Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-11

wards him. We were talking o. you
and your afkairs."
Il readily OWNED that from the look
on Driscolls' innocent old mug as I
entered. l am remarkably quick at
reading other peoples faces"
Il have fattered myself that I am
the same-when the faces have not
been altered almost (if not Quite) be-
yond recognition
looked full into his curious pale
eyes as gave him this hint, but they
did not fall before mine, and his dark,
sallow skin could scarcely be paler
than its wont.
He returned my stare and was not
afraid to show me that my meaning
had made itself clearly understood.
"Why speak in riddles, my dear Mr..
Stanton" he asked, struggling his
shoulders little. But as we have
got upon this subject, suppose we fol-
low it up to the end-bitter or other
wise-and as you may not care to take
all your fellow-wayfarers into your
Utmost confidence, suggest that we
move out of earshot of the mob. Here
are couple of chairs and a table, far
from the maddening crowd. Shall we
sit for five minutes or SO? Thanks.
And won't you let me offer you CT
gar? These are not bad ones. A
present from the Shalzada last year,"
l courteously refused the offer,
watching him with some interest as,
pretending to be unconscious of or in
different to my scrutiny, he struck
match and lighted his cigar.
Il have already frankly assured you,
not aware of having met you before
the other night-Christmas Eve, l
think it was-at the theatre with my
very good friend Farnham. But you
evidently wish me to see that you still
firmly believe l am-er-mistaken
AMI not stating the case correctly?
But it is certainly far from flattering
to me that you should have almost
completely forgotten me, to say the
least"
Il shall remember you again, sooner
or later" l murmured.
Il sincerely hope so, if in any way
we have come across each other in the
past, unknown to me. But have been
so we'll acquainted with you by reputa-
ton for some years, Mr.. Stanton, that
l would be ready to swear my memory
could not have played me false.
| did not reply, save by a slight up
ward movement of the eyebrows, but
was conscious that he was gazing at
me intently.
presently, in the same low, monoton-
ous tone of voice which we had en-
ployed so far throughout our disjoint-
ed conversation.
1t was my turn to shrug my should
ers. Il should not be apt to select you
as friend"
Il wonder slowly and lazily
whether it be possible that l can in
esny way, quito Inadvertently have in.
terfered with your plans?"
Rather say" broke out imprudent-
ly, that it is possible l may have in
terfered with yours.'
He laughed Il wonder how"
'In no definite way, unless-I should
happen suddenly to remember exactly
where and how | have met you before
That little accident might slightly
hamper your career in general for the
future, perhaps"
You are pleased to be insulting.
And yet, somehow, don't want to
take offense from you. l would much
prefer to argue you out of your some
what unreasonable prejudice and mis-
take. Do you suggest, for instance,
that am now concealing my identity
under a disguise?"
So speaking he raised his hand with
a pretence at carelessness, pushing his
dark hair from his forehead in such
way as to assure me without doubt that
he did not wear a wig.
The moustache-allow me to give
you an ocular demonstrations equal
ly genuine" he sneered. Il don't sport
a false nose, or l should have procu,e ed
myself a more desirable one, and my
teeth''-with disagreeable grin-"are
my own. Have l convinced you that l
have not tempered with Natures han
diwork, such as it is?'
You might have waited, Mr.. Will
dred," / returned, until l had accused
you Of doing so before trying to prove
the contrary. You know the little say
ing: He who excuses accuses himself
l suppose?"
Il have heard it, though fortunately
it does not concern the case. Look
here, Mr.. Stanton, you and l are sit
ting here among mutual friends, ap-
parently holding, so far as they can see
or hear, an amicable discussion. But
the truth is that 7 have wit enough to