Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1911)

86 TEE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE. angrily. "Do they think they can divide profits without dividing risks? Are we going to let our workmen come into our factories to tell us our business, or are we going to pay them their wages and see to it that they give back the amount in labor?" "Perhaps," again dared his wife, "the amount of labor they put into a work is not in the right proportion to the profit to the manufacturer, and really it does seem strange that a few men have power to place a fixed value upon the work of their brothers, and that, in spite of life-long labor, the workers own nothing. What is wrong?" "Wrong? Well, their way of living is wrong. Labor Party indeed ! The whole bunch of traitors will lose their jobs, that's what they'll get!" An extra slam of the paper on the table showed the usual sore spot of the successful but labor-fearing capitalist. "ISTow, Ellen, I hope you won't go talking such trash about the rights of labor to the people of the town, or using your vote for any interest but mine. Surely our first duty is to our children !" "And the children of the poor," said Ellen. "Bosh! I thought the franchise would give you women more stamina. But you're still in your white-miceloving stage, opposed to great scientific movements like vivisection, which your votes made unlawful, and thereby depriving students of necessary practice." "We still have convicted murderers to offer as substitutes for harmless and non-profitable animals," rejoined Ellen, with calmness. Mr. Ainslee was a little angry, and the cloud which had been gathering of late upon Ellen Ainslee's smooth brow, now deepened into a hard and fixed expression. "Winthrop Ainslee, you are becoming nervous and ill from your unfortunate association with the political elements of this town. Give it up, T beg of you ! You are successful in business. _ Why trouble our happy life with politics under a government system which can never be clean because it is rotten at the base? Do you want to lose honor, health and peace of mind in an unworthy struggle for polluted political prizes?" "I'm a man, and you being a woman, cannot possibly understand a man's ambitions. If I am born to lead, why should I not strive for the honors of a leader?" "Because, being a man, your ideal is merely power over the subjugated class, and your house of glory is doomed to be overthrown by that very class in the near future, and I do not want to see you humiliated." "Pooh! Exaggeration as ever, is woman's great fault. Yet frankly, Ellen, I tell you, that you are not capable of appreciating man's desires. In spite of the franchise for women your own class votes for men. Of course you can see why. I don't mean to hurt you — you have been a good wife, and a model mother, and I grant your superiority there, but keep in your realm !" "I certainly shall, Winthrop, but you must permit me to be the judge of the situation of my realm." The next morning the little domestic cloud had passed away, and the bright faces around the breakfast table spoke only of lack of anxiety, as the yellow sunlight cast bars of gold over white cloth and glistening china, and thoughts of joy into each happy heart. The door opened suddenly. The office boy rushed into the room waving the morning paper aloft. "It's you, Sir !" he cried breathlessly. "You're nominated !" "Nominated? What for?" replied Mr. Ainslee, yet with a perceptible tremor in his voice. "For Mayor, Sir! And the whole town is full of it. Excuse me, I'm wanted outside," and the lad vanished. For a moment Winthrop Ainslee allowed the paper to remain unopened. He was affecting indifference before those questioning eyes of Ellen. Then he opened and read the news. Nominated for Mayor on the Fusion ticket. Without a word he passed the paper to her. She read and then, going to him where he sat, she stooped down and