The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-02-20

Irony but with a certain forced re-
spect:
"Mr. Sweetwater has just left for
New York, Mr.. Brotherson. He will
carry with him, no doubt, the full
particulars of your great success"
Orlando bowed, this time with dis
tinguished grace. Not flicker of re-
lief had disturbed the calm serenity
of his aspect, yet when moment
later, he stepped among his shouting
admirers in the street, his air and
glance betrayed a bounding joy for
which another source must be found
than that of gratified pride. A chain
had slipped from his spirit, and
though the people shrank a little even
while they cheered, it was rather from
awe of his bearing and the recogni-
ton of the sense of apartness which
underlay his smile than from any per-
ception Of the mans real nature or of
the awesome purpose which at that
moment exalted it. But had they
known-could they have seen into this
tumultuous heart-what silence
would have settled upon these noisy
streets; and in what terror and soul
confusion would each man have skunk
away from his fellows into the quiet
and solitude of his own home.
Brotherson himself was not without
sense of the incongruity underlying
this ovation; for, as he slowly worked
himself along, the brightness of his
look became dimmed with a tinge of
sarcasm which in it's turn gave way
TO an expression of extreme melan-
choly-both quite unbefitting the hero
of the hour in the first flush of his
newborn glory. Had he seen Doris
youthful figure emerge for moment
from the vine-hung porch he was ap-
preaching, bringing with it some doubt
of the reception awaiting him? Pos
Eibly, for he made stand before he
reached the house, and sent his fol-
lowers back; after which he advanced
with an unhurrying step, SO that sew.
; eral minutes elapsed before he finally
drew up before Mr.. SCOTS door and
entered through the now empty porch
into his brothers sitting-room.
He had meant to see Doris first, but
his mind had changed. If all passed
off well between himself and Oswald
if he found his brother responsive
and wide-awake to the interests and
necessities of the hour, he might fore
60 his interview with her till ne felt
| better prepared to meet it. Fer call Il
cowardice or simply reasonable pre-
! caution, any delay seemed preferable
to him in his present mood of dis
couragement, to that final casting oil
the die upon which hung SO many ani
such tremendous issues. It was the
! first moment of real halt in his whole
tumultuous life! Never, as daring ex
perimentalist or agitator, had he
shrunk from danger seen or unseen OF
| from threat uttered Or unuttered, as
he shrank from this young girls 70;
and something of the dread he hat
| felt lest he should encounter her un
aware in the hall ard SO be led on t.
speak when his own judgment bads
him be silent, darkened his features
as he entered his brothers. presence.
Butt Oswald was sunk in a bite,
revery of his own, and took no heed o
these signs of depression. In the re
action following these days of grea
excitement, the past had re-asserted II
self, and all was gloom in his ono,
generous soul. This. Orlando had tim,
to perceive, quick as the chang,
came when his brother really realize,
who his visitor was. The glad "O1
4 lando!" and the forced smile did no
deceive him. and his voice quavered
!, trifie as he held out his packet wit
the words:
"T have come to show you what TIL
world says Of my invention. We vii
.onn ha great men," he emphasized. a
Oswald opened the letters. "Mone,
las been offered me and-read
.ead!" he urged. with an unconsciou
iictatorialness as Oswald paused Il
ais task. "See what the fates hav
prepared for US: for you shall shar
=.