The Red Cloud chief., 1900-09-21

n which was near the open
window. The window
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 Earring of merchandise.
the hoarse voices OF pOrters and drlv-
crs, all rose In one mighty, mingled
roar-a veritable below Of CONNER
cial prosperity.
Lander 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 drcaminess and spar.
kle n sees only I'm the Orbs Of a
poet.
He drew from his desk n little glove,
pearl covered and Derfumcd. There
was inspiration In the sight. the scent
h touch OF Il! He laid II gently
back. seized his pen, aud began Oh
another stanzn.
A brown hand reached over his
shoulder. A couple Of letters fell on
Ii open ledger. One-the one In tn,
firm, characteristic feminine hand h,
had come to know-he tore open will
fingers that were clumsy through
haste. TwO-fOur closely writer
pages! Her notes to him heretofor,
had been Of almost tclegraphic brev
lily. lie plunged into the first page
had all but read 1t through, indeed
before he paused-jerked back hi
head as though he had received ,
shock.
The letter had not been Intended FOL
him! But II was of him. There was
his name-his name In the writing o
the woman he lovcd-to whom he hat
not dared to speak unless In sweet
wild verses which she never Aehcld
lie had read so far unwittingly; IA,
must now read the rest. After wha'
he had ignorantly learned he mus
now learn more. 1t meant life ant
nll that life held for him-the word,
which were traced on the next pag,
life and love, or bitter and endurin.
disappointment!
my Dear Fricnd-Whcn you aske,
me lately II Landor Aldrlch shoul,
do me the honor to ask me to be hi
wife-wOuld l marry him-I gave 70,
no reply. l Will tell you nov. l fea
your opinion should be lightly formed
i dread lest you think me guilty of
vulgar c~aprlce-I will be quite frank
i think he does care for me. An,
L"
There the page ended.
The drcamincss was gone from hi
eyes now. There was Il red light Il
them. He dug his nails into his palm
until the fierce pressure panied.
He turned the page. lie read on.
we'll; I've never worn my hear
on my sleeve, Eloise. can't do
now. But you may draw from IN
silence what inference you will"
"Mr. Aldrich!' lie looked up. II
was trembling like n leaf. "Abou
that special shipment to the PhillI
pines, sir"
"fesTno! don't know. Ask the 81,
vator boy!' he muttered, not compr,
hending, and again bent over the fat,
full page. The man shrugged his shou
ders. walked away. Lander read OF
you spokcof his charming personalit
his rare gifts O mind and spiri
Who should appreciate these MOI
than l, who have known him so well
That one of such social standing. a
pearance and hereditary wealth shoul
have singled me out from among mar
girls who admire him, has iiattere
me, indeed. But should he say II
o every woman wants to he,
once from n man, l must answer
No.
There was n muflied cry. The le
ter was crumpled In fierce finger
Then he lifted his bowed hea
smoothed out the page and read on:
This. my friend, Is why. He Is n
proving himself. He Is an idler-
dreamer. With every avenue Of SUI
cess stretching broad and fair befol
him. he is content to pass hours o
cupylng a purely nominal position
his fathers office. He leads the &C
tllion well-none better. In all m0
tiers OF dilettanteism his taste Is c,
tured and fine. And he writes d