Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-07-07
CHAPTER XIII.

Captain Frank Pollock was. as MANY
people had said al different times ana
in divers places, a little fellow. but
there was good dead of decision in
his makeup. He walked to Rodney
Merriam's house one afternoon with
an exaggeration of his usual alert dig
nifty.
Rodney Merriam was lying on a wide
couch in his upstairs sitting room when
Pollock's card was brought to him He
put on pair of low shoes and a blue
serge sack coat, and before he left the
room stood on the threshold a moment.
thinking deeply, and then went down
stairs.
Good afternoon, Captain Pollock. "
he said, courteously, taking a step to-
ward his caller, but Pollock stood per-
fectly rigid and did not move Mer-
RAM stood by his desk. his hand rest
ing upon it.
Mr. Merriam" began Pollock. Il was
introduced to you by a gentleman in
your club several months ago"
That Is correct"
Il have met you number OF tirnss
since-I needn't specify Within a
week YOU have refused to speak to me
at the club; and yesterday. at NJ.
Dameron's house. you acted toward me
In an extraordinary way, to say the
least"
Merriam nodded aff1rmatively.
AS | am likely to meet YOU. here
and there, at the club, perhaps ar
houses of your friends, I have talxao
the liberty of asking you what I have
done to attend you. I resent being cut
before my friends by man whom they
have right to assume l know"
Il fear that you exaggerate, CAPTAIN
Pollock. I doubt whether cutting a
mans acquaintance can be construed
as an insult"
That is matter OF opinion, sir 7
choose to take it that you have delhi
erately snubbed me, and. among other
people. before your nieces, Miss Dam
eron and Miss Men riam. II I am nor
fit to enjoy your acquaintance. I am
not fit person for them to know. 7
have come, sir, to ask an explanation
of your singular conduct I am not in
the habit Of being treated IN this fash
ion by man of any age"
His effort to be respectful in his an
ser showed a quality of character that
touched the old man, who looked al
the erect, uncompromising figure wi.h
AAAAAAe III SEAtG u Himself.
Il am not in the habit OF giving rea-
sons for things | do. Captain Pollock.
and 1t would pain me very much to be
obliged to explain why l may have
seemed TO treat you with discourtesv.
/ beg of you to dismiss the matter as
one OF the alterations, let us say. of
old age. am considerably your senior.
My living you or not liking you is not
an Important matter-unless, we'll it Is
conceivable that some situation might
arise in which It might become import
ant"
AS a mysterious character in this
community you may act as you please
with your townspeople, but you can't
do it with me! I'm not a child. and /
don't propose to be treated like baby.
] want to know what l have done to
offend you"
You viii pardon me if I sit down,
Captain Pollock''-and Merriam drag
ged a chair forward and sank into it
while Pollock remained standing and
glaring at him. Nothing can be gain
ed from me by buster. You are in my
house. by your own invitationi"
Quite so! There was no other way
of seeing you. l did not care to stop
you in the street. and you have already
made it impossible for me TO speak 20
you in your club. hope this explana-
ton is satisfs Glory"
Entirely. Pray have a seat to oblige
me-"
Pollock sat down reluctantly The
house was very quiet: 1t was a hot day
and the air in the room was tense.
Captain said the old gentleman,
quietly, with his black eyes resting
kindly on the visitor, Il regret very
much that you have come to me with
this question-because you have never
in the world done anythingEto offend
me-not in the slightest. AS far as
know, you are a gentleman beyond any
question, and worthy of the highest
consideration in all places"
Then, sir-