Middletown transcript., 1903-02-21
THE OPTION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS oooooooooooooooooooooooo
BY GEORGE HIBBARD

By the time Nortnup hao
reached this conclusion he had
arrived at the ''Front"-the low
bluff, q part Of the Park system
overlooking the Lake. He stood
gazing over the black waters to
the distinct line of the horizon
made by the softer darkness OF
the sky. The brisk breeze swept
over him exhilaratingly, and he
turned first to the right where
the river rolled swiftly away and
then to the left, looking over the
cleaning lights of the city to
the distant hills of the Lake
shore. At last he knew what
was to be done. And yet at the
moment he turned away he felt a
sudden uncomfortable qualm.
What had caused it he could not
at first tell. He felt rather the
comingof futuredoubtthand doubt
itself. Then suddenly he was
brought to realization OF the
fact which had lain dormant in
his mind all the time and had
now started up and demanded
recognition. Impatiently ne
struck the ashes from the cigar
that he was smoking.
He knew at last the fact that
would give him what he wanted.
But how did he know it?
From the lips of a young girl
speaking unconsciously and in
the freedom of a friendship SO
precious to him. Without know.
ing what she was doing she had
given him information that was
of inestimable value. This had
been done, though, in her ignor-
ance of business, in her girlish
simplicity, and should-could-he
take advantage of it? If she had
understood the situation she
would never have said what she
did, and could he profit by her
lack of knowledge? To take ad-
vantage of the chance that acci-
dent had thrown in his way
would undoubtedly enable him to
save a goodly sum of money. He
needed it. He needed it for the
accomplishment of his plans
needed it for the winning of the
girl herself. And Eckert! Was
not he entitled to consideration?
If he were not willing to avail
himself of the information ought
he not to take what advantage
was to be gained from it on Eek
ert's account?
The reasoning was specious
and for q moment Northup was
almost convinced by it. But if
he was willing to lose his own
larger investmentin in the venture,
was he obliged to tell the other?
No; even duty to a partner did
not justify a dishonorable or
even a questionable act. Julia
Burnham had spoken to him as q
person having no interest in the
affair, and self-respect compelled
him to behave as if he were what
she thought him. He must care
fully separate the Northup who
held this option on the Rocky
Point lands from the Northup
who was Julia Burnham's friend.
He turned toward the city and
paced slowly back. He could not
quite free himself from the fear
that he was allowing himself to
be unduly scrupulous. All would
laugh at him, he knew. Amos
Burnham himself, he felt sure
would be one of the first. Sup
pose that he were not in love
with Julia, would the require
ments Of the situation be the
same? In moment his judg-
ment-his taste, told him that
they would be. And yet, from
the point of view of the every
day business world was he not
too notwithstanding too fine
distinctions for practical life?
He inhaled the smoke from the
cigar and blew it forth impatient
ly in a thick cloud and tramped
on sullenly. To be silent would
assuredly be business folly. In
the day he would certainly see
that. His mood now was the re-
suit of his sight of Julia-the
of the stiffness and the
darkness. All would be differ
ent, he told himself, in the day,
time, downtown, with the stir of
active business life about him.
Eckert noticed Northup's rest
lessness as he faced him in the
private Office, but was not sur
prised by it. He readily ascribed
it to doubt as to the decision that
must be Immediately made.
Itll soon be the hour, he said,
looking at his watch.
What are you going to do?
Eckert demanded sharply. I