The Red Cloud chief., 1900-09-21

through life as though n charity fair !
His degrees entltle him to n univer-
sity professorship. Ills fathers varl-
Gus interests In many places call for
his personal supervision. There Is so
much to do before he may confidently
ask n woman TO give to him herself
life, body and soul. But I wish--ob.
how I wish"
Aldricb put the letter In his pocket.
He CROPPED for his hat and gloves and
coat-went out into the fresh spring
afternoon. Then he remembered the
unfinished poem. lie returned-made
It with the glove and other little treas
ures into n packet, which he put In his
breast pocket. Half an hour later he
stood In the luxuriously appointed
room of n great city bank. A meet
ing OF the directors had just ended.
His father was leaving.
whats up. Landor? You look
queer"
'I'm all right. sir. I want n word
with you. though. Now will do as
well as any time. Whom were you
thinking OF sending down TO establish
the branch OF our house at Manila Z"
II did think Of Peterson, but I'm
afraid he has signed with the other
peopleT
"Will you trust me to go. fatherl"
"You" 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 llps-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,
II believe you've got 1t In you! I've
had doubts Of you. Let that pass. You
shall go. with full and absolute nu.
thority."
And there was n new elasticity In
the gait Of the commercial magnate
as he took his sons arm and went
down to his carriage.
The following day n note came to
Landor-a formal, demure little note:
Dear Mr.. Aldrich-I find I failed
to send you yesterday my line Of
thanks for those violets. VIII you
take the belated gratitude now? There
was a mistake somewhere. Always
sincerely yours.
Katherine Clermont."
But the news that he was TO as-
sumo control OF his fathers business
In the Philippines had been made pub
lie In the newspapers before he saw
her again. Then It was to say good.
by. The hand she gave him was cold
as ice-but she looked up at him with
steady. unfaltering hazel eyes.
"You are really going. then7 II
was no newspaper canard? How we
shall miss you!"
Il hope you will. May I write to
you, katherineY" He had never called
her Katherine till now.
"Yes, indeed. But I'm a laggard
correspondent. Good.by."
There has not been since the open
Ing mp Of the islands an affair which
so Interested the business men OF Chi.
cago and other cities as did the sue
cess of the great branch house Of the
Aldrlchs in Manila.
"A boy Of twenty.seven at the headv'
the wise ones commented. 1t seems
impossible that he should have shown
such ~acumen-such ability. BY the
time he returned for a brief vacation,
more than Il year later, the business
was booming. But the man who came
back was not the boy who had gone
away. He showed the strain Of con-
centration, deprivation, hard. consci-
entious work. Katherine Clermont
met him for the first time after his
return mt n great social function. She
was all In n ripping gown that swirled
It's black waves about her feet with
peoples garlanding her beautiful
shoulders. The room went round
whep she caught sight of him. How
changed. but
katherine! Come away! How
good you were to write-though SO sci.
don't"
'D0 you know you are almost a
heroI' she cried. luizzically. "All the
old men are talking about the way
you worked-and the results. l am
proud l know you!"
He had been Ill and lonely. and Of
ten depressed! Now the gates OF
heaven stood open.
"iou know why | have come back!'
he whispered, ITO think that IL n
were not for a letter l CHANGED tC
read. l might be incoming over verses
in an office still-a letter II was MOI
intended l should read"
Her white lips lifted. How do yol
know 1t was not intended for you t.
ready Then she laughed softly ant
long. He wondered why.-Buffalo En
quirer.