Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-03-19
CHAPTER XIII.


ing her covertly. lie was keeping some
thing from her; they had never had
secret come between them before
He had never mentioned Mr.. May.
berry's name. or referred to him. But
he had said it was possible he had found
q capitalist-"or, rather, the capitalist
has found me-" he said ironically.
And when Irene inquired who the cap
italist was, her father had answered alb
ruptly "Gripp."
1t was on the point Of lrcnc'S tongue
20 ask him what the paper contained that
was passed between her -athcr and May
berry, and taken back again but she re-
strained herself. Some time she would
surprise her father into n confession. She
knew he could not refuse, or, rather that
he would not withhold anything from her
ICE she really importuncd him.
One thing she was resolved upon. 1t
was her duty to discover what caused
the serious change in her fathers con
duct, and she was resolved she would get
at the truth.
A rap at the door startled her. When
she hastily opened it, Mr.. Grip faced
her
ooh! Miss Anterior, | am compelled to
lnlIuut Ou YOU u lew moments u llldlltI
of business was at the mill, and at
your fathers instance called. lie re-
quested me to tell you to give me some
drawings you will find on the upper
shelf"
Il will see" she said simply.
She left him, and when alone resolved
to send him away as empty handed as
he came.
why does my father send this man
to me for his drawings2 Or has lie sent
him? Anyhow, it may not be easy finding
thems At least | will not try"
When she re-entered the room where
Grip awaited her, she said, without a
semblance Of regret or explanation:
Mr.. Grip, my father will have to give
you the drawings himself"
1T is of no moment-he will doubtless
find them in good time, Miss Atherton."
Then he spoke of the weather, of the
fine opportunity presented for outdoor on
5oyments 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
had retained for Mr.. Anterior and his
daughter"
lrene's response chilled him.
Thanks, Mr.. Gripp. rarely attend
the theater, but | will inform my father
of your Offer
Mr.. Grip talked of the workmen at the
mill-how they earned, hardly, all they
received. Then the delights, the pleas
ure-of life of ease were envied; but
they were not for Mr.. Gripp. Alas! no.
His lot was, plainly, to toll for some one
else. He confessed, too, he loved an nc
tive life, but he could-O, yes, he could
appreciate the softening influences OF
refining ireside.
And then, not till then, Irene realized
suddenly she was the object of Mr..
Grips spontaneous alteration. The re-
ahzation made her sick at heart. Her
aversion for Mr.. Grip was, If possible,
increased
J., When he withdrew, bowling politely,
and smiling in his most gracious manner,
Irene sank suddenly into a seat. Was it
possible her father knew this man was
DESTROYS Of ingratiating himself into her
Evod will? What horrible influence,
what evil influence, was this that Mr..
Grip exercised over her father. She
resolved to dismiss the subject from her
mind She would go out-anywherc She
would visit neighbor-walk on the
streets. No! she would read favorite
author
She took down book, and in doing so
displaced volume her father called to
his aid frequently, a book of reference.
The book fell upon the floor, and two Ia
pers tluttered out of it. Irene stopped
and picked up book and papers. She was
In the act Of replacing the last when
her eye fell on single line:
First room, second floor, No. - -
street"
Then she read the note. 1t was very
brief. 1t was written to Mr.. Daniel Ath-
erton, informing him, seemingly by pre-
vious understanding where and when
the writer would meet him.
i say seemingly, because this note was
strangely worded. 1t read thus:
"Mr. Daniel Atherton:
Dear Sir-ln regard to matter dis
cussed, would say you had best call al
the house named. First room, second
floor, No. - street. Do not de
lay. Unless you are there this evening
between six and seven, and everything
fully understood, you will regret it.
JACKSON GRIPP."
''Thcre is a threat in this!" Irene ex
claimed mentally. IL see it now. Thi
man has some secret power over my poo
father"
She flung herself passionately upon
chair. The tears sprang to her eyes Sh
cried with bitter modification So thi
was the end of all her fathers inyen
tions. After all his planning, his night
and days of reading after all his hoping
his ppointmeuts-tM was the IN
OF it.
Somebody else had an invention. o
her father had unwittingly appropriate
inventions others had patented in hi
process. There must be something ser
Gus to bring him note like that
She read and reread ii, and as she r,
read it she hated Grip with an intcnsit
that frightened her. She said TO nersc
as she placed the note in the envelope
had slipped out off
How wicked | am. | feel as il d
not want to live in the same city, in III
same world, with Mr.. Grippw
Then she debated with herself what 81
would do Would she place the uot
where it had been, or elsewhere ii,
woman's wit came to her aid here. 81
nut the note on the shelf between Tvs