The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-02-14

outu DtuuJt.
servants were acting under his IA.
theirs orders. He flushed red and then
turned white at the thought. 1t was
not like Ross Duncan to do such a
thing. And yet he might do It. And
then the rest of the letter-it was not
like the old Eric he had known, and
yet the one great love Of Stuart had
been and still was bis love for Eric. 1t
was not because Eric had once saved
his life. He would have loved him In
any case, but the years had brought
changes, the past year particularly.
He had been reading and brooding,
with head bent down, and now, as he
raised it, he saw Eric coming up the
hill.
The two men met with the common.
place salutations: How are you, EricW
How are you, Stuart?" They shook
hands stitlly and then sat down on the
rock. Each seemed little shy of the
other.
Stuart was the first to speak. He
knew from experience that Eric would
never say the first word.
u have just been reading your letter.
There Is some mistake about your be-
ing refused admission to the house.
Father would never do such a thing
Eric"
I'm not so sure of that. But l don't
feel hurt on that account even If he
would. Is he better?'
Yes" Stuart paused. He did not
seem to know what to say. 1t was
harder to break over the gap of years
growth in manhood than he had
thought Then he burst out with q
short laugh:
"Oh, l say, Eric, what nonsense for
US to be sitting here like fools on this
rock as If we were afraid Of each 9th.
er! In memory Of the old days. will
you put your hand on my shoulder and
look me in the face?
1T Is not the same Eric" said Stu.
art with sigh at last. letting his hand
SIP IRON the others shoulder.
"A better one, hope. The times
nave made me sober and gray"
How is it. Eric? Is there any DIFF.
tercnr" in your feeling toward me"
NO. Eric was pushing the gravel
win his foot and looking out over the
valley Then he looked Stuart frankly
III the face and repeated his "No. But
you are the one to change"
!! What change has there been In
meF Stuart put the question almost
Indignantly.
You have seen the world. What can
oe to you now? More and more as
ue time goes on the difference must
"'ueh' You are a gentleman Of wealth
anu leisure. and am a workingman."
lou don't need to be. Eric. You'll
could get ahead. You could command
any place In time with your intelligence
and-and"-
stuart hesitated for just the word
out Eric said quietly:
have chosen my place. A work.
Msnan l am, and a workingman II
saaii be as long as there are wrongs to
'ght and rights to maintain"
But what has all this to do with us.
ERIC! We have been over all II
ground before. Do you not love M
indeed. truly do" Eric turned
large dark eyes affectionately iowa
bis friend.
ana do not love your"
H. les" replied Eric simply. "But our
ives ives are of necessity widening out far
,uer apart. What can prevent that |
- ,ne very nature Of the situation II |
,Huiu r,s not be otherwise. Here l am ad.
,usg using thousands Of men to q course
,s %uleh Is directly opposed by your ia.
~ tntr =, and would be by you II you were
~ us place. The time is coming when !!
m's e clash between your interests and
sue ~. Will be so fierce that
stuart jumped to his feet. "Do you
= % sav. Eric. that friendsh'n srua