The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-10-18

do nothing. however, but assent TO her
remarks with . wise, non -committal sir.
she resumed with sudden vivacity:
'.Were You very much disappointed
last evening, Mr.: North3 I was 90 pro-
volsed when Williams told me that you
had called. What Is that very impor.
tant communication that you wished to
make? ] assure You ! have been in .
perfect ffutter Of curiosity ever since
Williams gave me your message"
Here was swift retribution, truly!
North frantically regretted that mo-
ment Of indecision that had been his un-
doing. Everything danced before his
eyes for aD instant as he dizzily sought
in the recesses of his mind for some
plausible means of extricating himself
from this embarrassing dilemma He
had gone altogether too far now to think
of retreating precipitately and acknowl-
edging the daring personation that ne
had attempted; there was positive
~ no alternative but to face the situa-
ton coolly and make the best of it.
'tOh, really, Mrs Maynard" he said.
affecting great negligence, civilians
must have drawn upon his imagination
q little, I think. To be sure, he may
have fancied that my errand was very
pressing, but, in fact, don't you know,
it is nothing of Importance, after all. I
am sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. May
nard, but, really, gave Williams no
special message at ALL" ~@;d.'-
SSOh0 Than hn rnrnha hlv
misunderstood y the lady rejoined, with
q thoughtful air; but North nervously
fancied that she was by no means sat,
isfied in her own mind that he was tell.
ing her the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth 49,. .-........ -.
II was SO confident" she went on
presently, that you had received
some important word from New York.
Have You really heard nothing, Mr..
North?' ~. ..'.-. ,.5.., .--r. '-'
"Not one syllable" declared North,
solemnly, thankful for the ability to
keep at least within the letter of the
truth without compromising his safety.
THAT is very strange, indeed! ex-
claimed Mrs Maynard; then, after a
thoughtful little pause, lasting perhaps
five seconds, she added, gayly: F.
However, shall not repine until I
have greater cause than this. / am GER
tainly learning all the bitterness of
hope deferred; but what else can ex-
pect, pray7 You lawyers are such a
tedious set, with your red tape and
legal process and strange and mystic
rious adjournments, and your thousand
and-one ingenious inventions to cause
delay; really, to an uninitiated person
like myself, it is simply marvellous how
long case can be dragged out after it
once gets into the courts! No, Mr..
North, don't begin an eloquent defense
of your professional guild; they don't
deserve it, and have no time to listen,
if they did. had two distinct objects,
aside from my natural curiosity about
that very important communication
which you now evince such a perverse
determination to withhold from me, in
asking you to call on me this afternoon.
In the first place, wish to remind you
of the expediency of keeping from the
major all knowledge of these new in
designations that we are about to insti-
VuUc. lou AAO" 1AC koOA UCtsA AAAeJoA .
peculiarities?"
This with an inquiring elevation of
the delicate brows, a deprecating. curve
of the delicate lips.
North assented with two or three
grave and comprehending mods, as if to
say: "This is between ourselves and
is perfectly understood. No further
wor7s arr, nacesSarv''
"Wonder if one of these self-same
peculiarities is an interesting habit of
listening at the doors9' he unused.
Zone would fancy so from the cautions
way she lowers her voice. By Jove! l
wish were well out of this! What
will come next, in the way of startling
Developments"
To be Continued.