New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-04
The Masterfu1 Hireling
Confirmed from page 4

at dawn. For LarLin-with his millions,
who had merCilesslv Ovcrridden all obstacles
+ he had ever met in life-evervthing under the
skies was wrapped up IN the skill of that
man. the man who had threshed him in
settlement of bill. The Lord only knows
where he found his faith; but it was well
founded
THE girl recovered, and our doctor had
had time to rest when Larkin paid his
second visit to the crossroads. It must have
been a strange meeting.
He didn't send the chauffeur in this time
Somehow | doubt if he would have done 50
in any circumstances; for Larkln, OF Lar
kins Living Liniment, had changed, and
those who were nearest to him SAID they had
discovered he had heart. When he opened
the door of Harvev's office he looked about
the same. except that he was less hard and
forbidding. That hardest trial Of his life
with its hours for introspeCtiOn, perhaps
had wrought some subtle change; Just that
intangible molding of expression that makes
the difference between a hard and selfish
man and one who is charitable and sym
pathetic.
Harvey lifted his tired eyes, and looked
bewildered as If aroused from some abstract
study opened his lips as if to speak, and then
leaned little forward Larlin, big and en-
barrassed, stepped slowly into the room and
came to a stop before the doctors desk
For an instant both seemed at loss for
words. The call of a distant plOwbOy. the
humTnin9 of the waiting motor, and the
Whish' of some WCOdsnanS ak on the
mountainside blended in autumn diapason.
Doc or" Lark1n said. looking confused
as if in an unaCCustOnled role " | shall bother
I he
big man was actually stammering for speech
-Larkin who was used to believing his com
mands at timid boards of directors. He
cleared his throat and proceeded more
bravely-
I've come to apologize for calling you a
hireIing and a few other things. It's the
best I can do. If ever one man owed another
anything, everything, l am that man. I
haven't come to pay you money, but to
square myself | want TO be friends with
YOU MAY l."
Larkin couldn't have said more: for Har-
vev was a soft hearted sort when his OBJ
stinacv was not aroused. He colored up,
pretended 10 sort some papers on his desk.
fumbled at his tie and then got 10 his feet.
and went around and took the heavy. red
hand that had been held Out-and both
were still more embarrassed. Tn. motor,
seemed to have rested from their activities,
and there was no noise 10 relI We them: so
they stood there. without another word. for
several seconds, looking into each others
ewes and understanding. Then Larkin used
few rough EXPLANATIONS TO hide sentiment
and bolred for the door. He rushed out as
f running away from something; for It Is
hard for men of his sort to betray them
selves. fairly Jumped into his car. and
bawled to the driver, Go on
~ Harvey's desk lay an enyelop which
" appeared strange, After he had run
his fingers through his hair few times, be
rated himself for having emotions, and
Gained down, he opened It. There was 4
cancelled mortgage and . check which was
signed but left in blank, and this note:
I shall Try 10 leave this with you. somehow
In what way I don't know. because You are a
very hard man to deal with / don't leave
either of the Enclosures IN payment OF your
Dill 10 ne and mine, but to show you, IN the
only way know. that I want you TO be my
friend Life hasn't been easy with me. anc
I've been taught N 4 school where men otter
make mistakes I owe YOU one lesson w1lcf