The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-04-20
CHAPTER XyL-CoNr1N,En.


his case now; he had been crying for the
moon, and had at last realized that he
could not have it. With the realization
of this fact there was total collapse of
all interest in life. 1t was unnecessary
for Arkwood to recommend the pana-
.cea of hard work this time; Maurice
took to work mechanically; but there
is no panacea for absolute Indifference.
He had hoped to make some lucky hit.
either at the bar or with his rem, which
would help him on the way to fortune.
But now he had no thought of accom-
plishing more than dull round of
commonplace, plodding work. There
were no glimpses of possible shortcuts
to success. and he did not seek any.
There was only long, dreary, fiat road
before him, with no lowers by the way
side to perfume the air and refresh the
mind.
By and by he found kind of morbid
pleasure in the senses of his loneliness,
and in time came a higher pleasure in
dreaming about Lucy, and what might
have been had she been with him. He
did not try to turn from this dream; he
cherished it in secret all the more ten
derry in being conscious of his own
folly.
Seeing his son settled in what was to
him an incomprehensibly obstinate hui
NOR, Mr.. Calthorpe became uncomfort-
able and cast about for some means to
quicken him. He was ire, uently in
town, now, and frequently met Colonel
-Cuthbert at their respective clubs, and
sometimes saw Mabel at the house of
mutual friends. With her he was po-
lite, but carefully avoided any prolonged
conversation. With the Colonel he
maintained his confidential relation
ships, and without any aDpearan e of
curiosity contrived to keep himself well
acquainted with all Nabels movements
so far as her father understood them.
Although the time was drawing un-
pleasantly close when he would-be
obliged to surrender Calthorpe or his
own dignity and his sons, he did not
lose hope, even when told that Mabel
was perfectly happy, and SO busy that
she could scarcely find time for her nrl-
merous engagements.
"a am suspicious of people who are
always so busy observed Mr.. Cal
thorpe: ''thev are rarely comfortable
themselves. and they never make other
people so. She is not cured yet.
He, however, began a systematic
effort to arouse Maurice's interest by
repeating some of the things he heard.
He elected no more than smile, which
showed that his drift was understood,
and the dry response:
with wealth, beauty and troops of
friends no woman is capable of being
unhappy about anything for more than
4 day. And there is no reason why she
should be. -
The words were spoken. not bitterly,
but callously. as if they referred 10 a
person about whom he knew nothing;
and Mir. Calthorpe smiled, too.
''You are developing into an excel
lent specimen of a man of extremes;
first all sentiment, now all cynicism.
You remember the saying as to the fate
of extremes"
Tine willy diplomatist was careful not to
press Maurice too much at once; and al
though he obtained for him number
of invitations he did not urge him to ac-
cept any. At length he persuaded him
&c go to an lat home" at the house of
an old friend. There, as the father had
expected, Maurice saw Mabel. She
was standing by the side Of the hostess
as he entered the room. A scarcely
perceptb'e pause-then he moved for
ward, and without the slightest appar-
emit embarrassment went through the
usual formalities before mixing with
the other guests As he passed away
Mabel quietly resumed the converse
ton with the hostess.
Mr.. Calthorpe had been observing the
two. and their calmness under the or
deal. which he had contrived to bring
about wth so much difficulty. displeased
him. They had met, they had stood
within a pace of each other, and neither
had made the slightest sign of recogni-
ton.
But she did start little when he
entered" he said, seeking to console
himself-..very little. though. And
Maurice did look for a second as if he
meant to turn tail But he didn't. Its
not satisfactory.
Maurice persuaded himself that the
meeting had not affected him much; he
had often looked forward to such an
event, and had carefully studied the
aemeanor he should observe whenever
it might occur Those bitter words
sif you speak to me shall openly Insult
you''-would fash to his mind and
keep him calm. Speak! Why should
he speak to a woman who could say
that to him? Outwardly he had acted
very much as he had intended, and he
kept tight hold on the disturbing
emotions which had been reawakened
within.
: 81 have some news for YOU" said