The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-06-14

protest against it!''
Mr.. Wescott's temper had gotten de-
cidedly the better Of him during this
address, and the fact that he could elicit
no response from North only increased
his irritation. With q mighty effort
restraining his strong desire to pitch
the senior partner out Of the Office, the
ruffied junior continued In voice that
trembled with suppressed wrath:
"It's all very well, Mr.. North, for you
to assume this air of indifference-it
all very well for you to ignore my fre-
quent advice and remonstrance; but in
the very nature of things this cannot
go on forever. If you are determined
to let your credit 70 to the dogs, must
refuse it the company Of mine. l do
not share your sublime disregard Of
public opinion, and my standing among
business men Is matter of great inn
portance to me- II this sort of thing
goes on much longer I'll dissolve part
nership-I swear willp
"Will your" inquired North, provok-
ingly. Don't, Wee; what would become
of me?'
This was too obviously satire, and
Mr.. Wescott's anger rose to q white
heat; but smothering 1t sufficiently to
mutter: cts all very well, but there'll
be an end to 1t before long," he re-
turned savagely to his writing and
vouchsafed no further answer to North.
The silence which thereupon ensued
was as welcome to the latter as Wees
merciless attack had been unexpected.
He allowed himself n 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 a
folded newspaper, he took 1t up and
scanned it idly. 1t proved to be New
York daily of recent date, and on the
margin he saw 0llin's name.
Before unfolding the paper he drew
from his pocket cigar, and lighted it,
so entirely from the force of habit and
the association of ideas by which, in
his mind, newspapers and cigars were
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.
SIT seems TO me, North, that you are
trying to carry things with 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. .-
'0h, nothing, nothing! As one Of
our future city officials, you are Of
course privileged to ride rough-shod
over everyone else" returned Wee, with
chilling sarcasm.
"Ahp thought North, smiling a lit
tie, "Wec is jealous of Nolls 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 l give you my
word that cannot imagine how l have
annoyed you now"
'It 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
In character, after all-unreasonabl
and inconsistent to the last degreel''
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, Vice." he said,
gravely. "You are certainly justified
in complaining Of me in this instances
but I faithfully promise that l will
hO'SA oBoih VI biuhoBtCoo my OWh III
mirable rule. Since l cannot forego
the pleasure Of this cigar, must deny
myself the salutary influence Of your
society, painful TO both Of us though
the separation be; Mr.. Wescott, good
morning"
Wee shrugged his shoulders with an
air Of supreme contempt, and conde-
scended no answer beyond an inarticu-
late growl which might have been
translated into q very unAattering
comment on North's department.
Nothing daunted by this gracious bene-
dicton, North retired at once from the
Office.
$50 much accomplished" he reflect.
ed, complacently, as he regained the
street. 81 have located Wee and safely
passed through the perilous ordeal OF
visiting the Office, and / consider that
my position is materially strengthened
by both Of these achievements. And
now for more agreeable duty. / must
seek an interview with Mrs. Maynard"