The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-09-13


looked down on the ponder
GUS overwhelming traffic of South
Water street. The grinding of huge
wheels, the crashing of machinery,
the clatter of hoof beats, the rattle of
harness. the jarring of merchandise,
the hoarse voices of porters and drlv-
ers, all rose in one mighty, mingled
roar-a verltable below of CONNER
clal prosperity.
Landor did not notice the turmoil
He had become accustomed to it many
months ago. He was absorbed-but
not in his work. The minute hand had
crawled quite around the dial of the
big clock in the corner since he had
formed a figure on the ledger lying
open before him. But he had been
writing. His gaze dropped to the page
upon his desk. AS he scanned the
verse he had written. his eyes took
on the mingled dreaminess and spar
kle one sees only in the orbs of a
poet.
~ He drew from his desk little glove.
pearl covered and perfumed. There
was inspiration in the sight. the scent,
the touch of it, He laid it gently
back. seized his pen, and began on
another stanza.
A brown hand reached over his
shoulder. A couple of letters fell on
the open ledger. One-the one in the
firm, characteristic feminine hand he
had come to know-he tore open with
fingers that were clumsy through
haste. Two-four closely written
pages! Her notes to him heretofore
had been of almost telegraphic brew
ity. He plunged into the first page
had all but read it through indeed,
before he paused-jerked back his
head as though he had received a
shock.
The letter had not been intended for
him! But 1t was of him. There was
his name-his name in the writing of
the woman he loved-to whom he had
not dared to speak unless in sweet,
wild verses which she never beheld.
He had read so far unwittingly: he
must now read the rest After what
he had ignorantly learned he must
now learn more. 1t meant life and
which were traced on the next page
life and love. or bitter and enduring
disappointment!
MY Dear Friend-When you asked
me lately If Landor Aldrlch should
do me the honor to ask me to be his
wlfe-would l marry him--I gave you
no reply l will tell you now. fear
your opinion should be lightly formed.
dread lest you think me guilty of II
vulgar caprce-I will be quite frank.
think he does care for me. And
r, 'rsY tiIg
There the page ended.
The dreamlness was gone from his
eyes now. There was a red light in
them. He dug his nails into his palms
until the fierce pressure panied.
He turned the page. He read on.
well; I've never worn my heart
ON my sleeve, Eloise. | can't do II
now. But you may draw from my
silence what inference you Will"
Mr.. Aldrlch!' He looked up. He
was trembling like leaf. ''About
that special shipment TO the Phillp.
pines, sir"
"fes-no! don't know. Ask the ele.
vator boy!' he muttered, not compre.
hending, and again bent over the fate.
ful page. The man shrugged his shoul
ders. walked away. Landor read on,
You spokeof his charming personality
his rare gifts of mind ana spirit
VINO should appreciate these more
than /, who have known him so we'll
That one Of such social standing. an
pearance and hereditary wealth should
have singled me out from among mnny
girls who admire him. has flnttered
me, Indeed. But should he say the
words every woman wants to heai
once from man, | must answer
No"
There was a muffled cry. The let
Ter was crumpled In fierce fingers
Ihen he lifted his bowed head
smoothed out the page and read or:
This, my friend, Is why. He Is no
proving himself. He Is an idler--i
dreamer. With every avenue of sue
cess stretching broad and fair before
him, he Is content to pass hours oc
cupylng purely nominal position II
his fathers office. He leads the cot
illion well--none better. In all mat
ters OF dilettanteism his taste is cul
tured and fine. And he writes tn,
most musical verses one can Imagine
One must admire as well as love tn,
man one marries, How can one ad
mire the individual who saunter
through life as though a charity fair
His degrees entitle him to n univer
slty professorship His fathers varl
Gus interests In many places call TO
his personal supervision. There Is s.
much TO do before he may confidentl
hsk woman to give to him herself
life, body and soul. But I wlsh--ol
how | wish
Aldrich put the letter in his poke
He CROPPED for his hat and gloves AN
coat-went out into the fresh sprln