The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-10-02
CHAPTER ",

CHAPIEh1f.
There was one man on board the
Es1oEic to whom Wentworth had taken
"a extreme dislike. His name was
K1eming, and he claimed to be New
K0rk politician. As none of his friends
~ enemies asserted anything worse
abcut him, itmay be assumed that Flem-
ing had designated his occupation cor
zoctly. If Wentworth were asked what
ne most disliked about the man he
ssOuid probably have said his offensive
8smiliarity. Fleming seemed TO think
Afmself genial good fellow, and he was
4mmensely popular with a certain class
za the smoking-room. He was lavishly
Hnee with his invitations 10 drink, and
he always had case of good cigars
In his pocket, which he bestowed with
great liberality. He had the habit of
4slapping man boisterously on the back
and saying: "Well. old fellow, how are
YOU? How's things?" He usually con-
sided to his listeners that he was self
made man, had landed at New York
without a cent in his pocket, and look
at him now.
Wentworth was icy toward this man,
but frigidity had no effect whatever on
the exuberant spirits Of the New York
politician.
''Well, old man." cried Fleming to
Wentworth, as he came up to the latter
and linked arms affectionately. What
lovely weather we are having for winter
time"
at is good" said Wentworth.
"Good. It's glorious! Who would
have thought, when leaving New York
in a snowstorm as we did, that we would
run right into the heart of spring? l
hope you are enjoying your voyage"
''I am"
"You ought to. by the way, why are
you SO awful stand-offish? Is it ma
tural, or merely put on for this occa-
sion only.'?'
81 do not know what you mean by
3stand-offish.'
"You know very, well what mean.
Why do you pretend to be so stiff and
formal with fellow?"
81 am never stiff and formal with any
one unless do not desire his acquaint-
ance."
Fleming laughed loudly. 81 suppose
that's personal hint. Well, it seems to
me, if this exclusiveness is genuine,
that you would be more afraid of news
paper notoriety than of anything else"
"Why do you say that?'
Because L can't, for the life of me,
see why you spend so much time with
Dolly Dimple' l am sure l don't know
why she is here, but l do know this,
that you will be served up to the eX-
tent of two or three columns in the
Sunday Argus as sure as you live"
81 don't understand you"
You don't? Why, it's plain enough.
You spend all your time with her."
Il do not even know of whom you are
speaking"
"Oh. come. now, that's too rich. Is
it possible that you don't know that
Miss Jennie Brewster is the one who
writes those Sunday articles over the
signature of Dolly Dimple?"
A strange fear came over Wentworth
as his companion mentioned the Argus.
He remembered it as J. X. Rivers paper,
hut when Fleming said Miss Brewster
was a correspondent of the Argus he
was aghast.
I'LL don't think I quite catch
your meaning" he stammered.
We'll. my meanings easy enough to
see. Hasn't she ever told you? Then
1T shows she wants to do you up on
toast. You're not an English politician,
are you? You haven't any political Sc
crets that Dolly wants to get at, have
you? Why. she is the greatest girl there
is in the whole United States for find
ing ont Just what man doesn't want to
have known. You know the secretary
of state'-and here Fleming went on
to relate a wonderfully brilliant feat
OF "Dolly's," but the person to whom he
was talking had neither eyes nor ears.
He heard nothing and he saw nothing.
Dear me-" said Fleming, drawing
himself up and slapping the other on
the back, you hook perfectly dunn
founded. | suppose l oughtn't to have
given Dolly away like this; but she has
pretended all along that she didn't know
me. and so | got even with her. You
take my advice, and anything you
don't want to see in print don't you tell
Miss Brewster.that' s all. Have cigar?''
No, thank you" replied the other,
mechanically.
Better come in and have drink"
NO. thank YOU"
We'll. so long. I'll see you later"
lit can't be true. 1t can't be true,
Wentworth repeated to himself. with
deep CONSERVATION. but still with some
misgiving, warning him that, after all,
it might be true. With his hands
clasped behind him he walked up and
down. trying to collect himself-trying
TO remember what he had told and what
he had not. As he walked along. heed
ing nobody. sweet voice from one cf
the chairs thrilled him and he paused.
why. Mr.. Wentworth. what is the
matter with you this morning? You
look as if you had seen a ghost"
Wentworth glanced at the young
woman seated in the chair, who Was
L. L.