Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-03-05
The Iron Workers Daughter
HOWARD FORESTER.
CHAPTER vIII.-(ContinucdJ

CHAPTER (Continucd)
"What is this paper, fatherT
at Is a business matter we talked Of
"Mr. Maybcrry is offended
ais he? Well, then it's like all the
rest of my bad luck Capital has its own
way. What chance is there for n man
like meW
'Why, father, I've heard you say the
poorest man could aspire to the highest
place in the land"
"Did |? Well, then | was fool
She knew well what his mood meant.
He had been crossed in some way. lie
was wholly unlike himself. He sat now
looking on the floor with knit brows. She
resolved to learn the truth, but she wise
ly refraincd from pursuing the subject at
this time.
"If you are not feeling well we had best
not go to the concert tonight
"Why not--why not attend the concert
Yes, wen go. And-maybe we will have
company with us"
Company, fathcrT
as it so wonderful we should have
company
80, nov'
But considering these two had never
had any one accompany them, her wonder
and curiosity was very natural. little
later, after she had the table ready for
him, she ventured to ash
who are you expecting, father"
II am looking for Mr.. Grip, and
want you to he civil with him.
"As IL have ever been uncivil to any
of your acquaintance and friends
"Well, Welt You know what | mean"
SIS he such a disagrccable person that
ct taxes one to treat him civillyW
"There; ask me no more questions. He
may not come at ALL"
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? He
did not act, speak or look like the same
man. He was irritable. He spoke in a
lower tone His voice had lost its hearty
ring. AS the hour approached for the
concert Anterior recovered his spirits
He put his hat on and paced the floor
impatiently.
Come" he said. 1--WE will go now. He
Is not coming"
There was rap-a loud rap on the
door ut that instant, and Anterior, who
started violently as the door was struck
by somebody's knuckles, opened it.
gentleman entered and bowed to them.
Miss Anterior swept him with sin
gle glance. In that swift glance she rot
ed, first, that the stranger was well on tC
middle age. He had n smooth face, reg
ular, almost handsome features. His lips
were too thin, boodless. His eyes wer,
steely--a cold pair of keen blue eyes. HI,
figure was light and wiry. His head
now that his hat was off, looked mucl
more intellectual than before he remove,
his hat. 1t was the sloping forehead
with the hair brushed back that CAV
him his intellectual look. His jaw wa
heavy, his chin square to bluntness. Hi
nose was good aquilne, but the nos
trils were pinched, thin and, Irene Ath
erton thought, indicated a cruel DISPOSE
ton.
He was dressed in the height of fash
ion. His linen was spotless. There wa
not speck or flaw in his dress. II
might have been clergyman, successfu
merchant, banker, or anything but wha
he really was. Irene conceived an unaC
countable but none the less positive di,
like of this man.
! You see, we were just going" said III
puddler. Then turning to his daughte
he said:
Irene, this is Mr.. Gripp"
Mr.. Grip extended hand and smile,
The effect produced upon Irene Athe
ton was precisely as though he had n
moved a mask from the upper portion
his face. She scarcely touched his han,
But in the instant their fingers met 81
shvered. His touch was like that Of
lizard.