Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-08-10
CHAPTER XVI.-CoNTINUED.

As North entered he perceived a gen
tleman in q richly embroidered dress
ing-gown, lying at full length in re
clining chair. In his first glance North
recognized in this person the irascib.e
invalid whom he had within the past
hour encountered on the street.
This speedy Identification of his as
sailant affected North somewhat as an
earthquake shock might have done; but
concealing his feelings as well as posi-
BILE, he advanced with the greeting:
"Good morning, Maj. Maynard. be-
lieve this is the second time to-day that
have had this honor"
A silent, sneering scrutiny was at
first his only answer, and North was be-
ginning to feel seriously annoyed, when
at last the major, motioning toward q
chair which North declined, began in a
hooking way:
"Oh, you're not 'preOccupied now,
eh? You recognize me, do you, Mr..
North? Heavens and earth, sir! It's a
wonder that you didn't come in pretesd.
ing that you had never seen me before.
Do you often get drunk, North?'
Never, sir!'' returned North indig-
nantly.
Never! Oh, very likely-very likely,
indeed! Then have no explanation OF
your extraordinary behavior this morn
ing; none whatever. Now, North, l am
going to ask you few plain questions,
and expect you to answer them. Dc
you hear me, North?"
Certainly, Maj. Maynard" returned
North, with delicate sarcasm in his
emphasis, II hear you" For the
majors voice had been anything but
''soft and low"
WELL" pursued that gentleman, i'm
periously, ''are you going to answer
me?'
THAT will depend altogether upon
the nature of your questions" said
North, looking him steadily in the eye.
1T is perhaps unnecessary for me to
say that shall use my own discretion
in the matter"
''Oh, you will, eh? Use your own dis
erection, sir? Heavens and earth, I'll
not stand this!' roared the major, per-
fectly furious at North's hauteur.
"You'n find, sir, that your best discre-
ton will be to treat me with proper
respect. Now, I've kept myself posted
ABOUT LIlS case. vi. you ucclu ask
me what case! You know perfectly well
that allude to that forged will. It's a
very mysterious affair, North, very mys-
terious, and l have my own suspicious
about it. Now 1 want to know in plain
terms, without any cowardly evasions.
what share you and Mrs. Maynard have
had in this business. 1t looks bad for
you, North; don't deny it, now. Are
you mixed up in that forgery?"
Even eyes less shrewd and unfriendly
might have seen the gradual whitening
of North's face, though he held every
muscle in such iron control that it's ex-
preston did not materially alter. 1t
might have been anger alone that
sent the color from the lips that
were compressed like marble for a mo-
nent beneath the sweeping dark mus
tache.
You don't answer me, North! cried
the major. exultingly, after a brief inter
val of silence. You stand convicted
without one word to say for yourself.
Oh, told you so! Heavens and earth,
Sir, you don't fool me-"
Ibid you expect me to answer such
an accusation as that?' demanded North,
haughtily.
''No, 1 didn't expect it, North. 1
thought you would try to evade the
charge, and so you did. But it will all