Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-08-03
CHAPTER XvI.-CoSrIScEp.

CHAPTER XVL-CoSrISCED
He had just entered upon the quiet
vista of Delaplaine street, absorbed in
his own interesting reflections, when
his attention was idly directed toward
. gentleman in an invalid's chair
which an attentive valet was slowly
pushing along the pavement. The
thin, shrunken figure in its rich attire.
sparkling with diamonds and rcspien-
dent III fine linen, attracted perhaps
rather more than a casual attention
froal North, whose mind was impressed
by the painful contrast between the
abject wretchedness of the invalid's
face and the ponp and splendor of his
outward circumstances. Helpless and
suffering, he was evidently not one
whom the severe discipline of physical
afiliction had scttcrcd and refined; it
was but too obvious that here was a
mind Us warped and diseased as its
frail tenement The expression of his
face betrayed harsh, selfish nature
exaggerated almost TO 4 grotcsque de-
gree by years of self-indulgence. He
appeared to be constantly on the alert
to discover something that he might
constrhe into a grievance. The
querulous glance of his restless eyes,
the sI>eering curl of his thin lips under
a fierce iron-gray mustache, forestalled
all words, and were a sufficient warn
ing to persons Of acute penetration not
to give him the provocation for which
he was evidently watching to give way
to violent and aggressive wrath.
North was passing this gentleman
with the speculative but courteous
glance of a perfect stranger, when to
his utter amazernent he was accosted in
the most peremptory manner.
The wheel chair was brought to a
sudden halt, while a petulant voice
uttered the startling challenge:
North, you jackanapes! What do
You mean, sir? Do you intend to insult
ne?"
North was electrified. What had he
Zone? Who was this interesting in
valid?
Some one, evidently, whom ought
to know" he thought, land whom It
will be awkward and unfortunate to
offend What can do TO pacify him?"
Then. lifting his hat as he turned
back to the gentleman, North said, with
an apologize air:
My dear sir, beg your pardon. 1
vas preoccupied, and did not recognize
you at all"
This statement, although offered with
charming fraakness and suavity, was
quite thrown away upon the deeply Of
Tended gentleman.
'.Oh. dom: tell me-" he cried with an
cry emphasis, looking at North with
his shrunken sallow face suffused with
purple flush, and his small black eyes
flashing rescntful fire. Your wonder
full harangue last night turned your
head, / presume. Preoccupied, We're
you? Didn't see me. Ell? Heavens and
earth, sir, that's false! 1t was a piece
of deliberate impertinence, North, and
you know it. You're carrying n high
hand just now, young man; oh, yes, 4
very high hand. but we'll see how long
i. will continue! Ny patience will not
last forever. Heavens and earth,
thcrc'll be the mischief to pay one of
these days! You don't hoodwinls me SO
neatly after ali, Mr.. North: I'm not the
shallow dupe that you take me to be!'
We'll, upon my life. what mad, raw
ing maniac is this?" thought North,
blanlsly; then, rallying from his amaze
mert he said, calmly:
II beg your pardon, sir. you are I'M
der an entire misrepresentation. 1 have
no motive or desire 70 hoodrink you,
and SD far as my transactions have any
connection with yourself they are open
to your inspection. And now, sir" he
added, stcrnly, checking the torrent of
abusive words that he plainly perceived