Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-02
CHAPTER vIII.-tContinued.)

Of1AE 4 En- l1l---t1oHLiuutu.t
What Is this paper, father?"
III is business matter we talked Of
Mr.. Mayberry is offended"
is he! Well, then it's like all the
rest of my bad luck. Capital has its own
way. What chance is there for man
like mey'
why, father, I've heard you say the
poorest man could aspire to the highest
place in the land"
did I? Well, then was fool"
She knew veil what his mood meant
Ne had been crossed in some way. He
was wholly unlike himself He sat now
looking on the floor with knit brows. She
Resolved to learn the truth. but she wise
~ refrained from pursuing the subject al
this time
If you are moi feeling well we had hest
not go to the concert tonight"
why not-why not. attend the concert
Yes, wei go. AnI-maybe we win have
company with u.s."
Company, fathers"
company r
20. no.
But considering these two had never
had any one accompany them, her wondel
and curiosity was very natural. A little
later. after she had the table ready fol
him. she ventured to ash.
Who are you expecting. father?''
Il am looking for Mr.. Grip, and
want you to be civil with him."
AS il [ have ever been uncivil to any
OF your acquaintances and friends
We'll, well, You know what mean
Is he such disagreeable person thai
1t taxes one to treat him ciyiily"
There; ask me 4 more questions. HI
may not come at
he did not eat with his usual relish
He was uneasy all evening When he
prepared to attend the concert he frown
ed, and looked at his daughter covertly
She discovered the truth and he wonder
increased
What had come over her father? n,
did not act, speak or look like the sam,
man. He was irritable. He spoke in {
lower tone. His voice had lost its hearty
ring. As the hour approached for the
concert Atherton recovered his spirits
He put his hat on and paced the & Dol
impatiently.
Come" he said. we will go now II,
Is not coming"
There was a rap-a loud rap-on thu
door at that instant, and Atherton, who
started violently as the door was strucl
By somebody's knuckles, opened it. 4
gentleman entered and bowed to them.
Miss Atherton swept him with sin
gle glance. In that swift glance she rot
ed, first, that the stranger was well on II
middle age. He had a smooth face, reg
ular almost handsome features. His lip.
were too thin, bloodless. His eyes were
steely-a cold pair of keen blue eyes. Hi,
figure was light and why. His head
now that his hat was off, looked mucl
more intellectual than before he removed
his hat. 1t was the sloping forehead
with the hair brushed back. that gave
him his intellectual look. His jaw was
heavy, his chin square to bluntness. His
nose was a good aquiline, but the nos
trils were pinched, thin and, Irene Ath
erton thought Indicated cruel DISPOSE
tion.
He was dressed in the height of fash
ion. His linen was spotless. There wa:
not a speck or law in his dress HI
might have been a clergyman, successful
merchant, banker, or anything but wha
he really was. Irene conceived an unac
countable but none the less positive dis
like of this man.
You see. we We're just going, said til,
pnddler. Then turning to his daughter
he said:
Irene. this is Mr. Gripp.'
Mr.. Grip extended hand and smiled
The effect produced upon Irene Ather
ton was precisely as though he had re
moved mask from the upper portion Of
his face. She scarcely touched his hand
But in the instant their fingers met sh,
shivered. His touch was like that Of {
lizard.