The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-08-30

not at liberty TO question me on the
subject"
ANSWER my question, North" roared
the major, in great wrath. "Are you
doing this, or not?"
81 distinctly decline to answer"
"And insist that you shall answerl
have right to know" -.
"Then why do you not ask Mrs. May
nard?"
Because choose to ask you. Don't
interrupt me, North, with your imperti-
nent qucstionsl disapprove Of this
whole BUSINESS, sir-totally disapprove
of it, and Mrs. Maynard is well aware
Of the fact. Yet she ,disregards my ad.
vice and goes directly counter to my ex-
press wishes, simply because, forsooth,
you counsel such course! Your con-
duct is reprehensible, North, reprehen-
sible to the last degree, and have
right to complain of it. ] tell you,
North, you and Mrs. Maynard are bent
upon robberv-downright, deliberate
robbery, strand it's time there was
check put upon your proceedings"
"Robbery?" North repeated the word
with calm surprise, while he stood with
folded arms, looking steadily and
haughtily at the major. "of whom,
may ask, sir?"
"Of whom?" retorted the major, an
grily. "Of that orphan whose fortune
you are trying to steal. Annie Du-
pont, sir--that's whom!"
| r g,I or,r hoo,xu tn aco,,,,a Won Mai
Maynard, that nothing could be further
from our intentions than what you sug-
gest. If it should ever be my good for
tune to discover that young lady
should do everything in my power to
place her in possession Of her legal
rights"
"oh, you would, ehP Place her in
possession of her legal rights, would
you?" sneered the major. "Thats a
likely story Why are you trying SO
hard to find her, then, and keeping SO
very quiet about 1t, If you intend any
good to herP Fair words don't cheat
me, North. l know very well that
you've a scheme in your heads to steal
every dollar of that fortune from her.
But I'll thwart you yet, North-Heav-
ems and earth, I'll thwart you, If have
to bring disgrace upon the family name
to do itp'
"Are you insane, Maj. Maynard?'
cried North, white with the indigna-
ton that he could no longer control.
"Your malice explains your bringing
, this preposterous accusation against
: me; but one would think that the very
, commonest instinct of chivalry would
: forbid you speaking thus Of your wifel'
For one moment the major was 81
fenced; catching his breath quickly he
: looked up at North, with dazed won
der that presently gave place to bolster
:, GUS and contemptuous merriment.
L "My wife?" he repeated, almost chok
i ing over the words. Heavens ant
earth, sir, do you intend this for {
y ghastly attempt at a joke? My wife
o Hang me If don't believe that you ar
drunk, after all How dare you refe
q in this way to my brothers widow"
. If man who has been pushing for
. ward into an unknown country, believ
IL ing himself to be on firm ground
should suddenly find that he wa
/ sinking in quicksand, We nigh
# perhaps imagine his sensation
on making this discovery, yet fin
n it difficult to describe them. To thos
"a whose imaginations are equal to pictur
g. ing the details of such an eXperienc
70 we leave the task of divining Allai
N North's state of mind when he foun
the solid ground OF his own conjecture
s, thus suddenly giving way beneath hi
IL feet. Amid all the chaos OF his thought
r these three words: MY brother
t. widow" stood out distinctly, pointin
e. the events of the past few days wit
er n significance that he had never befor
~ suspected
SIX Before he could collect himself su,
III ficiently to realize either the startlin
u fact that he had just learned or tn
s. magnitude of his own blunder, the m'
MS ior returned to the attack.
IN Snow want to know, North, IL yo
Is intend to keep on with your search fc
We that girl, or II you'll agree to give it
OF -eh?"
re The tone and words acted upon Mort
as a sudden restorative. He spoke d
ly cisively and sharply in reply;
nB 81 must refer you once more to Mr.
ry Maynard. As her lawyer can have L
discussion whatever with you on the'
points. II is dishonorable for you
question me with view to eliciting Il
formation which she sees fit to wit
hold from YOU"
"0h, dishonorable, eh7 Heavens NJ
earth, do you tell me that am disho
orable?" roared the major, while h
eyes sparlsled with delight at having
L last so tangible grievance TO sci
upon. "Did you come up here to insu
me, sir2"
"Neither to insult you nor to be !
suited by you," returned North, COOL
"lf your language has been courteo
I TO me nine has certainly been respeC
full TO you"
"You may leave the room, NORTH
exclaimed the mejor, ringing furious
for his valet; and North waited for !
further dismissal Bowing with iro
ical Difference he withdrew from q
room, hastened downstairs and left Z
house.
ex- As he closed the gate behind him
II cast glance OF mingled relief al
,at yearning at the stately brown-sto
lat mansion. In fash the recollection
no. his first speculative survey of the plaC