The Washington times., 1904-03-13


corner was entirely obIivious
At last Trenoweth threw down the
tape with n sigh Of relief Safely
through another day. have we come
without delay thank the Lord He
turned to look at the ''closings." Then
ne turned TO Duncan
Be with you in a minute. my boy
and he walked into the back office.
The minute" stretched into thirty.
but it might have been three times that
as far as the waiting man at the desk
was concerned. He had finished his
writing, and in front of him lay sew
eral envelopes. the thickest among them
addressed to Miss Katherine NJ. Treno-
weth. Now, with his chin in his hand
and his elbow on the desk. his thoughts
were anticipating the written words.
At last the pain had come-and such
a paint He could not have believed
that anything like it could exist In
heaven or on earth, the waters under
the earth, or even in the mythical hell
IN which he had never believed.
When Mr.. Trenoweth at length came
bustling noisily in he looked up YEARLY
and the older man was startled at the
expression on his face.
Good Lord. Duncan" he cried, his
mind Immediately reverting TO the
worst calamity of which it could con-
ceive, you don't mean to say that
you're up against It, too?'
yes" replied the other YEARLY; Il
learned this morning beyond all shadow
of doubt that had contracted acute
pulmonary tuberculosis
Trenoweth looked greatly relieved
rs that all? I was afraid at first that
you might be long OF the market
Long of the MARKET" said Duncan
.mpatiently. "Oh. damn the market,
DO you realize what I mean? I've got
hasty consumption. the galloping kind
that kills one in about year. wish to
God il was the marketI' he ADDED bit
terly.
Mr.. TrercWeth looked at him
thoughtfulIy. What makes you think
so2" he asked.
Because was told 50 by a doctor
who examined me-or at least he said
that ne thought my lungs might be az
fected, so I had bacteriologic-l exami-
nation made. which proved beyond all
doubt that have the disease, in very
advanced stage"
Mr.. Trenoweths face clouded.
ishly. Here I've had TO steer this firm
through a panic all day. and no soon
er get through with that anxiety, for
the time being. than you come With the
cheerful intelligence that you're going
10 cash in and quit the game It does
seem as il got more than my share.
/ don't believe it." he added Impatient
ly These scientific chaps are by no
means infallibIe See the way that an
ti-toxin business fell through. You've
had rather a nasty cough. know. but
I've had just the same myself. No, /
think you've got frightened about your
self. and
DIR. Hallert himself said tElt what /
showed him was conclusive proof" Dun
can interrupted. 'and I'm not fright
ened about myself. AS long as there
was any doubt about my condition I was
frightened. I'll admit. but since this
morning I've been trying to decide how
to make II the easiest for Katherine We
have neither Of us any right TO think
of ourselves in the matter where her
happiness Is concerned"
Trenoweth took the reproof with the
canousness of his kind.
If that is really the case, IL you have
actually got the disease, you'll have to
give up the idea of marrying, / suppose.
1t is pretty rough on you, Duncan
rough on both % you. on all of US
Too badl Too bad! You musn't
mind what I just said-my nerves are all
on edge after a day Ike this. Did you
notice where that Central went?-and
money at 20 per cent? You must make
some allowance. But. as I was saying,
I think that you have acted very well
in coming right out fiat-footed and stat
ing your condition. and not trying to
keep it secret. as so many people do
But-eh--eh-what dc you-eh-want me
to DOR
Duncan dropped his face in his hands;
he didn't care to have her father see
what was in it. Presently he lifted his
head and the yearning look was gone.
p ooh. nothing" he said. YEARLY. Il
thought at first that you might have
something to suggest. something that
might make 1t less hard for her. I'm
afraid she may take it rather badly,
She has told me that she couldn' t.
he colored slightly-'1ive without me,
and she's not much given 20 heroics-
thought that perhaps you could break
It to her by degrees"
TrenOweth smiled knowingly.
They all say that, my boy. Kath-
crimes a sensible girl-sheII get over
It" His face sobered. Il don't want
you 70 think I'm hard-hearted. Dun
can, for I'm not. 40 one Knows how
much I'm doing continually in the way
of charity But 1 think you're taking
p this thing too hard Go I'D and see Hal.