Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-11
CONTRAST.
Chapter LXXVIII.

"But Bud ISN'T weak, L began again
when we were settled in the car and
running smoothly up Fifth avenue. He
WAS driving, and l WAS in the front
seat behind him with a fun. rug over
my knees. The chauffeur had been sent
home before we dined
mo. 1 don't think Bud is week" he
agreed II like him, you know--he' s
clean looking, wholesome, be is full of
quick decided action, and he does not
mind work.
"But l want to know more about
him. As told you once, want to
know all about my employees. That
was one reason for giving that dance
the other week l could see them when
they were relaxed, so to speak, off duty;
| could see how they preferred to enjoy
themselves.
And" he added, laughing a little,
81 could see the sort of people they
went with out Of office hours. 1t WAS
very interesting evening. Now go on"
"Well, Bud was spoiled boy when
he was young. He had, and still has, o
great deal of respect for his father,
but no affection at all. l don't think /
can blame him. There's something thai
gets into our New England blood, per-
haps, that kills affection. Mr.. Pearsoll
has large farm, and he wants Bud to
follow him IN working the place. Bud
would not do it. His mother, South
crn woman, did not want him to either.
and encouraged him in his idea of break
ing away. She wanted him to be an
author, first of all; but Bud of course
has no such talent She thought the next
most romantic thing was to be a stock
broker
"Romanticl Being stock broker?
God save the dear ladys soulp' the man
cried and threw back his head to laugh.
was so keenly alive to his presence
that l lost the thread of my story to
listen to that laugh VT | was so cordial,
SO mellow-he enjoyed himself immensely
when he laughed.
81 didn't mean to interrupt" he said.
IL beg your pardon. Go on"
$50 he came to the city, and he found
himself one position after another, los
ing them rs soon rs he found them, L
fancy. But he wanted to learn the
stock brokers' business too, and he did
keep at it until he found a position as
messenger in some house in Wall street.
He lost that place, and then he went
with YOU"
Tell me the other side of him" he said.
'Is his mother alive, by the way?"
mo, she died after Bud went TO the
city, and as she was the only bond be-
tween the boy and his home, he simply
never goes up there any more. His father
SAYS he can have the farm if he comes
back and works it; otherwise, it all goes
married. She and her husband live on
the Pearsoll place, and help with il"
80 the boy gets nothing from that
quarter" he reflected. Its as well
Every healthy lad should start out and
build up his own career. / doubt whether
Id leave a fortune TO any son | might
have-though | suppose If 1t came to
cases, I'd be as fond and foolish as any
other parent.
There was something very wlstful IN his
tone as he said something that
made me turn a little and look at him.
He was lounging back IN the seat,
quite enveloped In huge tan coat,
and he had replaced his hat by a cap
when he took the wheel. As we passed
by the occasional lights, | could see
more clearly the outline of his profile.
How unlike Mark Upjohnl Where
Mark was round and fat, with several
chins and too many necks, with a small
nose-ridiculously inadequate to the
size Of his face-this man was long
apd little lean, and the irregularity
OF his features only added to their ap-
pcarance of strength.
We talked of Bud, and of Violet
told him about our home In Connect
cut, and OF James, who also aspired
to be great but who would probably
never have the character to break away
and become something by himself.
And we talked finally, shout our
-, IL ~,
I've wanted to hear about you," he
said. "lou know. you looked much |
older when i first met you-but there |
was something awfully appealing about
you. You looked like someone-some-
one who is-seeking something Am
right
Yes" / laughed. "I am seeking
seeking lots of ridiculous things and
some wise ones. Seeking the youth
lost too soon, which is foolish"
"No, that's wise" he contradicted
quickly.
Seeking TO educate my niece as far
as j can, and 10 broaden out myself
before we both have to bury Ourselves
IN the country again"
That's wise, too, he agreed this time. +,
We circled the Park again and went
up the Drive by the river. cold and
clear and steel color IN the faint moon
light. Then we drove TO our fiat
He went as far as the vestibule with /
me, opening the door for me.
Shall We do this agin?" he asked,
his hand out.
I'D love to-" i answered. He held
my hand an instant-and then another |
instant. Then he raised it, almost as
though he would have kissed my fin |
gers And then he was gone. And |
stood in the dark hall-but with nv
whole soul burning with a white Light. |
went up stairs slowly to our rooms.
] opened the door, ] saw Violet lying
on the couch, her eyes wet with tears, |
ber shoulders shaking little.
Monday-Bud is In Trouble.