St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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A SON OF TWO IVORLDS 29 Mildred, he whispered, there is one thing that money cannot buy. lt is as priceless as the stars of the heavens. Vlfe all strive to obtain it, and I will promise to return to my people if you will be mine when I return. Then followed days of happy planning, days in which he realized as he never had before the joy of living. Mildred arranged a meeting with Gordon Phillips, the out- come of which was that the latter was given full charge of his business interests. All too soon came the day of his departure. He had made Phillips promise to entertain Mildred in his absence, but the thought of his own loneliness depressed him. HI have a wonderful message for my people, he said to her as they waited for the train to pull out. America and the American life are wonderful. They must not cut themselves off from the outside world. Since I have been here, l have realized that every one has a definite, active part to play in the great scheme of life. that there is no room for idle onlookers. The bell rang, and with a fervent promise to return as soon as possible. he left her. San Francisco and the end of the hrst lap of his journey found him still more depressed. Hoping that the fresh sea breeze would revive his spirits, he took a trip to the beach. As he stood on the esplanade, gazing out at the white-capped billows rushing fiercely in and breaking harmlessly on the glistening sand, he felt even more the desire to abandon his trip and return to Chicago. lt was as if some powerful magnetic force was exerting an in- fluence over him, drawing him back to the girl of his dreams. lN l1y should I leave happiness behind me, he re- flected, when this mission was thrust upon me? A picture of his island home drifted before him. There was his father. waiting nervously for his return. Then sud- denly this vision faded away. He turned, and walked toward

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ZR THE IGNA TIAN sounded, and set the heart of .Iohn Strong beating with increased vigor. I-Iis mission, his island home, his busi- ness,-all were forgotten. He had fallen in love. Nlilien we find him, after three years of sipping knowledge from the American font, he is seated on a large divan before a comfortable open fireplace, and beside him is Miss Mildred VVorth. Her mass of sun- beam hair is tucked down over her ears, and her big' blue eyes are fairly sparkling with vivacity. For some time they sat in silence, while Strong gazed intently at the Flames as they Hickered to and fro. Finally he spoke. For three years I have rushed studying, learning' more of its customs, thinking of my people. If there to notice their presence every day of nothing were girls But from madly on, working, of your world and except the salvation around me, I failed the First moment I met you everything has been dilterent. Since then. I have been able to think of only one thing. Fate has drawn me across the waters to your side, and fate has put this consuming desire for you into my heart. I dare not drive it out: I could not even if I would. It isnit because I do not love you that I hesitate to promise to marry you, she replied, but because I realize that you are not free. You owe a debt to your people that must be paid. How could I marry you, knowing that by so doing I was keeping you from them? If you will promise to leave at once for your island home, I will agree to marry you on your return. She paused and waited for his answer. Hut, he interrupted, what will become of my business interests? I cannot leave them uncared for. I will take care of them. Gordon Phillips is as clever a young fellow as you would want to represent you, and he will do anything that I request.

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30 THE IGNA TIAN the city with a look of determination upon his face. The call of his people had been drowned out by another call, and he was going backfback to her and l1HPPll'1C5S- No, madam is not inf, replied the maid to his inquiry. ll-ut you will find her at the cafe with Mr. Phillips. He summoned a taxi and sped toward her favorite dining place. It was nice of Gordon to be watching out for her. he reflected, as he was carried noiselessly through the darkened streets. liut oh, how glad she would be to see him! The machine dashed up to the curb and stopped. He leaped out, and entering the restaurant, sought the head waiter. Yes, Miss VVorth was there-in box 24. He hurried nervously upstairs and down the passageway to box 24. He could hear their voices. Suddenly he stopped. Mildred was laughing gayly. Certainly she could not be feeling very sad over his absence. He advanced a few steps further, and then hesitated before the portiere that hid the couple within from view, Gordon was speaking. 'AI must congratulate you on the way you handled him. You are certainly a wonder. Hllut he was so easy. Mildred replied. too easy in fact to make it interesting. 'il wonder how he will act when he returns and linds that I have gotten away with all of his money. Like the fool that he is. llut don't let that worry you, You should worry how he acts as long as you have his little wad tucked safely away. By this time Strong was all but overcome with rage. The realization that these two had played with him as a spider plays with a fly, pierced him like a knife. And he had been caught in the web! His brow was knit, his lists were clenched, his blood coursed through his veins like mad. XYith one slash of his arm he swept the portieres from their fastenings. and stood before the couple in the YOOIU. They stared hlankly at him in amazement, their