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


bead-llke eyes and Dubious nose. He
wore fiashy clothes, and fumbled a large
watch seal. His breath smelled of onions
the passengers next him turned aside.
His comrade was a small, dark man,
with hooked nose, curling lips that
seemed TO be sneeripg at his nose, and to
add to q sinister countenance he had
cast In one eye. The first word the
large man said arrested Irene's atten-
ton.
Il wish | was as sure Of a thousand
dollars as we are of catching him."
The chief says he can put his hand
right ON him.
Yes, I Knowles preparing a little
surprise for him, that's ALL"
Il was the third person there. / said
at once-any professional could see it at
a glance-that there wasn't any suicide.
The big man looked up and down the
car. His gross look, his intense vulgar
ity, everything about him excited the
profound aversion Of Irene. The men
sat opposite her. They prolonged the con-
versation evidently for her benefit.
a pretty hard place, Number"
Irene started. Where had she seen or
There was a brief silence, then the
lesser Of the two suddenly said: Il I'M
derstand there are two or three people
seen the murderer. Twon't be hard to
identify him.
mol And it won't be hard to hang
him. The next man caught will stand
poor. show. They've been too easy;
now they've got to make an example,
Now, for the first ame, Number -
- street" caused Irene to feel faint
sick at heart. That was the place
where horrible murder or suicide was
committed. 1t was the place her father
was requested to visit.
Could it be possible his name could be
connected in any way with the horrible
occurrence Irene could not remain in
the car moment longer. While the no
iicemen were airing their office and IRE
tensions, she quietly got off the car.
Once more OH the street, she scarcely
knew which way to turn. The thoughts
suggested 10y the remarks she had heard
distressed her much more than she had
thought any similar incident would affect
her
She walked at random for a few min
utes, to give herself time to collect her
thoughts. AS she was Fastening rapidly
on, looking neither to the right nor left.
she encountered Mr.. Mayberry. Mayber-
ry attracted her attention by removing
his hat. They met face to face.
He had crossed the street. and was
turning IN the same direction, when he
paused. hat in hand and seemed to hest
tate to walk on or turn in another direc-
ton. Irene felt the color flaming in her
cheeks. A minute before she was very
pale. Mayberry noted the change.
Miss Athertonl"
''Mr. Mayberryw
She did not know whether to say more.
or permit him to pass ahead of her, al he
evidently resolved to do. He was quick
ening his steps when a low voice arrest
ed him.
Mr.. Mayberry, 1 have something to
say to you"
He walked beside her respectfully.
More than one passer-by looked admiring-
ly at the handsome young couple; the man
with the bearing of a spirited young man.
in high health, with face inviting con
tidence; the woman with eyes like stars,
and rosy cheeks. all too rare.
Il will not detain you moment"
Il am not in a hurry at all. Anything
| can do-any way may be able to serve
me"
will you tell me whac was in the pa
per yeu gave my father, Mr.. Mayberry ~
He was nonplused. The question was
so unexpected, he was not able to reply
Then he said to himself that
would never do.
1T was partial agreement your faith
er and | arrived at. Miss Atherton."
''Of what natures?
She was very-very direct. How could
he avoid telling her? He would-fb. But
when he met her eyes, his resolve melted.
She seemed to be looking through him.
IF / speak at all. III tell you the
truth I'd rather noc--indeed, you ought
not to expect me to talk to you of the
affair at ALL"
She paid no attention 10 the last portion
of this speech. Again came her ques-
don. sharp. direct. almost imperative:
What was the agreement? OF course
you would not tell me anything but the
truth, Mr.. Mayherry, Who made the
agreement first ?--who suggested it?
What was it about? My father made
the first offer. didn't heT'
This is unfair. Miss Atherton."
Then something happcned-you did
not. could not. satisfy him--he was unreal
sonable and so you voluntarily gave him
back a paper that you thought-think
now-is worth money, maybe great deal
Of money to you."
MY dear Miss Atherton." exclaimed
psusing suddenly on the street,
and staring at her in amazemeut. Moth
ing of the sort That is, you have mis-
conceived the matter altogether. You
do your father-you do me-inJustice.
Il am rejoiced to learn il"
Upon my soul. you have"
"Then you viii please explain. SO |
can understand il"
And so it happened that the demure
little puss accomplished her object before
Mayberry suspected her tactics. She had
purposely Numbered. trusting to him to
set her right.
He began at the beginning. and related
the facts. He omitted all reference to
Mr. Grip. He was too manly to charac-
terize MIR. Grips conduct in that gen
tleman's absence. That was matter
he hoped he would be able TO do full jus
tice to. with Mr.. Grip before him.
Now | know you have been candid
with me-" said Irene slowly.
She was blushing for her father-'fOr
herself. She somehow connected Mr..
Grips sudden friendship Tor her father
and herself with this business transac-
ton.
The patent process lay at the bottom.
Irene's face was now as pale as il was
before she recognized him. He noticed
the sudden change. anas was concerned.
Il am very-yery much obliged to you.
Mr.. Mayherry. | wanted TO know the
truth. hope you win excuse my Curl
osity. II you knew az. you would do
So
Il do. l assure you do. | think-par-
don me. am quite sure-I appreciate
your feelings. But l have said 50 much.
must say more. You are-you have
been--laboring under a false impression.
have lost nothing. How could IL
have lost neither time nor money"
you are quite sure you have not lost
in any mannerT'
Again k.S- eyes seemed tn search his