The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-12-08

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toward him, but even at that point o,
| view, Norway perceived that she looL
ed disturbed, if not angry. But il
was not that which most attracted.
dis attention. There was somethinl
strangely familiar in the poise. of tha
head. the fluffy waves of dark hair,
the contour of the pretty mouth and
chin. Why did it bring so vividly to
his nina certain night seven wears
go with sound of roaring flames.
falling walls, and the clasp of a pair
of soft While arms2 At that moment
Mr. Berthold excused himself in or
der TO look up some important pa pr
that had been mislald; and as he left
the room the curtains parted. and the
young lady advanced into the room
As she faced him, Norway doubted no
longer. 1t was his protegee of the
fire. Changed, certainly; for instead
Of timid, frightened school girl,
here was a stately, beautiful woman.
Norway had heard of Miss Berthold.
who would have been a decided belle.
only for certain exclusiveness that
hedged her In, or rather, that heGged
others out, but he had never met her.
But a sense of guilt stole over him,
depriving him of the pleasure which
the occasion would otherwise have
brought him. Miss Berthold was at
tired IN dark, wine colored velvet.
made plain and closely fitting, which
seemed to add to her hight and to
render her more imposing. As she
confronted him, she transtixed the un-
happy young man With magnificent
look of mingled scorn and indigna
ton
Sir" she said. "have YOU a mother?"
NO" said Norway, who had arisen
at her approach, Il have no mother" J"
Have you sister?'
No; no sister"
Have you wife. then?" persisted
the young lady. with growing resent
ment.
No." said Norway, aud his owe-
voice sounded strangely to him, Il
have no wife"
w cll, nave you utdIt! sUe DISK
ed, at last, in desperation.
The young man was silent He
looked at her, but for once he found
it impossible to speak. OF course she
had utterly forgotten him; he had ex-
peoted that. But it seemed to him
now they were once more face to face
that the night of the fire was but yes
terday instead of seven years past
Something in his face, grave, ear
nest and almost appealing, touched
the young lady with slight wonder
What L mean, is. how can you do
such things?" she went on, for, hav-
ing gone SO far, she was unable to
stop.
What things?'
why, pry into other peoples Sc
crets. Papa said 1t would kill him if
it should get out. And to morrow it
will be all over town, and in the pa
per, On! Oh! You are cruel. You
are heartless. You cannot be a gen
tleman.
Words fail to describe Norway's sen
sations as he listened. He had some
times been guilty of indulging in
romau.ic dreams of the tine when
he might, perchance, meet his un
known protege, but they had never
pictured the event under conditions
like these. la his misery and humi-
llatiOn he was fam to put the burden
of responsibility on Mr.. Thorne: and
if thoughts could kill, 1t is probable
that the Pro and Con would have been
suddenly deprived of It's able and en-
terprising editor. Bat at that moment
Norway took desperate resolve.
Miss Berthold,' he said, have you
ever heard the story of the wise foe
and the foolish friend?"
No, sir said the young lady,
coldly.
"Will you kindly allow me to relate
it, while 1 am waiting? Thank You.
A certain king who lived in ancient
times, had fav orite ape. The ami
NAL was very fond of him, and was
with him night and day One night
a robber effected an entrance into the
royal chamber, ID the hope that he
might escape with some of the court
jewels. As he entered, huge spider
descended from the ceiling on its in
visible web, and dropped upon the
forehead of the sleeping king. The
ape, enraged that SO vile thing should
touch his beloved master, seized a
stout staff which lay near, and, rails
ing 1t above bis head, would have
killed the unconscious monarch, but
that the robber sprang forward and
arrested the blow. The king awaken
ing and learning the cause of the con
fusion, commanded that the ape
should be killed, but rewarded the
robber. For" said he, my petted
favorite, with good intentions. would
have put me death; but thou, coming
with bad intentions, hath saved my
life. Better is wise foe than a fool
Ish friend
Norway related this simple story in
a low, impressive Voice, that was in
itself work of art Miss Berthold
listened, first with polite toleratio0,
then with some slight interest.
That is very good story. Ana
the moral is that you are Il wise foe ?"
If | may not be considered IN q
friendly light, l certainly would covet
that distinction. But let NE d 1. that
rather than bring my favorable ncto-
riesy upon your family, | world cut
of my right hand, if you positively
desire 1t. will gle you l.iI word of