m" aair$( 3o# co#ld adi$e me $o m#ch !etter than m" law"er(.

He aro$e and wal%ed to the window, t#rning to loo% !ac% at her $olemnl"( .I %now

what "o# want,. he $aid doggedl"(

.And wh" $ho#ldn&t I. $he demanded, again aroaching him( )he loo%ed at him

leadingl", de>antl"( .3e$, wh" $ho#ldn&t I.

.3o# don&t %now what "o#&re doing,. he gr#m!led2 !#t he %et on loo%ing at her2 $he

$tood there, attractie a$ a woman of her age co#ld !e, wi$e, con$iderate, f#ll of

friend$hi and aection(

.=ett",. he $aid( .3o# o#ght not to want to marr" me( I&m not worth it( Reall" I&m not(

I&m too c"nical( Too indierent( It won&t !e worth an"thing in the long r#n(.

.It will !e worth $omething to me,. $he in$i$ted( .I %now what "o# are( An"how, I

don&t care( I want "o#B.

He too% her hand$, then her arm$( inall" he drew her to him, and #t hi$ arm$

a!o#t her wai$t( .Poor =ett"B. he $aid2 .I&m not worth it( 3o#&ll !e $orr"(.

.9o, I&ll not,. $he relied( .I %now what I&m doing( I don&t care what "o# thin% "o# are

worth(. )he laid her chee% on hi$ $ho#lder( .I want "o#(.

.If "o# %ee on I ent#re to $a" "o#&ll hae me,. he ret#rned( He !ent and %i$$ed

her(

.Oh,. $he e5claimed, and hid her hot face again$t hi$ !rea$t(



.Thi$ i$ !ad !#$ine$$,. he tho#ght, een a$ he held her within the circle of hi$ arm$(

.It i$n&t what I o#ght to !e doing(.

)till he held her, and now when $he oered her li$ coa5ingl" he %i$$ed her again

and again( _

CHAPTER =7I

It i$ di+c#lt to $a" whether =e$ter might not hae ret#rned to @ennie after all !#t for

certain in*#ential factor$( After a time, with hi$ control of hi$ ortion of the e$tate

>rml" $ettled in hi$ hand$ and the $torm of original feeling forgotten, he wa$ well

aware that dilomac"--if he ignored hi$ nat#ral tendenc" to f#l>l een imlied

o!ligation$--co#ld readil" !ring a!o#t an arrangement where!" he and @ennie co#ld

!e together( 6#t he wa$ ha#nted !" the $en$e of what might !e called an imortant

$ocial oort#nit" in the form of r$( 4erald( He wa$ comelled to $et oer again$t

hi$ nat#ral tendenc" toward @ennie a con$cio#$ne$$ of what he wa$ ignoring in the

er$onalit" and fort#ne$ of her rial, who wa$ one of the mo$t $igni>cant and

intere$ting >g#re$ on the $ocial hori:on( or thin% a$ he wo#ld, the$e two womenwere now er$i$tentl" oo$ed in hi$ con$cio#$ne$$( The one oli$hed, $"mathetic,

hilo$ohic--$chooled in all the nicetie$ of olite $ociet", and with the mean$ to

gratif" her eer" wi$h2 the other nat#ral, $"mathetic, emotional, with no $chooling

in the wa"$ of olite $ociet", !#t with a feeling for the !ea#t" of life and the loel"

thing$ in h#man relation$hi which made her !e"ond an" '#e$tion an e5cetional

woman( r$( 4erald $aw it and admitted it( Her critici$m of =e$ter&$ relation$hi with

@ennie wa$ not that $he wa$ not worth while, !#t that condition$ made it imolitic(

On the other hand, #nion with her wa$ an ideal clima5 for hi$ $ocial a$iration$( Thi$

wo#ld !ring eer"thing o#t right( He wo#ld !e a$ ha" with her a$ he wo#ld !e

with @ennie--almo$t--and he wo#ld hae the $ati$faction of %nowing that thi$/e$tern $ocial and >nancial world held no more $igni>cant >g#re than him$elf( It

wa$ not wi$e to dela" either thi$ latter e5cellent $ol#tion of hi$ material ro!lem$,

and after thin%ing it oer long and $erio#$l" he >nall" concl#ded that he wo#ld not(

He had alread" done @ennie the irreara!le wrong of leaing her( /hat dierence

did it ma%e if he did thi$ al$o )he wa$ o$$e$$ed of eer"thing $he co#ld o$$i!l"

want o#t$ide of him$elf( )he had her$elf deemed it adi$a!le for him to leae( 6"

$#ch >gment$ of the !rain, in the face of #n$ettled and di$t#r!ing condition$, he

wa$ !ecoming #$ed to the idea of a new alliance(

The thing which reented an eent#al re$#mtion of relation$hi in $ome formwith @ennie wa$ the con$tant re$ence of r$( 4erald( Circ#m$tance$ con$ired to

ma%e her the logical $ol#tion of hi$ mental '#andar" at thi$ time( Alone he co#ld do

nothing $ae to ma%e i$it$ here and there, and he did not care to do that( He wa$

too indierent mentall" to gather a!o#t him a$ a !achelor that atmo$here which

he en;o"ed and which a woman li%e r$( 4erald co#ld $o readil" roide( ?nited

with her it wa$ $imle eno#gh( Their home then, whereer it wa$, wo#ld !e f#ll of

cleer eole( He wo#ld need to do little $ae to aear and en;o" it( )he

#nder$tood '#ite a$ well a$ an" one how he li%ed to lie( )he en;o"ed to meet the

eole he en;o"ed meeting( There were $o man" thing$ the" co#ld do together

nicel"( He i$ited /e$t 6aden at the $ame time $he did, a$ $he $#gge$ted( He gae

him$elf oer to her in Chicago for dinner$, artie$, drie$( Her ho#$e wa$ '#ite a$

m#ch hi$ own a$ her$--$he made him feel $o( )he tal%ed to him a!o#t her aair$,



$howing him e5actl" how the" $tood and wh" $he wi$hed him to interene in thi$

and that matter( )he did not wi$h him to !e m#ch alone( )he did not want him to

thin% or regret( )he came to rere$ent to him comfort, forgetf#lne$$, re$t from care(

/ith the other$ he i$ited at her ho#$e occa$ionall", and it grad#all" !ecame

r#mored a!o#t that he wo#ld marr" her( 6eca#$e of the fact that there had !een $o

m#ch di$c#$$ion of hi$ reio#$ relation$hi, =ett" decided that if eer thi$ occ#rred

it $ho#ld !e a '#iet aair( )he wanted a $imle e5lanation in the aer$ of how ithad come a!o#t, and then afterward, when thing$ were normal again and go$$i

had $#!$ided, $he wo#ld enter on a da::ling $ocial di$la" for hi$ $a%e(

./h" not let #$ get married in Aril and go a!road for the $#mmer. $he a$%ed

once, after the" had reached a $ilent #nder$tanding that marriage wo#ld eent#all"

follow( .=et&$ go to @aan( Then we can come !ac% in the fall, and ta%e a ho#$e on

the drie(.

=e$ter had !een awa" from @ennie $o long now that the >r$t $eere wae of $elf-

reroach had a$$ed( He wa$ $till do#!tf#l, !#t he referred to $ti*e hi$ mi$giing$(

.7er" well,. he relied, almo$t ;o%ingl"( .Onl" don&t let there !e an" f#$$ a!o#t it(.

.<o "o# reall" mean that, $weet. $he e5claimed, loo%ing oer at him2 the" had

!een $ending the eening together '#ietl" reading and chatting(

.I&e tho#ght a!o#t it a long while,. he relied( .I don&t $ee wh" not(.

)he came oer to him and $at on hi$ %nee, #tting her arm$ #on hi$ $ho#lder$(

.I can $carcel" !eliee "o# $aid that,. $he $aid, loo%ing at him c#rio#$l"(

.)hall I ta%e it !ac%. he a$%ed(

.9o, no( It&$ agreed for Aril now( And we&ll go to @aan( 3o# can&t change "o#r mind(

There won&t !e an" f#$$( 6#t m", what a tro#$$ea# I will reareB.

He $miled a little con$trainedl" a$ $he to#$led hi$ head2 there wa$ a mi$$ing note

$omewhere in thi$ gam#t of haine$$2 erha$ it wa$ !eca#$e he wa$ getting old(

_

CHAPTER =7II

In the meantime @ennie wa$ going her wa", $ettling her$elf in the mar%edl" dierent

world in which henceforth $he wa$ to moe( It $eemed a terri!le thing at >r$t--thi$

life witho#t =e$ter( <e$ite her own $trong indiid#alit", her wa"$ had !ecome $o

inoled with hi$ that there $eemed to !e no o$$i!ilit" of di$entangling them(

Con$tantl" $he wa$ with him in tho#ght and action, ;#$t a$ tho#gh the" had neer

$earated( /here wa$ he now /hat wa$ he doing /hat wa$ he $a"ing How wa$

he loo%ing In the morning$ when $he wo%e it wa$ with the $en$e that he m#$t !e

!e$ide her( At night a$ if $he co#ld not go to !ed alone( He wo#ld come after a while

$#rel"--ah, no, of co#r$e he wo#ld not come( <ear heaen, thin% of thatB 9eer an"

more( And $he wanted him $o(

Again there were $o man" little tr"ing thing$ to ad;#$t, for a change of thi$ nat#re i$too radical to !e a$$ed oer lightl"( The e5lanation $he had to ma%e to 7e$ta wa$

of all the mo$t imortant( Thi$ little girl, who wa$ old eno#gh now to $ee and thin%



for her$elf, wa$ not witho#t her $#rmi$e$ and mi$giing$( 7e$ta recalled that her

mother had !een acc#$ed of not !eing married to her father when $he wa$ !orn(

)he had $een the article a!o#t @ennie and =e$ter in the )#nda" aer at the time it

had aeared--it had !een $hown to her at $chool--!#t $he had had $en$e eno#gh

to $a" nothing a!o#t it, feeling $omehow that @ennie wo#ld not li%e it( =e$ter&$

di$aearance wa$ a comlete $#rri$e2 !#t $he had learned in the la$t two or three

"ear$ that her mother wa$ er" $en$itie, and that $he co#ld h#rt her in #ne5ectedwa"$( @ennie wa$ >nall" comelled to tell 7e$ta that =e$ter&$ fort#ne had !een

deendent on hi$ leaing her, $olel" !eca#$e $he wa$ not of hi$ $tation( 7e$ta

li$tened $o!erl" and half $#$ected the tr#th( )he felt terri!l" $orr" for her mother,

and, !eca#$e of @ennie&$ o!io#$ di$tre$$, $he wa$ tre!l" ga" and co#rageo#$( )he

ref#$ed o#tright the $#gge$tion of going to a !oarding-$chool and %et a$ clo$e to

her mother a$ $he co#ld( )he fo#nd intere$ting !oo%$ to read with her, in$i$ted that

the" go to $ee la"$ together, la"ed to her on the iano, and a$%ed for her

mother&$ critici$m$ on her drawing and modeling( )he fo#nd a few friend$ in the

e5cellent )and wood $chool, and !ro#ght them home of an eening to add lightne$$

and gaiet" to the cottage life( @ennie, thro#gh her growing areciation of 7e$ta&$>ne character, !ecame more and more drawn toward her( =e$ter wa$ gone, !#t at

lea$t $he had 7e$ta( That ro wo#ld ro!a!l" $#$tain her in the face of a waning

e5i$tence(

There wa$ al$o her hi$tor" to acco#nt for to the re$ident$ of )andwood( In man"

ca$e$ where one i$ content to lead a $ecl#ded life it i$ not nece$$ar" to $a" m#ch of

one&$ a$t, !#t a$ a r#le $omething m#$t !e $aid( Peole hae the ha!it of

in'#iring--if the" are no more than !#tcher$ and !a%er$( 6" degree$ one m#$t

acco#nt for thi$ and that fact, and it wa$ $o here( )he co#ld not $a" that her

h#$!and wa$ dead( =e$ter might come !ac%( )he had to $a" that $he had left him--to gie the imre$$ion that it wo#ld !e $he, if an" one, who wo#ld ermit him to

ret#rn( Thi$ #t her in an intere$ting and $"mathetic light in the neigh!orhood( It

wa$ the mo$t $en$i!le thing to do( )he then $ettled down to a '#iet ro#tine of

e5i$tence, waiting what deno#ement to her life $he co#ld not g#e$$(

)andwood life wa$ not witho#t it$ charm$ for a loer of nat#re, and thi$, with the

deotion of 7e$ta, oered $ome $light $olace( There wa$ the !ea#t" of the la%e,

which, with it$ a$$ing !oat$, wa$ a neer-ending $o#rce of ;o", and there were

man" charming drie$ in the $#rro#nding co#ntr"( @ennie had her own hor$e and

carr"all--one of the hor$e$ of the air the" had #$ed in H"de Par%( Other ho#$ehold

et$ aeared in d#e co#r$e of time, incl#ding a collie, that 7e$ta named Rat$2 $hehad !ro#ght him from Chicago a$ a #", and he had grown to !e a $terling watch-

dog, $en$i!le and aectionate( There wa$ al$o a cat, @imm" /ood$, $o called after a

!o" 7e$ta %new, and to whom $he in$i$ted the cat !ore a mar%ed re$em!lance(

There wa$ a $inging thr#$h, g#arded caref#ll" again$t a roing de$ire for !ird-food

on the art of @imm" /ood$, and a ;ar of gold>$h( )o thi$ little ho#$ehold drifted

along '#ietl" and dreamil" indeed, !#t alwa"$ with the #nderc#rrent of feeling

which ran $o $till !eca#$e it wa$ $o dee(

There wa$ no word from =e$ter for the >r$t few wee%$ following hi$ deart#re2 he

wa$ too !#$" following # the thread$ of hi$ new commercial connection$ and toocon$iderate to wi$h to %ee @ennie in a $tate of mental t#rmoil oer comm#nication$

which, #nder the re$ent circ#m$tance$, co#ld mean nothing( He referred to let



matter$ re$t for the time !eing2 then a little later he wo#ld write her $anel" and

calml" of how thing$ were going( He did thi$ after the $ilence of a month, $a"ing

that he had !een rett" well re$$ed !" commercial aair$, that he had !een in and

o#t of the cit" fre'#entl" Gwhich wa$ the tr#th, and that he wo#ld ro!a!l" !e awa"

from Chicago a large art of the time in the f#t#re( He in'#ired after 7e$ta and the

condition of aair$ generall" at )andwood( .I ma" get # there one of the$e da"$,.

he $#gge$ted, !#t he reall" did not mean to come, and @ennie %new that he did not(

Another month a$$ed, and then there wa$ a $econd letter from him, not $o long a$

the >r$t one( @ennie had written him fran%l" and f#ll", telling him ;#$t how thing$

$tood with her( )he concealed entirel" her own feeling$ in the matter, $a"ing that

$he li%ed the life er" m#ch, and that $he wa$ glad to !e at )and wood( )he

e5re$$ed the hoe that now eer"thing wa$ coming o#t for the !e$t for him, and

tried to $how him that $he wa$ reall" glad matter$ had !een $ettled( .3o# m#$tn&t

thin% of me a$ !eing #nha",. $he $aid in one lace, .for I&m not( I am $#re it o#ght

to !e ;#$t a$ it i$, and I wo#ldn&t !e ha" if it were an" other wa"( =a" o#t "o#r life

$o a$ to gie "o#r$elf the greate$t haine$$, =e$ter,. $he added( .3o# de$ere it(/hateer "o# do will !e ;#$t right for me( I won&t mind(. )he had r$( 4erald in

mind, and he $#$ected a$ m#ch, !#t he felt that her genero$it" m#$t !e tinged

greatl" with $elf-$acri>ce and $ecret #nhaine$$( It wa$ the one thing which made

him he$itate a!o#t ta%ing that >nal $te(

The written word and the hidden tho#ght--how the" con*ictB After $i5 month$ the

corre$ondence wa$ more or le$$ erf#nctor" on hi$ art, and at eight it had cea$ed

temoraril"(

One morning, a$ $he wa$ glancing oer the dail" aer, $he $aw among the $ociet"

note$ the following item

The engagement of r$( alcolm 4erald, of J0JJ <re5el 6o#leard, to =e$ter ane,

$econd $on of the late Archi!ald ane, of Cincinnati, wa$ formall" anno#nced at a

art" gien !" the ro$ectie !ride on T#e$da" to a circle of her immediate friend$(

The wedding will ta%e lace in Aril(

The aer fell from her hand$( or a few min#te$ $he $at erfectl" $till, loo%ing

$traight ahead of her( Co#ld thi$ thing !e $o $he a$%ed her$elf( Had it reall" come

at la$t )he had %nown that it m#$t come, and "et--and "et $he had alwa"$ hoed

that it wo#ld not( /h" had $he hoed Had not $he her$elf $ent him awa" Had not

$he her$elf $#gge$ted thi$ er" thing in a ro#nda!o#t wa" It had come now( /hat

m#$t $he do )ta" here a$ a en$ioner The idea wa$ o!;ectiona!le to her( And "et

he had $et a$ide a goodl" $#m to !e her$ a!$ol#tel"( In the hand$ of a tr#$t

coman" in =a )alle )treet were railwa" certi>cate$ aggregating $eent"->e

tho#$and dollar$, which "ielded fo#r tho#$and >e h#ndred ann#all", the income

!eing aid to her direct( Co#ld $he ref#$e to receie thi$ mone" There wa$ 7e$ta to

!e con$idered(

@ennie felt h#rt thro#gh and thro#gh !" thi$ deno#ement, and "et a$ $he $at there

$he reali:ed that it wa$ fooli$h to !e angr"( =ife wa$ alwa"$ doing thi$ $ort of a thing

to her( It wo#ld go on doing $o( )he wa$ $#re of it( If $he went o#t in the world andearned her own liing what dierence wo#ld it ma%e to him /hat dierence wo#ld

it ma%e to r$( 4erald Here $he wa$ walled in thi$ little lace, leading an o!$c#re



e5i$tence, and there wa$ he o#t in the great world en;o"ing life in it$ f#lle$t and

free$t $en$e( It wa$ too !ad( 6#t wh" cr" /h"

Her e"e$ indeed were dr", !#t her er" $o#l $eemed to !e torn in iece$ within her(

)he ro$e caref#ll", hid the new$aer at the !ottom of a tr#n%, and t#rned the %e"

#on it( _

CHAPTER =7III

9ow that hi$ engagement to r$( 4erald wa$ an accomli$hed, fact, =e$ter fo#nd no

artic#lar di+c#lt" in reconciling him$elf to the new order of thing$2 #ndo#!tedl" it

wa$ all for the !e$t( He wa$ $orr" for @ennie--er" $orr"( )o wa$ r$( 4erald2 !#t

there wa$ a ractical #ng#ent to her grief in the tho#ght that it wa$ !e$t for !oth

=e$ter and the girl( He wo#ld !e haier--wa$ $o now( And @ennie wo#ld eent#all"

reali:e that $he had done a wi$e and %indl" thing2 $he wo#ld !e glad in the

con$cio#$ne$$ that $he had acted $o #n$el>$hl"( A$ for r$( 4erald, !eca#$e of her

indierence to the late alcolm 4erald, and !eca#$e $he wa$ reali:ing the dream$

of her "o#th in getting =e$ter at la$t--een tho#gh a little late--$he wa$ inten$el"ha"( )he co#ld thin% of nothing >ner than thi$ dail" life with him--the lace$ the"

wo#ld go, the thing$ the" wo#ld $ee( Her >r$t $ea$on in Chicago a$ r$( =e$ter ane

the following winter wa$ going to !e $omething worth remem!ering( And a$ for

@aan--that wa$ almo$t too good to !e tr#e(

=e$ter wrote to @ennie of hi$ coming marriage to r$( 4erald( He $aid that he had no

e5lanation to ma%e( It wo#ldn&t !e worth an"thing if he did ma%e it( He tho#ght he

o#ght to marr" r$( 4erald( He tho#ght he o#ght to let her G@ennie %now( He hoed

$he wa$ well( He wanted her alwa"$ to feel that he had her real intere$t$ at heart(

He wo#ld do an"thing in hi$ ower to ma%e life a$ lea$ant and agreea!le for her a$o$$i!le( He hoed $he wo#ld forgie him( And wo#ld $he remem!er him

aectionatel" to 7e$ta )he o#ght to !e $ent to a >ni$hing $chool(

@ennie #nder$tood the $it#ation erfectl"( )he %new that =e$ter had !een drawn to

r$( 4erald from the time he met her at the Carlton in =ondon( )he had !een

angling for him( 9ow $he had him( It wa$ all right( )he hoed he wo#ld !e ha"(

)he wa$ glad to write and tell him $o, e5laining that $he had $een the

anno#ncement in the aer$( =e$ter read her letter tho#ghtf#ll"2 there wa$ more

!etween the line$ than the written word$ cone"ed( Her fortit#de wa$ a charm to

him een in thi$ ho#r( In $ite of all he had done and what he wa$ now going to do,

he reali:ed that he $till cared for @ennie in a wa"( )he wa$ a no!le and a charming

woman( If eer"thing el$e had !een all right he wo#ld not !e going to marr" r$(

4erald at all( And "et he did marr" her(

The ceremon" wa$ erformed on Aril >fteenth, at the re$idence of r$( 4erald, a

Roman Catholic rie$t o+ciating( =e$ter wa$ a oor e5amle of the faith he

occa$ionall" rofe$$ed( He wa$ an agno$tic, !#t !eca#$e he had !een reared in the

ch#rch he felt that he might a$ well !e married in it( )ome >ft" g#e$t$, intimate

friend$, had !een inited( The ceremon" went o with erfect $moothne$$( There

were ;#!ilant congrat#lation$ and $hower$ of rice and confetti( /hile the g#e$t$

were $till eating and drin%ing =e$ter and =ett" managed to e$cae !" a $ideentrance into a clo$ed carriage, and were o( ifteen min#te$ later there wa$

#r$#it ell-mell on the art of the g#e$t$ to the Chicago, Roc% I$land and Paci>c



deot2 !#t !" that time the ha" co#le were in their riate car, and the arrial of

the rice thrower$ made no dierence( ore chamagne wa$ oened2 then the

$tarting of the train ended all e5citement, and the newl" wedded air were at la$t

$afel" o(

./ell, now "o# hae me,. $aid =e$ter, cheerf#ll" #lling =ett" down !e$ide him into

a $eat, .what of it.

.Thi$ of it,. $he e5claimed, and h#gged him clo$e, %i$$ing him ferentl"( In fo#r da"$

the" were in )an ranci$co, and two da"$ later on !oard a fa$t $team$hi !o#nd for

the land of the i%ado(

In the meanwhile @ennie wa$ left to !rood( The original anno#ncement in the

new$aer$ had $aid that he wa$ to !e married in Aril, and $he had %et clo$e

watch for additional information( inall" $he learned that the wedding wo#ld ta%e

lace on Aril >fteenth at the re$idence of the ro$ectie !ride, the ho#r !eing

high noon( In $ite of her feeling of re$ignation, @ennie followed it all hoele$$l", li%e

a child, h#ngr" and forlorn, loo%ing into a lighted window at Chri$tma$ time(

On the da" of the wedding $he waited mi$era!l" for twele o&cloc% to $tri%e2 it

$eemed a$ tho#gh $he were reall" re$ent--and loo%ing on( )he co#ld $ee in her

mind&$ e"e the hand$ome re$idence, the carriage$, the g#e$t$, the fea$t, the

merriment, the ceremon"--all( Teleathicall" and $"chologicall" $he receied

imre$$ion$ of the riate car and of the ;o"o#$ ;o#rne" the" were going to ta%e(

The aer$ had $tated that the" wo#ld $end their hone"moon in @aan( Their

hone"moonB Her =e$terB And r$( 4erald wa$ $o attractie( )he co#ld $ee her now--

the new r$( ane--the onl" r$( ane that eer wa$, l"ing in hi$ arm$( He had held

her $o once( He had loed her( 3e$, he hadB There wa$ a $olid l#m in her throat a$$he tho#ght of thi$( Oh, dearB )he $ighed to her$elf, and cla$ed her hand$

forcef#ll"2 !#t it did no good( )he wa$ ;#$t a$ mi$era!le a$ !efore(

/hen the da" wa$ oer $he wa$ act#all" relieed2 an"wa", the deed wa$ done and

nothing co#ld change it( 7e$ta wa$ $"matheticall" aware of what wa$ haening,

!#t %et $ilent( )he too had $een the reort in the new$aer( /hen the >r$t and

$econd da" after had a$$ed @ennie wa$ m#ch calmer mentall", for now $he wa$

face to face with the ineita!le( 6#t it wa$ wee%$ !efore the $har ain d#lled to the

old familiar ache( Then there were month$ !efore the" wo#ld !e !ac% again,

tho#gh, of co#r$e, that made no dierence now( Onl" @aan $eemed $o far o, and

$omehow $he had li%ed the tho#ght that =e$ter wa$ near her--$omewhere in the cit"(

The $ring and $#mmer a$$ed, and now it wa$ earl" in Octo!er( One chill" da"

7e$ta came home from $chool comlaining of a headache( /hen @ennie had gien

her hot mil%--a faorite remed" of her mother&$--and had adi$ed a cold towel for

the !ac% of her head, 7e$ta went to her room and la" down( The following morning

$he had a $light feer( Thi$ lingered while the local h"$ician, <r( Emor", treated her

tentatiel", $#$ecting that it might !e t"hoid, of which there were $eeral ca$e$

in the illage( Thi$ doctor told @ennie that 7e$ta wa$ ro!a!l" $trong eno#gh

con$tit#tionall" to $ha%e it o, !#t it might !e that $he wo#ld hae a $eere $iege(

i$tr#$ting her own $%ill in $o delicate a $it#ation, @ennie $ent to Chicago for atrained n#r$e, and then !egan a eriod of watchf#lne$$ which wa$ a com!ination of

fear, longing, hoe, and co#rage(



9ow there co#ld !e no do#!t2 the di$ea$e wa$ t"hoid( @ennie he$itated a!o#t

comm#nicating with =e$ter, who wa$ $#o$ed to !e in 9ew 3or%2 the aer$ had

$aid that he intended to $end the winter there( 6#t when the doctor, after

watching the ca$e for a wee%, rono#nced it $eere, $he tho#ght $he o#ght to write

an"how, for no one co#ld tell what wo#ld haen( =e$ter had !een $o fond of 7e$ta(

He wo#ld ro!a!l" want to %now(

The letter $ent to him did not reach him, for at the time it arried he wa$ on hi$ wa"

to the /e$t Indie$( @ennie wa$ comelled to watch alone !" 7e$ta&$ $ic%-!ed, for

altho#gh $"mathetic neigh!or$, reali:ing the atho$ of the $it#ation were

attentie, the" co#ld not $#l" the $irit#al con$olation which onl" tho$e who tr#l"

loe #$ can gie( There wa$ a eriod when 7e$ta aeared to !e rall"ing, and !oth

the h"$ician and the n#r$e were hoef#l2 !#t afterward $he !ecame wea%er( It wa$

$aid !" <r( Emor" that her heart and %idne"$ had !ecome aected(

There came a time when the fact had to !e faced that death wa$ imminent( The

doctor&$ face wa$ grae, the n#r$e wa$ non-committal in her oinion( @ennie

hoered a!o#t, ra"ing the onl" ra"er that i$ ra"er--the ferent de$ire of her

heart concentrated on the one i$$#e--that 7e$ta $ho#ld get well( The child had come

$o clo$e to her d#ring the la$t few "ear$B )he #nder$tood her mother( )he wa$

!eginning to reali:e clearl" what her life had !een( And @ennie, thro#gh her, had

grown to a !road #nder$tanding of re$on$i!ilit"( )he %new now what it meant to !e

a good mother and to hae children( If =e$ter had not o!;ected to it, and $he had

!een tr#l" married, $he wo#ld hae !een glad to hae other$( Again, $he had

alwa"$ felt that $he owed 7e$ta $o m#ch--at lea$t a long and ha" life to ma%e #

to her for the ignomin" of her !irth and rearing( @ennie had !een $o ha" d#ring

the a$t few "ear$ to $ee 7e$ta growing into !ea#tif#l, gracef#l, intelligent

womanhood( And now $he wa$ d"ing( <r( Emor" >nall" $ent to Chicago for a

h"$ician friend of hi$, who came to con$ider the ca$e with him( He wa$ an old man,

grae, $"mathetic, #nder$tanding( He $hoo% hi$ head( .The treatment ha$ !een

correct,. he $aid( .Her $"$tem doe$ not aear to !e $trong eno#gh to end#re the

$train( )ome h"$i'#e$ are more $#$ceti!le to thi$ malad" than other$(. It wa$

agreed that if within three da"$ a change for the !etter did not come the end wa$

clo$e at hand(

9o one can conceie the $train to which @ennie&$ $irit wa$ $#!;ected !" thi$

intelligence, for it wa$ deemed !e$t that $he $ho#ld %now( )he hoered a!o#t white-

faced--feeling inten$el", !#t $carcel" thin%ing( )he $eemed to i!rate con$cio#$l"with 7e$ta&$ altering $tate$( If there wa$ the lea$t imroement $he felt it h"$icall"(

If there wa$ a decline her !arometric temerament regi$tered the fact(

There wa$ a r$( <ai$, a >ne, motherl" $o#l of >ft", $to#t and $"mathetic, who

lied fo#r door$ from @ennie, and who #nder$tood '#ite well how $he wa$ feeling(

)he had co-oerated with the n#r$e and doctor from the $tart to %ee @ennie&$

mental $tate a$ nearl" normal a$ o$$i!le(

.9ow, "o# ;#$t go to "o#r room and lie down, r$( ane,. $he wo#ld $a" to @ennie

when $he fo#nd her watching helle$$l" at the !ed$ide or wandering to and fro,

wondering what to do( .I&ll ta%e charge of eer"thing( I&ll do ;#$t what "o# wo#ld do(=ord !le$$ "o#, don&t "o# thin% I %now I&e !een the mother of $een and lo$t three(

<on&t "o# thin% I #nder$tand. @ennie #t her head on her !ig, warm $ho#lder one



da" and cried( r$( <ai$ cried with her( .I #nder$tand,. $he $aid( .There, there, "o#

oor dear( 9ow "o# come with me(. And $he led her to her $leeing-room(

@ennie co#ld not !e awa" long( )he came !ac% after a few min#te$ #nre$ted and

#nrefre$hed( inall" one midnight, when the n#r$e had er$#aded her that all wo#ld

!e well #ntil morning an"how, there came a h#rried $tirring in the $ic%-room( @ennie

wa$ l"ing down for a few min#te$ on her !ed in the ad;oining room( )he heard it andaro$e( r$( <ai$ had come in, and $he and the n#r$e were conferring a$ to 7e$ta&$

condition--$tanding clo$e !e$ide her(

@ennie #nder$tood( )he came # and loo%ed at her da#ghter %eenl"( 7e$ta&$ ale,

wa5en face told the $tor"( )he wa$ !reathing faintl", her e"e$ clo$ed( .)he&$ er"

wea%,. whi$ered the n#r$e( r$( <ai$ too% @ennie&$ hand(

The moment$ a$$ed, and after a time the cloc% in the hall $tr#c% one( i$$

#rfree, the n#r$e, moed to the medicine-ta!le $eeral time$, wetting a $oft iece

of cotton cloth with alcohol and !athing 7e$ta&$ li$( At the $tri%ing of the half-ho#r

there wa$ a $tir of the wea% !od"--a rofo#nd $igh( @ennie !ent forward eagerl", !#tr$( <ai$ drew her !ac%( The n#r$e came and motioned them awa"( Re$iration

had cea$ed(

r$( <ai$ $ei:ed @ennie >rml"( .There, there, "o# oor dear,. $he whi$ered when

$he !egan to $ha%e( .It can&t !e heled( <on&t cr"(.

@ennie $an% on her %nee$ !e$ide the !ed and care$$ed 7e$ta&$ $till warm hand( .Oh

no, 7e$ta,. $he leaded( .9ot "o#B 9ot "o#B.

.There, dear, come now,. $oothed the oice of r$( <ai$( .Can&t "o# leae it all in

4od&$ hand$ Can&t "o# !eliee that eer"thing i$ for the !e$t.

@ennie felt a$ if the earth had fallen( All tie$ were !ro%en( There wa$ no light

an"where in the immen$e dar%ne$$ of her e5i$tence( _

CHAPTER =I

Thi$ added !low from incon$iderate fort#ne wa$ '#ite eno#gh to throw @ennie !ac%

into that $tate of h"er-melancholia from which $he had !een drawn with di+c#lt"

d#ring the few "ear$ of comfort and aection which $he had en;o"ed with =e$ter in

H"de Par%( It wa$ reall" wee%$ !efore $he co#ld reali:e that 7e$ta wa$ gone( The

emaciated >g#re which $he $aw for a da" or two after the end did not $eem li%e7e$ta( /here wa$ the ;o" and lightne$$, the '#ic%ne$$ of motion, the $#!tle

radiance of health All gone( Onl" thi$ ale, lil"-h#ed $hell--and $ilence( @ennie had

no tear$ to $hed2 onl" a dee, in$i$tent ain to feel( If onl" $ome co#n$elor of

eternal wi$dom co#ld hae whi$ered to her that o!io#$ and conincing tr#th--

there are no dead(

i$$ #rfree, <r( Emor", r$( <ai$, and $ome other$ among the neigh!or$ were

mo$t $"mathetic and con$iderate( r$( <ai$ $ent a telegram to =e$ter $a"ing that

7e$ta wa$ dead, !#t, !eing a!$ent, there wa$ no re$on$e( The ho#$e wa$ loo%ed

after with $cr##lo#$ care !" other$, for @ennie wa$ incaa!le of attending to ither$elf( )he wal%ed a!o#t loo%ing at thing$ which 7e$ta had owned or li%ed--thing$

which =e$ter or $he had gien her--$ighing oer the fact that 7e$ta wo#ld not need



or #$e them an" more( )he gae in$tr#ction$ that the !od" $ho#ld !e ta%en to

Chicago and !#ried in the Cemeter" of the Redeemer, for =e$ter, at the time of

4erhardt&$ death, had #rcha$ed a $mall lot of gro#nd there( )he al$o e5re$$ed

her wi$h that the mini$ter of the little =#theran ch#rch in Cottage 4roe Aen#e,

where 4erhardt had attended, $ho#ld !e re'#e$ted to $a" a few word$ at the grae(

There were the #$#al reliminar" $erice$ at the ho#$e( The local ethodi$t mini$ter

read a ortion of the >r$t ei$tle of Pa#l to the The$$alonian$, and a !od" of 7e$ta&$cla$$mate$ $ang .9earer " 4od to Thee(. There were *ower$, a white co+n, a

world of $"mathetic e5re$$ion$, and then 7e$ta wa$ ta%en awa"( The co+n wa$

roerl" inca$ed for tran$ortation, #t on the train, and >nall" deliered at the

=#theran cemeter" in Chicago(

@ennie moed a$ one in a dream( )he wa$ da:ed, almo$t to the oint of in$en$i!ilit"(

ie of her neigh!orhood friend$, at the $olicitation of r$( <ai$, were %ind eno#gh

to accoman" her( At the grae-$ide when the !od" wa$ >nall" lowered $he loo%ed

at it, one might hae tho#ght indierentl", for $he wa$ n#m! from $#ering( )he

ret#rned to )andwood after it wa$ all oer, $a"ing that $he wo#ld not $ta" long( )hewanted to come !ac% to Chicago, where $he co#ld !e near 7e$ta and 4erhardt(

After the f#neral @ennie tried to thin% of her f#t#re( )he >5ed her mind on the need

of doing $omething, een tho#gh $he did not need to( )he tho#ght that $he might

li%e to tr" n#r$ing, and co#ld $tart at once to o!tain the training which wa$ re'#ired(

)he al$o tho#ght of /illiam( He wa$ #nmarried, and erha$ he might !e willing to

come and lie with her( Onl" $he did not %now where he wa$, and 6a$$ wa$ al$o in

ignorance of hi$ wherea!o#t$( )he >nall" concl#ded that $he wo#ld tr" to get wor%

in a $tore( Her di$o$ition wa$ again$t idlene$$( )he co#ld not lie alone here, and

$he co#ld not hae her neigh!or$ $"matheticall" worr"ing oer what wa$ to

!ecome of her( i$era!le a$ $he wa$, $he wo#ld !e le$$ mi$era!le $toing in a

hotel in Chicago, and loo%ing for $omething to do, or liing in a cottage $omewhere

near the Cemeter" of the Redeemer( It al$o occ#rred to her that $he might adot a

homele$$ child( There were a n#m!er of orhan a$"l#m$ in the cit"(

)ome three wee%$ after 7e$ta&$ death =e$ter ret#rned to Chicago with hi$ wife, and

di$coered the >r$t letter, the telegram, and an additional note telling him that

7e$ta wa$ dead( He wa$ tr#l" grieed, for hi$ aection for the girl had !een real( He

wa$ er" $orr" for @ennie, and he told hi$ wife that he wo#ld hae to go o#t and $ee

her( He wa$ wondering what $he wo#ld do( )he co#ld not lie alone( Perha$ he

co#ld $#gge$t $omething which wo#ld hel her( He too% the train to )andwood, !#t @ennie had gone to the Hotel Tremont in Chicago( He went there, !#t @ennie had

gone to her da#ghter&$ grae2 later he called again and fo#nd her in( /hen the !o"

re$ented hi$ card $he $#ered an #welling of feeling--a wae that wa$ more

inten$e than that with which $he had receied him in the olden da"$, for now her

need of him wa$ greater(

=e$ter, in $ite of the glamor of hi$ new aection and the re$toration of hi$ wealth,

ower, and dignitie$, had had time to thin% deel" of what he had done( Hi$ original

feeling of do#!t and di$$ati$faction with him$elf had neer wholl" '#ieted( It did not

ea$e him an" to %now that he had left @ennie comforta!l" >5ed, for it wa$ alwa"$ $o

lain to him that mone" wa$ not the oint at i$$#e with her( Aection wa$ what $he

craed( /itho#t it $he wa$ li%e a r#dderle$$ !oat on an endle$$ $ea, and he %new it(



)he needed him, and he wa$ a$hamed to thin% that hi$ charit" had not o#tweighed

hi$ $en$e of $elf-re$eration and hi$ de$ire for material adantage( To-da" a$ the

eleator carried him # to her room he wa$ reall" $orr", tho#gh he %new now that

no act of hi$ co#ld ma%e thing$ right( He had !een to !lame from the er"

!eginning, >r$t for ta%ing her, then for failing to $tic% !" a !ad !argain( /ell, it co#ld

not !e heled now( The !e$t thing he co#ld do wa$ to !e fair, to co#n$el with her, to

gie her the !e$t of hi$ $"math" and adice(

.Hello, @ennie,. he $aid familiarl" a$ $he oened the door to him in her hotel room,

hi$ glance ta%ing in the raage$ which death and $#ering had wro#ght( )he wa$

thinner, her face '#ite drawn and colorle$$, her e"e$ larger !" contra$t( .I&m awf#ll"

$orr" a!o#t 7e$ta,. he $aid a little aw%wardl"( .I neer dreamed an"thing li%e that

co#ld haen(.

It wa$ the >r$t word of comfort which had meant an"thing to her $ince 7e$ta died--

$ince =e$ter had left her, in fact( It to#ched her that he had come to $"mathi:e2 for

the moment $he co#ld not $ea%( Tear$ welled oer her e"elid$ and down #on her

chee%$(

.<on&t cr", @ennie,. he $aid, #tting hi$ arm aro#nd her and holding her head to hi$

$ho#lder( .I&m $orr"( I&e !een $orr" for a good man" thing$ that can&t !e heled

now( I&m inten$el" $orr" for thi$( /here did "o# !#r" her.

.6e$ide aa,. $he $aid, $o!!ing(

.Too !ad,. he m#rm#red, and held her in $ilence( )he >nall" gained control of

her$elf $#+cientl" to $te awa" from him2 then wiing her e"e$ with her

hand%erchief, $he a$%ed him to $it down(

.I&m $o $orr",. he went on, .that thi$ $ho#ld hae haened while I wa$ awa"( I

wo#ld hae !een with "o# if I had !een here( I $#o$e "o# won&t want to lie o#t at

)and wood now.

.I can&t, =e$ter,. $he relied( .I co#ldn&t $tand it(.

./here are "o# thin%ing of going.

.Oh, I don&t %now "et( I didn&t want to !e a !other to tho$e eole o#t there( I

tho#ght I&d get a little ho#$e $omewhere and adot a !a!" ma"!e, or get $omething

to do( I don&t li%e to !e alone(.

.That i$n&t a !ad idea,. he $aid, .that of adoting a !a!"( It wo#ld !e a lot of

coman" for "o#( 3o# %now how to go a!o#t getting one.

.3o# ;#$t a$% at one of the$e a$"l#m$, don&t "o#.

.I thin% there&$ $omething more than that,. he relied tho#ghtf#ll"( .There are $ome

formalitie$--I don&t %now what the" are( The" tr" to %ee control of the child in $ome

wa"( 3o# had !etter con$#lt with /at$on and get him to hel "o#( Pic% o#t "o#r

!a!", and then let him do the re$t( I&ll $ea% to him a!o#t it(.

=e$ter $aw that $he needed comanion$hi !adl"( ./here i$ "o#r !rother 4eorge.

he a$%ed(



.He&$ in Roche$ter, !#t he co#ldn&t come( 6a$$ $aid he wa$ married,. $he added(

.There i$n&t an" other mem!er of the famil" "o# co#ld er$#ade to come and lie

with "o#.

.I might get /illiam, !#t I don&t %now where he i$(.

./h" not tr" that new $ection we$t of @ac%$on Par%,. he $#gge$ted, .if "o# want aho#$e here in Chicago I $ee $ome nice cottage$ o#t that wa"( 3o# needn&t !#"( @#$t

rent #ntil "o# $ee how well "o#&re $ati$>ed(.

@ennie tho#ght thi$ good adice !eca#$e it came from =e$ter( It wa$ good of him to

ta%e thi$ m#ch intere$t in her aair$( )he wa$n&t entirel" $earated from him after

all( He cared a little( )he a$%ed him how hi$ wife wa$, whether he had had a

lea$ant tri, whether he wa$ going to $ta" in Chicago( All the while he wa$ thin%ing

that he had treated her !adl"( He went to the window and loo%ed down into

<ear!orn )treet, the world of tra+c !elow holding hi$ attention( The great ma$$ of

tr#c%$ and ehicle$, the co#nter $tream$ of h#rr"ing ede$trian$, $eemed li%e a#::le( )o $hadow$ march in a dream( It wa$ growing d#$%, and light$ were

$ringing # here and there(

.I want to tell "o# $omething, @ennie,. $aid =e$ter, >nall" ro#$ing him$elf from hi$ >t

of a!$traction( .I ma" $eem ec#liar to "o#, after all that ha$ haened, !#t I $till

care for "o#--in m" wa"( I&e tho#ght of "o# right along $ince I left( I tho#ght it good

!#$ine$$ to leae "o#--the wa" thing$ were( I tho#ght I li%ed =ett" well eno#gh to

marr" her( rom one oint of iew it $till $eem$ !e$t, !#t I&m not $o m#ch haier( I

wa$ ;#$t a$ ha" with "o# a$ I eer will !e( It i$n&t m"$elf that&$ imortant in thi$

tran$action aarentl"2 the indiid#al doe$n&t co#nt m#ch in the $it#ation( I don&t

%now whether "o# $ee what I&m driing at, !#t all of #$ are more or le$$ awn$(

/e&re moed a!o#t li%e che$$men !" circ#m$tance$ oer which we hae no

control(.

.I #nder$tand, =e$ter,. $he an$wered( .I&m not comlaining( I %now it&$ for the !e$t(.

.After all, life i$ more or le$$ of a farce,. he went on a little !itterl"( .It&$ a $ill" $how(

The !e$t we can do i$ to hold o#r er$onalit" intact( It doe$n&t aear that integrit"

ha$ m#ch to do with it(.

@ennie did not '#ite gra$ what he wa$ tal%ing a!o#t, !#t $he %new it meant that he

wa$ not entirel" $ati$>ed with him$elf and wa$ $orr" for her(

.<on&t worr" oer me, =e$ter,. $he con$oled( .I&m all right2 I&ll get along( It did $eem

terri!le to me for a while--getting #$ed to !eing alone( I&ll !e all right now( I&ll get

along(.

.I want "o# to feel that m" attit#de ha$n&t changed,. he contin#ed eagerl"( .I&m

intere$ted in what concern$ "o#( r$(--=ett" #nder$tand$ that( )he %now$ ;#$t how I

feel( /hen "o# get $ettled I&ll come in and $ee how "o#&re >5ed( I&ll come aro#nd

here again in a few da"$( 3o# #nder$tand how I feel, don&t "o#.

.3e$, I do,. $he $aid(



He too% her hand, t#rning it $"matheticall" in hi$ own( .<on&t worr",. he $aid( .I

don&t want "o# to do that( I&ll do the !e$t I can( 3o#&re $till @ennie to me, if "o# don&t

mind( I&m rett" !ad, !#t I&m not all !ad(.

.It&$ all right, =e$ter( I wanted "o# to do a$ "o# did( It&$ for the !e$t( 3o# ro!a!l" are

ha" $ince--.

.9ow, @ennie,. he interr#ted2 then he re$$ed aectionatel" her hand, her arm, her

$ho#lder( ./ant to %i$$ me for old time$& $a%e. he $miled(

)he #t her hand$ oer hi$ $ho#lder$, loo%ed long into hi$ e"e$, then %i$$ed him(

/hen their li$ met $he trem!led( =e$ter al$o felt #n$tead"( @ennie $aw hi$ agitation,

and tried hard to $ea%(

.3o#&d !etter go now,. $he $aid >rml"( .It&$ getting dar%(.

He went awa", and "et he %new that he wanted a!oe all thing$ to remain2 $he wa$

$till the one woman in the world for him( And @ennie felt comforted een tho#gh the

$earation $till e5i$ted in all it$ >nalit"( )he did not endeaor to e5lain or ad;#$t the

moral and ethical entanglement$ of the $it#ation( )he wa$ not, li%e $o man",

endeaoring to #t the ocean into a tea-c#, or to tie # the $hifting #nier$e in a

me$$ of $tring$ called law( =e$ter $till cared for her a little( He cared for =ett" too(

That wa$ all right( )he had hoed once that he might want her onl"( )ince he did

not, wa$ hi$ aection worth nothing )he co#ld not thin%, $he co#ld not feel that(

And neither co#ld he( _

CHAPTER =

The drift of eent$ for a eriod of >e "ear$ carried =e$ter and @ennie $till fartheraart2 the" $ettled nat#rall" into their re$ectie $here$, witho#t the renewal of

the old time relation$hi which their $eeral meeting$ at the Tremont at >r$t

$eemed to fore$hadow( =e$ter wa$ in the thic% of $ocial and commercial aair$2 he

wal%ed in ath$ to which @ennie&$ retiring $o#l had neer a$ired( @ennie&$ own

e5i$tence wa$ '#iet and #neentf#l( There wa$ a $imle cottage in a er"

re$ecta!le !#t not $how" neigh!orhood near @ac%$on Par%, on the )o#th )ide,

where $he lied in retirement with a little fo$ter-child--a che$tn#t-haired girl ta%en

from the /e$tern Home for the riendle$$--a$ her $ole comanion( Here $he wa$

%nown a$ r$( @( 4( )toer, for $he had deemed it !e$t to a!andon the name of

ane( r( and r$( =e$ter ane when re$ident in Chicago were the occ#ant$ of ahand$ome man$ion on the =a%e )hore <rie, where artie$, !all$, recetion$,

dinner$ were gien in raid and at time$ almo$t "rotechnic $#cce$$ion(

=e$ter, howeer, had !ecome in hi$ wa" a loer of a eacef#l and well-entertained

e5i$tence( He had c#t from hi$ li$t of ac'#aintance$ and a$$ociate$ a n#m!er of

eole who had !een a little do#!tf#l or oerfamiliar or indierent or tal%atie

d#ring a certain eriod which to him wa$ a memor" merel"( He wa$ a director, and

in $eeral ca$e$ the chairman of a !oard of director$, in nine of the mo$t imortant

>nancial and commercial organi:ation$ of the /e$t--The ?nited Traction Coman" of

Cincinnati, The /e$tern Cr#ci!le Coman", The ?nited Carriage Coman", The

)econd 9ational 6an% of Chicago, the ir$t 9ational 6an% of Cincinnati, and $eeralother$ of e'#al imortance( He wa$ neer a er$onal factor in the aair$ of The

?nited Carriage Coman", referring to !e rere$ented !" co#n$el--r( <wight =(



/at$on, !#t he too% a %een intere$t in it$ aair$( He had not $een hi$ !rother Ro!ert

to $ea% to him in $een "ear$( He had not $een Imogene, who lied in Chicago, in

three( =o#i$e, Am", their h#$!and$, and $ome of their clo$e$t ac'#aintance$ were

racticall" $tranger$( The >rm of night, eatle" L O&6rien had nothing whateer to

do with hi$ aair$(

The tr#th wa$ that =e$ter, in addition to !ecoming a little hlegmatic, wa$ !ecomingdecidedl" critical in hi$ o#tloo% on life( He co#ld not ma%e o#t what it wa$ all a!o#t(

In di$tant age$ a '#eer thing had come to a$$( There had $tarted on it$ wa" in the

form of eol#tion a min#te cell#lar organi$m which had aarentl" rerod#ced it$elf

!" dii$ion, had earl" learned to com!ine it$elf with other$, to organi:e it$elf into

!odie$, $trange form$ of >$h, animal$, and !ird$, and had >nall" learned to organi:e

it$elf into man( an, on hi$ art, como$ed a$ he wa$ of $elf-organi:ing cell$, wa$

#$hing him$elf forward into comfort and dierent a$ect$ of e5i$tence !" mean$ of

#nion and organi:ation with other men( /h" Heaen onl" %new( Here he wa$

endowed with a ec#liar !rain and a certain amo#nt of talent, and he had inherited

a certain amo#nt of wealth which he now $carcel" !elieed he de$ered, onl" l#c%had faored him( 6#t he co#ld not $ee that an" one el$e might !e $aid to de$ere

thi$ wealth an" more than him$elf, $eeing that hi$ #$e of it wa$ a$ con$eratie and

con$tr#ctie and ractical a$ the ne5t one&$( He might hae !een !orn oor, in

which ca$e he wo#ld hae !een a$ well $ati$>ed a$ the ne5t one--not more $o( /h"

$ho#ld he comlain, wh" worr", wh" $ec#late--the world wa$ going $teadil"

forward of it$ own olition, whether he wo#ld or no( Tr#l" it wa$( And wa$ there an"

need for him to di$t#r! him$elf a!o#t it There wa$ not( He fancied at time$ that it

might a$ well neer hae !een $tarted at all( .The one diine, far-o eent. of the

oet did not aeal to him a$ haing an" !a$i$ in fact( r$( =e$ter ane wa$ of er"

m#ch the $ame oinion(

@ennie, liing on the )o#th )ide with her adoted child, Ro$e Peret#a, wa$ of no

>5ed concl#$ion a$ to the meaning of life( )he had not the inci$ie rea$oning

caacit" of either r( or r$( =e$ter ane( )he had $een a great deal, $#ered a

great deal, and had read $ome in a de$#ltor" wa"( Her mind had neer gra$ed the

nat#re and character of $eciali:ed %nowledge( Hi$tor", h"$ic$, chemi$tr", !otan",

geolog", and $ociolog" were not >5ed deartment$ in her !rain a$ the" were in

=e$ter&$ and =ett"&$( In$tead there wa$ the feeling that the world moed in $ome

$trange, #n$ta!le wa"( Aarentl" no one %new clearl" what it wa$ all a!o#t( Peole

were !orn and died( )ome !elieed that the world had !een made $i5 tho#$and

"ear$ !efore2 $ome that it wa$ million$ of "ear$ old( /a$ it all !lind chance, or wa$there $ome g#iding intelligence--a 4od Almo$t in $ite of her$elf $he felt there

m#$t !e $omething--a higher ower which rod#ced all the !ea#tif#l thing$--the

*ower$, the $tar$, the tree$, the gra$$( 9at#re wa$ $o !ea#tif#lB If at time$ life

$eemed cr#el, "et thi$ !ea#t" $till er$i$ted( The tho#ght comforted her2 $he fed

#on it in her ho#r$ of $ecret loneline$$(

It ha$ !een $aid that @ennie wa$ nat#rall" of an ind#$trio#$ t#rn( )he li%ed to !e

emlo"ed, tho#gh $he tho#ght con$tantl" a$ $he wor%ed( )he wa$ of matronl"

roortion$ in the$e da"$--not di$agreea!l" large, !#t f#ll !odied, $hael", and

$mooth-faced in $ite of her care$( Her e"e$ were gra" and aealing( Her hair wa$$till of a rich !rown, !#t there were trace$ of gra" in it( Her neigh!or$ $o%e of her

a$ $weet-temered, %indl", and ho$ita!le( The" %new nothing of her hi$tor",



e5cet that $he had formerl" re$ided in )andwood, and !efore that in Cleeland(

)he wa$ er" reticent a$ to her a$t(

@ennie had fancied, !eca#$e of her nat#ral atit#de for ta%ing care of $ic% eole,

that $he might get to !e a trained n#r$e( 6#t $he wa$ o!liged to a!andon that idea,

for $he fo#nd that onl" "o#ng eole were wanted( )he al$o tho#ght that $ome

charita!le organi:ation might emlo" her, !#t $he did not #nder$tand the newtheor" of charit" which wa$ then coming into general accetance and ractice--

namel", onl" to hel other$ to hel them$ele$( )he !elieed in giing, and wa$ not

inclined to loo% too clo$el" into the credential$ of tho$e who a$%ed for hel2

con$e'#entl" her timid in'#ir" at one relief agenc" after another met with

indierence, if not #n'#ali>ed re!#%e( )he >nall" decided to adot another child for

Ro$e Peret#a&$ $a%e2 $he $#cceeded in $ec#ring a !o", fo#r "ear$ old, who wa$

%nown a$ Henr"--Henr" )toer( Her $#ort wa$ a$$#red, for her income wa$ aid to

her thro#gh a tr#$t coman"( )he had no de$ire for $ec#lation or for the deio#$

wa"$ of trade( The care of *ower$, the nat#re of children, the ordering of a home

were more in her roince(

One of the intere$ting thing$ in connection with thi$ $earation once it had !een

>rml" e$ta!li$hed related to Ro!ert and =e$ter, for the$e two $ince the reading of

the will a n#m!er of "ear$ !efore had neer met( Ro!ert had tho#ght of hi$ !rother

often( He had followed hi$ $#cce$$ $ince he had left @ennie with intere$t( He read of

hi$ marriage to r$( 4erald with lea$#re2 he had alwa"$ con$idered her an ideal

comanion for hi$ !rother( He %new !" man" $ign$ and to%en$ that hi$ !rother,

$ince the #nfort#nate termination of their father&$ attit#de and hi$ own ec#liar

moement$ to gain control of the ane Coman", did not li%e him( )till the" had

neer !een $o far aart mentall"--certainl" not in commercial ;#dgment( =e$ter wa$

ro$ero#$ now( He co#ld aord to !e genero#$( He co#ld aord to ma%e #( And

after all, he had done hi$ !e$t to aid hi$ !rother to come to hi$ $en$e$--and with the

!e$t intention$( There were m#t#al intere$t$ the" co#ld $hare >nanciall" if the"

were friend$( He wondered from time to time if =e$ter wo#ld not !e friendl" with

him(

Time a$$ed, and then once, when he wa$ in Chicago, he made the friend$ with

whom he wa$ driing #ro$el" t#rn into the 9orth )hore in order to $ee the

$lendid man$ion which the ane$ occ#ied( He %new it$ location from hear$a" and

de$crition(

/hen he $aw it a to#ch of the old ane home atmo$here came !ac% to him( =e$ter

in rei$ing the roert" after #rcha$e had had a con$erator" !#ilt on one $ide not

#nli%e the one at home in Cincinnati( That $ame night he $at down and wrote =e$ter

a$%ing if he wo#ld not li%e to dine with him at the ?nion Cl#!( He wa$ onl" in town

for a da" or two, and he wo#ld li%e to $ee him again( There wa$ $ome feeling he

%new, !#t there wa$ a roo$ition he wo#ld li%e to tal% to him a!o#t( /o#ld he

come, $a", on Th#r$da"

On the receit of thi$ letter =e$ter frowned and fell into a !rown $t#d"( He had neer

reall" !een healed of the wo#nd that hi$ father had gien him( He had neer !een

comforta!le in hi$ mind $ince Ro!ert had de$erted him $o $#mmaril"( He reali:ednow that the $ta%e$ hi$ !rother had !een la"ing for were !ig( 6#t, after all, he had



!een hi$ !rother, and if he had !een in Ro!ert&$ lace at the time, he wo#ld not

hae done a$ he had done2 at lea$t he hoed not( 9ow Ro!ert wanted to $ee him(

He tho#ght once of not an$wering at all( Then he tho#ght he wo#ld write and $a"

no( 6#t a c#rio#$ de$ire to $ee Ro!ert again, to hear what he had to $a", to li$ten to

the roo$ition he had to oer, came oer him2 he decided to write "e$( It co#ld do

no harm( He %new it co#ld do no good( The" might agree to let !"-gone$ !e !"-gone$, !#t the damage had !een done( Co#ld a !ro%en !owl !e mended and called

whole It might !e called whole, !#t what of it /a$ it not !ro%en and mended He

wrote and intimated that he wo#ld come(

On the Th#r$da" in '#e$tion Ro!ert called # from the A#ditori#m to remind him of

the engagement( =e$ter li$tened c#rio#$l" to the $o#nd of hi$ oice( .All right,. he

$aid, .I&ll !e with "o#(. At noon he went down-town, and there, within the e5cl#$ie

recinct$ of the ?nion Cl#!, the two !rother$ met and loo%ed at each other again(

Ro!ert wa$ thinner than when =e$ter had $een him la$t, and a little gra"er( Hi$ e"e$

were !right and $teel", !#t there were crow&$-feet on either $ide( Hi$ manner wa$

'#ic%, %een, d"namic( =e$ter wa$ noticea!l" of another t"e--$olid, !r#$'#e, and

indierent( en $o%e of =e$ter the$e da"$ a$ a little hard( Ro!ert&$ %een !l#e e"e$

did not di$t#r! him in the lea$t--did not aect him in an" wa"( He $aw hi$ !rother

;#$t a$ he wa$, for he had the larger hilo$ohic and interretatie in$ight2 !#t

Ro!ert co#ld not lace =e$ter e5actl"( He co#ld not fathom ;#$t what had haened

to him in the$e "ear$( =e$ter wa$ $to#ter, not gra", for $ome rea$on, !#t $and" and

r#dd", loo%ing li%e a man who wa$ fairl" well $ati$>ed to ta%e life a$ he fo#nd it(

=e$ter loo%ed at hi$ !rother with a %een, $tead" e"e( The latter $hifted a little, for he

wa$ re$tle$$( He co#ld $ee that there wa$ no lo$$ of that mental force and co#rage

which had alwa"$ !een redominant characteri$tic$ in =e$ter&$ ma%e-#(

.I tho#ght I&d li%e to $ee "o# again, =e$ter,. Ro!ert remar%ed, after the" had cla$ed

hand$ in the c#$tomar" gri( .It&$ !een a long time now--nearl" eight "ear$, ha$n&t

it.

.A!o#t that,. relied =e$ter( .How are thing$ with "o#.

.Oh, a!o#t the $ame( 3o#&e !een fairl" well, I $ee(.

.9eer $ic%,. $aid =e$ter( .A little cold now and then( I don&t often go to !ed with

an"thing( How&$ "o#r wife.

.Oh, argaret&$ >ne(.

.And the children.

./e don&t $ee m#ch of Ralh and 6erenice $ince the" married, !#t the other$ are

aro#nd more or le$$( I $#o$e "o#r wife i$ all right,. he $aid he$itatingl"( It wa$

di+c#lt gro#nd for Ro!ert(

=e$ter e"ed him witho#t a change of e5re$$ion(

.3e$,. he relied( .)he en;o"$ rett" fair health( )he&$ '#ite well at re$ent(.



The" drifted mentall" for a few moment$, while =e$ter in'#ired after the !#$ine$$,

and Am", =o#i$e, and Imogene( He admitted fran%l" that he neither $aw nor heard

from them nowada"$( Ro!ert told him what he co#ld(

.The thing that I wa$ thin%ing of in connection with "o#, =e$ter,. $aid Ro!ert >nall",

.i$ thi$ matter of the /e$tern Cr#ci!le )teel Coman"( 3o# haen&t !een $itting

there a$ a director in er$on I notice, !#t "o#r attorne", /at$on, ha$ !een acting for"o#( Cleer man, that( The management i$n&t right--we all %now that( /e need a

ractical $teel man at the head of it, if the thing i$ eer going to a" roerl"( I hae

oted m" $toc% with "o#r$ right along !eca#$e the roo$ition$ made !" /at$on

hae !een right( He agree$ with me that thing$ o#ght to !e changed( 9ow I hae a

chance to !#" $eent" $hare$ held !" Ro$$iter&$ widow( That with "o#r$ and mine

wo#ld gie #$ control of the coman"( I wo#ld li%e to hae "o# ta%e them, tho#gh it

doe$n&t ma%e a !it of dierence $o long a$ it&$ in the famil"( 3o# can #t an" one "o#

lea$e in for re$ident, and we&ll ma%e the thing come o#t right(.

=e$ter $miled( It wa$ a lea$ant roo$ition( /at$on had told him that Ro!ert&$

intere$t$ were co-oerating with him( =e$ter had long $#$ected that Ro!ert wo#ld

li%e to ma%e #( Thi$ wa$ the olie !ranch--the control of a roert" worth in the

neigh!orhood of a million and a half(

.That&$ er" nice of "o#,. $aid =e$ter $olemnl"( .It&$ a rather li!eral thing to do( /hat

ma%e$ "o# want to do it now.

./ell, to tell "o# the hone$t tr#th, =e$ter,. relied Ro!ert, .I neer did feel right

a!o#t that will !#$ine$$( I neer did feel right a!o#t that $ecretar"-trea$#rer$hi and

$ome other thing$ that hae haened( I don&t want to ra%e # the a$t--"o# $mile

at that--!#t I can&t hel telling "o# how I feel( I&e !een rett" am!itio#$ in the a$t(I wa$ rett" am!itio#$ ;#$t a!o#t the time that father died to get thi$ ?nited

Carriage $cheme #nder wa", and I wa$ afraid "o# might not li%e it( I hae tho#ght

$ince that I o#ght not to hae done it, !#t I did( I $#o$e "o#&re not an5io#$ to hear

an" more a!o#t that old aair( Thi$ other thing tho#gh--.

.ight !e handed o#t a$ a $ort of comen$ation,. #t in =e$ter '#ietl"(

.9ot e5actl" that, =e$ter--tho#gh it ma" hae $omething of that in it( I %now the$e

thing$ don&t matter er" m#ch to "o# now( I %now that the time to do thing$ wa$

"ear$ ago--not now( )till I tho#ght $incerel" that "o# might !e intere$ted in thi$

roo$ition( It might lead to other thing$( ran%l", I tho#ght it might atch #matter$ !etween #$( /e&re !rother$ after all(.

.3e$,. $aid =e$ter, .we&re !rother$(.

He wa$ thin%ing a$ he $aid thi$ of the iron" of the $it#ation( How m#ch had thi$

$en$e of !rotherhood !een worth in the a$t Ro!ert had racticall" forced him into

hi$ re$ent relation$hi, and while @ennie had !een reall" the onl" one to $#er, he

co#ld not hel feeling angr"( It wa$ tr#e that Ro!ert had not c#t him o#t of hi$ one-

fo#rth of hi$ father&$ e$tate, !#t certainl" he had not heled him to get it, and now

Ro!ert wa$ thin%ing that thi$ oer of hi$ might mend thing$( It h#rt him--=e$ter--a

little( It irritated him( =ife wa$ $trange(



.I can&t $ee it, Ro!ert,. he $aid >nall" and determinedl"( .I can areciate the

motie that romt$ "o# to ma%e thi$ oer( 6#t I can&t $ee the wi$dom of m" ta%ing

it( 3o#r oort#nit" i$ "o#r oort#nit"( I don&t want it( /e can ma%e all the change$

"o# $#gge$t if "o# ta%e the $toc%( I&m rich eno#gh an"how( 6"gone$ are !"gone$(

I&m erfectl" willing to tal% with "o# from time to time( That&$ all "o# want( Thi$

other thing i$ $iml" a $o with which to la$ter an old wo#nd( 3o# want m"

friend$hi and $o far a$ I&m concerned "o# hae that( I don&t hold an" gr#dgeagain$t "o#( I won&t(.

Ro!ert loo%ed at him >5edl"( He half $miled( He admired =e$ter in $ite of all that he

had done to him--in $ite of all that =e$ter wa$ doing to him now(

.I don&t %now !#t what "o#&re right, =e$ter,. he admitted >nall"( .I didn&t ma%e thi$

oer in an" ett" $irit tho#gh( I wanted to atch # thi$ matter of feeling !etween

#$( I won&t $a" an"thing more a!o#t it( 3o#&re not coming down to Cincinnati $oon,

are "o#.

.I don&t e5ect to,. relied =e$ter(

.If "o# do I&d li%e to hae "o# come and $ta" with #$( 6ring "o#r wife( /e co#ld tal%

oer old time$(.

=e$ter $miled an enigmatic $mile(

.I&ll !e glad to,. he $aid, witho#t emotion( 6#t he remem!ered that in the da"$ of

@ennie it wa$ dierent( The" wo#ld neer hae receded from their o$ition regarding

her( ./ell,. he tho#ght, .erha$ I can&t !lame them( =et it go(.

The" tal%ed on a!o#t other thing$( inall" =e$ter remem!ered an aointment( .I&llhae to leae "o# $oon,. he $aid, loo%ing at hi$ watch(

.I o#ght to go, too,. $aid Ro!ert( The" ro$e( ./ell, an"how,. he added, a$ the"

wal%ed toward the cloa%room, .we won&t !e a!$ol#te $tranger$ in the f#t#re, will

we.

.Certainl" not,. $aid =e$ter( .I&ll $ee "o# from time to time(. The" $hoo% hand$ and

$earated amica!l"( There wa$ a $en$e of #n$ati$>ed o!ligation and $ome remor$e

in Ro!ert&$ mind a$ he $aw hi$ !rother wal%ing !ri$%l" awa"( =e$ter wa$ an a!le

man( /h" wa$ it that there wa$ $o m#ch feeling !etween them--had !een een

!efore @ennie had aeared Then he remem!ered hi$ old tho#ght$ a!o#t .$na%"deed$(. That wa$ what hi$ !rother lac%ed, and that onl"( He wa$ not craft"2 not

dar%l" cr#el, hence( ./hat a worldB. he tho#ght(

On hi$ art =e$ter went awa" feeling a $light $en$e of oo$ition to, !#t al$o of

$"math" for, hi$ !rother( He wa$ not $o terri!l" !ad--not dierent from other men(

/h" critici:e /hat wo#ld he hae done if he had !een in Ro!ert&$ lace Ro!ert

wa$ getting along( )o wa$ he( He co#ld $ee now how it all came a!o#t--wh" he had

!een made the ictim, wh" hi$ !rother had !een made the %eeer of the great

fort#ne( .It&$ the wa" the world r#n$,. he tho#ght( ./hat dierence doe$ it ma%e I

hae eno#gh to lie on( /h" not let it go at that. _CHAPTER =I



The da"$ of man #nder the old di$en$ation, or, rather, according to that

$#o$edl" !i!lical form#la, which er$i$t$, are three$core "ear$ and ten( It i$ $o

ingrained in the race-con$cio#$ne$$ !" mo#th-to-mo#th #tterance that it $eem$ the

rofo#nde$t of tr#th$( A$ a matter of fact, man, een #nder hi$ mortal ill#$ion, i$

organicall" !#ilt to lie >e time$ the eriod of hi$ mat#rit", and wo#ld do $o if he

!#t %new that it i$ $irit which end#re$, that age i$ an ill#$ion, and that there i$ no

death( 3et the race-tho#ght, gained from what dream of materiali$m we %now not,er$i$t$, and the death of man #nder the mathematical form#la $o fearf#ll"

acceted i$ dail" regi$tered(

=e$ter wa$ one of tho$e who !elieed in thi$ form#la( He wa$ nearing $i5t"( He

tho#ght he had, $a", twent" "ear$ more at the #tmo$t to lie--erha$ not $o long(

/ell, he had lied comforta!l"( He felt that he co#ld not comlain( If death wa$

coming, let it come( He wa$ read" at an" time( 9o comlaint or re$i$tance wo#ld

i$$#e from him( =ife, in mo$t of it$ a$ect$, wa$ a $ill" $how an"how(

He admitted that it wa$ mo$tl" ill#$ion--ea$il" roed to !e $o( That it might all !e

one he $ometime$ $#$ected( It wa$ er" m#ch li%e a dream in it$ como$ition

tr#l"--$ometime$ li%e a er" !ad dream( All he had to $#$tain him in hi$ accetance

of it$ realit" from ho#r to ho#r and da" to da" wa$ aarent contact with thi$

material roo$ition and that--eole, meeting$ of !oard$ of director$, indiid#al$

and organi:ation$ lanning to do thi$ and that, hi$ wife&$ $ocial f#nction$ =ett" loed

him a$ a >ne, gri::led e5amle of a hilo$oher( )he admired, a$ @ennie had, hi$

$olid, determined, hlegmatic attit#de in the face of tro#!led circ#m$tance( All the

wind$ of fort#ne or mi$fort#ne co#ld not aarentl" e5cite or di$t#r! =e$ter( He

ref#$ed to !e frightened( He ref#$ed to !#dge from hi$ !elief$ and feeling$, and

#$#all" had to !e #$hed awa" from them, $till !elieing, if he were gotten awa" at

all( He ref#$ed to do an"thing $ae a$ he alwa"$ $aid, .=oo% the fact$ in the face.

and >ght( He co#ld !e made to >ght ea$il" eno#gh if imo$ed #on, !#t onl" in a

$t#!!orn, re$i$ting wa"( Hi$ lan wa$ to re$i$t eer" eort to coerce him to the la$t

ditch( If he had to let go in the end he wo#ld when comelled, !#t hi$ iew$ a$ to

the al#e of not letting go were '#ite the $ame een when he had let go #nder

com#l$ion(

Hi$ iew$ of liing were $till decidedl" material, gro#nded in creat#re comfort$, and

he had alwa"$ in$i$ted #on haing the !e$t of eer"thing( If the f#rni$hing$ of hi$

home !ecame the lea$t ding" he wa$ for haing them torn o#t and $old and the

ho#$e done oer( If he traeled, mone" m#$t go ahead of him and $mooth the wa"(He did not want arg#ment, #$ele$$ tal%, or $ill" alaer a$ he called it( Eer" one

m#$t di$c#$$ intere$ting toic$ with him or not tal% at all( =ett" #nder$tood him

thoro#ghl"( )he wo#ld ch#c% him #nder the chin morning$, or $ha%e hi$ $olid head

!etween her hand$, telling him he wa$ a !r#te, !#t a nice %ind of a !r#te( .3e$,

"e$,. he wo#ld growl( .I %now( I&m an animal, I $#o$e( 3o#&re a $erahic $#gge$tion

of atten#ated tho#ght(.

.9o2 "o# h#$h,. $he wo#ld rel", for at time$ he co#ld c#t li%e a %nife witho#t reall"

meaning to !e #n%ind( Then he wo#ld et her a little, for, in $ite of her igoro#$

concetion of life, he reali:ed that $he wa$ more or le$$ deendent #on him( It wa$

alwa"$ $o lain to her that he co#ld get along witho#t her( or rea$on$ of %indline$$

he wa$ tr"ing to conceal thi$, to retend the nece$$it" of her re$ence, !#t it wa$ $o



o!io#$ that he reall" co#ld di$en$e with her ea$il" eno#gh( 9ow =ett" did deend

#on =e$ter( It wa$ $omething, in $o $hift" and #ncertain a world, to !e near $o >5ed

and determined a '#antit" a$ thi$ !ear-man( It wa$ li%e !eing clo$e to a warml"

glowing lam in the dar% or a !right !#rning >re in the cold( =e$ter wa$ not afraid of

an"thing( He felt that he %new how to lie and to die(

It wa$ nat#ral that a temerament of thi$ %ind $ho#ld hae it$ $olid, materialmanife$tation at eer" oint( Haing hi$ >nancial aair$ well in hand, mo$t of hi$

holding !eing $hare$ of !ig comanie$, where !oard$ of $olemn director$ merel"

aroed the $tren#o#$ eort$ of am!itio#$ e5ec#tie$ to .ma%e good,. he had

lei$#re for liing( He and =ett" were fond of i$iting the ario#$ American and

E#roean watering-lace$( He gam!led a little, for he fo#nd that there wa$

con$idera!le dier$ion in ri$%ing intere$ting $#m$ on the $in of a wheel or the

fort#ito#$ roll of a !all2 and he too% more and more to drin%ing, not in the $en$e that

a dr#n%ard ta%e$ to it, !#t a$ a high lier, $ociall", and with all hi$ friend$( He wa$

inclined to drin% the rich drin%$ when he did not ta%e $traight whi$%e"--chamagne,

$ar%ling 6#rg#nd", the e5en$ie and eere$cent white wine$( /hen he dran% heco#ld drin% a great deal, and he ate in roortion( 9othing m#$t !e $ered !#t the

!e$t--$o#, >$h, entree, roa$t, game, de$$ert--eer"thing that made # a $how"

dinner and he had long $ince determined that onl" a high-riced chef wa$ worth

while( The" had fo#nd an old cordon !le#, =o#i$ 6erdot, who had $ered in the

ho#$e of one of the great dr" good$ rince$, and thi$ man he engaged( He co$t

=e$ter a h#ndred dollar$ a wee%, !#t hi$ rel" to an" '#e$tion wa$ that he onl" had

one life to lie(

The tro#!le with thi$ attit#de wa$ that it ad;#$ted nothing, imroed nothing, left

eer"thing to drift on toward an inde>nite end( If =e$ter had married @ennie and

acceted the comaratiel" meager income of ten tho#$and a "ear he wo#ld hae

maintained the $ame attit#de to the end( It wo#ld hae led him to a $tolid

indierence to the $ocial world of which now nece$$aril" he wa$ a art( He wo#ld

hae drifted on with a few mentall" comati!le cronie$ who wo#ld hae acceted

him for what he wa$--a good fellow--and @ennie in the end wo#ld not hae !een $o

m#ch !etter o than $he wa$ now(

One of the change$ which wa$ intere$ting wa$ that the ane$ tran$ferred their

re$idence to 9ew 3or%( r$( ane had !ecome er" intimate with a gro# of cleer

women in the Ea$tern fo#r h#ndred, or nine h#ndred, and had !een adi$ed and

#rged to tran$fer the $cene of her actiitie$ to 9ew 3or%( )he >nall" did $o, lea$ing aho#$e in )eent"-eighth )treet, near adi$on Aen#e( )he in$talled a noelt" for

her, a comlete $ta of lieried $erant$, after the Engli$h fa$hion, and had the

room$ of her ho#$e done in correlatie eriod$( =e$ter $miled at her anit" and loe

of $how(

.3o# tal% a!o#t "o#r democrac",. he gr#nted one da"( .3o# hae a$ m#ch

democrac" a$ I hae religion, and that&$ none at all(.

./h", how "o# tal%B. $he denied( .I am democratic( /e all r#n in cla$$e$( 3o# do(

I&m merel" acceting the logic of the $it#ation(.

.The logic of "o#r grandmotherB <o "o# call a !#tler and doorman in red elet a

art of the nece$$it" of the occa$ion.



.I certainl" do,. $he relied( .a"!e not the nece$$it" e5actl", !#t the $irit $#rel"(

/h" $ho#ld "o# '#arrel 3o#&re the >r$t one to in$i$t on erfection--to '#arrel if

there i$ an" *aw in the order of thing$(.

.3o# neer heard me '#arrel(.

.Oh, I don&t mean that literall"( 6#t "o# demand erfection--the e5act $irit of the

occa$ion, and "o# %now it(.

.a"!e I do, !#t what ha$ that to do with "o#r democrac".

.I am democratic( I in$i$t on it( I&m a$ democratic in $irit a$ an" woman( Onl" I $ee

thing$ a$ the" are, and conform a$ m#ch a$ o$$i!le for comfort&$ $a%e, and $o do

"o#( <on&t "o# throw roc%$ at m" gla$$ ho#$e, i$ter a$ter( 3o#r$ i$ $o tran$arent

I can $ee eer" moe "o# ma%e in$ide(.

.I&m democratic and "o#&re not,. he tea$ed2 !#t he aroed thoro#ghl" of

eer"thing $he did( )he wa$, he $ometime$ fancied, a !etter e5ec#tie in her world

than he wa$ in hi$(

<rifting in thi$ fa$hion, wining, dining, drin%ing the water$ of thi$ c#ratie $ring

and that, traeling in l#5#rio#$ ea$e and ta%ing no h"$ical e5erci$e, >nall" altered

hi$ !od" from a igoro#$, '#ic%-moing, well-!alanced organi$m into one where

lethora of $#!$tance wa$ clogging eer" e$$ential f#nction( Hi$ lier, %idne"$,

$leen, ancrea$--eer" organ, in fact--had !een oerta5ed for $ome time to %ee

# the roce$$ of dige$tion and elimination( In the a$t $een "ear$ he had !ecome

#ncomforta!l" hea"( Hi$ %idne"$ were wea%, and $o were the arterie$ of hi$ !rain(

6" dieting, roer e5erci$e, the right mental attit#de, he might hae lied to !e

eight" or ninet"( A$ a matter of fact, he wa$ allowing him$elf to drift into a h"$ical$tate in which een a $light malad" might roe dangero#$( The re$#lt wa$

ineita!le, and it came(

It $o haened that he and =ett" had gone to the 9orth Cae on a cr#i$e with a

art" of friend$( =e$ter, in order to attend to $ome imortant !#$ine$$, decided to

ret#rn to Chicago late in 9oem!er2 he arranged to hae hi$ wife meet him in 9ew

3or% ;#$t !efore the Chri$tma$ holida"$( He wrote /at$on to e5ect him, and

engaged room$ at the A#ditori#m, for he had $old the Chicago re$idence $ome two

"ear$ !efore and wa$ now liing ermanentl" in 9ew 3or%(

One late 9oem!er da", after haing attended to a n#m!er of detail$ and cleared

# hi$ aair$ er" materiall", =e$ter wa$ $ei:ed with what the doctor who wa$ called

to attend him de$cri!ed a$ a cold in the inte$tine$--a di$t#r!ance #$#all"

$"mtomatic of $ome other wea%ne$$, either of the !lood or of $ome organ( He

$#ered great ain, and the #$#al remedie$ in that ca$e were alied( There were

!andage$ of red *annel with a m#$tard dre$$ing, and $eci>c$ were al$o

admini$tered( He e5erienced $ome relief, !#t he wa$ tro#!led with a $en$e of

imending di$a$ter( He had /at$on ca!le hi$ wife--there wa$ nothing $erio#$ a!o#t

it, !#t he wa$ ill( A trained n#r$e wa$ in attendance and hi$ alet $tood g#ard at the

door to reent anno"ance of an" %ind( It wa$ lain that =ett" co#ld not reach

Chicago #nder three wee%$( He had the feeling that he wo#ld not $ee her again(



C#rio#$l" eno#gh, not onl" !eca#$e he wa$ in Chicago, !#t !eca#$e he had neer

!een $irit#all" $earated from @ennie, he wa$ thin%ing a!o#t her con$tantl" at thi$

time( He had intended to go o#t and $ee her ;#$t a$ $oon a$ he wa$ thro#gh with hi$

!#$ine$$ engagement$ and !efore he left the cit"( He had a$%ed /at$on how $he

wa$ getting along, and had !een informed that eer"thing wa$ well with her( )he

wa$ liing '#ietl" and loo%ing in good health, $o /at$on $aid( =e$ter wi$hed he

co#ld $ee her(

Thi$ tho#ght grew a$ the da"$ a$$ed and he grew no !etter( He wa$ $#ering from

time to time with $eere attac%$ of griing ain$ that $eemed to tie hi$ i$cera into

%not$, and left him er" wea%( )eeral time$ the h"$ician admini$tered cocaine

with a needle in order to reliee him of #$ele$$ ain(

After one of the $eere attac%$ he called /at$on to hi$ $ide, told him to $end the

n#r$e awa", and then $aid ./at$on, I&d li%e to hae "o# do me a faor( A$% r$(

)toer if $he won&t come here to $ee me( 3o#&d !etter go and get her( @#$t $end the

n#r$e and o:o Gthe alet awa" for the afternoon, or while $he&$ here( If $he come$

at an" other time I&d li%e to hae her admitted(.

/at$on #nder$tood( He li%ed thi$ e5re$$ion of $entiment( He wa$ $orr" for @ennie(

He wa$ $orr" for =e$ter( He wondered what the world wo#ld thin% if it co#ld %now of

thi$ !it of romance in connection with $o rominent a man( =e$ter wa$ decent( He

had made /at$on ro$ero#$( The latter wa$ onl" too glad to $ere him in an" wa"(

He called a carriage and rode o#t to @ennie&$ re$idence( He fo#nd her watering $ome

lant$2 her face e5re$$ed her $#rri$e at hi$ #n#$#al re$ence(

.I come on a rather tro#!le$ome errand, r$( )toer,. he $aid, #$ing her a$$#med

name( .3o#r--that i$, r( ane i$ '#ite $ic% at the A#ditori#m( Hi$ wife i$ in E#roe,

and he wanted to %now if I wo#ldn&t come o#t here and a$% "o# to come and $ee

him( He wanted me to !ring "o#, if o$$i!le( Co#ld "o# come with me now.

./h" "e$,. $aid @ennie, her face a $t#d"( The children were in $chool( An old )wedi$h

ho#$e%eeer wa$ in the %itchen( )he co#ld go a$ well a$ not( 6#t there wa$ coming

!ac% to her in detail a dream $he had had $eeral night$ !efore( It had $eemed to

her that $he wa$ o#t on a dar%, m"$tic !od" of water oer which wa$ hanging

$omething li%e a fog, or a all of $mo%e( )he heard the water rile, or $tir faintl",

and then o#t of the $#rro#nding dar%ne$$ a !oat aeared( It wa$ a little !oat,

oarle$$, or not i$i!l" roelled, and in it were her mother, and 7e$ta, and $ome onewhom $he co#ld not ma%e o#t( Her mother&$ face wa$ ale and $ad, er" m#ch a$

$he had often $een it in life( )he loo%ed at @ennie $olemnl", $"matheticall", and

then $#ddenl" @ennie reali:ed that the third occ#ant of the !oat wa$ =e$ter( He

loo%ed at her gloomil"--an e5re$$ion $he had neer $een on hi$ face !efore--and

then her mother remar%ed, ./ell, we m#$t go now(. The !oat !egan to moe, a

great $en$e of lo$$ came oer her, and $he cried, .Oh, don&t leae me, mammaB.

6#t her mother onl" loo%ed at her o#t of dee, $ad, $till e"e$, and the !oat wa$

gone(

)he wo%e with a $tart, half fanc"ing that =e$ter wa$ !e$ide her( )he $tretched o#ther hand to to#ch hi$ arm2 then $he drew her$elf # in the dar% and r#!!ed her

e"e$, reali:ing that $he wa$ alone( A great $en$e of dere$$ion remained with her,



and for two da"$ it ha#nted her( Then, when it $eemed a$ if it were nothing, r(

/at$on aeared with hi$ omino#$ me$$age(

)he went to dre$$, and reaeared, loo%ing a$ tro#!led a$ were her tho#ght$( )he

wa$ er" lea$ing in her aearance "et, a $weet, %indl" woman, well dre$$ed and

$hael"( )he had neer !een $earated mentall" from =e$ter, ;#$t a$ he had neer

grown entirel" awa" from her( )he wa$ alwa"$ with him in tho#ght, ;#$t a$ in the"ear$ when the" were together( Her fonde$t memorie$ were of the da"$ when he

>r$t co#rted her in Cleeland--the da"$ when he had carried her o, m#ch a$ the

cae-man $ei:ed hi$ mate--!" force( 9ow $he longed to do what $he co#ld for him(

or thi$ call wa$ a$ m#ch a te$timon" a$ a $hoc%( He loed her--he loed her, after

all(

The carriage rolled !ri$%l" thro#gh the long $treet$ into the $mo%" down-town

di$trict( It arried at the A#ditori#m, and @ennie wa$ e$corted to =e$ter&$ room(

/at$on had !een con$iderate( He had tal%ed little, leaing her to her tho#ght$( In

thi$ great hotel $he felt di+dent after $o long a eriod of comlete retirement( A$

$he entered the room $he loo%ed at =e$ter with large, gra", $"mathetic e"e$( He

wa$ l"ing roed # on two illow$, hi$ $olid head with it$ growth of once dar%

!rown hair $lightl" gra"ed( He loo%ed at her c#rio#$l" o#t of hi$ wi$e old e"e$, a

light of $"math" and aection $hining in them--wear" a$ the" were( @ennie wa$

greatl" di$tre$$ed( Hi$ ale face, $lightl" drawn from $#ering, c#t her li%e a %nife(

)he too% hi$ hand, which wa$ o#t$ide the coerlet, and re$$ed it( )he leaned oer

and %i$$ed hi$ li$(

.I&m $o $orr", =e$ter,. $he m#rm#red( .I&m $o $orr"( 3o#&re not er" $ic% tho#gh, are

"o# 3o# m#$t get well, =e$ter--and $oonB. )he atted hi$ hand gentl"(

.3e$, @ennie, !#t I&m rett" !ad,. he $aid( .I don&t feel right a!o#t thi$ !#$ine$$( I

don&t $eem a!le to $ha%e it o( 6#t tell me, how hae "o# !een.

.Oh, ;#$t the $ame, dear,. $he relied( .I&m all right( 3o# m#$tn&t tal% li%e that,

tho#gh( 3o#&re going to !e all right er" $oon now(.

He $miled griml"( .<o "o# thin% $o. He $hoo% hi$ head, for he tho#ght dierentl"(

.)it down, dear,. he went on, .I&m not worr"ing a!o#t that( I want to tal% to "o#

again( I want "o# near me(. He $ighed and $h#t hi$ e"e$ for a min#te(

)he drew # a chair clo$e !e$ide the !ed, her face toward hi$, and too% hi$ hand( It$eemed $#ch a !ea#tif#l thing that he $ho#ld $end for her( Her e"e$ $howed the

mingled $"math", aection, and gratit#de of her heart( At the $ame time fear

gried her2 how ill he loo%edB

.I can&t tell what ma" haen,. he went on( .=ett" i$ in E#roe( I&e wanted to $ee

"o# again for $ome time( I wa$ coming o#t thi$ tri( /e are liing in 9ew 3or%, "o#

%now( 3o#&re a little $to#ter, @ennie(.

.3e$, I&m getting old, =e$ter,. $he $miled(

.Oh, that doe$n&t ma%e an" dierence,. he relied, loo%ing at her >5edl"( .Agedoe$n&t co#nt( /e are all in that !oat( It&$ how we feel a!o#t life(.



He $toed and $tared at the ceiling( A $light twinge of ain reminded him of the

igoro#$ $ei:#re$ he had !een thro#gh( He co#ldn&t $tand man" more aro5"$m$

li%e the la$t one(

.I co#ldn&t go, @ennie, witho#t $eeing "o# again,. he o!$ered, when the $light

twinge cea$ed and he wa$ free to thin% again( .I&e alwa"$ wanted to $a" to "o#,

@ennie,. he went on, .that I haen&t !een $ati$>ed with the wa" we arted( It wa$n&tthe right thing, after all( I haen&t !een an" haier( I&m $orr"( I wi$h now, for m"

own eace of mind, that I hadn&t done it(.

.<on&t $a" that, =e$ter,. $he dem#rred, going oer in her mind all that had !een

!etween them( Thi$ wa$ $#ch a te$timon" to their real #nion--their real $irit#al

comati!ilit"( .It&$ all right( It doe$n&t ma%e an" dierence( 3o#&e !een er" good to

me( I wo#ldn&t hae !een $ati$>ed to hae "o# lo$e "o#r fort#ne( It co#ldn&t !e that

wa"( I&e !een a lot !etter $ati$>ed a$ it i$( It&$ !een hard, !#t, dear, eer"thing i$

hard at time$(. )he a#$ed(

.9o,. he $aid( .It wa$n&t right( The thing wa$n&t wor%ed o#t right from the $tart2 !#tthat wa$n&t "o#r fa#lt( I&m $orr"( I wanted to tell "o# that( I&m glad I&m here to do it(.

.<on&t tal% that wa", =e$ter--lea$e don&t,. $he leaded( .It&$ all right( 3o# needn&t

!e $orr"( There&$ nothing to !e $orr" for( 3o# hae alwa"$ !een $o good to me( /h",

when I thin%--. $he $toed, for it wa$ hard for her to $ea%( )he wa$ cho%ing with

aection and $"math"( )he re$$ed hi$ hand$( )he wa$ recalling the ho#$e he too%

for her famil" in Cleeland, hi$ genero#$ treatment of 4erhardt, all the long ago

to%en$ of loe and %indne$$(

./ell, I&e told "o# now, and I feel !etter( 3o#&re a good woman, @ennie, and "o#&re

%ind to come to me thi$ wa"(. I loed "o#( I loe "o# now( I want to tell "o# that( It

$eem$ $trange, !#t "o#&re the onl" woman I eer did loe tr#l"( /e $ho#ld neer

hae arted(

@ennie ca#ght her !reath( It wa$ the one thing $he had waited for all the$e "ear$--

thi$ te$timon"( It wa$ the one thing that co#ld ma%e eer"thing right--thi$

confe$$ion of $irit#al if not material #nion( 9ow $he co#ld lie hail"( 9ow die $o(

.Oh, =e$ter,. $he e5claimed with a $o!, and re$$ed hi$ hand( He ret#rned the

re$$#re( There wa$ a little $ilence( Then he $o%e again(

.How are the two orhan$. he a$%ed(

.Oh, the"&re loel",. $he an$wered, entering #on a detailed de$crition of their

dimin#tie er$onalitie$( He li$tened comforta!l", for her oice wa$ $oothing to him(

Her whole er$onalit" wa$ gratef#l to him( /hen it came time for her to go he

$eemed de$iro#$ of %eeing her(

.4oing, @ennie.

.I can $ta" ;#$t a$ well a$ not, =e$ter,. $he ol#nteered( .I&ll ta%e a room( I can $end

a note o#t to r$( )wen$on( It will !e all right(.

.3o# needn&t do that,. he $aid, !#t $he co#ld $ee that he wanted her, that he did notwant to !e alone(



rom that time on #ntil the ho#r of hi$ death $he wa$ not o#t of the hotel( _

CHAPTER =II

The end came after fo#r da"$ d#ring which @ennie wa$ !" hi$ !ed$ide almo$t

con$tantl"( The n#r$e in charge welcomed her at >r$t a$ a relief and coman", !#t

the h"$ician wa$ inclined to o!;ect( =e$ter, howeer, wa$ $t#!!orn( .Thi$ i$ m"

death,. he $aid, with a to#ch of grim h#mor( .If I&m d"ing I o#ght to !e allowed to

die in m" own wa"(.

/at$on $miled at the man&$ #nfaltering co#rage( He had neer $een an"thing li%e it

!efore(

There were card$ of $"math", call$ of in'#ir", notice$ in the new$aer( Ro!ert $aw

an item in the In'#irer and decided to go to Chicago( Imogene called with her

h#$!and, and the" were admitted to =e$ter&$ room for a few min#te$ after @ennie

had gone to her$( =e$ter had little to $a"( The n#r$e ca#tioned them that he wa$ not

to !e tal%ed to m#ch( /hen the" were gone =e$ter $aid to @ennie, .Imogene ha$changed a good deal(. He made no other comment(

r$( ane wa$ on the Atlantic three da"$ o#t from 9ew 3or% the afternoon =e$ter

died( He had !een meditating whether an"thing more co#ld !e done for @ennie, !#t

he co#ld not ma%e # hi$ mind a!o#t it( Certainl" it wa$ #$ele$$ to leae her more

mone"( )he did not want it( He had !een wondering where =ett" wa$ and how near

her act#al arrial might !e when he wa$ $ei:ed with a tremendo#$ aro5"$m of

ain( 6efore relief co#ld !e admini$tered in the $hae of an ane$thetic he wa$ dead(

It deeloed afterward that it wa$ not the inte$tinal tro#!le which %illed him, !#t a

le$ion of a ma;or !lood-e$$el in the !rain(

@ennie, who had !een $trongl" wro#ght # !" watching and worr"ing, wa$ !e$ide

her$elf with grief( He had !een a art of her tho#ght and feeling $o long that it

$eemed now a$ tho#gh a art of her$elf had died( )he had loed him a$ $he had

fancied $he co#ld neer loe an" one, and he had alwa"$ $hown that he cared for

her--at lea$t in $ome degree( )he co#ld not feel the emotion that e5re$$e$ it$elf in

tear$--onl" a d#ll ache, a n#m!ne$$ which $eemed to ma%e her in$en$i!le to ain(

He loo%ed $o $trong--her =e$ter--l"ing there $till in death( Hi$ e5re$$ion wa$

#nchanged--de>ant, determined, al!eit eacef#l( /ord had come from r$( ane

that $he wo#ld arrie on the /edne$da" following( It wa$ decided to hold the !od"(

@ennie learned from r( /at$on that it wa$ to !e tran$ferred to Cincinnati, where thePace$ had a a#lt( 6eca#$e of the arrial of ario#$ mem!er$ of the famil", @ennie

withdrew to her own home2 $he co#ld do nothing more(

The >nal ceremonie$ re$ented a ec#liar commentar" on the anomalie$ of

e5i$tence( It wa$ arranged with r$( ane !" wire that the !od" $ho#ld !e

tran$ferred to Imogene&$ re$idence, and the f#neral held from there( Ro!ert, who

arried the night =e$ter died2 6err" <odge, Imogene&$ h#$!and2 r( idgel", and

three other citi:en$ of rominence were $elected a$ all-!earer$( =o#i$e and her

h#$!and came from 6#alo2 Am" and her h#$!and from Cincinnati( The ho#$e wa$

f#ll to oer*owing with citi:en$ who either $incerel" wi$hed or felt it e5edient to

call( 6eca#$e of the fact that =e$ter and hi$ famil" were tentatiel" Catholic, a

Catholic rie$t wa$ called in and the rit#al of that Ch#rch wa$ carried o#t( It wa$



c#rio#$ to $ee him l"ing in the arlor of thi$ alien re$idence, candle$ at hi$ head and

feet, !#rning $e#lchrall", a $iler cro$$ #on hi$ !rea$t, care$$ed !" hi$ wa5en

>nger$( He wo#ld hae $miled if he co#ld hae $een him$elf, !#t the ane famil"

wa$ too conentional, too $et in it$ coniction$, to >nd an"thing $trange in thi$(

The Ch#rch made no o!;ection, of co#r$e( The famil" wa$ di$ting#i$hed( /hat more

co#ld !e de$ired

On /edne$da" r$( ane arried( )he wa$ greatl" di$tra#ght, for her loe, li%e

@ennie&$, wa$ $incere( )he left her room that night when all wa$ $ilent and leaned

oer the co+n, $t#d"ing !" the light of the !#rning candle$ =e$ter&$ !eloed

feat#re$( Tear$ tric%led down her chee%$, for $he had !een ha" with him( )he

care$$ed hi$ cold chee%$ and hand$( .Poor, dear =e$terB. $he whi$ered( .Poor,

!rae $o#lB. 9o one told her that he had $ent for @ennie( The ane famil" did not

%now(

eanwhile in the ho#$e on )o#th Par% Aen#e $at a woman who wa$ end#ring alone

the ain, the ang#i$h of an irreara!le lo$$( Thro#gh all the$e "ear$ the $#!tle hoehad er$i$ted, in $ite of eer" circ#m$tance, that $omehow life might !ring him

!ac% to her( He had come, it i$ tr#e--he reall" had in death--!#t he had gone again(

/here /hither her mother, whither 4erhardt, whither 7e$ta had gone )he co#ld

not hoe to $ee him again, for the aer$ had informed her of hi$ remoal to r$(

idgel"&$ re$idence, and of the fact that he wa$ to !e ta%en from Chicago to

Cincinnati for !#rial( The la$t ceremonie$ in Chicago were to !e held in one of the

wealth" Roman Catholic ch#rche$ of the )o#th )ide, )t( ichael&$, of which the

idgel"$ were mem!er$(

@ennie felt deel" a!o#t thi$( )he wo#ld hae li%ed $o m#ch to hae had him !#riedin Chicago, where $he co#ld go to the grae occa$ionall", !#t thi$ wa$ not to !e(

)he wa$ neer a ma$ter of her fate( Other$ inaria!l" controlled( )he tho#ght of him

a$ !eing ta%en from her >nall" !" the remoal of the !od" to Cincinnati, a$ tho#gh

di$tance made an" dierence( )he decided at la$t to eil her$elf heail" and attend

the f#neral at the ch#rch( The aer had e5lained that the $erice$ wo#ld !e at

two in the afternoon( Then at fo#r the !od" wo#ld !e ta%en to the deot, and

tran$ferred to the train2 the mem!er$ of the famil" wo#ld accoman" it to

Cincinnati( )he tho#ght of thi$ a$ another oort#nit"( )he might go to the deot(

A little !efore the time for the f#neral cortege to arrie at the ch#rch there

aeared at one of it$ $#!$idiar" entrance$ a woman in !lac%, heail" eiled, who

too% a $eat in an incon$ic#o#$ corner( )he wa$ a little nero#$ at >r$t, for, $eeing

that the ch#rch wa$ dar% and emt", $he feared le$t $he had mi$ta%en the time and

lace2 !#t after ten min#te$ of ainf#l $#$en$e a !ell in the ch#rch tower !egan to

toll $olemnl"( )hortl" thereafter an acol"te in !lac% gown and white $#rlice

aeared and lighted gro#$ of candle$ on either $ide of the altar( A h#$hed $tirring

of feet in the choir-loft indicated that the $erice wa$ to !e accomanied !" m#$ic(

)ome loiterer$, attracted !" the !ell, $ome idle $tranger$, a few ac'#aintance$ and

citi:en$ not directl" inited aeared and too% $eat$(

@ennie watched all thi$ with wondering e"e$( 9eer in her life had $he !een in$ide aCatholic ch#rch( The gloom, the !ea#t" of the window$, the whitene$$ of the altar,

the golden *ame$ of the candle$ imre$$ed her( )he wa$ $##$ed with a $en$e of



$orrow, lo$$, !ea#t", and m"$ter"( =ife in all it$ ag#ene$$ and #ncertaint" $eemed

t"i>ed !" thi$ $cene(

A$ the !ell tolled there came from the $acri$t" a roce$$ion of altar-!o"$( The

$malle$t, an angelic "o#th of eleen, came >r$t, !earing aloft a magni>cent $iler

cro$$( In the hand$ of each $#!$e'#ent air of $eritor$ wa$ held a tall, lighted

candle( The rie$t, in !lac% cloth and lace, attended !" an acol"te on either hand,followed( The roce$$ion a$$ed o#t the entrance into the e$ti!#le of the ch#rch,

and wa$ not $een again #ntil the choir !egan a mo#rnf#l, re$on$ie chant, the

=atin $#lication for merc" and eace(

Then, at thi$ $o#nd the $olemn roce$$ion made it$ reaearance( There came the

$iler cro$$, the candle$, the dar%-faced rie$t, reading dramaticall" to him$elf a$ he

wal%ed, and the !od" of =e$ter in a great !lac% co+n, with $iler handle$, carried !"

the all-!earer$, who %et an een ace( @ennie $tiened erceti!l", her nere$

re$onding a$ tho#gh to a $hoc% from an electric c#rrent( )he did not %now an" of

the$e men( )he did not %now Ro!ert( )he had neer $een r( idgel"( Of the long

coman" of nota!le$ who followed two !" two $he recogni:ed onl" three, whom

=e$ter had ointed o#t to her in time$ a$t( r$( ane $he $aw, of co#r$e, for $he

wa$ directl" !ehind the co+n, leaning on the arm of a $tranger2 !ehind her wal%ed

r( /at$on, $olemn, gracio#$( He gae a '#ic% glance to either $ide, eidentl"

e5ecting to $ee her $omewhere2 !#t not >nding her, he t#rned hi$ e"e$ grael"

forward and wal%ed on( @ennie loo%ed with all her e"e$, her heart gried !" ain(

)he $eemed $o m#ch a art of thi$ $olemn rit#al, and "et in>nitel" remoed from it

all(

The roce$$ion reached the altar rail, and the co+n wa$ #t down( A white $hro#d

!earing the in$ignia of $#ering, a !lac% cro$$, wa$ #t oer it, and the greatcandle$ were $et !e$ide it( There were the chanted inocation$ and re$on$e$, the

$rin%ling of the co+n with hol" water, the lighting and $winging of the cen$er and

then the m#m!led re$on$e$ of the a#ditor$ to the =ord&$ Pra"er and to it$ Catholic

addition, the inocation to the 6le$$ed 7irgin( @ennie wa$ oerawed and ama:ed,

!#t no $how of form colorf#l, imre$$ion imerial, co#ld ta%e awa" the $ting of

death, the $en$e of in>nite lo$$( To @ennie the candle$, the incen$e, the hol" $ong

were !ea#tif#l( The" to#ched the dee chord of melanchol" in her, and made it

i!rate thro#gh the deth$ of her !eing( )he wa$ a$ a ho#$e >lled with mo#rnf#l

melod" and the re$ence of death( )he cried and cried( )he co#ld $ee, c#rio#$l",

that r$( ane wa$ $o!!ing con#l$iel" al$o(

/hen it wa$ all oer the carriage$ were entered and the !od" wa$ !orne to the

$tation( All the g#e$t$ and $tranger$ dearted, and >nall", when all wa$ $ilent, $he

aro$e( 9ow $he wo#ld go to the deot al$o, for $he wa$ hoef#l of $eeing hi$ !od"

#t on the train( The" wo#ld hae to !ring it o#t on the latform, ;#$t a$ the" did in

7e$ta&$ ca$e( )he too% a car, and a little later $he entered the waiting-room of the

deot( )he lingered a!o#t, >r$t in the conco#r$e, where the great iron fence

$earated the a$$enger$ from the trac%$, and then in the waiting-room, hoing to

di$coer the order of roceeding$( )he >nall" o!$ered the gro# of immediate

relatie$ waiting--r$( ane, Ro!ert, r$( idgel", =o#i$e, Am", Imogene, and the

other$( )he act#all" $#cceeded in identif"ing mo$t of them, tho#gh it wa$ not

%nowledge in thi$ ca$e, !#t #re in$tinct and int#ition(



9o one had noticed it in the $tre$$ of e5citement, !#t it wa$ Than%$giing Ee(

Thro#gho#t the great railroad $tation there wa$ a h#m of anticiation, that c#rio#$

e!#llition of fanc" which $ring$ from the tho#ght of lea$#re$ to come( Peole

were going awa" for the holida"( Carriage$ were at the $tation entrie$( Anno#ncer$

were calling in $tentorian oice$ the de$tination of each new train a$ the time of it$

deart#re drew near( @ennie heard with a de$erate ache the de$crition of a ro#te

which $he and =e$ter had ta%en more than once, $lowl" and melodio#$l"emha$i:ed( .<etroit, Toledo, Cleeland, 6#alo, and 9ew 3or%(. There were crie$ of

train$ for .ort /a"ne, Col#m!#$, Pitt$!#rg, Philadelhia, and oint$ Ea$t,. and then

>nall" for .Indianaoli$, =o#i$ille, Col#m!#$, Cincinnati, and oint$ )o#th(. The

ho#r had $tr#c%(

)eeral time$ @ennie had gone to the conco#r$e !etween the waiting-room and the

trac%$ to $ee if thro#gh the iron grating which $earated her from her !eloed $he

co#ld get one la$t loo% at the co+n, or the great wooden !o5 which held it, !efore it

wa$ #t on the train( 9ow $he $aw it coming( There wa$ a !aggage orter #$hing a

tr#c% into o$ition near the lace where the !aggage car wo#ld $to( On it wa$=e$ter, that la$t $hadow of hi$ $#!$tance, inca$ed in the honor$ of wood, and cloth,

and $iler( There wa$ no tho#ght on the art of the orter of the agon" of lo$$ which

wa$ rere$ented here( He co#ld not $ee how wealth and o$ition in thi$ ho#r were

t"i>ed to her mind a$ a great fence, a wall, which diided her eternall" from her

!eloed( Had it not alwa"$ !een $o /a$ not her life a atchwor% of condition$

made and aected !" the$e thing$ which $he $aw--wealth and force--which had

fo#nd her #n>t )he had eidentl" !een !orn to "ield, not $ee%( Thi$ anol" of

ower had !een araded !efore her $ince childhood( /hat co#ld $he do now !#t

$tare ag#el" after it a$ it marched tri#mhantl" !" =e$ter had !een of it( Him it

re$ected( Of her it %new nothing( )he loo%ed thro#gh the grating, and once morethere came the cr" of .Indianaoli$, =o#i$ille, Col#m!#$, Cincinnati, and oint$

)o#th(. A long red train, !rilliantl" lighted, como$ed of !aggage car$, da" coache$,

a dining-car, $et with white linen and $iler, and a half do:en comforta!le P#llman$,

rolled in and $toed( A great !lac% engine, #+ng and glowing, had it all $afel" in

tow(

A$ the !aggage car drew near the waiting tr#c% a train-hand in !l#e, loo%ing o#t of

the car, called to $ome one within(

.He", @ac%B 4ie #$ a hand here( There&$ a $ti o#t$ideB.

@ennie co#ld not hear(

All $he co#ld $ee wa$ the great !o5 that wa$ $o $oon to di$aear( All $he co#ld feel

wa$ that thi$ train wo#ld $tart re$entl", and then it wo#ld all !e oer( The gate$

oened, the a$$enger$ o#red o#t( There were Ro!ert, and Am", and =o#i$e, and

idgel"--all ma%ing for the P#llman car$ in the rear( The" had $aid their farewell$ to

their friend$( 9o need to reeat them( A trio of a$$i$tant$ .gae a hand. at getting

the great wooden ca$e into the car( @ennie $aw it di$aear with an ac#te h"$ical

wrench at her heart(

There were man" tr#n%$ to !e #t a!oard, and then the door of the !aggage carhalf clo$ed, !#t not !efore the warning !ell of the engine $o#nded( There wa$ the

in$i$tent calling of .all a!oard. from thi$ '#arter and that2 then $lowl" the great



locomotie !egan to moe( It$ !ell wa$ ringing, it$ $team hi$$ing, it$ $mo%e-$tac%

throwing aloft a great !lac% l#me of $mo%e that fell !ac% oer the car$ li%e a all(

The >reman, con$cio#$ of the hea" load !ehind, *#ng oen a *aming f#rnace door

to throw in coal( It$ light glowed li%e a golden e"e(

@ennie $tood rigid, $taring into the wonder of thi$ ict#re, her face white, her e"e$

wide, her hand$ #ncon$cio#$l" cla$ed, !#t one tho#ght in her mind--the" wereta%ing hi$ !od" awa"( A leaden 9oem!er $%" wa$ ahead, almo$t dar%( )he loo%ed,

and loo%ed #ntil the la$t glimmer of the red lam on the receding $leeer

di$aeared in the ma:e of $mo%e and ha:e oerhanging the trac%$ of the far-

t t hi d

Genie Gherarhard

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