Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-16
CHAPTER XIII.

Azg Of something of the first Importance.
Her fathers manner had changed 50
zEseh in the last week that she had be-
essae concerned for him. He was quiet,
s-ritable, moody, fitful. He was observ
zzE her covertly. He was keeping some
tang from her; they had never had a
3rr-tt come between them before.
lie had never mentioned Mr.. May
berry's name, or referred to him. But
As had said i was possible be had found
eapitalist-i'or, rather, the capitalist
aAs found me-" he said ironically.
And when Irene inquired who the cap
4aEist was, ner father had answered alb
Ezgkly-"G Grip"
n was on the point OF Irene's tongue
NJ Esk him what the paper contained that
Vas passed between her rather and May
berry, and taken back again. but she re-
strained herself. Some time she would
surprise her father into a confession. She
knew he could not refuse, or, rather, that
Ar wenld not withhold anything from her
szee she really importuned him.
One thing she was resolved upon. 1t
Eas her duty TO discover what caused
the serious change in her fathers CON
SHact, and she was resolved she would get
a. the truth.
a zap at the door startled her. When
she hastily opened it, Mr.. Gripp faced
Aer
Oh! Miss Anterior, am compelled to
s1tFude on you a few moments-a matter
a business. | was at the mill, and at
g01r fathers instance called. He re-
auested me to tell you to give ME some
araS wings you viii lind on the upper
shelf"
4 win see,'' she said simply.
She left him, and when alone resolved
- send him away as empty handed as
he came.
Why does my father send this man
10 ne for his drawings! Or has he sent
AAm2 Anyhow, it may not be easy finding
them. AT least / will not try"
When she re-entered the room where
Strip awaited her, she said, without a
senblance of regret or explanations:
mir. Grip, my father will have to give
you the drawings himself"
1T is OF no moment-he will doubtless
ind them in good time, Miss Athertonv
Then he spoke of the weather, Of the
a1e opportunity presented for outdoor en-
1pyments and evening entertainments.
Would she like to witness the famous
actor then in the city? He had some
seats at his disposal, two Of which he
A&d retained for Mr.. Atherton and his
4ADghter"
Lrsne's response chilled him.
Thanks, Mr.. Grip. l rarely attend
the theater, but l will inform my father
ef your offer"
Nj. Grip talked or the workmen at the
niis-how they earned, hardly, all they
received. Then the delights the pleas
Ere-of life of ease were envied; but
ehey were not for Mr.. Grip. Alas! no.
His lot was. PLAINLY, to toll for some one
else. Tie confessed too. he loved an Gc-
stTe life, but ne could-O, yes he could
appreciate the softenng influences Of
a refining ireside.
And then, not till then, Irene realized
s8ddenly she was the object OF Mr..
6rigiS spontaneous alteration. The re-
ahzation made her sick at heart. Her
aversion for Mr. Grip was, if possible,
Increased.
When he Withdrew, bowling politely,
and smiling in his most gracious manner.
Irene sank suddenly into a seat. Was it
ISsalnle Der father knew this man was
sesIr0us Of ingratiating himself into her
good willt What horrible influence,
what evil influence, was this that Mr..
SrsPp exercised over her father She
resolved to dismiss the subject from her
nsnd. She would go out-anywhere. She
would visit q neighbor-walk on the
xe-ssts, No! she would read a farorite
SEthor.
She took down book, and in doing so
displaced a volume her father called to
ais aid frequently. a book OF reference.
The book fell upon the floor, and two Ia
sFsrs huttered cut of it. Irene stopped
knd picked up book and papers. She was
10 the act of replacing the last when
her eye fell on a single line:
FIRST room. second floor, No. - -
street,
Then she read the note. II was very
brief. IL was written to Mr.. Daniel Ath-
srlOn. informing HIN, seemingly by pre-
1ioas understanding, where and when
ne writer would meet him.
I say seemingly, because this note was
strangely worded. 1t read thus:
MIR. Daniel Atherton;
Dear Sir-In regard to matter Jis-
eUssed. would say you had best call at
the house named. First room, second
AOor. No. -- - street Do not de-
hay. Unless you are there this evening
between six and seven, and everything
Tally understood. you viii regret il.
JACKSON GRIP"
There is a threat in thiS!" Irene ex-
claimed, mentally. II see ii now. This
nap has some secret power over my poor
tather"
She flung herself pasSionately upon a
cnair. The tears sprang to her eyes. She
erred with bitter modification. SO this
was the end Of all her fathers inven-
tioas> After all his planning, his nights
and days of reading; after all his hoping.
his disappointments-this was the md
"a a
Somebody else had an invention Or
Ser father had unwittingly appropriated
Inventions others had patented in his
PROCESS. There must be something seri-
ems TO bring him note like that.
She READ and reread il, and ms she re-
read II she hated Grip with an intensity
ShEz frightened her. She said 20 herself,
as she placed the note in the envelope il
lad slipped out of:
How wicked | am. feel as il do
sot want to live in the same city, IN the
ssHe world. with Mr.. Grippf'
Then she debated with herself what she
wonSd do. Would she place the note
shers Il had been. or elsewhere: Her
wAnan's wit came to her aid here She
PVT the note on the shelf between two
AcokS. in such a manner as to lead her
ta;hrr to think it had dropped there. Ii
Z Vas missed. and inquiry made. brief
zearch would reveal il. IL her father did
aot deem it OF much Importance. lie
~euid not refer 20 II.
fn the meantime. she would observe
,soSely the relations existing between Der
sather and this Mr.. Grip. As Irene
A4kerton pondered thus. faint rap at
ne door attracted her attention. She
pSeaed IL.
Docs Mr.. Atherton-Mr. Daniel Ath-
ertoA -is<c hereg'
Irene lookeA down upon the small hoy
vAN vas cycling her s,:spiciously.
YES This IS the place"
rs he iay'
-rSo. He viii be home before long,