Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1900-11-09

gers that were clumsy through haste.
Two. four. closely written pages! Her
notes to him heretofore had been Of al
most telegraphic brevity. He plunged
into the first page-had all but read it
through indeed, before he paused
then jerked back his head as though he
had received shock.
The letter had not been intended for
him.
But it was for 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 Frend-When you asked me lately if
Lander Aldrich should do me the honor to ask ME
| to be his wife-wouid marry him-I gave you no
| reply l will te, you l fear your opinion
| should it be lightly formed. dread lest you
think me guilty of vulgar caprice. l will be
| quite frank think he does care for me, and T.
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 my s,e"!,,
] Rl1t NAV 6rav
from my silence what inference you will.
Mr.. Aldrich!' He looked up. He
was trembling like a leaf. about that
special shipment to the Philippines,
SIR
"Yes-no! l don't know. Ask the
elevator boy" he muttered, not COM
pretending, and again bent over the
fateful page. The man shrugged his
shoulders and walked away. Lander
read on:
| You spoke of his charming personality, his
| rare gifts of mind and spirit. Who should appre-
! ciate these more than l, who have known him so
| we'll? That one of such social standing, appear
| ance and hereditary wealth should have singled
! me out from among many girls who admire him
! has fattered indeed; but, should he say the
| words every woman wants to hear once from one
| man, | must answer, No.
There was mufled cry. The letter
was crumpled in fierce fingers. Then
be lifted his bowed head. smoothed
! out the page and read on:
! This, my friend, is why. He is not proving
| himself. He is an idler, a dreamer. With every
avenue of success stretching broad and fair before
| him he is content to pass hours occupying pure
| y nominal position in his fathers Office. He
leads the cotillon we'll; better. In all mat
| tiers of diettanteism his taste is cultured and
| fine, and he writes the most musical verses one
may imagine. One must admire as we'll as love
the man one marries. How one admire the
individual who saunters through life as through
charity fair? His degrees entitle him to uni
versity professorship His fathers various inter-
ests in many places call for his personal super
| vision. There is much to dc before he may
confidently ask woman to give to him herself
| life, body and soul-but wish, oh, how wish
There the letter ended.
Aldrich put the letter in his pocket.
He CROPPED for his hat and gloves and
coat and went out into the fresh spring
afternoon. Then he remembered the I'M
finished poem. He returned. making
#. with the glove and other little treas
ures, into packet, which he put in his
breast pocket Half al uvur later h.,
stood in the luxuriously appointed
room of a gre:s: city bank. A meeting
OF the directors had just ended. His
father was leaving.
whats up, Lander? You look
queer"
I'm all right, sir. l want a word
with you, though. Now will do as we'll
as any time. Whom were you thinking
Of sending down to establish that
branch Of our house at Manila?''
II did think of Peterson, but I'm
afraid he has signed with the other
people"
"Will you trust me to go, father?
"YouH The elder mans haggard
face lighted up, then fell. You're not
capable of the task, my boy. It's a
tremendous one"
Lander smiled with pale lips, but the
smile was winning. You should have
more confidence in my fathers son."
he protested gently.
The words warmed the old mans
heart like wine. His eyes blinked up
at his boy. by George" he cried, Il
believe you've got it in you! I'~~ had |
doubts Of you. Let that pass. You |
shall go with full and absolute author
ity."
And there was new elasticity in the
gait of the commercial magnate as he
took his son's arm and went down to
his carriage.
The following day a note came to
Landor-a formal, demure little note:
Dear Mr.. Adrich-I find failed to send YOU
yesterday my line Of thanks for those yiolets.
Will you take the belated gratitude now? There
was mistake somewhere. Always sincerely
yours, KATHERINE CLERMosr.
But the news that he was to assume
control Of his fathers business in the