Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-02-21

SHE PREFERRED A MAN
OF ACTION.
@e~eDe~e~O 0 ~e~oee~st

w OflL n E1aN w
o OF ACTION. D
Se~e]e%e>O>e>oee~eS
Landor was at his desk, which was
near the open window The window
looked down on the ponderous, over
whelming traffic of South Water street
The grinding of huge wheels, the crash
ing of machinery, the clatter of hoof
beats, the rattle of harness, the jarring
of merchandise, the hoarse voices of
porters and drivers, all rose in one
mighty. mingled roar, veritable bel
low of commercial prosperity.
Landor did not notice the turmoil.
He had become accustomed to ii 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 sparkle
one sees only in the orbs of poet.
He drew from his desk little glove,
pearl colored 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 shoul-
der. A couple of letters fell on the
open ledger. One-the one in the firm,
aI, IN ,.o M farnfpfpn banI I'm had
come to know-he tore open with fin
gers that were clumsy through haste.
Two four, closely written pagesi Her
notes to him heretofore had been of al
most telegraphic brevity. He plunged
into the first page-had all but read 1t
through, indeed. before he paused
then jerlled back his head as though he
had received a shock.
The letter had not been intended for
him.
Rut 1t 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. lie must
now read the rest. After what he had
ignorantly learned he must now learn
more. It 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 Frieud-When you asked me lately il
Landor Adrich should do me the honor to ask me
10 be his wfe-would marry him--I gave you no
reply. will te" you now. fear your opinion
should it be lightly formed | dread lest you
think me guilty Of a vulgar caprice. | will be
quite frank. think he does for me, and /
There the page ended.
The dreaminess was gone from his
eyes now. There was 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 my heart my sleeve,
Eloise. ! can't do It But you may draw
from my silence what inference you will.
"Mr. Aldrich" He looked up. He
was trembling like leaf. About that
special shipment to the Philippines
sir
"Yes-no! | don't know Ask the
elevator boyw he muttered, not com
pretending, and again bent over the
fateful page. The man shrugged his
shoulders and walked away. Landor
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 10
wcli2 That one Of such social standing, appear
ancc and hereditary wealth should have singled
out from among many girls who admire him
has ilattercd me indeed; but should he say the
words every wants 10 hear from one
man. ! must answer. No.
There was Il muflied cry. The letter
was crumpled In fierce fingers. Then
he lifted his bowed head, smoothed
out the page and read on:
This, my friend, is why. He Is not proving
himself fle Is dlcr. a dreamer. With every
avenue Of success stretching broad and fair before
him he s content 10 pass hours occupying pure
ly nominal position in his fathers Office. He
leads the cotllon well; none better In all mat
ters Of dettanteism his taste Is cultured and
fine. and he writes the most musical one
may imagine. Ono must admire well as love
the man marrieB. How admire the
individual who eauntcfs through life as through
charity fair7 His degrees cnttle him 10 uni
ycrgty professorahp. His fathers various inter
cEts In many places call for his personal super
vision. There Is 30 much 70 do before he may
confidently ask woman 10 give 10 him herself
life body and eoul-but wish. oh, how wish
There the letter ended.
Aldrlch put the letter I'm his pocket.
Ho groped for his hat and gloves and
coat and went out into the fresh spring
afternoon. Then he remembered the un-
finished poem. He returned, making
1t, with the glove and other little treas
urcs. into n packet. which he put In his
breast pocket. Half an hour later he
stood IN the nxuriously appointed
room Of great city bank. A meeting
of the directors had just ended. His
father was leaving.
What's UP, Landor? You look
queer"
I'm all right, sir. / want n word |
with you, though. Now viii do as well
Us any time. Whom were you thinking |
Of sending down To establish that !
branch or our house AT Manilap
II did think Of Peterson, but I'm |
afraid lac has signed with the other
people"
"Will YOU trust me 10 go, fatherT
"Youw The elder mans haggard
face lighted UP. then fell. You're not |
capable OF the task. my boy It's IL |
tremendous one"
Landor 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 Ike wine. His eyes bllnked up |
at his boy "By George" he cried, II |
believe you've got II in you! I've had
doubts Of you. Let that pass. You
shall go with full ana absolute author
n.y."
Aud there was new elasticity In the |
gait Of the commercial magnatc as he i