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


- extreme dislike. His name was
E1eming, and he claimed 10 be a New
York politician. AS none of his friends
- enemies asserted anything worse
anbOut him, Il may be assumed that Flem-
Eng had designated his occupation cor
Gsctly. If Wentworth were asked what
- most dislilxed about the man he
~ould probably have said his offensive
familiarity. Fleming seemed to think
himself genial good fellow. and he was
Immensely popular with a certain class
n the smOking-room. He was lavishly
free with his invitations 20 drink, and
ne always had case of good cigars
IN his pocket, which he bestowed with
great liberality. He had the habit of
slspping man boisterously on the back
and saying: "Well, old fellow. how are
YOU? How's things?" He usually con-
hded 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.
swell, 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? 1
hope you are enjoying your voyage?"
ST am"
''You ought to. BY the way. why are
you so awful stand-ofish? Is it ma
tural, or merely put on for this occa-
sion only.'?"
81 do not know what you mean by
astand-ofish.'
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 1 can't, for the life of me,
see why you spend so much time with
Dolly Dimple.' am sure 1 don't know
why she is here, but 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 Dimrle?'"
a strange fear came over Wentworth
as his companion mentioned the Argus.
He remembered it as j. X. Rivers paper,
but when Fleming said Miss Brewster
was a correspondent of the Argus he
was aghast.
I'LL don't think l quite catch
your meaning" he stammered.
We'll. my meanings easy enough to
see. Hasn't she ever told you? Then
it 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 out just what man doesn' I 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 look perfectly dunn
founded. l suppose l oughtn't to have
given Dolly away like this; but she has
pretendeda al 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 a 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"
1T 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,
1t 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, a sweet voice from one Of
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
gazing up brightly at him.
''Well,' he said, at last, Il am not sure
but / have seen a ghost. May 1 sit
down beside you?"
MAY you?. Why Of course you NAV.