The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-06-21
CHAPTER XIV,

night IN tne AaA. II was from Mrs.
Dace and said that she would be very
happy to have me accompany her on a
little shopping tour that forenoon.
provided l could arrange without in.
convenience to be away from my
place OF business. I at once phoned
her that I would 60 with her. had
never felt a greater aversion for my
daily, half-mechanlcal work at the
office than I did this bright morning,
and the invitation to spend day with
the woman l loved so madly was an
opportunity not to he ignored. More
over, as my wealth had rapidly In
creased, the fact that was still the
daily employe Of a soulless corpora
ton at a nominal salary and must
still give my attention to the petty de-
tails of journal and ledger had CALLED
me until several times had been upon
the point Of resigning. This now de-
cided to do at once, and sitting down
at my secretary forthwith notified
them to that effect by means of a let
ter, giving more important business
as my reason and enclosing them a
check for my overdrawn salary. This
radical step having been taken, and
with my bridges now being burned be-
hind me, l experienced some of the
joyous sensations Of an onward
marching invader of new continent.
With nothing to hamper me now ex-
cept the keeping of an eye upon my
investments, l could give myself over
to the attractions that lay by the way
without the ever-present and pleasure
marring thought of early rising and
uncongenial work upon the morrow.
What my uncle would say regarding
this latest move OF mine I did not
know nor did ! greatly concern my
self. was making my own fortune,
and reveled in the thought of being
able in the not far distant future to
silence his taunts by proof that a man
Of brains could make money in ways
other than those of mtser. Never
theless decided to say nothing to
him about 1t at this time. Any way.
I was so deeply involved in my specu-
lations that the matter of my salary
was practically hconsequential to me,
II continued to win l would soon
be in a position where would be in
dependent Of everyone, financially;
and if l lost, the fact Of still having
job would be matter of small con-
ISOLATION. Ifelt that had risen above
the Office Of cashier and that broad
er field of endeavor beckoned me to
its bosom. In the short time that had
elapsed since had struck out boldly
for myself had accumulated more
than I would have saved in a lifetime
at my salary, and my prospects had
never been brighter than they were
on this day Of warmth and summer
sunshine. The high play of the stock
exchange had unified me for the
drudgery Of the pen.
The automobile was at the entrance
Of the Arcadia; Mrs. Dace awaited me
in her apartments, and together we
descended and entered the machine.
l gave 1t plenty Of speed and we went
whirring down the wide artery that
led to the heart Of the city. | told
her of my resignation from drudgery,
and after moments reflection she
voiced her approval Of 1t.
"The position was but stepping
stone, and 1t is hardly possible that
It would have ever brought you more
than hard.earned living. And that
is the very thing that am anxious
that you should escape. You are rap
idly becoming man of affairs and
your future depends great deal more
on what you do with your head than
with your hands. have confidence in
you and believe that you are able to
hold your own among men who do big
things. Your Office position bound you
to a desk and hampered you. Now
that you are freed from it, you can
get out among those who have had
the opportunities that go with per-
sonal liberty, mingle with them and
avail yourself Of the knowledge that
Is bound to come from such associa-
tons. I congratulate you upon your
determination to devote yourself who'll
ly to the large things of the world
rather than to the small. You are too
big man to look graceful upon a
stool. You were built for a large
chair. Your self confidence strength
ems my faith in you, and we shall win
out yet"
1t was a glorious thing to be hum.
ming along with her in that early
forenoon hour, her commentator
ringing in my ears and the sweetness
Of breezes blown across fresh waters
exhilarating my physical senses My
enthusiasm leaped onward as lightly
as a bounded rubber ball, and despite
her injunction to the contrary, de-
termined to make cast towards the
subject of our marriage But would
make 1t judiciously and II she eau.
toned me would Immediately turn
into some other channel. l let one
hand fall upon her gloved fingers.
III you were my wife, sweetheart,
p.a..ld ho fha hannioaf rnan In tho