The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-04-20
CHAPTER XIV.

On his way to Washington Square
Kennard reviewed some of the reasons
for his determination not to call at the
Harlan's that evening. In the first
place he did not care to be Mr.. Har-
lan's guest until matters in the COM
pany were more satisfactory. In the
second place those unsatisfactory mat
ters demanded the most careful con-
sideration. and would require all his
spare moments. Then, again, he had
been at the Harlan's a great many
times of late, and perhaps he might
outwear his welcome. There were
other reasons no less cogent than
these: among them the possibility of
meeting Neil Croyden--a probability,
judging from past experiences.
With his position thus firmly estab-
lishcd, it should have been unnecessa-
ry for Kennard to fortify it still fur
ther by making an engagement with
Maddox for the sole purpose of keeping
himself at home. And yet such was
his object in leaving the message with
Franciscan absurd proceeding, which
became even more absurd when Ken
nard began arguing that it would not
be necessary to stay home the whole
evening on the bare chance Of Dawes
turning up, and that If he felt like
dropping in for few moments at Mad
ison Square he was still free to do so.
Indeed, each of his reasons for not
seeing Miss Harlan involved a reason
for 1nin0 Enr MI ilao
Of meeting Croydon was unpleasant,
but the thought of facilitating tete-
a-tete was not less so. Until that at
ternoon Kennard had not been able
TO assign satisfactory reason for his
antipathy to Neil Croydon, but his dis
like of the man did not seem to in
crease greatly with the discovery of
cause. Had he analyzed his feelings
perhaps he would have discovered
their origin in countless unexpected
meetings, in conversations interrupted,
in divided attentions, in strained po-
liteness and all the other petty irrita-
tions which enter into that hodge
podge of the emotions called jealousy.
But Kennard respected himself too
much to admit he was jealous. At one
time he would argue that he was q
fool to take Croydon so seriously, at
another that he dishonored Leslie Har-
Ian by thinking she took Croydon Sc
siously; and again he accused himself
OF egotism and conceit for harboring
either Of these thoughts or any others
like them. All of which may go TO
explain why man in his sane senses
should busy himself with conjuring
up excuses for making visit which he
had studiously plotted to avoid.
Some such tumble of pros and cons
brought Kennard TO The Benedict"
There was caller waiting for him
in the anteroom, the elevator boy an
nounced as he opened the door. A man
rose from a chair rs Kennard entered
the little room, but even in the bright
light 1t was necessary for him to look
closely at the gaunt face and shrunken
figure of his visitor before he recog-
nized Culver. The mere sight of the
man reused all Kennard's old feeling
of resentment and disgust.
What do you want?' he asked
curtly.
"A few moments conversation, sir
That's all. upon my word"
The answer was given in veal
voice, striving to be steady.
Kennard took out his watch, glanced
at 1t and at the speaker, and ther
stood waiting with the watch still rest
ing in his open palm.
Go ahead"
mot here, sir-I-I couldn't here.
Here or nowhere"
Gould I--could the door be shut
sir, so I-so | could tell you-so WI
could speak In privatew
Kennard's lip curled contemptuously
"Are you armed?" he asked sneer
ingly.
Culver sank down In the chair, hi
right hand feebly clutching at his side
I'm dying. Mr.. Kennard," he whis
pered.
There was no mistaking the expires
sion of Culver's face. The man was GER
tainly III. and bore every indication O
having suffered much. Kennar'
stretched out his hand and closed tn
door, but there was no compassion II
his voice when he spoke again. Tn
sight OF this traitor seemed to dry VI
all natural sympathy.
go on!"
Culver reused himself. as the harsl
words followed the closing Of the door
but for few moments he sat SILENT.
staring at the man waiting. watch Il
hand.
"Mr. Kennard." he began at lasI
1--WE tried TO see you every day for tn
last week. but ] couldn't get strengtl
enough Once or twice ] thought u
waited too long. But I'm here at last