The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-11-01

the very nature Of things this cannot
20 on forever. II you are determined
to let your credit 70 to the dogs, must
refuse it the company Of mine. do
not share your sublime disregard of
public opinion, and my standing among
business men is matter of great I'M
portance to me. If this sort of thing
goes on much longer I'll dissolve part
nership-I swear will!''
"Will you?" inquired North, provok-
inply. ''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 it sufficiently to
mutter: cts all very well, but there'll
be an end to it 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 q 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 it up and
scanned it idly. It proved to be a New
York daily of recent date, and on the
margin he saw Ollin'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
mis- 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.
ut 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.
swell, 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.
"Oh. 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.
''Ah!' thought North, smiling 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 a
trifie unreasonable? I give you my
word that I cannot imagine how have
annoyed you now"
''It seems strange" said Wee, still
with the angry sheer 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-unreasonable
and inconsistent to thu, last degree!"
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.
II beg your pardon, Vice." he said,
gravely. "You are certainly justified
in complaining of me in this instance;
but faithfully promise that will
never again transgress my own ad-
mirable rule. Since I 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 contempty and conde-
scended no answer beyond an inarticu-
late growl which might have been
translated into very unflattering
comment on North's department.
Nothing daunted by this gracious bene-
diction, North retired at once from the
office. ~.
$50 much accomplished" he reflect
ed, complacently, as he regained the
street. II 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"
cHapTER WITT