The Dugdale Millions — page 182: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

172 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. Harold Pierson. What they saw was a young man of athletic figure and strong face, which might have been pronounced handsome, were it not for a certain hardness of outline which suggested faintly a latent spirit of cruelty. He was unquestionably easy in his surroundings, well mannered, well bred, and quite evidently accustomed tothe forms of polite society. As Dick was presented as Mr. Mason, he looked upon him with polite interest, asking : ‘“ Am I mistaken insupposing youare the Mr. Mason who called upon my father, a few days ago?” Assured that he was not, he added : “Your call was the cause of much speculation upon the part of Mr. Pierson.”’ Turning easily to Mr. Stanton he inquired if he was one of the favored ones permitted to reside in the locality, the beauty of which had been revealed to him that day through the courtesy of Mr. Hetlow. The whole manner of the man indicated one accus- tomed to the ways of the refined world. This sur- prised Dick, for he could not reconcile this easy and graceful man of the world with the home he had been reared in. Bessie now swept into the room and the presentation followed, closely watched by Dick, who again saw the man of the world, versed in its phrases, showing society’s deference to the sex. Dinner was announced and an incident occurred, small in itself, but which impressed and still further perplexed Dick. As Mr. Hetlow rose, the young guest, without a moment’s hesitation, but with prompt recognition of his own standing 1n the house, offered his arm to Bessie, proceeding with her to the dining-room. Dick muttered to himself, as he followed into the dining-room, these were not the manners of 128th Street or of Orton Pierson’s home. If the young guest did not particularly shine in the light bright talk of the dinner table, he certainly bore himself without reproach. And here Dick had full 2a, Comicbookks C@ 3}