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About Hillsboro independent. (Hillsboro, Washington County, Or.) 189?-1932 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1903)
77V REFORMER By CHARLES M SHUDON. Author f -1i tfc SUw" "Mart Hryt Serai CvtwrUM, 1U tm Charles it. ghttdcm bmtsttmmtmm. lie uuctl ber uatua so naturally that neither gave It any significance at flint Then slowly Luella blushed and looked down. She had never admired Gordon' manhood more than right then. "No, 1 don't think lt'a boasting. I like to lur you I mean I like to bear any man speak aa if he expected to do great things." Jjhn Gordon bent over a little nearer. Mrs. I'enrose, bad riven and waa lead ing the way with alius Andrewa and Archie out Into the ball. "Luella, la It too luteT I hare thought I might iMwaluly have frightened you by too audden a tent" He spoke hur riedly, then, as be saw the room was eiujity of any but Luella and himself, be spoke with more reserve, but with mora freedom as well "Luella I can not give you up. You see something of our Rr.'Ut problem here. It's a gigantic struggle; it Is apparently hopeless. But think of the children. Luella, whose lives are at stake. Isn't It worth a Ufa like yours? I never meant to speak like this to you, least of all here. But the sight of your dear face In the sur roundings bus told me again how much I need you. God surely did not wish us to go on our ways alone. The fight la ho hurd, Luella, alone. I need com pa n loiiHlilp." He laid his fingers gently on her arm as he finished. Luella was leaning to ward blm. Xhelr faces almost touched. But his action at ouce brought up to Luella the Incident out In ilowen street when he bad placed bis lingers on Miss Andrews' arm. Waa It that or waa It some caprice that dangerously dallied .with your own happiness, Luella, that made you say: . "Companionship? Yoa seem to be pretty good friends with Miss An drews!" John Gordon spoke slowly and aa If he did Dot understand. "Miss An drews? Luella, do you" He was angry with her. And she was apparently determined not to un derstand the reason for It "She seems to accept your leadership here. You are evidently not alone so far as companionship goes." She spoke lightly, but ber Jealousy was apparent. John Gordon -surlled. Luella cared for htm. Ills anger van ished." "Miss Andrews and I are good friends. She Is a noble woman. There 1a not a nobler In the city. But" "But you are blind not to see that eh cares for you" Luella spoks quickly. Afterward she regretted that little sentence more than any other. "Cares for me?" Gordon asked slowly. ""Yes. Any stranger can ace It." "I tlitnk yon are mistaken. It la ia possible." "Nothing Is Impossible wben people are In love." "J refuse to discuss the matter. It la not right toward Mlsa Andrews." Luella was silent John Gordon waa readjusting bis basis of appeal to ber. TV bnt Bbe bad said about Miss An drews disturbed him tremendously. "Luella! Can you not see that I that you are the one I love? This Is th lust time I shall speak." Laclla looked out of the window, The most desolate sight she bad ever seen was out there. The background for the horrible plies of rubbish was the dismal row of tenements with the back yard staircases like external skeletons proclaiming the degradation of the tenement dwellers In the tat tered clothing bung out to dry. The dreuriness of It all smote Luella like a horror. To live In an eternal conflict with evil like that represented by Tom my Itandall; to miss the bright pretty, comfortable life Into which she bad teen born; to spend ber days and nights In trying to love disagreeable. ungrateful humanity all this seemed ' like a nightmare to her. Yet there stood the man she loved more than any other; she could not refuse to believe lu Ms nobility, his courage, his unself ishness. Her heart hungered when she thought of nil be was compared with the other men sho knew. It only he were not living here! If only he would do his work in some other place where they would not always be obliged to look at all this human misery! John Gordon was speaking again. "Once more, Luellu. Will you he my wife? Will you Join me In a lifelong battle for human rights?" "Io you mean, as you did before, that I miiHt live here?" "Yes." The answer came without hesitation. "I don't think I ran do It, John. Oh. why do you exact that! You know I love you, John, but I can't, I can't live here." "Do yon love me?" John Gordon said It gently. "Then can yon not trust me trust all to me? We must live here In order to do the work In the best way." "Must live herer Luella did John Gordon Injustice again In misinter preting his emphasis. It waa the only time she was ever guilty of aurb an act. but that did not make It any less serious. And again her insane Jealousy of Miss Andrews disturbed ber vision of the clear eyed love of the man who she knew well enough loved herself and her alone. "It does not seem to me possible to learn the people's needs anywhere so well as here. That does not mean that we must remain here all our lives, but at least for some years." "I cannot do It," Luella said slowly. There was a moment of silence. Then the steps of Miss Andrews and Mrs. Penrose and Archie were heard coming tlirougu the hall toward the library. John Gordon did not reply even by a Wont Ho bowed gravely and turned toward the others as they entered the room. Mrs. Penrose glanced quickly toward Luella. "lon't yoa want to go over tb 1 1 Ik. house? It Ik vi ce Interesting." "1 don't In'Iievi- I rare about it to day. It is Kcttliur late and Mlsa An drews is but y. I will come down some other time." "I sli.-ill If i. hid to welcome you any tune." MIkh Andrew said iu ber calm manner. She went to the door with them ami said goodhy us they entered the carriage. As they drove away the lait look Luella had of the place framed Miss Andrews and John Gor don standi iig side by side under the archway. Both faces were serious, and John Gordon's had the look of man who has entered on a new expe rience of which he Is In doubt, but concerning which, like all brave souls, be has no fear. "Well. I'm mighty glad I got out of It" uid Archie as the carriage turned Into one of the paved afreets and the horses hurried on toward Turk avenue. Luella said nothing, and Mrs. Pen rose laughed shortly. "IIow would you like to live there all the time, like Miss Andrews and Mr. Gordon?" "Catch me. One day Is enough, don't you think. Miss Marsh?" "I don't see bow tbey atand it," Lu ella managed to murmur. "Stand It! I want to wash out my mouth with perfume for a. week," ssld Archie, with an air of disgust "I feel aa If I had breathed In all sorts of dis eases." "It would be healthier, for you to keep your mouth abut more of the time, Archie," said bis aunt; "that la. healthier for other people." She sinks with a savage disregard of any one's feelings that did not taiko account of any results to herself. It Was that that ! made Archie fear her. The carrlago rolled along, and no one spoke for several minutes. Luella was dumb. She looked out of the win dow on her side, and Arcblo fldgened In bis corner opposite, ' "That's a rvmarkabletsituatlon down there." Mrs. Penrose' spoke contem platively. "Two hundred tlmueand dol lars to spend and checkmated by Tom my Itandall. It looks like a boneless case for them. Of course; be won't sell bla lots, or If be does it will be at' ruinous prices. The devil. seems to be on top all around at Hope House. The only chance Is that Gordon can in some way bring Randall to time on the ordinance violation. Do you think be will do it r "I know be will try," Luella man aged to say. "Try I But will he succeed Y' "He will If any one can." "It Isn't fair to ask him to face ali that horror alone. He needs compan ionship." Luella started. Mrs, Penrose aaw It but went on. "He ought to bar a wife. MUs Andrews and ha seem made for each other, don't you) think J" Luella coldly returned MrsPenrose'a smile and then looked out of the win dow again. "Miss Andrews Is onlyjcight or ten years older than Gordon,, I should say. But that's no obstacle. I've always held that the woman ought to be older and more experienced at thcibeginnlng of marriage. Then the man (can catch cp, not In age, but in everything else. von t you think so, Luella? '" "I'm not a Judge," Luella! answered In an icy tone. If the cariiugf had not been going so fast she would have tpened the door and steppjediout Archie broke in with his drawling note. "It's easy enough to sue that they an good friends. I should aay it wonld make a good match." Luella 'was enraged at them both. Mrs. I'enrose, whatever Ucr reason for saying what she did, sawftbat she could not safely go on. , "There's Cousin Julius. I believe Gor don can get belp there, if be could only bring a case against Knndall lu Cham bers' court Julius doesn't feur man or devil. It Is worth considering," The carriage drew np at the IVnrose mansion. Luellu lived three blocks farther down the avenue. "I'll see Miss Marsh home," said Archie. Sirs. Penrose hesitated at mo ment as the carriage waited. "Very well," she said, and witiwa nod to iAiella she left the carriage, and Luella and Archie went oil Luella did not say a word tolArehle, but stared straight out of thcwlndow. Wben tho house was reached. she said mechanically. "Will you come lu?" "Thank you, I will be glad to,"1 Archie replied with alacrity. When they were In the 'drawing room, he gathered up courage to say. Aiisa Marsh, will you give mo a few minutes to to make a few remarks?" Ho did not mean to say that at alL For the first time In bis life ho) waa as near being In love aa it was (possible for him to be, and In so far aa the ex perience was new to blm be wtia enno bled by It. Between the two (unusual events In his life he presented a curi ous combination of bashfuinesa and effrontery. He had chosen the time for telling Luella of bis feelings with sin gular misfortune to himself. He sup posed she was smarting from a quar rel of some kind with Gordon. HI shallow reason led him to believe that ber feelings would be soothed by tho devotion of another suitor, and so be blindly went on, gaining confidence as Luella eat perfectly still, ber hands In her lap, apparently llstenlug to blm. "Miss Marsh Luella It Is no. secret te you. I am sure, that I bare long adored you" tj was nearer the truth than was usual for him "bnt my de votion will surely count In my favor. Will you will you entertain the thought of me a a suitor? Win yon permit me. Luella. to have some hope of same time winning yoni affec tions? I love you truly." He spoke in sincere manner, for be felt what be aid. "Pou't aay no to me. Think It over. Civ m some nope, Luella" II was astonished to see ber slowly rise and without even looking at blm, without so mucb as a gesture of any 4 U kind, walk out of the room, tearing blm sitting there on the edge of bis chair, with bla bands ciasped In an appealing manner. He aat back in the chair and waited. At the end of live minute of blank silence be rose and went out into the hall "Please tell Mis Marsh I will caQ again," be said, wltb ghastly smile. to the footman wbo was lounging there. He went out and walked as fast as be. was ever known to go to bis aunt's. She was In the library and received him good uuturedly. "Well, youug uwu. what did you think" She stopped as she saw the expression on bis face. . "You promised not to get in ciy wuy with Miss Marsh! But all your talk In the carriage was arranged to set her against me. I see It! You roused her Jealousy by talking about Mlsa An drew and all that" "What are ou saying? You are ab solutely unintelligible. Say what you mean!" Mrs. Penrose exclaimed wltb disdain. "I am saying what I meanl" Archie traveled up and down the library in a rage, but It was the rngo of a disap pointed child rather than the anger of a grownup man. "Oh! I see. You have been talking to Luella. Youug man. you couldn't have picked out a more Inappropriate oc casion. Why, couldn't you see, man, that she was feeling terribly over something that happened U-twoen her and Gordon while they were lu the library T" "And you aggravated It by all you said afterward." Archie walled. Mrs. Penrose smiled sweetly. "Ho you actually proponed this after noon, Archie. Tell me aliout It What did she say? How did she receive your remarks?" "She didn't say anything. She In tuited me by leaving the room." "But It was kind of ber to leave you the room, Archie. You must have felt tho need of something pretty bad. "You're a fool." said Archie, and ho let dowu sulkily lu a deep chair' and looked defiantly at his aunt Mrs. Penrose got up and pointed to the door. "Young man, you either apologize nt once for that remark or you leave this bouse and you do not come back Into' It!" Archlo gathered blmaelf up quickly tnd stammered: "I I, forgive me. Aunt Canstuncei I did not mean that!" "Of course not. You got your nro nouns mixed. What you meant to nse was the first personal. With that un Icrstandlng I accept jour apology." Arcbte sank buck Into the chair and Mrs. feniose t nnce recovered -net equanimity. "Tell me what you said, Archie. So she never gave yon any answer at all. Do you tlitnk It la a case of silence gives consei't?" "Hardly," Archie groaned. "I asked ber to bear me, to tuke time to think It over. I did not press the matter. I imply wanted her to consider me as a possible suitor." "Maybe that's what she left yn- so suddenly for." "Why?" asked Archie suspiciously. "Maybe she wanted time to think It over." "Oh, I'm a" "That'a rlght-a fool, Archie! Didn't I .warn you? You never had any chance. Luella is deeply In love now with John Gordon." "Why doesn't she marry blm, then?'' Archie asked with directness. "I don't know," Mr. I'enrose replied .thoughtfully. ; "I would go anywhere with Lnclla," Archie groaned. i "Even Into Hope House?" I "Yes, I would; even there." ' "Then you roust be very mucb to love. Poor Archie!" Mrs. Penrose spoke with a touch of compassion. "It'a no nse." , "But I toll you, aunt, I mean to mar ry Luella Marsh. I don't give up Jusl for one rebuff." "No? She's never really given yon an auswer yet, Archie Mako her say no, at leaBt." "She will say yea at last," said Ar chie doggedly. His aunt looked at blm balf contemptuously, half wondering 1J. "Not so long as you are Archie Pen rose," she said finally. "You'll sec," Archie said aa bo ros and went away. Mrs. Penrose thought fully sat and mused until dinner wsi announced. - "I have known stranger events tc be," she muttered to herself. "Bui Luella Marsh - Is million times tot good for him. Why does she not mar xy John Gordon If she loves blm? She will mlsa heaven, here and berenfter it site doesn't" John Gordon and Miss Andrews bad turned back Into the library after tlif visitors had gone. That Mrs. Penrose Is qulto a re markable woman, Mr. Gordon. Did I understand that she was a' relative of yours 7" "No; she was an intimate friend ot my mother. She baa always taken I good deal of interest In me. It wool not bo surprising If she came to out assistance. She ha abundant meant and leisure; lives in a palace of a bouse on Pnrk avenue; is a widow with no nearer relatives than that Ar chie Penrose. Her mention of Jullu Chambers was encouraging. Oh, II Mr Penrose would only use ber iu fluence It might move something!" Gor don uttered a groan. "But these so clety women have no hearts except when they feel remorse. Tbafs hei trouble. She may he enthusiastic ovei a fad like Hope House, na she calls It but It won't lust Her old social nmlil tkros ore too strong to be broken oi changed Into new ones." "Judge Chambers Is a new factor. Mlsa Andrews spoke softly. . "I won dor whot he will prove to lie. That first act of bis when be was seated wai encouraging. How would It do to brlnf a case ag:.!tist Tommy Itandall la hit court ?" "Just the thing! I don't believe Tom my owns him. We have got to dc something and do It bard. If Tommj Itandall puts np those double decker contrary to the city ordinances, havt we got to confess that there I no snct thing a Justice In j city Ilk this. In country like our, after twenty cen turies of the Christ of God Ob' Mis Andrews, It cannot be possible that out appeal to the people themselves. In cas 11 other meana fail, mill also fall! Ik you have ultimate hope In the people?" 8ba turned her blue eye toward blta, ; ana tneyrfwer grfsteurnt wrts triTa. Whateverher feeling was toward blm be was one of those great soul whe can carry in their heart a love for oim being and the multitude a well. Al: true love with ber must bava been ot the highest exaltation. "I believe In tbe people at last. II U else falls, w will appeal to them. These wrongs cannot go on forever. I cannot believe that God will iermlt It. Child life must be too precious lu his !ght" "And yet thHik of all these years, of all you have don and suffered, of tbe thousands of innocent lives th.it have been smothered and burled alive In these place of horror. Do you lose your fulth; do you" "No, my friend!" she answered, mil lug. "God is not dead. Wbeu I lose faith, I shall die. Meanwblle"- "Meanwnli w are powerless, with all thla money In our bands, uulesa we can stop Randall In some way. Of course be will never sell u the lot. Our only use for the money would be to purchase some of tbe unburned terri tory aud tear down. But it would be enormously expensive. The city ought to condemn and buy up all this district and put up municipal tenements. Of course I know you believe in all that, but a city government that produce nd nourishes men like Tommy Itnn kiall would aa soon be expected to open Its council meetings with prayer aa to put up city tenements. Our only hope Ilea in stopping tbu erection of those doublo deckers In violation of the ordi nance." Misa Andrews silently looked out of the window. Over at the extreme end of the burned area Tommy Randall wltb the little group of men waa still at work laying out measurements for the contemplated tenement , It wa growing late In the afternoon, and the men would soon be going away. Over at the other end of the library Miss Hammond had been busy at work over ne of the lecture programmes. She went out as Gordon was speaking ttbout the tenements. Miss Andrews calmly sat looking nt the scene from the window, and John Gordon, seated a little back from ber, where, however, be commanded a view of her face as the fading light from tbe largo window fell upon it, suddenly niado a resolve that in Itself was not really ns sudden as it seemed. Some times swift action has rliiened under a slow process. "Mlsa Andrewa." ' "Yea." ' "Will you allow me to confide In you something I feel Impelled to say to you especially?" - There was a short silence; then ber voice answered quietly: "Yes." Gordon went on a little hurriedly, aa If be feared the loss of the Impulse that had prompted blm to scnk. "You saw Miss Marsh. You know from tho newspaper accounts my for mer relation to her?". "I remember." "I asked her again this afternoon to be my wlfo and come to live with me here. She refused. Po you think a man lu my position, wltb the life I have chosen to live, ought to ask a wo man to come and live with me here, to share all these troubles, to bear all these burdens? Is the test I made for ber too severe?" , There was silence. It was broken by tbe quiet voice. "Po you still love Mlsa Marsh?" "No," answered John Gordon slowly, lie waa seated and bad put bla band over his face. Tbe group of men over at tho end of the view from the window separated and went away. One of the residents came Into tbe library and started to light the candle which were placed In au old fashioned silver candlestick which always stood In the center of tbe table. It was one of Mlsa An drews fancies. Caudlellght. she used to sny, was more literary than elec tricity. "Please do not light the candles yet, Miss Karwell." tho voice In tbe win dow quietly called. Miss Farwcll went out. and In tbe dark John Gordon could feel bis heart beat heavily. CHAPTER XI. KTER awhile Mis Andrews said: "You say no.' Po you not mean yer" John Gordon lifted np his head. Tbe dusk bad deepened, and be could see only the outline of her face. "You have not answered my ques tion. Miss Andrews. Pld 1 do her an Injustice when I made It a test of her feeling Hint she come down here? Ought I to have asked her to do that?" "Would It be any harder for her to live here than for you or for me or" sho spoke hurriedly "or for any of nsr "She was born and has been reared In great luxury. Of course coming here would mean a complete chnnge from all that" "I do not see how you could have asked anything less." the voice came calmly. "The woman who loved you would exect nothing less." John (tordou did not answer at once. "Then yon think Mis Marsh doc not lov me?" "I did not say that I think she be lieves she does." "But do vou bellev she does?" LW 'ft "Art " Irmrmtnt if h..W tiuiwrliirr .!mllll':'i:im -It l not ralr to ask me!" sue ex claimed, with agitation. Then she laugh ed in her usual happy manner. "Excuse me, Mr. Gordon. I fear I am not com petent to answer all your question YLe realm cf love Is a realm of myste rious contradictions. I urn sure of only ne thing. Tbe test you mude was not too great It was the only test possible. I would woru you, however, as your senior by ten years-that you do not too hastily Judge of your feelings." "But supposing," Gordon went on nervously "supioslng I had begun to feel attracted toward" Ho could not see ber face ut all now and could only feel thnt In some way what be said was unwelcome, lie did not finish, and In the silence Ford cuine into the room aud lighted the candles. Miss Andrews roe and went over to tho table mid asked Ford some ques tlou about the day' work, uud when dinner was announced a few. luinutca biter she went out and took hi-r place at the head of tbe table as usual. When John Gordon cnnie out and took hU eat be saw the placid, cariictit face heightened perhaps in color, but bear ing the usuul quiet seriousness that d!s-tingiilKlH-d her. The talk at table turned uimiii Tommy Raiuiiill nnil his plans. It u:is the cell seiixus of oplii.on that nothing could ba done except In the way of enforcing the' building ordinances. And every body agreed Knit from p:int atfculpt.-i tho probability was very small that Tommy could ever lie convicted. "For my own satisfaction," miid Gor don after they hail discussed every phase of the remurkiiMe sitmitlon, "I wunt to see tho mayor and buvv a per sonal Interview with him. Lot us strike nt headquarter." MIks Andrews smiled sadly. ".lr. Gordon, youth is ulways rash." Gor don colored as If he understood lur to noun It III a double sense. "Hut t:o and the see the mayor. I've no objec tions. Need I say I have seen him sev eral times to uo purHse? Hus a parti san machine any place lu ita mechan ism for human mercies?" Gordon felt abashed. "I did not nieuii to hint that 1 could do anything. I simply wanted to put the city govern ment to the teat in a plain matter of human right and Justice. It will be more for my owu satisfaction and ex perience than anything cUo." "(Jo your ways. You will get the ex perience without fall," answered Misa Andrews, with a look which contained a depth of snducss out of her own ex perience that haunted Gordon all the evening. Nevertheless tho next dny ho went down to the city ball and asked to seo tho mayor. After a delay of half an hour be was admitted. As he entered four men came out of tho room. They wero -talking excitedly, and Gordon could hear the name "Julius Cham bers." "So Julius Chambers la making hliu elf talked about at headquarters," Gordou murmured to himself. "I must know that man." He waa ushered Into the mayor's of fice by the doorkeeper uud faced a slightly built, rather aristocratic look lug uwu, carefully dressed. Gordon had seen him on public occasions, but hud never before met hi in personally. "You ure the sou of the late Itufus Gordon, eh? Yes. Knew your father quite well. He was a stanch supiiorter of the party and a man to be depended u I Kin. Sorry to kuow of his financial losses Just before his denlh." ' The mayor was a soft, ensy spoken man. with a slight hesitation at tho end of his sentences that gave a listen er the idea of mental Indecision, not borne out by his political career. "What can I do for you?" be said suddenly. Gordon was not prepared for It. The tone was suddenly hard, brisk, businesslike. "A god deal. Mr. Mayor, If you will." "That's the usual statement, Mr. Gordon. Thut's what they nil say. Of course you've come to got something. They nil do.'! The mayor spoke with a tone of resignation that struck Gordon as unusually Impersonal. "Yes, sir; 1 did come to get some thing, and I have no apologies to offer for it, because it Is something that any good citizen ought to get, and that Is Justice." "Be specific. Justice Is not delivered here In wholesale lots." "Is it delivered at all?" Gordon burst out. The mayor coolly eyed Iilm. "That depends. State your errand, young mini. lliers are waiting." "Po you know Tommy Kamhill?" The mayor raised his eyebrows. "I know a Hirt of him. Nobody knows all of Tommy." "lie Is one of the biggest rascals In this city." "This Is not news." The mayor looked resigned. "Yes, Mr. Major; It Is news to this administration. What Is this man. Tommy Knndall 7 He Is not an nliicer of the city, be Is not authorized to tak part In Its affairs, yet he dictates" "Be specilic. Others are walling. State your errand, young man." The words came bard. Incisive, like the bit ing of cold steel ou stit'l. Gordon sud denly pulled up. and In live- second he was as cool and clour headed as the Impassive political figure sitting there at bis ih-sk. . In a swift, forceful manner that characterised blm when driven to It by S hostile listener he pictured Randall's prnssed violation of the building ordi nance, the long, heartbreaking fight fs- childhood that Miss Andrews had been making, the gift of the settlement and Randall's contemptuous defiance of nil humanity In his plan of restoring the regular cause of the people's misTy. lie must Imvc stated it wonderfully well, for the mayor was really Inter ested. Once he Interrupted. "Suy that again aliout the window space required In promrti..i to floor area. Po you mean to tell me there nr j 3.(100 dark bedrooms In the WiitonvV- district?" "Three thousand two hundred and seventeen, sir. And children r4 In thrui like" "Go on." tbe mayor s.ii.l lu a low tone. Wben Ooi'dr-n was through, the may or was contemplatively ili nt. "You've come to the wrong place, Mr. Gordon, t can't do anything to Tommy Randall. What you wnnt tu do la to lay a complaint before the city building department. The whole busi ness I under their Jurisdiction and properly should come !cfore them. I j regret exceedingly to hear what yon aay about the tenements. I bad no Idea " -t .. 7.-7nr.-- jj ANcgctable Prcparalionfor As similating iticFoodandBcflula luig the Stomachs and Dowels of Troniolcs Digcslion.Ctptfur ness ami nVstContaius neiilar lijnum.Morphine norliiK'rai. OT NARCOTIC. Alx.fm ytunimn -llnnld Mum? ApcrTccI KVmedy forCon5lirwi Hon, Sour StoukVh.UiarrlkxYi Worms ,( loimilsioiw .Ivwnstv iu-ss mul Loss or Sleep. Facsimile Signature of NEW YORK. -"I tXACT COPY OF WRAPPER. matters were so bad. Of course the hoaxing problem Is a vexed question In nil lanre centers of population, aud all reformers. I believe, are agreed that no problem presents so many" "Io you claim, Mr. Mayor," Gordon interrupted, but his blood always boiled up In blm when a man lied to him, "that yon do not kuow about the tene ment bouse conditions In Waterside district? lias Mlsa Andrews told It so badly that you have forgotten It If" The mayor' face was dark. lie raised his eyes to Gordou, but lowered them again. "You have come to the wrong place .to prefer your complaint, sir. Gj to the city building department la that all your errand'" "It Is," replied Gordon, aud be rose, turned his back on his honor tbe mayor and without nnolher word walked out of the otlice. e.i,! n hud such supreme contempt for a .lcl:i ir.-:o I ar that he used to say it cboki .. I. .i to breathe the same air with blm lu tb came room. At tbe uoou meal he told the story of his Interview with the mayor. Miss Andrews looked nt him quietly. "The same old story. And now" "Now for the city building depart ment." "It'a the regular routine. After that the state board of health, then the irate factory and tenement bouse inspectors, then" iKIie spoke with ber usual deliberate patience, and Gordon colored. "I know. I am simply following bettor iirroon than myself, but" ' i'.ut you are man," sho said wistful ly. "You may succeed wltb some of them." John Gordon looked doubtfuL But In the afternoon be went down to tbe city hall a-iiin, nnd after a long and vexa tious delay he managed to get a bear ing with one of the ollicers of the city building department The superintend ent was in Kurope. Hut a deputy lis tened to blm wltb an air of polite resig nation, as If be were losing valuable time. ' When Gordon wo through, be said: "Oh, Mr. Gordon, that's altogether outside our Jurisdictlou. You'll have to carry your complaint up before tbe state board of health. I can furnish J you with the necessary blanks on.whlcb to make complaint. Are you a regular tenement house Inspector?" "Yes." "Tlieu possibly you will be required to ll le your complaint with the factory nnd tenement bouse Inspector's ootn mlKsion. Sdiiietlines the complaints are made out to one body, sometime to an other." "They have complaints, then, do tlioyj" asked John Gordon Ironically. "Oh, yes, yes," the deputy replied hurriedly. "Sorry wo enn't do anything. Hut the whole affair is outside our de partment. Glad to have met you. Good day, Mr. Gordon." Gordon went right over to the room of the statu board of health. After the usual delay he was ushered Into the olllce of a nervous little man who snid. without turning from bla desk at which ho was writing: "lie so kind ns to state your business; nnd lie brief, as time Is precious." "So is human lifer said Gordon, wbo had refuses the chair at which tb olllcer had nodded when bis visitor en tered. Tho man at the desk Jumped aa If he had lieen unexpectedly hit on tbe back. Then ho turned around and looked at Gordon. "What did you say?" "Yoa said time was precious, and I said. 'Ho Is human life.' Both state ment i are true, but I think mine la more luqiortaiit." "Ah, yes; ssibly, possibly. Will you state your erraud?" Gordon began, but he had not gone far when the man at the desk Inter rupted. "Are you a tenement bouse Inspect- or r "I am." "Regularly qualified?" "I am." "Then you ought to carry tbla com plaint to the board of stste factory and tenement Inspection." "What come after them?" asked Gordon. "Whntr "What is the next public body to which I shall be referred after the fac tiry and tenement Inspection body dc f ANcUctablcPrcparalionforAs- Si m 5 mm For Infar-ts mi3 Children. The Kind Yen Have Always Bought Bears the Signature i use For Over Thirty Years INTERESTINQ When people- are contemplating a trip whether on Ihimiicsi or pleasure, they iinttirally want the Ivl somen obtinaMe as far as fpecl, cniiilurt and safety is o,icnic.l. employ ees of llni Wisconsin Central Line are p.iil to server the public and our trains oner.it-il Sii as to make dope connection sitli tliveruing linos at all junction pcints. Pullman Palace Sleeping and Chair Cars on through trains. Dining Car seivicp unexcelled. Meals served s la Carte. In order to obtain this fin-t class prrice ask the lii ket agent, to sell you a ticket over THE WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES. Direct connect ions at Chicago an-i Mil, waukee forall KaHiern points. . , . For full information rail on your nearest ticket agent, or wile .... Jas. C. I'onh, or J.s. A, t'l.ot v. Gen. l'as. Agl., (iem-r.il Aent, Milwaukee. W is. V-lli Slur k M -.IPf 5ie" s v 7 - J . -fi-fTft-nsiiSHsa-11 Dies its respons'l.llity hi the matter?" The mnn gravely stared nt Gordon. "Don't lot It keep you awake to--nlght" said Gordon, In deep dlsgiiht ns be went out. nnd ns it was t., hito to cull on the stale factory ami tenement Inspection body he went back t.i Hope House, where he made an attempt to give a humorous account of his after noon' experience, but dismally failed, as bo could see by the look on Miss Andrews' face. He went down to the city ball next day and found that tho Male factory Insiiectors mot at regular sessions on tbe 1st of the mouth, l-'r nil tho knowh'dge he could ;aii ,c concluded that the delays be would have to en dure before that Iwsly would consider bis complaint would lie to annoying that Tommy Itandall would have hla double decker all built and Inhabited before the red tape bad nil been un wound from the complaint filed with tbo department. lie came back lo Hope House nnd Lad a conference with Miss Andrews. "I am perfectly anth-'flcd as to this administration," Gordon said, peaking with repressed Indignation. "They are all a sot of polilicnl thieves. What do they care for humanity? Ho far as I can learu there has never boon n con viction during the wbolu of tha present administration for violating tenement bouse ordinance. There have boru numerous complaints filed nt different tlmea, but they have nil boon treated With tbe most Insolent contempt or po litely entered In some department, there to lio untouched. I'.ut there la one course open lo us now, and l'j going to take It." To tu: Vtinthiuiil, of I .ffV In
