Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-02-13

turned EavaSely TO MS WT1UlnS ana
vouchsafed no further answer to North.
The silence which therenpon ensued
was as welcome to the latter a. Wees
merciless attack had been unexpected
He allowed himself q few mo-
ments in which to regain his
equilibrium (for, notwithstanding
the calm exterior that he had
succeeded in preserving, he had felt
greatly disturbed by Wees harangue);
then noticing on the desk beside him q
folded newspaper, he took it up and
scanned it idly. 1t proved to be New
York daily of recent date, and on the
margin he saw Ollin's name.
Before unfolding the paper he drew
from his pocket cigar, and lighted 1t,
so entirely from the force of habit and
the association of ideas by which, in
his mind, newspapers and cigars We're
inseparably connected, that he was only
half conscious of the act.
With the first puff of fragrant smoke
he had finally settled himself to glance
over the paper when Wee looked up and
sharply addressed him.
ut seems to me, North, that you are
trying to carry things with a particu-
larly high hand this morning." he ex-
claimed, sneeringly.
North glanced up over his newspaper
with an air of surprise.
"Well, what now, Weep" he demand
ed. holding his cigar lazily between two
fingers and throwing his head back
against the cushioned chair In which he
was reclining.
''Oh, nothing, nothingl AS one Of
our future city officials, you are of
course privileged to ride rough-shod
over everyone elsev' returned Wee, with
chilling sarcasm.
"Ah!" thought North, smiling lit
tie, "Wec is jealous of Nou's political
prospects. Is that the sequel at the
heels of all this amiability?"
Then aloud he continued, with slight
impatience in his tone and manner:
my dear Mr.. Wescott, are you not q
trifle unreasonable? 1 give you my
word that cannot imagine how have
| annoyed you now"
st seems strange" said Wee, still
with the angry sneer on his face, "that
you, who were the very first to insist
that there should be no smoking in our
private office, should also be the first
one to transgress the rule. Yet no, it's
and inconsistent to the last dcgreeI"
North instantly rose, tossed aside the
newspaper and took up his hat. He
| was struggling to maintain an outward
| gravity that should conciliate the much.
| offended Mr.. Wescott, while inwardly
he was convulsed with amusement.
81 beg your pardon, Woo." he said
| gravely. you are certainly Justified
IN complaining of me IN this Instance
but I faithfully promise that I will
never again transgress my own adj
l mirablo rule. Since cannot foregc
the pleasure of this cigar, must deny
myself the snlutary influence of YOU
society, painful to both Of us though
the separation be; Mr.. Wescott, gooc
morning."
Wee shrugged his shoulders with or
air of supreme contempt, and condo
seconded no answer beyond on inarticu
| late growl which might have beer
translated into very unhatterine
comment on North's department
Nothing daunted by this gracious bene
diction, North retired at once from tht
| office
$50 much accomplished no reflect
cd, complaccntly, Us he regainod thu
street II have located Weo and safely
passed through tho perilous ordeal O
visiting the office, and I consider tina
my position Il materially strengthened
by both of these achievements. Ant
now for q moro agreeable duty. mus
seek IN interview with Mrs. Maynard