cried. "And confound the woman!" he that also. Poor, dear girl! Yet, in God's name, how else could he have answered? The He was so afraid. He thought Marian was suspecting him. Oh, confound the woman! Why had he gone down last night to see her? Why had he told Marian anything about her? Why had he not, long ago, as a hundred times he had put it to himself-why had he not, long ago, told everything to Marian? It was not too late now, even now. Suppose he went, there and then, threw himself at Marian's feet, and told her the whole story? She might listen to him, forgive him for the sake of his weakness, if not of himself. After all, he had done nothing dreadful. Only a little foolish and forgetful he had been. Should he tell Marian? Oh, no, no. He dared not. So often had he told her that never once had he done aught of which he was ashamed; over and over had he whispered that she was the one woman of his life and heart. It would be like striking her in the face to tell her about Nan. No; it was too late now; Marian must not know. But, suppose she heard from some one else, from Sarah, for instance? That would be a pretty bolt from the blue. Oh, confound things! And confound the woman! Think, thought Frank Barry, stretching a tragic arm toward the book-case, think of the pickle he was in; the past there jogging his elbow, the future staring at him with ominous eyes, himself standing in his own study, a liar and a hypocrite. Yes, a liar. Last night he had lied; an hour ago he had lied; an hour hence he might lie again. Oh, confound the woman! Ah, why had fate dealt so cruelly with him, thus brought the past knocking at his door? He had fancied it dead and buried. He wanted only to be happy with Marian, to make amends for his weakness by caring for her all he could; and now here was something which, did Marian know of it, would, he knew quite well, bring the palace of his happiness crumbling about his ears. That night of the choosing three years ago; that other night, the last of his Irish holiday; suppose Marian to hear of what had happened then-and then? And suppose Sarah Butler in charge of the story, magnifying, hinting darkly, paying off old scores? What an hour that would be for Sarah, what an hour for Marian! And for himself? Well he knew how Marian would look at things; how hard she would be; how silently she would listen to his explanations, her face remorselessly to the bare facts. But she must not know. The woman was gone; he must keep her away. Somehow or other he must keep the past at the threshold. How? By lying and playing the hypocrite? Ah, he hated himself because of that paltry quibbling. Think of him sitting there last night, equivocating, striving his hardest to deck truth in the tawdriest tinsel. Think of that Think of that scene at the breakfast-table; Marian there, with the child on her knee, speaking (so now he knew) quite simply and out of pure goodness of heart; himself here, with his back to the fire, answering crookedly and brutally. Ah, he hated himself now for But why worry? All the fretting in the world would not alter things one tittle. And, really, he was carrying on absurdly; putting everything in its worst light, torturing himself about what might never be. Why should Marian ever hear? Why should his palace ever tumble? Let him calm himself, have a pipe, sit down, and get through that work. And that reminded him; he had yet to write John's letter. Poor old John! So Frank calmed himself; wrote John's letter; then essayed once more the work of the day. But still his pen stumbled, halted. Phrases were shy; sentences started badly, ran awkwardly, ran awkwardly, fell lame before long; always was the right word tardy and the wrong obsequious. And constantly his thoughts kept wandering, racing away to the past, or capering among the events of to-day or yesterday. His hand would stop, the ink fade gradually from the page; there sat Sarah Butler, wiping her lips, loosening the shawl from her throat, slowly rubbing her gnarled hands up and down her knees. An idea was wanted, he looked up; over in the corner stood Marian, the boy in her arms, her face turned to the door. He was chasing a word; slowly it trailed away, and there between him and the paper was Inishrath, the barren fields running up from the water, the cottage shining through the trees, the green door open, and Nan standing by the threshold; or suddenly night fell, a dog barked, from Nan's garden a dry-lipped man looked up and saw a night-cap bobbing above Nan's window-sill. He flung down his pen, leaned back; presently was standing by a dresser, and Ted's arm was outstretched, and Nan was stepping slowly to his side, and John's face shone in the lamplight. He jumped from his chair, fell to dogging inspiration up and down the room; soon had his face to the floor, and now was romancing to Nan among the heather, now was sitting by her on the thwart and whispering in her ear, now was saying good-by and beholds her sobbing on the pier. Ah, Nan, Nan. See her there, waving her hand and calling good-night. See her now, her white apron flying in the wind, her can in her hand, her eyes turned toward Lismahee pier. And there is the car; there the broad road, leading away, away. Oh, good-by, Nan; good-by, my dear. Now she lifts the can, turns, is gone. Oh, good-by, Nan. . . . ... A foot sounded on the landing. Frank Barry stopped, twisted round, and stood watching the door. It opened and in came Marian, a tray in her hand. "Only a little snack, Frank," said she. Lunch will be late to-day, and you made such a poor breakfast." Frank moistened his lips. "Thank you, Marian. It's-oh, it's very good of you, my dear, to think of me." "Nonsense, Frank. How have you been getting on this morning?" "Oh, my poor boy.. How is it, Frank?" "God knows, Marian. I-I can't make myself out at all." "You're not worrying about those critics, Frank?" "No, Marian. It's not that-oh, it's not that. It's nothing. Just a fit. I'll get over it." "Can I help you, Frank? The boy's gone off, and I have plenty of time." "No, Marian. It's all right, old girl. Don't worry. Oh, it's all right." Marian turned to go. With hands clasped behind him and head thrust forward, Frank stood watching her. Suddenly he started forward and caught her by the arm. "Marian." "Yes, Frank." "Oh, forgive me, Marian. Forgive me, my dear!" Marian turned, her face beaming, her eyes shining softly. "Forgive you, Frank? Ah, you poor old fellow! So that's what is worrying you. Why, of course, Frank. Think of letting that interfere with your work. Why, my dear, it's pitying you I've been, since breakfast, instead of blaming you." Frank dropped his eyes. "But "I know, Marian." He paused. it's-it's not for that entirely I want you to forgive me. Not for that-entirely." "Then for what, Frank? Tell me, dear." It was a golden opportunity; the time ripe, Marian gracious, Frank himself on the crest of a fine surge of emotion. The word was at his lips. But he hesitated; and at that, even as he raised his eyes to Marian's, courage withered and the moment of good impulse sped. "Oh, for everything, Marian," he cried. "For everything. I'm so cruel to you sometimes-and I'm selfish-and I'm not worthy of you, Marian." He dropped on his knees, clutching at his wife's skirt. "Ah, Marian, Marian," he cried again, "do forgive me, dear. Do forgive me." And Marian, not knowing what he asked, forgave him with tears. (To be continued.) H COOPERATION IN BUSINESS. BY C. W. WHITNEY. EALTHY prosperity in business cated to expect them and admit them to does not proceed from spasmodic the manufacturing of the times that we shall business conditions, such as specu- be able to adjust ourselves to every change lation and a variety of new money-making they will make. enterprises, which are being introduced, Vast wealth in the hands of corporations because the logic of these is ultimately dis- or of the individual will be met in the same appointment, bringing at times stagnation way. It must be invested in buildings and of business and deranging manufacturing machinery or in some kind of a plant beand trade at many points. But prosperity fore it can offset business or labor. The rather proceeds from the continuous pursuit world is run by the law of action and by everybody of such vocations as are use- reaction. Other vast sums of wealth will ful, resulting in an improved condition of be introduced, and thus the equilibrium will trade by yielding to each person engaged be kept up. And the labor of the country in them his share of the profits. is sure to have its share of the profit, because it has the power to prevent capital from infringement upon its rights, and organized as labor is in this country to-day capitalists will find it easy and convenient to consult labor before interfering by radical measures in new ways to control business enterprises in the future. We are coming to the point in this country where all sorts of business, all kinds of labor, will be settled and established, not to be disturbed by speculation or turbulent elements that emigrate into our midst from foreign countries. The public discussion about placing a limit on emigration is quite sure to result in the enactment of laws which will give to our industries and all kinds of labor protection from this disturbing element. The occupancy of government lands on the frontiers has proceeded with such rapidity that no great inducement will be offered to the population in older states to move and colonize, therefore we shall be delivered from radical changes such as New England has experienced by the old population leaving for the West and a new and largely foreign population coming in to take their places. The time will doubtless come when the tariff will be settled by law, not soon to be unsettled again, and when civil law will make it a crime to speculate on breadstuffs, wearing apparel, and in government lands. These questions have all entered into our business life as disturbing elements. Inventors, it would seem, have produced their most ingenious devices in machinery, and in all lines of industry, so that if we do have new inventions introduced we shall be so edu If you take the total wealth of the country in 1890 as invested in manufacturing enterprises, there was $6,524,475,305, while the total of wages paid to 4,049,955 employees was $2,282,823,265, or nearly thirty per cent of the capital. This with a little study will demonstrate to any one that the capital of the country does not make anything like such profit on this investment as the labor of the country makes on its investment of labor, so that by a little reasoning we may be saved from the danger of supposing that the money kings and the great corporations will crush the laboring man and ruin business in the future, which would be a very serious mistake. Our railroad system is so complete that capitalists cannot find an outlet in building new lines of railroads in the future. Telegraph lines are mainly established. mines of the country have been mainly discovered and are being worked, and if others are discovered they will be operated very largely on the present plan. There must be some new upheavals, some mar- business, and do not be led into false com velous developments in the condition of the country to require any great amount of new capital for business ventures in the near future. We are approaching a condition as a people where we must be satisfied with earning a comfortable living by honest toil, be contented to enjoy what human life really needs. This will be a much-desired achievement in our social condition. To be satisfied with our adjustment to ordinary trade and to receiving ordinary wages will contribute to a calm and settled view of life and business. These are questions which the people have seemingly not learned, but we are soon to be students of this new condition of things. binations against an established order of things because you presume you are not receiving your share of the profits. In a great many instances a splendid business has been destroyed and thousands upon thousands of working people thrown out of employment simply through false imagination that they were not getting their share out of the income of the enterprise. One not in position to know the business in all its bearings is not qualified to judge about the profits and how much the employees should receive. Such matters usually regulate themselves. All sorts of devices will be presented which ultimately create unrest among business people. Cooperation has been a favorite word with some people to describe what they consider a short cut to success Some errors confront every beginner and indeed most people who have been engaged in business for a long time. One often indulges in false imaginings. One looks at cooperative manufacturing, cooperative a manufacturing establishment and becomes impressed by the magnitude of the business, and is thus led to think that his employer is coining money because the business is large and continues apparently to be prosperous, supplies are bought on a large scale and work is turned out in great bulk, and there are evidences of marked success around the establishment. These things should impress workmen that this is the time when they should rejoice with the manufacturer, because a business must either be prosperous or it is meeting with adversity. No great commercial enterprise can be at a standstill any considerable length of time. It must go forward or it will go backward. It is true of every business that it has its ups and downs. A wise man managing an establishment does not explain to anybody how much he is making or losing. It is a rare business that yields a handsome profit for a series of years. Its prosperity is liable to be broken by competition, over-production, unfavorable legislation, or through some other obstacle that is unexpected. If faith is to be found anywhere it should exist in the man who labors. If his faith is gone part of his stock in trade is destroyed. Believe in your employer's storekeeping, cooperative housekeeping, cooperative banking. Agitators present their notions. Walking delegates do the talking, and they are usually impractical people who do not understand the inner workings of a cooperative institution well enough to conduct it to any degree of prosperity. In this country many cooperative institutions have been failures; many others have been a success, but there is no cooperative institution that has had such wonderful triumph in any given direction as to make it appear that cooperation is the best plan for doing business. Nor has cooperation proved so great a failure that it may not in some instances be a wise method for conducting business and achieving success. Experience is worth much in all these matters, because it has demonstrated the folly that any business can be conducted without a wise business head to organize it and give direction to all the movements of the institution. Remember that a company and partnership are both of them on an entirely different plan from cooperation. are terms, however, that you will study in the general trend of the times and in the particular locality where you reside. These The Altrurian Colony at Santa Rosa, Cal.; the Pacific Company at Portland, Ore.; the Single Tax Settlement at Baldwin, Ala.; and the Car Builders Plant near Topeka, Kan., with some others, are among the great cooperative enterprises in this country. In England cooperation has met many failures and been given wrong direction, yet it is admitted by students of industrial problems that it has made substantial progress in that country. This encourages the friends of cooperation in the United States to believe that as we approach a settled condition of business in all our institutions it will meet with great success here. Profit-sharing is another scheme that has been suggested to manufacturers by employees as a proposed method for equalizing the income of a business between the manufacturer and the working people. Institutions conducted on this plan have, as a rule, been mistakes. Quite a number of manufacturers have tried it and have given it up. Mr. Theodore De Vinne, printer of The Century Company, told me that it had been tried thoroughly in their establishment, but it would not work, and therefore it had been abandoned. This method is yet in its infancy and may, after being tried here and there in different parts of the country in a variety of trades and businesses, be found applicable, and from it some encouraging plans may be suggested. These ideas we mention as methods that are in vogue in some places. They are in the conversation of business people. It is wise, therefore, to study carefully before one makes investment of time or money in experimenting on any plan for cooperation, or profit-sharing, till the plan has been put to the test again and again and shown to be wise, useful, and just to all parties concerned. A poor man may not make ventures and try experiments where money is a chief factor with the same degree of freedom that a man of means can, and we may safely say that the cost of time and money may be left to those who have both to spare, unless one is idle and shall employ his leisure in devising such plans as will be mere suggestions. I knew a preacher who while engaged in the work of the ministry made a fine telescope. A professor in a college writes a book; a man working at his bench in a manufactory invents a machine. It will be found that out of the manufactories ideas for new inventions come and from among business men new methods for doing business spring. So every kind of business has its growth, and the fruit it yields returns to bless them that were industrious and gave of their toil to enrich the soil of the human mind, and they become partakers of the wealth they created. I' THE LIGHTHOUSES OF FRANCE. BY CHARLES LE GOFFIC. 64 TRANSLATED FOR THE CHAUTAUQUAN" FROM THE FRENCH REVUE DES DEUX MONDES." F we are indebted to antiquity for the invention of lighthouses; if Alexandria possessed the first known lighthouse while the Roman Empire with its beacons shining from promontory to promontory illumined the whole Mediterranean; if, finally, it is not certain that our Cordouan is the senior or even the contemporary of the famous lantern of Genoa, still it was certainly France which after the great wars of the Revolution and the empire took the initiative in the new arts of illumination and their application to the preservation of human life. It must be taken into account that in 1789 there were in all Europe scarcely twenty lighthouses and some of these were provided only with reflecting lamps. January 1, 1895, France alone, including Algeria and Tunis, had 690 lighthouses. Since 1819 Fresnel has substituted for the ancient parabolic reflectors, lenses increasing by steps; Argand, Quinquet, and Carcel have made ingenious improvements in lamps. The year |