YOUNG EARNEST

THE ROMANCE OF A
BAD START IN LIFE


BY

GILBERT CANNAN

Author of “Old Mole,” “Round the Corner.”




NEW YORK
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
1915

Now my question is: have you a scheme of life consonant with the spirit of modern philosophy—with the views of intelligent, moral, humane human beings of this period?

THE ADVENTURES OF HARRY RICHMOND.





COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

To
O. M.

Words skilled and woven do not make a book

Except some truth in beauty shine in it.

I bring you this because you overlook

My faults to follow out my probing wit.

And where it fails or falls short of its aim,

You see design and waste nor praise nor blame

On the achievement. Stirring to the will,

Your wit still urges mine to greater skill.

CONTENTS

BOOK ONE
LINDA BROCK
CHAPTER     PAGE
I. LOVE IN EARNEST   3
II. 166 HOG LANE WEST   13
III. GEORGE MARRIED   29
IV. A RETURN   41
V. SETTLING DOWN   51
VI. PROFESSOR SMALLMAN   60
VII. FLYING NEAR THE CANDLE   71
VIII. INTIMACY   85
IX. PATERFAMILIAS   98
X. HONEYMOON   109
XI. MATRIMONY   130
XII. ESCAPE   147
 
BOOK TWO
ANN PIDDUCK
I. ADVENTURE IN LONDON   157
II. MITCHAM MEWS   169
III. MR. MARTIN   182
IV. LEARNING A TRADE   196
V. TOGETHER   206
VI. KILNER   219
VII. OLD LUNT   226
VIII. RITA AND JOE   236
IX. TALK   254
X. AN ENCOUNTER   270
XI. VISION   277
XII. SETTLEMENT   285
 
BOOK THREE
CATHLEEN BENTLEY
I. MEETING   301
II. HAPPINESS   311
III. THE WEST WIND   322
IV. EXPLANATION   331
V. THRIGSBY   343
VI. THE COMFORT OF RELIGION   362
VII. CASEYS VENTURE   370
VIII. THRIVING   382
IX. YOUNG LOVE DREAMING   388