The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-12-16
CHAPTER MI.

luxurious room. with It's cases Of old
rosewood holding many a rare and
pret ious volume. quaint engraVlngs on
the wall between The deeply rec eSsed
windows with their velvet curtains of
olive green hue. big kets of wrought
and curiously twis,Sd iron. UNFOLDING
bronze busts Of the literary heroes he
revered, rich "olored. deep piled Turkey
carpets on III. floor, the light OF care
fully shaded lamps casting soft glow
upon his desk and leaving the painted
ceiling and distant corners almost in
shadow.
Something in his attitude, something
in his face, spoke Of the depression
which overwhelmed him Il depression
he never permitted to master him in
the presence of others. but which con-
uuered him completely in his moments
of solitude. Looking back upon his life
it seemed to him he had gathered and
stored for himself but little of the hap
piness thai falls to the general lot of
mankind. Left an orphan before he
could well remember his parents. he,
ii sensitive, unreasonable boy, had
been reared by his maternal grand
mother and only surviving relative.
stern. unbending old lady, who had
never understood her charge or sue
ceeded in WANING his affection.
A nature which might have expanded
unue! tenderness was TepfeSSeu DS
harshness IA VIII that might have
yielded to gentleness became I'M
bending under punishment. So that
early in his years he was driven. by
lack Of comprehension and want of
sympathy to that lnne: life OF loneli-
ness which chills the hearts warmth
and makes the world around des-
ert And the mind being most sensi-
tive in youth, the Impressions then re-
III, Il tad I,p
nothing the after years may know u
pleasure compensate for early days
dalkened by pain.
As Il shy. reserved schoolboy he had
sought few friends, but to those he
made he showed stanchncss and de-
rotion seldom returned. and frequently
disappointed. so that here he found lit
tie escape from the isolation he then
scarcely understood On coming to
mans estate he had invested his patri-
mony in a publishing firm of which he
bee anne Il partner; he being attracted
to the business chiefly by his love of
books, which from youth had been his
chief companions. His knowledge of
literature. his rapid perception, and his
addition to the firm gave 1t II career
of prosperity ii had previously lacked.
Before he had reached his thirtieth
year he had bought out his partner
and WAS now sole proprietor of the
business. Success continued to attend
iim, and he was usually regarded by
his large circle of acquaintances as IL
fortunate. man. No expression of his
by VOID or look gave them to under
stand he did not agree with their opin-
ion that which he really felt was hid
den from the world. But in the silence
of his inner life he cried out against
his fate; for he was conscious there
was something missing from his life
which other men possessed; some
anchorage, which he had not. held them
fast In happy contentment With a
nature capable of deep and constant
frightened his days, and he regarded
with despair the chilling isolation which
he seemed powerless to change.
On reaching his Office rather later
than usual one morning, he was told q
lady waited to see him. CHANGING at
her card he saw her namc-Mrs. Dunn
barton--was unfamiliar and he looked
forward to the boredom of an interview
possibly with Il wealthy woman who
came with check in one hand and .
manuscript an the other, which she de-
sired him to publish that her genius
might be made known to the world
probably with a novice possessing !;
sense of her merit derived from the
opinions of her friends, who wished tc
offer her production at price which
Il veteran novelist might envy.
The visitor who entered his office be-
louged to neither of these classes. Ii
Il timid, nervous manner she asked tt
have a story she had brought with hel
read with a view TO publication. If /
met with his approval There was
something in the grace of her move
ments that attracted him. something
in the clear and almost pathetic tones
i,,F l,n, n, CT
thing in the earnest expression of he1
large gray eyes that interested him. FL
Strove to prolong the interview because
of the strange pleasure 1t gave him, ant
in the hope of hearing details concern.
ing the life and of learning traits re.
garding the individuality of the woman
before him.
But unlike most of her sex who Wis
tied him, she was reticent Beyond
knowing her name and that she hac
written some magazine stories previous
TO undertaking the novel entrusted tc
him he gained no further information
about her. Having briefly and plainly
stated her business. she rose and bowed
as he opened the door for her to de.
part.
Left alone he fell into reverie. The
prefix to her name showed him she was
either wife or widow, and her gen.
teel appearance led him to conclude
the latter state was hers. He ther
wondered what We're the circumstances
in her life which had led her to write
and from that his curiosity was aroused
regarding what she had written. The
general business of the day distract
his thoughts from her, but that being
ended she filled his mind once more.
1t was now his general custom to for.
ward manuscripts to a professional
reader for his opinion but this story
he resolved to read himself, and hi
! looked forward to It's perusal with {
curiosity and interest he had not fel
| concerning other novels submitted tt
him. 1t was his opinion that the inne
life of writer Is reelected in his pages
4 that on the paper may be seen sucl
A subtle feelings, innate tastes, or stron,
| characteristics as lie in his heart. Al
1 George Bostock was DESTROYS of learn
ing in this manner the nature of tn
/ Woman whose marked individuality to-
strongly impressed him.
Immediately after dinner he begaI
his task which he did not discontinu
4 until he had arrived at the last page
1 about 8 o'clock IN the morning Will
he read, time lid not exist for him, 70
the story, somewhat crudely told, alb
sorbed his interest, and revealed to hir
power which he had not. during thei
brief interview, credited to the write
This power chiefly consisted of present
ing men and women of flesh and bloot
as they moved and lived, and In this poi
traiture OF the soul, rather than of tn
body, he judged that she betrayed
suffering she had known, love tha
had lived in her heart. sorrow this
/ had dwelt with her and would not de
part.
q Next day he wrote, offering to ca
on her, or in case she pre-. erred comm
to his office, making an appointmer
for her visit. He awaited her appear
q ance with impatience, and on her al
q irving punctually he experienced til
4 same feeling of satisfaction and int,
Z est which had reused him on her frs
appearance. To her surprise and de
light, he expressed his high estimat
of the novel, which he offered to pub
lish, a novel which, chiefly through hi
& exertions and influence, presently OF
tanned the notice and approval it dc