Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-23
The Iron Workers Daughter
HOWARD FORESTER.


Il thought you saw il when you came
IN; it came half an hour before Mr.. Grip
called the second time"
Atherton opened the note quickly. cast
his eye over it, then in sn altered tone
asked: who left this herey
Irene, quick to note the change IN his
voice and manner, replied; a boy"
"a boy. Do you know him. Would
you know him if you saw him again ?
What was he like?1
YES, l think-I am sure-T could tell
him | never saw him before. Why, he
was about twelve OF fourteen"
Irene" His manner alarmed her: his
eyes shone with a ferceness that alarmed
her. You must keep on the lockout for
him-the boy, meall--and il you see him,
as you value your lie, do not let him get
out of your sight until you learn who he
is, where he liyes--all chat is necessary
to be able to put my hand on him. You
hear. Irene?"
Yes, l understand. father"
Then Anterior hastily crumpled the
note up. thrust it into his pocket, grasped
his hat, and without saying a word more
left the house.
When Atherton was a little distance
from home he paused, stood m0tionless,
and reflected Opening the note he had
thrust into his pocket, he reperused it
slowly. 1t was very mysterious. 1t read
thus:
There is no telling what a moment
may bring Forth Best cut your stick, and
less Chance of Trubble. Ia tell you this
only for strange eyes watching to get a
grip on some one.
"A FRIEND IN NEED"
Atherton read this over twice carefully,
and walked on, first holding the mysteri-
Gus note up carefully AID placing it in
his pocket There was no dale. The
signature was not Teassuring.
1t could only mean one thing 1t re-
ferred to the death of Bob Peters. And
yet no name was mentioned. 1t was
vague, but all the more calculated to
alarm a man of weak mind; a tinid man
would be driven into a panic BY it, I'M
less he felt that he could easily Dleet and
dispose Of any charge brought against
him.
ut means more than Grip knows of
all that passed-and maybe some one
who does not know, but suspects what is
not true"
Atherton walked slowly along, ponder
ing the meaning of the warning note.
And why may it not be somebody try
ing to brighten me? Somebody who
wants to get me out Of the way"
This view was as reasonable as any
other. His strong common sense told
him he ought not to be guided in any inn
portant matter by ang anonymous note.
In short he took the correct view; he
said to himself he would stay where he
was He was as innocent, as sinless. as
any man who could confront him. and he
would not be driven away from the city.
And yet there was enough to make him
feel uncomfortable, nervous, apgrehen-
sive. A man who would stop To write
him such a note was cowardly enough
to do anything. SO he had two enemies
where he thought he hard but one. That
enc was Grip. Grip, whom lie was
| clinging to; Grip, whom he felt ike
choking; Gripp who hoped to be related
to him in a closer manner than conner
cial cords could bring about.
Anterior asked himself then and there:
VIII | fight for freedom-for myself, for
my daughter? Long he debated with
himself. When he had turned to move
on. he made this resolve:
Il viii fight. l will be as wise las the
serpent and as gentle as rae dove.-until
my time comes. Then. Mr.. Grips, look
out for yourself-look out, Mr.. Grippr'
He thrust a hand out in Imagination as
he walked OMIT was now dusk.
Hello, therel What do you mean. hit
ting fellow that way? Why, bless me
if faint Dan Atherton"
You're just the man l want to talk
to. Come with me Jack Jones. have
something very serious to say to YOU
Dan. you know I'd so through FIRE and
water for you"
Il believe it. Come"
Then the two puddlers walked on side
by side.