Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1897-07-21
q am entirely at your service Mr.

- NNAs ~ your service. Mr..
Thorndyke."
The reply was prompt and courteous.
and Philip read Robert Protheroe. c.
L. on the sard which was handed him
My physician has sent me here" ne
explained. and he tells me must live
out of doors. How shall 20 about IL -"
How do YOU want 10 80 about to"
Philip laughed. III have TO confess
that my plans are trihe indefinite. l
had an idea that perhaps | might go
into the woods with the lumbermen or
the turpentine gatherers."
You're still too far north for that;
there are no lumber camps or turpentine
forests in this part Of the state. and if
there We're, hardly think the life would
be what you want. Your trouble is
pulmonary ,"
"les; pulmonary"
Protheroe reflected for moment.
This country is said 10 oe favorable
for conSumptives-on better authority
than that Of our friends of the pros
pectus. | mean-and il YOU ask my adj
vice" He paused and looked iuquir-
ingly at Philip.
Yes; please go on"
Il should say that YOU might find out
what it will do for you 10y getting board
at some farmhouse in the valley. You
could put in your time tramping about.
and the scenery would give YOU an OBJ
jet. There is only one difficulty"
What is that?''
farmhouses where YOU can get any
thing To eat besides bacon and corn
pone are not plentiful in this part of the
country"
Having his recent experience with the
railway eating houses before him.
Philip shuddercd. I'm willing 10
rough it," he snid. but I'm not anxious
Ia add dyspepsia 10 my other ailments.
Don't YOU suppose could find place
where the bill OF fare wouldn't be quite
so limitcd?"
You'll find very few OF them in
this mountain region; roughly speak
ing, there are only two classes Of white
peoplc-a small minority Of well-to-do
planters and farmers, and a large ma
jority OF poor folk"
That's rather discouraginy: and Vet
IT seems rs il ought to be- able Ia find
what ! need. don't EXPECT much i'm
the way OF accommodations: I'd H..
satisfied with good plain country board.
such as we get among farmers in the
north"
Il know Of hut one place near here
that answers your description. It's
in a Scotch family up ON the Little Chi
waSsec; but | hardly think YOU could
get in there"
DO you think not? I'd try not to be
troublesome; and il il would he "a qucs.
ton Of money"
"No. it wouldn't be "A question of
money Protheroc stopped abruptly
and twisted his mUstachc. Il wish YOU
hadn't said that" he added. frowning:
there are some few things i'm his world
that can't De bought with money: n
foothold in Jamie Duncan's home il
one Of them"
i beg your pardon" Philip protested.
flushing painfully AT the thought that
Prothcroe had misconstrued his mean
ing. Il only meant that am able and
willing 10 pay for what get; /"
Something gripped his throat. and an
uncontrollabie fit Of coughing strangIcL
him and broke the sentence in two.
When he put II handkerchief 20 his lips
IT came away spotted with blood, and
Protheroc saw it.
For heavens sake. ] had no idea
YOU were that far along! Let me help
you "
lie led Thorndykc TO the elevator and
through the long corridor on the upper
floor. making him lie down as soon as
they reached the room.
rs there anything else / can do for
YOU shall / call a doctor?' he asked.
Thorndyke shook his head. ITS
rather worse than gave Won TO under
stand; my physician in New York al
lowed me six months, and I've eaten
into one Of them pretty deeply already
six months! Did the man send YOU
down here 10 die?"
1t amounts TO that; but knew. II
was the only chance for me"
frothero made two or three turns mn
and down the room, and then stoned
with his hand on the doorknob. I'm
be back after awhile 10 see how YOU are:
in the mean time YOU lie stiu and ius,
make up your mind you've got to win.
it's more than half the battle. You're
sure there's nothing / can do for Won ."
Nothing thank YOU. but you mustn't
let me impose on your good nature. /
can ring up the office IL ! uecI any
thing"
Prothoroe went down the hall talk
ing 10 himself. Poor fellow! I'm
afraid its all day with him. ought
10 be ashamed Of myself for pretending
10 misunderstood what lac said about
paying his way; ! am ashamed. and I'M
prove IL by trusting the poor devil
and Elsie"
ITO BE coHTfSuEu.J
an OLD SALTS 81 IIMnrp