The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-20
THE QUALITY OF mercy
A Story Of Contemporary
American Life.

BY WILLIAM DEAN HoWELLs
Copyright 1891. BY W. n. Howelis1
THIRD PART.
CHAPTER III.
When PinnAy came back from the little turn
he took. Ncsthwick was still holding the I'M
opened letter In his hand. He stood looking
At It in kind OF daze. and he was pale. and
seemed faint.
-why, Mr.. Northwlck." sold Pinney. why
don't you read your letter? II It hadn't been
yours. don't know that you'd have given II
back to me- at once2"
"It isn't that" said the man. who was 80
much older and Trailer than Pinney had ex-
pected to ind him. "But-Are they well3 Is
H-bad news?"
Nor Pinney exulted. They're first rate.
You needn't DO afraid to read the lettsrr
Pinney's exultation came partly from his GER
tninty that It was really Northwick and partly
from the pleasure he felt In reassuring him
he sympathixed with him as . father. His
Measure IVES not marred BY the fact that he
tnev nothing Of the state Of Northwick's fam.
fly, and built his assertion upon the probs-
biity that tho letter would contain nothing to
alarm or nfilict him. Like glass OF waterr'
he suggested. seeing Northwick sit inert and
helpless on the steps OF the inn porch. sppar-
emily without the force to break the seal OF tho
letter "Or little brandyr Pinney handed
hin the neat leather-covered flask his wife
had reprosched him for buying whom they
came away from home: she said he could not
afford It: but he was glad he had got It now.
md he unscrewed the stopple with prido in
ltr1 IN, NorfhuvtNls al, aiO
II haven't been very WE'LL" Northwick adj
m;tted. and he touched the bottle with his lips.
It revived him. and Pinney now saw that II he
would leave him again he would open the
letter. There was little in It but the tender as
sursnce Suzette gave him Of their love. and the
anxiety OF Adeline and herself to know how
and where he was. She told him that he was
not to feel troubled about them that they were
we'll. and unhappy only for him. but he must
not think they blamed him. or had ever done
SO. As soon as they were sure they could reach
him. she said. they would write to him again.
Adeline wrote few lines with her name. to
say that for some days past abe had not been
quite we'll. but that ahe was better. and had
nothing to wish for butte hear from him.
When Pinney came back . second time, he
found Northwick with the letter open in his
hand.
well sir." he said. with the easy respect
fulness toward Northwick that had been re-
placing. over since he talked with Matt Hilary.
the hail-follow manner he used with most
men. and that had now fullv established itself.
you've gdt some noble scenery about here"
He meant 10 compliment Northwick on the
beauty Of the landscape. - people ascribe
merit to the Inhabitants Of hourishing city.
Northwick. BY his silence. neither accepted
nor disclaimed the credit Of the local pic
turesqusness: and Pinney ventured to add:
but you ssem to take 1t out In nature. Mr..
HortAw1Sk The place u pretty quiet. sir"
Northwick paid no heed to this observation.
Rnney began TO doubt whether no was ever
soing to speak at al. no began to AJAX some
guarded and chary questions a. to how Pinney
had happened to md him. Pinney had no un-
willingness to tell and now he gave him the
letter OF Pere Etienne. with Q eulogy Of the
priests regard for Northwick's interest and
safety. He told mhow Markham's talk had
caught his attention. and Northwick tacitly
recognized the speculator. But when Pinney
explained that 1t was the postmark on his
letter to the Eoents that gave him tho notion
Of going to Rimouski. he could see that North
wick was curious to know the effect Of that
letter with the public. At first he thought he
would let him ask: but he perceived that this
would be impossible for Northwick. and he
decided to say. THAT letter was great SEN
sation. Mr.. Northwick." The satisfaction that
lighted up Nothwick's eyes caused Pinney to
add IT guess It set q good many people
thinking about you In Q different way. II
showed that there was something to be
said on both sides. aud believe It made
friends for you. sir. Yes. SIR" Pinney had
never believed this till the moment he spoke.
but then It seemed so probable he had that he
easily affirmed It. II don't believe. Mr.. North
WICK" no went on. "but what this trouble
could DO patched up somehow. 80 that you
could come back. II you wanted to give 'em
time to thing 1t over little"
As soon as he said this. the poison Of that
Interior purpose which his wife had forbidden
him began to work in Pinney's soul He could
not help feeling what q grand thing It would
be II he could 40 back with Eorthwiok In his
train and deliver him over. q captive OF moral
suasion. to his country's courts. Whatever
the result YVES. whether the conviction or the
acquIttal OF Northwick. the process would be
the making Of Pinney. It would carry him to
such height in the esteem oothose who knew
hin TINT he could choose either career. and
whether as reporter or a detective. 1t would
give his future the distinction OF one Of the
most brilliant pieces OF work In both sorts.
Rnney tried his hest to counterfeit the influ-
snce OF these Ideas by remembering his
promises to his wife: but 1t was difficult % re-
call his promises with accuracy In his wifes
ABSENCE: and no probably owod his safety In
this matter more to Northwick's temperament
nan to any virtue OF his own.
think understand how That would DO.
said the defaulter ooldly. and he began very
cautiously to ask Pinney the precise effect OF
MS letter as Pinney had gathered II from
print and hearsay. Il was not In Pinney's
nature to give any but . ross-oolored and H.
lusory report Of this. but he felt that North |
WICK was sizing him up while he listened. and
Knew Just when and how much he was lying. |
Ihis heightened Plnney's respect for him. and |
apparently his divination Of Pinney's character
nad nothing to do with Northwiok's feeling |
toward him. So far as Pinnsy could make |
out was friendly enough. and as
thelr talk went on he imagined u
ssowing trustfulness In It Northwlck |
Kept hia infarancaa .nA ooucluatona 20 him |