Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-09-14

window. The window
IA 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-
ers, all rose In one mighty, mingled
roar-a veritable below of CONNER
cial 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
poet.
He drew from his desk little glove,
pearl covered and perfumed. There
was inspiration in the sight, the scent,
the touch of 1t! 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
shock.
The letter had not been intended for
him, But it 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
all that life held for him-the words
which were traced on the next page
life and love, or bitter and enduring
disappointment.
MY Dear Friend-When you asked
he lately if Lander Aldrich should
do me the honor to ask me to be his
wife-would l marry him-I gave you
no reply. / will tell you now. l fear
your opinion should be lightly formed.
/ dread lest you think me guilty of
vulgar caprice-I will be quite frank.
l think lie does care for me. And
/
There the page ended.
The dreaminess 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.
we'll; I've never worn my heart
on my sleeve, Eloise can't do 1t
now. But you may draw from my
silence what inference you will"
"NIr. Aldrichw He looked up. He
was trembling like a leaf. about
that special shipment to the Philip
pines, sir"
"Yes--no! don't know. Ask the ele-
vatOr boyw he muttered, not compre-
bending, and again bent over the fate
full page The man shrugged his Shout
ders, walked away. Lander read on:
"You spoke of his charming personality
his rare gifts of mind and spirit.
Who should appreciate these more
than |, who have known him so well?
That one of such social standing, APP
pearance and hereditary wealth should
have singled me out from among many
girls who admire him, has fiattered
me, indeed. But should he say the
words every woman wants to hear
once from a man, must answer
No"
There was muffied cry. The let
ter was crumpled in fierce fingers.
Then he lifted his bowed head.
ssnOothed out the page and read on:
N"rhis, my friend, is why. He is not
pfoving himself He is an idler--a
dreamer. With every avenue of sue
CESS stretching broad and fair before
him, he is content to pass hours &C.
cubying q purely nominal position In
his\ fathers office. He leads the cot
illibn wcll-none better. In all mat
terri of dilettanteism his taste is cul-
turfd and fine. And he writes the