Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-01-06
CHAPTER Xxx.

1t is of the utmost importance.
must speak with you alone"
Miss Atherton closed the door, and
stood in the entrance.
There is a friend in the house. What
you have to say, make brief, please
My name is Dunn, Miss Atherton.
detective. | am a friend Of your fathers,
and am, ut present. as you will learn by
and by, trying to serve him. A boy
brought you note to-day-for your faith
er," he added quickly, as he thought
S:ene's face grew cold and severe in its
expression
AS you say you are detective. you
will excuse me if 1 do not answer"
Mr.. Dunn smiled, and he also cast an
admiring glance upon the ready-witted
Irene.
a girl who knows when TO speak.
when to be silent, and how to speak"
thought Mr.. Dunn as he looked at her.
He was tnrning away when he reconsid-
cred. ia
THE boy-Bob Walters-has told me he
brought note to you. and that he
Brought it from Mr. Gripp."
He was moving away now, when Irene
spoke to him.
You will pardon my seeming distrdst.
i am Obliged to you for the interest you
manifest; and since you cannot stay until
my father comes, where can he see your
Mr.. Dunn gave the number of Lawyer
iNickersOn's office, and in the same in
.stant a small boy shot out Of an alleyway
and approached Miss Anterior. AS Mr..
Dunn moved away, he heard the small
boy say;
Miss Atherton. Bob Walters is holed
~tr
That will do for the present" said
Irene. Come back again in an hour, 4
you are not needed at home
The small boy sped away, and Irene
returned to her visitor, apologizing for
her long absence. Mayberry. looked at
her elosely. Whatever the detective had
to communicate, it did not distress or
alarm her. He was treasured. Dunn's
torres were so familiar that he soon plac-
ed the owner of the voice. Then, when
the door was closed, ne speculated on
Dunn's' GRAND there. And now,Y he
said To- himself. Il must not go without
in some manner conveying to Irene the
assurance that / may be able to assist
and counsel her in case anything happens
to her father
When she looked at him smilingly, he
did not know how to go about it. lie
L .sted out the truth, as men often 30.
Miss Athertou-Irene,-I want you TO
cali on me-to send me word-in case
anything happens"
What do you meanY' said Irene. Her
manner changed so quickly that he was
nngry with himself for his lack of tact
Il know the person who called. His
name is Dunn"
He told me he was a detective"
There is nothing you need be afraid
Of. / know Mr.. Dunn-if l had cared
TO, l would hare asked you to bring
him in. but | do not like to NEEDLE, or
know more OF other peoples affairs than
is absolutely necessary"
Then you think it is nothing abont
my father-n0thing that threatens him,
or viii give him troubleT'
''On the contrary, | hink Mr.. Dunn is
inclined TO be friendly
Irene thought of the mysterious note.
Would she confide in him? No! 1t seem
ed to be destroying the little romance of
her life already. No! Decidedly not.
She would not permit the disagreeaples
of life 30 occupy her thoughts. Disagree
able things were the wasps of daily life,
because people permitted them to come
uppermost. Irene Anterior kept the pet
ty annoyances. all things that could not
he helped, hut must be endured, in The
background
Then l viii not fret myself over it"
"You need not. You have in Inc a
friend ct all times hereafter, Irene.
Il believe you,' she said, simply.
Arthur AIayberry at that moment
would not have exchanged Irene Ather-
tons entire trust in him for a million
A Ell haUt
bought the conviction he experienced
the sense of being loved for himself alone
trusted rs she trusted in him.
ma matter what happens. that wom-
an may contide to man, you must come
to me. Irene. next to your father"
II will answered Irene. Il think
father must have met some of his friends,
or he would have come back. He rarely
goes away a whole evening without tell
ing me-"
Mayberry thought of Dunn. but said
nothing. A laundering knock at the door
surprised both.
Another visitor thought Mayberry.
as he rose and reached for his hat.
Irene opened the door, and Mr.. Grip
entered. He carried roll in his hand,
which he handed her. saying, with a
smile designed to be winning, and bend
of the body indicating graciousness:
You made trifling mistake. Miss
Atherton. You gave me the wrong par
eel. l am sure it was not intentional ON
your part.
There was CLEAN in Mr.. Grips eyes
TINT cansed Irene TO SILVER. Her sensa-
tons were similar to those excited by the
presAnce OF a toad or a lizard. Why was
itl MIR. Grips features We're regular;
he was n inelooking man in the ordi-
nary acceptance of the term. Why did
he produce this impression.
II was in a hurry when | gave it To
you. Mr. Grip. | did not, as l should
have sieRe. open and look at it
Aha well. | will beg you 60 look for
the right papers. then"
lyon had best come in and wait until
my fafher returns. when he will be sure
10 give you what you want"
Mr. GTipp stepped into the little par
Tor, and stood face to face with Arthur
Mayherry. The meeting was a surprise
10 MI. Cripp He felt i'll at ease. anG
displssyed his uneasiness.
Arthur Mayberry, on the other hand.
was as unconcerned. as self-possessad.
as Though he alone occupied the room. As
for Irene. did she derive pleasure in con
trasting these two? She seemed 10 be
even less concerned than her accepted
lover.
Mr.. Grip veRtured n profound observa-
ton ON the estber. Mr.. Mayberry's
years and habits Of obs~--Stion did rot,
apparently, justify ether a denial or in
dorsement of Mr.. Grips views. He
walked to the door, bowed politely TO
Irene. and withdrew.
And now Mr.. Grip. il possible. felt
more uncomfortable than when Mr.. May
berry was present. He strove TO be
agreeable. but there was something in
his expression that rendered it very diff
cult for Irene to maintain even a deSul-
tory conversation with him. She was
relieved when another knock came on the
door. aud she found Jack Jones standing
There