THE OlSrATTA DAILY 22 , 1800. BY ROBEKT BAKR. ( Copyright , IBM. by Ilohcrt IJarr. ) CHAI'THIl I. The office cf Monkton & Hope's great factcrx luinR between lieavon nml rartli , nii'l ' ol the particular moment John Sartwoll. mannKcr. stood looklns out of tlio window to ward tlio KBtcij. Heaven conalstca of n lirooil- liiB Lomloti foi ; eusiiemlcil a hundred feet nbovo the town , hesitating to fall , while earth was represented by n sticky black- cindered factory yard bearing the Imprint of many a hundred boots. The offleo was built between the two lingo buildings Itmwn r.s the "Works. " The situation of the ouloo liad cvldontly been an nttcr-thought It was of wood , while the two prcat buildings which It Joined together as If they were Siamese twins of Industry wereof brick. Although no architect had over foreseen the erection the two buildings of Hurh a structure between ings , yet necessity , the mother of Invention , had given birth to what Sartwcll always clalmel was the most conveniently situated oincc In London. More ami more room had been acquired In the big buildings ai busi ness Increased , and the office the soul of . the whole thing had. ns It were , to taku up a position outside Its body. The addition , then , hung over the roadway that passed between the two buildings ; It commanded a vlow cf both front and hark yards , and had. therefore , morellslvt ami nlr than the olllco Sartwell had formerly occupied In the left-hand building. The unique situation caused It to bo free from the vibration of the machinery to a largo extent , and aa a door led Into each build ing , the omco had easy accca-s to both. Sartwcll was very proud of these roams and tlwlr position , for he had planned them , and had thus given the firm much additional space , with no more ground occupied than had been occupied before a moat desirable feat to perform In a crowded city Mlco London. Two rooms at the bad : were set apart for the two members of the firm , while Sart- wcll'a oniceIn the front was three times the size of cither of thcso rooms , and ex tended across the whole space between the two buildings. This was as It should he , for Hartwcll did three times the amount of work the owners of the business accom plished , and , If It came to that , had thrco tlinaa the brain power of the two members of the firm combined , who were there simply because they were the sons of their fathers. Tlio founders of the flnn had , with hard work ami flljrewd management , ealrfbllshcd the largo manufactory , whoso present prosperity was duo to Sartwell. and not to the two men whoso names \vero known to the public as the heads of the business. .Monktrm and Hope wcro timid , cautious , Bomowli.it Irresolute men , as capitalists ( ihnuld he all thr. world over. They had un- hounded confidence In their manager and generally shifted any grave responsibility or unpleasant decision to his shoulders , which l > ere the burdens placed upon them with equanimity. Sartwell was on Iron man , with firm resolute lips and steely blue eyes that were most disconcerting to any ono who had nomotliliiR not quite straight to propose. Even the two partners quailed under these eyes and gave way hoforc them If It came to a conflict of opinion. Sartwcll's rather curt "It won't ilo , you know , " always otled ( things. . . Sarjuoll know Infinitely more about the workrt.'than Ihoy did. for while they had been at ) cbllcsp the future manned' was working , hlavay up Into' .the confldenco of their fa'thers and every step h'u took advanced lib position In the factory. The three men were as nearly as pcaalblo of the same ago and the hair of each was tinged with gray ; Sartwpll'a perhaps more than the othrrn. It was difficult to think of love In connec tion with the two partners , yet It Is pleasing to know that when lovn did como to them at the proper tlmo of life It had como with gold In one hand and n rigid non-conformlot rnnsrlenco In the other. The two had thus added wealth to wealth by marrying , and , w their wives were much taken up with deeds of goodness done only after strict and con- oelontlous Investigation , so that the un worthy might not benefit , and as both Monkton - ton and Hope were somewhat timorous men who were bound to be r ilcd by the women they married , some of their wealth found Its way Into the cofTers of struggling soclctlM and organizations for the relieving of distress. Thus there camp to Improcnate the name of Monkton and Hope ( llmltitl ) a certain odor of sanclty which Is mast unusual In business circles In London. The firm , when once got at , could bo counted on for a subscription almost with certainty , but alas ! It was not easy to get at the firm. The anpllcant had to come under the scrutiny of those oeurch- Ing eye of Sartwell's , which had a per turbing habit of getting rjght at the heart of a matter with astonishing quickness : and , when once he said , "It won't do. you know , " "thcro was no going behind the verdict. A private stairway led from the yard below to the hall In the suspended building which divided the large offleo of the manager from the two smaller prlVfito rooms of the firm. This fitalrway was mwl onlyby the throe men. The clerks and the public came In by the main entrance , wlioro a watchful man " it "behind a little arched open window , over which was painted the word "Inquiries. " Outsldo In the gloom tlie two gre.it lamps over the gateposts flared yellow light down on the clndery rpadway an.d the narrow struct bcyoixl. Through the wide open gateway - way into the narrow stone-paved street poured hundreds of worklngmon. There wn * no Jostling and they went out silently , which was unusual. It seemed as If some- tiling hovered over them oven more depress ing than the grcnt foe ; cloud Just above their heads. Scrtwell , alone In hU nfilco ntooil somewhat back frnm the window un- srcn. and watched their exit grimly , sternly Thi lines about his firm month tightened his lips Into more -than their cus tomary rigidity. Ho noticed that now anO then n workman east a glancn at his win- dmvs , and he knew they cursed him In I In-It' hearts < ns xtnndlng between them and their dcminds. for they were well a warn that the firm wnuld suecumb did Sartwcll but give theword. . The mnnager knew that at their nitctlngn their leader had said npno wm HO hard on worklnsmen as a worknnn who had risen from the ranks. Sartwell's name had been hissed whllo the name of the firm had been cheered , but the manager WM not to bo deterred by unpopularity , although the strained relation * lint ween the men and himself gave him good cauco for anxiety. I A * hr > thought over the situation and nparrnc.1 lilu mind to find whether ho him. * clf were to blame In any way. there wca " n rap at his door. Ho titrneil quIeMy away frir.n the -window , stood by his di-ak , and eald ch.irply , 'Toiuo in. " There entered a young man in workman's ilicss with his cap In hi * hand. lib face was frank , clear-out and Intelligent , nnd ho had wcshcd It when lib work was done , which was a weakness nnt Indulged In by the majority of his companions , "Alt , Mnrctrn , " said/ / the manager , hla . brow I'lparlni ; when ho saw who It was. "Did you gnt that Job done In tlmo ? " "It was off before half-past 5 , ulr. " "Hlslit. Wcro there any obstacles thrown In your wny ? " " .Vono that could not bo Burmoutitsd. . ! r. " "IllKht onaln. That's the way I Hko to .have thlngu done. The young man who can arrompllih Impossibilities la the man for me , and the man who acte aloig In this world. " The younK fellow turned lib cap over and ovrr In his hands , end ulthouRli he wan ovl- dimtly pleased with the commendation of the manager , ho seemed embarrassed. At lm > t ho Mid , hesitatingly : "I am very anxious to get on In the world , tlr. " "Well , 'you may have an opportunity shortly , " replied the manager. Then liu suddenly shot the qucatlon : "Are you people going to strike ? " "I urn. afraid IP. air. " "Why do you ssy 'afraid ? ' Are you Rolnp out with the other * , or do you rail your soul your own ? " "A man cannot fight the union single handed. " "You arc talking to a man who Is going to. " The young man looked up at his master "With you It U different , " he said. "Yoi are hacked by a wealthy company. Whether you win or lose , your situation Is secure If I failed the union. In a crisis I coulc ucvtr got another situation. " Sartncll smiled grimly wncn the youm man montloncd thefirm. . He know tha there lay his weakness rather than his strength , for although the firm had said ho was to have a free hand , jet he was rortali the moment the contest became bitter the firm would bo panic-stricken. Then , If the women took a hand In , the Jig was up. 1 the strikers had known on which sldo their bread was buttered , they would have sen a delegation of their wives to Mrs. Monkton and Mrs. Hope. Hut they did not know this nnd Sartwcll was not the man to show the weakness of his hand. "Yes , " said the manager , "I have the en tire confidence of Mr. Monkton and Mr Hopp. I wonder If the men appreciate thu fact ? " "Oh. yes , sir. they know that. " "Now , Marstcn , have you any Influence with the men ? " "Very little , I'm afraid , sir. " "If you have any , bow b the tlmo to exert It , for their' sakes , you know , not for mine The strike l.i bound to full. Nevertheless I don't forget a man who stands by me. ' The young man shook his head. "If my comrades go , I'll go with them I am not so sure that a strike Is bound to fall , although I am against It. The union Is very strong. Mr. Sartwell. Perhaps you don't know that It Is the strongest union In London. " The manager allowed his hand to hover for a moment over a nest of pigeonholes then ho drew out a paper and handed It to Marstcn. "Thero Is the strength of the union , " ho said , "down to the 17 Ss and 2d they put In the bank yesterday afternoon. If you want any Information about your union Marstcn , I shall bo happy to obllgo you with It. " The young man opened his eyes as ho looked at the figures. "It Is a very largo sum , " he said. "A respectable fighting fund , " remarked fartwell. Impartially , "llut how many Sat urday do you think It would stand the drain of the pay roll of this establishment. ' "Not very many , perhapa. " "It would miprlsc you to know how few. The men look at ono sldo of this question only , while I am compelled to look at two sides. If any Saturday their pay was nol forthcoming , they would not bo pleased , would they ? Now I have to scheme ani plan so that the money Is there every- Sat urday , and besides there must be enough moro to pay the firm for Its Investment am ! Its risk. These little details may not ccem Important to a demagogue who knows noth ing of business , but who can harangue a body of men and make them dissatisfied. I should be very pleased to give them my plaro hero for a month or two whllo I took a rest , and then we would sco whether ho thought there was anything to my point of view. " "Mr. Sartwbll. " said Maratcn. looking suddenly at the manager , "some of the more moderate men asked mo tonight a similar question to ono .of yours. " "What question was that ? " "They asked If I had any Influence with you. " , , "Yes And you , told them ? " . ' "That I didn't know. " ' "Well , you will never know until you test the point. Have you anything to sug gest ? " ' Many are against a strike , but even the more moderate think you are wrong In re fusing to pee the delegation. They t'-lnk the refusal seems high-handed , and that If you worn compelled to reject any requests made , you ought not to let things come tea a crisis without at least allowing the delega tion to present the men's case. " "And do ycu think : I am wrong In this ? " "I do. " "Very well. I will settle tnat In a moment You get some of the more moderate to- , sethcr head the delegation yourself. I will make an appointment with you , and wo will talk the matter over. " The young man did not appear so satisfied with this prompt concession ns might have been expected. Ho did not reply for somn moments , whllo the elder man looked at him critically , with his back against the tall dc.s ! : . At Inst Marstcn spoke : "I could not lead the delegation , being ono of the youngest In the employ of thn firm. The .secretary of the union is the leader the men have chosen. " "Alt ! The secretary of the union. That Is quite a different matter. Ho Is not In my employ. I cannct allow outsiders to Interfere In any business with which I am connected. I am alwajs willing to receive my own men , cither singly or In deputation , and that Is no small matter whrro so many men are nt work ; but If I am to open my office doors to the outsldo world well , life Is too short. For Instance. I discuss these thinga with you. but I should decline to discuss them with any man who dropped In out of the s'-rrct. " "Yea. I see the difficulty , but don't you think you might make- concession In this Instance , to avoid trcublo ? " "It wouldn't bo avoiding trouble , it would merely bo postponing It. It would form a precedent , and I would have thki man or that Interfering time and again. I would have to make n stand some time , perhaps , when I was not so well prepared. If there la to be a fight. I wont It now. We nerd some new machinery In , and we could do with a week's shutdown. " Marsten shook his head. "Tho t-hutflown would he for longer than a wool ; , " ho said. " 1 know that. The strike will last exactly thrco woolcx. At the end of that tlma thcrri will bo no union. " "Perhaps tlcro will also bo no factory. " "You mean that there will be violence ? Very well. In that case the strike will last but a fortnight. You sec , my boy , wo are in London , and thnro are not only the pollco within a raomcnt'n call , but. back of them , the soldlcr.s , and back of them again the whole Urttlsh empire. Oh , no , Marhteu , It won't do , you know. It won't do. " "Tho men are very doturmlned , Mr. Sart well. " "All the better , I Ilka a determined an tagonist. Then you get things r.cttlod oncn for all. I don't object to a square. itUndup fight , but eternal haggling and higgling , and eeelng deputations anil arbitrations , and all that sort of thing , I cannot endure , Let us know where we are , and then got on with our work. " "Then you have nothing to propose , Mr. Sartwell ? Nothing conciliatory , I mean , " "Certainly I have. Let the men request that blatant nss Gibbons to attend to hla t.cretarlal . duties , and then let a deputation from our own workshopo come up and tec mo. Wo'll talk the matter over , and If they have uny Jiut grlovancu I will rcnu-dy It for them. What can bo fairer than that ? " "It's gut to ho a matter of principle wit ) : the men now that Is , the Inclusion of Gib bens luia. It means recognizing of the union. " "Oil , I'll reroEnlro tha union and take off my hat to It ; that Is , eo far aa my own employes are concerned. Ilut I will not have an outsider , who known nothing of this bimlnctis , come up here and spout his nonsense. It's a matter of principle with mo as well os with tha men. " Marcten sighed. . "I'm afraid there la nothing for It then but a fight , " he ualj. "Perhapa not. Ono fool makes many. Thlnl ; well , iMantcn , which sldo you are going to bo with In this fight. I loft a union , and although I W.IH older than you at the time , I never ropeutcd It. It kept me out of employment , but not for long , and they kept me out of it In the very liusl- ntva of which I am now manager , Thu union U founded on principles that won't do , you Ucow. Any scheme that tetids to glvo i\ poor workman the sumo wages as a good workman b all wrong. " "I don't ngreo with you , Mr. Sartwcll , The only hope for the worklngnian > ls In combination. Of course , wo mnkn mistakes , and are led away by demagogues , but some day there will bo a strike led by an In dividual Napoleon , and then wo will nettle things once for all , as you eatd a whllo ago. " Sartwrll laughed nnd hold out his hnnd. "Oh , that's your ambition , Is It ? Well , good luck attend you , my young Napoleon , I should have chosen Wellington , If 1 had been you. Good night. I am waiting for my daughter , to whom I foolishly gave permis sion to call for mo hero In a cab. " Marnten held the hand extended to him so long that the manager looked at him In astonishment , The color had mounted from the young man's checks to hla brow and his cyco wcro on the floor , " .Mr. Sartwell , " ho said with an effort. "I came tonight to speak with you about your daughter , and not about the strike. " The manager dropped Ms hand as If It had been red hot , and stepped back two paces. ' 'About my daughter ? " he cried , sternly. "What do you mean ? " Maratcn had to moisten hla lips once or twice before he could reply. Ilia released hand opened nnd shut nervously. " 1 mean , ho said , "that I am In love with her. " The manager sat down In the office chair bcalde- his table. All the former friendliness had left his face and lib dark brows lowered over hh keen eyes , Into which their usual cold clltter had returned. "What folly Is this ? " ho cried , with rising anger. "You are a boy , and from the gutter at that , for all I know. My daughter Is but a child yet ; she Is only " Ho paused. Ho had been about to say 17 , when It occurred to him that l.o had married her mother when oho was but n year older. MarMon's color became a deeper red when the manager Hpolto eo contemptuously of the gutter. Ho said slowly , and with a certain dogRcdncsa In hh tone : "It Is no reproach to como from the gutter the reproach Is In staying there. I have left It , and I don't Intend to return. " "Oh , Intend ! " cilrd the manager , Im patiently. "We all know what Is paved with Intentions. Why , you have never even spoken to the girl ! " "No , but I mean to. " "Do you ? Well , I shall take very good care that you do not. " "What have you against me , Mr. Sart well ? " "What Is there for you ? Perhaps you will kindly specify your recommendations. " "You ore very hard on me , Mr. Sartwell. You know that If I came from the gutter what education I have I gave to myself. I feroncc , nnd.tta that difference lived again the dead mother. "Bdna , " Md her father , when they wer alone , "you.imust not como to this ofllc again. " , , Thcro wa ntnoro , sharpness In his ton than ho wa\jqmi \ tomed to use toward hi daughter amtub * looked up at him quickly "Havo I Interrupted an Important con fcrenco ? " sheinskcd. "What did Uho young man want , foUien ? " "Ho wanted .something I was unable to grant. " jj , "Oh , I ami.Bo sorry ! Ho did appear dls appointed. Was It a situation ? " "SomothltiKioCotho sort. " " ' It to him "And whyCouldn't you give Wasn't ho M'Ortliy ? " "No , no. iNo , inol" "Ho seemed .to me to have such n gooi face honest and straightforward. " "Hood grr.clous , child , what do you know about faces ? Do not Interfere In buslnee matters ; you don't understand thoin. Don' chatter , chatter , chatter. Ono woman who does thatIs enough In a family all a mat can stand. " The daughter became silent ; the fathe pigeon-holed noino papers , took them ou again , rearranged them , ami placed then back. lie wno regaining control over him self. Ho glanced at his daughter and saw tears In her eyes , "There , there. Kdna , " hu snld. "It Is al right. I'm & little worried tonight , that's all. I'm afraid there's going to bo trouble with the men. It Is a dlfllcult situation , and I have to deal with It alone. A strike seems Inevitable , and ono never can tell where I will end. " "And Is ho one of the strikers ? It sccma Impossible. " A look of annoyance swept over her father's faco. "He ? Why the . Kdna , you return tea a subject with all the persistency of a woman. Yes.He will doubtless go 01 strike tomorrow with all the rest of the fools. He Is a workman , If you want to know , and furthermore , ho Is going on strike when he doesn't belle\o In it golnf merely because the others go. He r.dmtttci It to mo shortly before you came In. So you sco how much you arc able to read a man's face. " "I shouldn't have thought It , " said the girl with a sigh. "Perhaps if you hni given him what he wanted ho would not go on strike. " "Oh. now you nro making him out worse than even I think him. 1 don't Imagine ho Is bribable , you know. " "Would that be bribery ? " "Suspiciously like It ; but he can strike or not as ho wishes ono more or Icsa doesn'l MK. MAKSTKN , MR. SAHTWELL ANM 3HTJ2U. liavu studied hard and worked hard.- Docs that count for nothing ? I have a good character and I have a good .situation " "You have not. I discharge you. You will call at the offleo tomorrpw , cct your week's money , and go. " "Oh ! " * . ' - "Yc.s , 'oh. ' You did notthink that of me , did you ? " ' "I did not. " "Well , for once you are right. I merely wish to show you how your good situation depends on the caprice of one-man. I have no In'entlon of discharging you. I am not so much afraid of you as'that. . I'll look after my daughter. " Marstcn said bitterly : "Gibbons , ass that ho Is , Is right when 10 says that no ono is aa hard ou n work- nan as one who has risen from the ranks. You were no better oft than I am when you wcro my age. " Sartwcll sprang to his feet , his eyes ablaze with an cr. "Pay attention , young man , " ho cried. 'All the things you have done I have done. Ml the things you Intend to do I have already done. I have In a measure educated nysulf , and I have worked hard night and day. I have attained a certain position , a certain rcfpocsiblllty , and a certain amount of money. I have had little pleasure and nuch toll In my life , and I am now growing old. Yet as I look back I see that there was as much luck as merit in what succces I have had. I was ready when the chance came , that was all. If the chance hamln't come , all my readiness would have done no little good. For 0110 man who succeeds a dozen , equally deserving , fall. Now , why iavo I gone through all this ? Why ? For nysnlf ? Not likely. I have done It GO that she may not have to bo that tired drudge a workman's wife eo that she may begin , vhero 1 leave off. That's why. For mjaelf , would as soon wear a workman's Jacket as a manager's coat. And now , having gone hrough all this for her sake you talk of eve ! What is your lore for her compared o mine ? Wbon I have done all this that she might never know what It means , shall I 1m fool enough , knave enough , idiot enough , to thrust her back where I begun at the beck of the first mouthing ranter vho has the impudence to ask for her ? Jo , , no ! Now you have had your uiver. . get out , and don't dara to set foot n thla ofllco until you are sent for. " Sartwcll In his excitement smote the desk vlth his clenched (1st ( to emphasize his scn- eco3. Mart > ton shrank before his vehe- iiL'iico , realizing that no workman had over seen the manager angry before , and ho Ireaded the resentment that would rise In Sartwell's heart when the coldness returned. He felt that ho would have been more llplomatlc to have left sooner. Noverthe- ros , ticcing that things could bo no worse , 10 stood his ground. "I thought , " ho said , "that It would bo lonurable In me to let you know " "Don't talk to mo of honor. Get out. " At that moment the door from the private stairway opened and a young girl came In. Icr father had completely forgotten his tnpolntmcnt with her , and both men were aken aback by her entrance. "I knocked , father , " she said , "but you did not hear me. " "In a moment , Kdna. Just step into the mil for a moment , " said her father hurri edly. "I beg of you net to leave , Miss Sartwcll , " aid Martiteii , going to the other door and opening It. "Goodnight , Mr. Sartwell. " "Goodnight , " said the manager , shortly. "Goodnight , Miss Sartwcll. " "Goodnight , " said the girl sweetly , with ho suggestion of a bow. Tlio eyes of the two men mot for n mo- iient , the obstinacy of the race In each , but ln > eye of the younger man said defiantly : "I have spoken to her , you bee. " CHAPTER II. Wo opeak of our Individuality as If such a lilng really existed as If wo were actually ursclvcs , forgetting that wo arc- but the urn of various qualities belonging to nccstors , most of whom are dead and eon md forgotten. The shrewd business man In lie city Imagines that his keen lustlncta ore 11 his own ; ho does not recognize the fact hat those admirable attributes which enable ilm to form a Joint stock ; company helped n ancestor in the -middle ages to loot a own , or a highwayman of a later day to t'llevo a fellow subject of a full purse on u empty heath. Kdna Sartwell poesCKsed QUO visible , un- cnlablc , easily recognized token of hercd- ty ; she had her father's eyes , but softened nd luralnoiw and disturbingly beautiful- yes to haunt a man's dreams. They had one of the searching , rapier-like Incisive- ess that made her father's eyes weapons f offense end defense , but they wore lib , with kindly , womanly dlf- , I 11 matter to mci L hopt ? . If they go , they will go In a body-m-iew. ' remaining would only compllcato.jbjns.s. Now that you understand 'all. .about the situation , are1 you satlafled ? It Isn't "cYciy w"oman I would discuss It with , you. know , so < you ought to bo flat tered. " . - Sartwcll was his own man once more , and ho was mentally resolving not to be thrown off the center again. "Yea , 'father , and fhank you , " said the girl. "Theab Is waiting , " she added , more to lei hlnijkriow that so far as she was concerned the discussion was ended , than to Impart the Information conveyed In her words. ' 'Let It wait. That'o what cabs are for. The cabby usually Ilkea It better than hurry- Ing. Sit down a moment , Kdna ; I'll he ready presently. " The girl sat down beside her father's table. Usually Mr. Sartwcll preferred his desk to his table , for the desk was tall , where a man Manila when he writes. The dcok had three compartments with a lid to each. These were always locked and Sartwoll's clerks had keys to two of them. The third was supposed to contain the manager's most private papers , as no one but himself ever saw the Inside of It. The lid locked automatically when It was shut and the small key that opened It dangled at Sartwcll's watch chain. Kdna watched her father as ho unlocked ono after another of the compartments and apparently rearranged his papers. There was ui ujo uuuui ins aciionn a certain well de fined purpcde , but the girl could not help noticing that now ho appeared Irresolute and wavering. Ho seemed to bo marking time rather than making progress with any definite work. She wondered if the comliiR strike was worrying him moro than ho had been willing to admit. She wished to help , but know that nothing would be moro acceptable to him than simply leaving him alone. She also knew that when her father aald he would be ready to go home with her at a certain hour , he usually was ready when that hour camo. Why , then , did ho delay his departure ? At last Sartwcll closed down the lid of one desk and locked It as If ho were shutting In his wavering purpose ; then ho placed the key from his watchguard In the third lock and threw back the cover. An electric light dangling by a cord from the celling throw- down Into the desk rays reflected by a cir cular opal shade that covered the lamp. The manager gazed for a few moments Into the desk. then , turning- his daughter , said : "Edna , you startled mo when you came In tonight. " ' \ "I am very 'norry , father. Didn't you ex pect me ? " > - ; "Yea , but not at that moment , as It hap pened. You are growing very like your mother , my girl. " There was ft pause , Kdna not knowing What to say. Her father seldom spoke of lib dead wife and Kdna could not remember her mother. "Somehow I dt not realize until tonight that you were ! growing up. You havu al- wajs been my bjby to mo. Then suddenly you came Inh ydna , she was only four years dldcr than/you when she dh-d. You see , my deaip'altliougli I grow older , she always remains young but I somotlmcn think that .tio young man who was her liusband la dead , too , for there is not much likcncHS to hlnhln mo , " Sartwell Imtfjljecn drumming lightly with lib fingers bitv < ( Ul ( ' ' "sk top as ho spoke. Mow ho rcaclr i i'ufc nnd turned off the elec tric light , as 4k tb | brilliancy troubled him. The lamp.InltLBjSientcr of the room was sufilclcnt , and'lf Uwt him in the shadow. "I suppose Micro comes a time In ( ho life of every fwher when ho learns , with something of a \iock , that the llttlo girl who has been playing about his knee Is a young woman It Is like when a man hcara lilmsolf alluded to as old for the first time. I well remember how It made mo catch my breath when I first heard myself spoken of as an old man. " "Hut you are not old. " cried the girl , with a llttlo indignant half sob In her voice , Sbo wished to go to her father and put her arms around his neck , but she felt Intui tively that he desired her to stay whore she was until ho flnlshiHl what ho had to say. "I am getting ou In that direction. None of us grow younger but the dead , I sup pose a daughter is as blind to lior father's growing old as ho b to her advancing womanhood , llut wo won't talk of my age. Wo are welcoming the coming rather than speeding the going tonight. You and I , ISdnu , must realize that wo , In a measure , begin life on a now linowith each other. Wo are both grown-up people. When your mother was a llttlo older than you are I had her portrait painted. She laughed at mo and called me extravagant. You sco , wo were realty very poor , und sbo thought , poor girl , that a portrait of herself > was not exactly a necessity. I have thought ulnco that It was the ono necessary thlni ? * I eve bought. I had It copied , when I got richer by A noted painter , who did It moro os favor to mo than for the money , for painter do not care to copy other men's worl Curiously enough , ho madea more strlldn likeness of her than the original was Como hero , my girl , " Kdna sprang to her father's dido an railed her hand llchtly on his shoulder Sartwcll turned on the electric light. A the bottom of the desk lay a largo portral of a most beautiful woman. The light slion down on the facet nnd the fine eyes lookci smilingly up at thorn , "That was your mother , Edna , " said th father , almost In a whisper , speaking wit ! difficulty. The girl was crying softly , trying nol t let her father know It , Her hand ntol from the shoulder next her to the other , hi hand caressed her fair hair. "Poor father ! " she said , trying to speak bravely. "How lonely you must have been I seem to to understand things that didn't before as If I had suddenly grown old. " They looked at the picture for some tlm together In silence , then she said : "Why did you never show mo the per trail before ? " "Well , my dear , It was hero and not al the house , and when you wcro a small glr you did not come to the olllce , you know Then , you see , your stepmother had the responsibility of bringing you up and and somehow I thought It wouldn't be giving her n fair chance. The world Is rather harden on stepmothers" lie hurriedly closed the desk. "Come , come. " he cried , brusquely , this won't do , you know , Kdna. llut this Is what I want to say. 1 want you to re member to understand , rather that you and I arc , as It were , alone In the world there Is a bend between ws In that , cs well as In the fact that wo nro ns father nnil daughter. 1 want you always to feel that I am jour best friend , and there must never come any misunderstanding between us. " inure iiuvur LUUIII , luiuui , umu tuu iii , solemnly , "That's right , that's right. Now If any thing should happen to trouble you , I want you to come to me and tell mo nil about It. I wish there to ho complete confidence be tween us. If anything perplexes you. tell me ; If It is trivial I want to knew , and If It Is serious I want to know. Sometimes an apparently trivial problem is really a eerlous one , nnd vice versa , and remember. It Is almost as Important to classify your problem as to solve It. That's where I can help you ; for even If I couM not disentangle the skein , I could perhaps show ycu that It was not worth unravelling. " The girl regarded her father earnestly while he t'poke , and then , as If to show that n woman'a Intuition wilt touch the spot iround which n man's reason Is elaborately circling , she startled him by saying : "Father , something has happened concern ing me that lies made you anxious on my account. Whaf Is it ? I ihlnk I ihould Kinw. Haa my stepmother been saylnu " "No. no , my child , your stepmother has : cen saying nothing about you. And If she iad 1 would not that la. I would have no ir<atlon ln > letting you know what It was. You mustn't Jump nt conclusions ; perhaps : am talking with unnecessary seriousness ; all I wish to Impress upon you Is that , al though I am seemingly absorbed In Inislnws , you are much more Important to mo than anything else that , in fact , since your iiothcr died , you nro the only person who las been of real importance to mo , and so f you want anything let me know a now- rock , for Instance , of exceptional expenslve- less. 1 think you will find that where your iapplnes.s Is concerned I shall not allow any prejudices of mine to stand In the way. " The girl looked up at her father with a smile. "I don't think my happiness will bo en- tangcrcd for lack of n new gown , " she said. "Well , drcos Is very Important , Edna , wo nustn't forget that , though I merely In stanced dress for fear you would take mu oo seriously. And now , my girl , let us so ionic. This Is our last conference In this office , you know , and there has somehow entered Into It the solemnity that pertains o all things done for the last tlmo. Now , If ou are ready , I am. " "Not quite , father. You see , I llko this ofllcc I always did and now after tonight It will always seem sacred to me. All this alk has been about an Insignificant person ind her clothes but what Impresses me , ather , b how much alone you have been nearly all your life. * I never realized that > efore. Now , after this you niU3t talk over our business with me ; I mny not bo able o help , at first , but later on , who can tell ? Then it will flatter mo by making mo tblnli our compact Is no' one-aided. Is It a bar gain , father ? " "It Is a bargain , Kdna. " The father drew the daughter toward him and the bargain was scaled. Ho turned out ho lights and they hurried down the stairs o thu slumbering cabman. The fog had cached down almost to the top of his head. "Waterloo station , main line , " cried Sart- vcll , sharply. "Ycsslr , " said the cabby , exceedingly wide wake , as he gathered up the reins. The ortcr opened the gates. "everything all right. Perkins ? " "All right , air , " answered the porter , ouchlng his cap. "Keep a sharp lookout , you know. " "Yes , sir. " The rapidly lessening rattle of the hansom own the narrow street came back to Pcr- cins as he closed the big gates for the night. CHAPTER III. As father and daughter approached Wlm- ilcton a mutual silence came over them , 'crimps this was because they had talked EO inch In the ofllce. When they passed the tatlon gates Sartwcll said : "We'll have a cab , Kdua , and blow the xpensc. " "I don't mind walking In the least ; there s no fog here. " "Wo'roso late , so we'll have a cab. " Once nslde , ho added , reflectively : "I wonder hy It Is that a cab seems extravagance in Vlmbleton and economy In London. " This apparently was a problem neither of tic in could solve , so nothing more was said ntll the vehicle drew up at the door of a vailed garden in a quiet street near the reezy common. Sartwell put his key In the oor , held It open , and let his daughter a&s In before him , A square bouse stooi bout 100 yards back from the street , sur- oundcd by slmibbcry and flower beds. The wo walked somewhat gingerly up the runchlng gravel path , opened the from oor , and entered a dimly-lighted hall , artwell placed his hat on the rack , pushed pen the dining room door and went In , ils tlmo preceding his daughter. There ere many comfortable chairs in the room , ml ono that was not comfortable. On thai hair sat a woman , tall and somewhat angu- ar , past the prime of life , She sat ox- ecdlngly upright , not allowing her shoul- ers to rest against the chair back. On her face was a patient expression of mitigated martyrdom , the expression of ono who was badly used by a callous world , but who Is resolved not to allow its Ill-treatment to Interfere with her Innate Justice In dealing with her fellows. "I thought I heard a cab drive up and stop , " she eald , mildly , In the tone of one who may bo wrong and Is willing to be. corrected. "You did , " said Sartwcll , throwing hlm- aclf down In an arm chair , "Doing late , I took a cab from the elation. " "Oh ! " Much may bo expressed by nn apparently meaningless Interjection. This ono signi fied that Mrs. Sartwcll , whllo shocked at such an admission , bowed to the Inevitable , recognizing that she was mated with a man not amenable to reason , and that , whllo slio might say much on tlio Influence of unnec essary lavIshnesH , oho repressed herself , al though tilio know she would have no credit for her magnanimity. After a few moments of silence , during which Mrs , Sartwoll critically examined the sowing on which ho was engaged , she looked across at her husband and said : "I may ask , I suppose , If It was business kept you so late ? " "Important business. " She sighed , "It always b. I should know that by tub tlmo without asking. Some men make busi ness their god , although It will prove a god of clay to call upon when the end comes , There Is mich a thing as duty as well an business , and a man vhould have oome llttlo thought for hla wife and hla home. " This statement seemed so Incontrovertible that Sartwell made no effort to combat It , He sat there with lib head thrown back , his eyes closed , and his hands clasped sup porting his knee. This attitude Mm. Sart wcll always regarded aa the last refuge of the scoffer an attitude be would bo called upon to account for , na a sinner must ac count for ovl ! deeds. "Father Ims had moro than usual to worry him nt the ofllco today , " said Kdna. Slip stood by the table , having removed her hut and gloves. A look of mild surprise came over Mrs. Snrlwoil's toco. She turned her head slowly around , and coldly scrutinized her step daughter from head to foot , She apparently became aware of her presence for the first tlmo , which may bo explained by the fact that the younR woman entered the room behind her father. "Kdna. " aald Mm. Sartwell , "how often have I told you not to put > our hat nnd gloves on the dining room table. There Is a place for everything. 1 am sure that when you visit your father's olllce , which you arose so fond of doing , you find everything In Its place , for ho b at least methodical. You certainly do not take your disorderly habits from him , and everybody , except , perhaps , your father nnd yourself , admits that you llvo In an orderly household. How did yet get that Dtaln on your frock ? " Kdna looked quickly down at her nklrt. The hansom wheel had. nlas. left Its mark. 1 wo-aml-aK an hour dnes not represent all the Iniquities of a hansom on a muddy day."You "You are my despair , Kdna , with your carelessness , and nn ono knows how It hurts mo to say so. Thst frock you have had on only " "Kdna , " cried her father , peremptorily , "aro you hungry ? " "No , father. " "Sure ? " "Quito sure. I am not in the least hungry. " "Then go to bed. " Kdna cnmo around the table to where her stepmother sat , and kissed her on the cheek. "Good night , " she said. "Good night , my poor child , " murmured Mrs. Sartwell with a sigh. The girl kissed her father , whispering as Him lllit an * "I'm afraid I'm your llttlo girl again by the way yo'i order mo off to bed. " "You will always be my llttlo girl to me , my dear. " ho said. "Good night. " Mrs. Sartwell sighed again as Kdna closed the door. "I suppose. " she said , "you think It fair lo me to speak In whispers to Kdna when I am In the room , or you wouldn't do It. How you can expect the child to have any respect for mo when you allow her to whH- pcr " "Is there anything to cat In the house ? " "You know thcio Is always something to cat In the house. " "Then will you ring , or shall I ? " "You can't expect servants to sit up all night- " "Very well ; glvo mo the keys nnd I will get something for myself. " .Mid. Sartwell's lips trembled as she folded icr work methodically , enclosing needle , hlmble. and various paraphernalia of sew- ng In the bundle , placing It exactly where t should be lu the work basket. The keys Inglcd at her waist as she rose. "I am ready , and always have been , to ; ct what you want whenever you want t. Perhaps I expect too much , but I think jou might ask for It civilly. If you treat your men as you do your wife , It's no won- ler they strike. " Sartwell made no reply , sitting there with ils oyea closed , until his wife , with a quaver n her voice , told him his supper waa ready. t was a plentiful spread , with a choice of beer or spirits to drink , for ono of Sartwcll's vcakncsscs was the bcilcf that to work well . man must eat well. Although his wife lid not believe In nor approve of this tampering , oho nevertheless provided well or him , for Is not a woman helping In such a case ? As the man of the house ate In Hence she looked at him once or twice over icr sewlug and finally said , pathetically : "I am sure Kdna was hungry , but was ifrald to say so , you wcro so gruff with her. ) no would think that If you had no feeling or your wife you would have some for your only daughter. " Sartwell cut another fillco from the cold olnt and transferred It to his plate. "I am accustomed to It , I hope , by this line , but who Is young and nothing warps ho character of the young llko uncallcd- or harshness and imlUmliipsa. You are illnd to her real faults and then you are ovcro when there la no qccnslon for severity. What had the child done that you should order her off to bed In that fashion ? " There was a pause for a reply , but-no reply amc. Mrs. Sartwcll was accustomed to his , as she had said , but .there b a brutality of silence as well as a brutality of speech , o she scanned her adversary as ono does vho Hi-arches for a Joint In the armor where ho nword'a point will enter. Then Rhc took a firm grasp of the hilt and pressed It gently onvard. Turning over her sewing , and sigh- ng almost inaudlbly to It , she remarked , quietly : "As I said to Mrs. Hope when she called " "Said to whom ? " snapped Sartwcll , turn- ng around suddenly , "Oh , I thought you were never Interested n my callers. I suppose I am allowed to iavo some private friends of my own. Still , f you wish mo to sit In the house all day lone , you have but to say so and I will bey. " "Don't talk nonsense. If you can help it. Vliat was Mrs. Hope doing here ? " "She was calling on me. " "Quite so. I think I understand that much. Vhat was her mission ? What particular fad vas on Hila tlmo ? " "I should think you would bo ashamed to peak llko that about your employer's wlfo hen she did your wlfo the honor to consulter " er "Alinllt I1int9 nPlinfr la Ilin i\nt t T \in ti t t e\ et at. " "About the strike. " "Ah ! " A glint of anger came Into Sart- vcll's eyes , and his wlfo looked at him with cine uncAslncss. "Mrs. Hope is a woman who goes about olng good. She is much interested In the ion at the 'works , ' and thinks of calling n their wives and families to see for hcr- elf how they live. She thinks perhaps omethlng may be done for them. " "Does she ? " "Yes. She wonders It you are quite pa- Icnt and tactful with them. " "And came to find out ? You told her. o doubt , that I studied tact from you , and as therefore all right as far as that was oncerncd. " "I told her the truth , " said Mrs. Sart- ell. hotly. "Which was " "That you wore an obstinate , domineering man , who would brook no opposition. " "You lilt the bull's-eye for once. What did she say ? " "She said she hoped you considered the men's hclplcas families. " "And you answered that , not having any consideration for my own , it was not likely that I would give much thought to the wives and families of the men. " "I didn't say so , but I thought It. " "Admirable self-restraint. Now , look hero. Sarah , you're playing with flro and haven't the sense to know It. Mrs. Hope b a med dling , hysterical fool , and "You wouldn't dare to say that to your employer. " "Now , that remark chows that n woman of your caliber can live for years with a man and not begin lo understand him. The trouble Isthat I shall nay Just that very thing to my employer , as you delight to call him , the moment lib wlfo pulii her linger In the pie. Then what follows ? " "You will lose your situation , " "Kxactly. Or , lo put It more truthfully , I resign- - ! walk out Into the street. " "You surely would do notliliiK so foolish. " "That follows instantly when I am com pelled to give. Mr. Hope my opinion regard ing bis domcfttlc relations. Then what will become of your Income ? Will Mis. Hope contribute , do you thlnlf ? Do you aspire tea a place on her charity list ? Whatever your opinion of mo , privately hold nr publicly expressed , you must admit that I have ut least provided money enough to keep the house going , and you have surely the senuo to appreciate tliut. You never could ceo an Inch ahead of your nose , or rc-alUo that effect follows caune a Inevitably an fate. How a woman can describe n man no obstinate and domineering , impatient of all control , and then deliberately wag her tongue to bring about the very Interference that she must know , if die believes what she has said , ho will not stand , pasties my comprehension. The result of your gossip today may be that I shall bo looking for another xltuatlon tomorrow. " Mm. Hartwoll had bten weeping during the latter part of this harangue. "It Is always me , " ulio nobbed , "that b to blame for everything wrong. Your haaty , ungovernable tamper b ncvnr at fault , If run made mo moro of a confidante In your affairs other men coimult their wives , better men than you , and richer than you will over bo. Mrs. Hope says that her hus band " Ti "I don't want to hear any moro about T Mrs. Hope , " "You Insisted on talking about her , t didn't want to say anything , but you crosn- questioned mo Mil I had to , and now you blame mo. " "Very well. Let It rest thero. Ilrlnff mo ft Jug of milk , If you plenso. " "You are eurcly not going ( o drink milk after beer ? " I claim the liberty of a Rrltbh subject to" { . , drink any mortal thing I enooso to drink. . „ Don't let us have an argument about It. " "llut you won't sleep n wink , John , It you do. It's for your own good I speak , " "Kverythlng Is for my own good , Sarah. Pcrhaiwi that's what makes mo so Impa tient. " "Well , you know how you arc after a bad night. " "Yc.s , yes. I think I have earned my bad night , anyhow. Go the milk , or tell ma where to get It. " Mrs. Sartwell always two when her husband - band offered to help lilmsolf from the 1 aril or. She placed the Jug of milk at his elbow , "I've got a number of things to thin * over , " ho said. "I want to bo alone. " She stood by the table looking at him. "Goodnight. John. " she faltered at last. "Goodnight , " ho answered. She ga/ed at him reproachfully In silence , but ho did not raise his head. so. turning at . last , with a deep sigh , she left him to hb meditations. Sartwell sat there with deep anxiety on his brow. Sllenco fell on all the house. At last the master roused himself and turned to the table. Ho buttered two slices of bread and cut a piece of dainty cake , placing them on a plato with a drliikltiR glass. Lighting a camllo nnd turning out the gas , ho set himself to the acrobatic feat of carrying a plato. Jug and candle. IIrst ho sottly opened the door and kicked off his slippers. Awkwardly laden , ho mounted tlio stairs with the stealthy tread of a burglar , but In spllo of his precautions tlio stairs croaked ominously In tlio still ness. Ho noiselessly entered a room , nnd , placing tlio difficult load nn a table , softly closed tlio door. When tlio Unlit sltono oil the sleeping girl's face she opened her cyii very wide , then covered them with her hand , laughing a quiet , sleepy llttlo laugh , and burled her face In the white pillow. "H usli. " said bur father. Instantly sbo was wide awake. "I was afraid you were hungry after all , " ho whispered. "I wasn't then , really , but I am now o little. " "That's good. " Ho placed a small , round Gypsy table near the bed and put the plato and ] UK of- milk upon It. "You knew , of course , when I spoke , that I merely wanted you to got a long night's rest. You were tired , you know. " "Oh , I know that , father. " "Then , good night , my dear. Perhaps It was foolish to wake you up , but you will soon drop off asleep ngaln. " "In a minute , nnd this does look tempt- IniJ. I Just wanted a glass of milk. It'u so good of you , father. " She drew his head down and kissed him. "I hope you'll alcep well , " she added. "I'll bo sure to. " At the door bo stopped. Then , after n moment , whispered , cautiously : "Kdna , you'll take the things down In the morning yourself , quietly. The serv ants , you know well , they doii't llko extra trouble sometimes. " "Yes , father , I understand. " Sartwcll stele quietly out llko a thief In the nleht. ( To Ho Continued. ) * Might have Changed the Map of Europe. AT the „ jTi Battle of Waterloo the great Napoleon. . was co pros trated from Nephritis. . ( Inflamma tion of the Kidneys ) . . H that for more than an hour the bailie jjj was left to his subordinates , with the BJ result that the fortunes of war went B against him. Had E B been known at the time , Napoleon need not have been ill at such a H suprcma moment , nor his star suf- fl fercd eclipse. 5 While all cannot be Napoleons , 3 all can be spared the illness which S resulted in hb downfall. 5 Lirce tonic , or new ityle , smaller one , it your rl | ! Q.i3'G B B B'ET B Q Q" H"H"D"H7il * Y purchasing goods nuulo nt tin : following Nebras ka factories. If yon can * not Ihul what yon want , communicate with the manufacturers as to \v h a t dealers handle * their goods. = ; DAGS. BU11LAP AND TWINE. III3MIS OMAHA 1IACJ CO. Manufacturers of all kinds of cotton and bur lap bait * , cotton Hour nark * end twlno a pee lafiy. CHfilCl8 H. Hill St. EUEWEIUE3. OMAHA IlltUWI.M ; ASSOCIATION. 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