Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-21

inner lie naO uoVtr Doeu lnIcuOeu
to bear investigation. Insight into
character is al very well for the peo-
who have the insight, but it is some
times try ing to- the unlucky charact-
er; and so Dick felt as rather defiant
ly he met Iris Enderby's glance.
"She thinks" he said inwardly,
'''that I am one of the people that It
will not do to encourage" The girl
had formulated no opinion so dis
tinctly; but yet his guess was not far
from the truth. For there was no
denying that Dick, with bis battered
costume, his rather dingy hands, and
the reckless devil-may care expression
on face grown coarse that had once
been handsome, looked disreputable
character, with whom refined girl
would have nothing in common.
Therefore Iris withdrew her eyes with
calm Indifference and went on meas
uring some medicinal compound.
Her face, with the Undesirable air
of fearless innocen ce about it that
some faces will wear to the end, awoke
in Dick novel sense of emIarrass-
ment. He hesitated, but the desire to
spead to her was too strong, and ne
crossed over to the invalid's side.
"Can I be of any use," he asked
politely.
"No, thank you," said the girl
trile coldly but her voice was very
pleasant and musical. Mrs. Hart
ley will be here presently" She turn
ed a passing glance on him as she
spoke, distrustful and yet Indifferent.
Evidently not the kind of girl to
whom any one would offer imperti-
nence in cold blood. But Dick paid
no heed to the restraint; he spoke
again, warming to the old manner.
81 have brought him some wine,"
he said in a careless undertone, dis
burdening his hands as he spoke. ST
thought it would be needed. and they
have very little money. You see, [
have lodged here now for two years,
and I am sorry he has broken down.
There is no hope, I SUPPOSED" he ado
ed, in a yet more guarded voice,
though the patient was sleeping heav-
lily.
The girl turned again and looked
him full in the face. He fancied he
could trace In her eyes some regret
for having judged him too harshly,
and her voice was more cordial,
though In all her intonations when
she spoke to him, then and afterward,
he thought there was suspicion of
disdain. He never blamed her, and
he knew instinctively that if his old
social standing had still been his that
element ia her voice would have been
rather more pronounced.
There is very little hope. [ am
afraid" she said gravely. Has Mrs.
Hartley any friends who can help herr
The doctor said he would require con-
slant care"
''She has been earning for them
both for some time" said Dick, land
her hands are full already. 7 do not
think she has any friends who are
likely to be of any use. IF ever you
are in need of helping Land hope
you will rely upon me. l can easily
sit up with him at nights and never
feel it" And, indeed, he looked as if
he was SO used to sitting up all night
that few additional times would
make no difference to him.
''Thank you," said Iris, and was
silent again. The real or imagined
hautear in her voice annoyed Dick
unaccountably.
UNLESS you are too fast1dious," he
said, 10 sudden tone of bittern less
that astounded himself, ito take help
at the hands of a poor blackguard like
me-"
The girl looked at him with a
strange blending of compassion and
repugnance in her eyes.
"You could have been a gentleman
if you had wished" she said calmly.
IF you are what you choose 10 be,
why blame me for taking you at your
own valuations"
There was something terribly true
and relentless about her words, and
Dick WINGED under them, as the most
violent reproaches had ceased to make
him vince.
'Thank you," he said. ''You show
me what I have to expect from people
IF a higher moral standard. And yet
what right have you to assume that ]
am worthless?"
''It is your own epithet, she return
ed TRANQUILITY. "But-forgive me-to
a certain extent men write their char
acters in their faces"
Dick nearly swore a heavy oath,
but he checked himself just in time
and spoke IN tones of exceedingly
suavity.
''What excellent discrimination you
have! Then you have ascertained
that my character is too far gone to
allow of my associating with you, to
however small an extent, in work
of mercy"
a halt smile broke over the girls
face, faint and transient, and it lit up
the whole countenance and soften ed
its youthful austerity.
81 did not say that" she returned
releptingly. "Who am I that should
look with scorn on any human being9"
(This. by the way, she should have
thought of before.) ''Indeed if you
care to give it, I believe that we shall
be grateful for your help"
THANK you," said Dick, his anger
melting as incomprehensibly as it had
arisen. 81 ana at your service"
He sat up that night with Hartley,
fulfilling mechanically whatever Of
- L, l.