The Globe-republican., 1906-11-01
THE PRICE
Bv CATHERINE CARR

and sprightly manner. They were az
marked variance with his appearance.
He was tall husk OF a man, DRIED
and yellow; his dark eyes burning in
cadaverous hollows his gray beard
hanging untrimmed and stained with
| tobacco Juice. Also his clothes were
the last word of shabbiness. His
linen was soiled and frayed; pins
were substituted for buttons in many
places, and of his vest 1t was the town
lest that he boiled 1t once a week 10
make soup. Yet he wore, withal, an
air Of dignity which made the tale
Of blood convincing.
He paused at the broken-hinged gate
Ind glanced back. He did not look
upon view of thrift. The house
stood weatherbeaten, lacking in many
window-panes and shingles; and the
gallery post that bore the sign Or.
Henry La Tour" sagged perilously.
The line of neglected pines which led
from the gate made an avenue OF
gloom, and from fence to fence the
yard was tangle of underground and
weed. Further, the walk itself was
an assembly of pitfalls. The doctors
disapproval was obvious.
Tut, tut" he told himself, this
will never do. 1t certainly Is surpris-
In how one neglects things when
they're busy. All must look aftah
havin repairs made at once
The grounds must be cleared and
some roses planted. There had used
to be roses, red ones and yellow, along
the south wall. Where had they gone,
and when? Sure it was that doctor
was a slave to the people not even
to have them to notice that the rose
bushes had died Still it was grand
Professionalism more so.
A wing on the east side for ante.
room and Office commended itself to
him. It would save so much passing
through the main portion of the house.
And then painting and papering would
have to be done. White with green
blinds was to his taste, but the new
houses seemed to argue this old-fash-
toned. Yellow with brown trimmings,
or two shades of green, would, he sup.
posed, be more up-todate.
Yet, after all, would it not be better
to take Offices in some building down
town? That seemed the correct thing
nowadays, and one really should
move with the procession.
He began, straightway, the readjust
ment Of his plans and, though they
we're absorbing, he greeted each ia
miliar face he met with urbane court
esy, sweeping his old SLOUGH hat deep
ly, after the fashion Of his youth,
when he saluted feminine outlines.
They were mighty nice people,
these Ileriaville. Beautiful women
and fine men, and he knew them all.
Had ushered many of them into the
world and attended nearly all at some
time in their lives. And what fine
thing that was Nothing could be bet
ter than the feeling Of having helped
your fellow-men. Wealth and world
fame were trivial beside it.
He came to a halt before a large
building in the course of construction
and made calculations. One Of those
suites would probably be the most de-
sirable. Everything was to be thor.
oughly modern, he understood-and he
could take his meals at the hotel. His
mind grasped the details at once. 1t
was really much more convenient
when you came to think Of it, and he
decided to see Will Bailey about re-
serving Offices for him that morning.
The doctor did not, however, go
directly to young Bailey's Office. The
way led past Harpers drug store, and
Frank Harper, he was sure, would feel
sighted II he did not stop. And he
could not for moment consider Of
tending Frank. He felt the obligation
to look after the young man, for he
and the elder Harper had been close
friends for many years.
He greeted the men in the store
| pleasantly.
Good mo'nin, gentlemen, good
mo'nin'. Fine day Howdy, Frank
Busy, as usual? That's right. It's the
age of hustle. Yu' grow mo- like WI
fathah every day. Shake hands. nah
boy. Aim proud of w."
Any lack Of responsiveness from the
group failed to strike through the old
mans large geniality Of mood
When he finally left the interchange
Of comment was not SO much the ex.
preston Of unkindness as Of tolerant
contempt.
"Old man must have taken an extra
shot this mo'nin'"
Rent one of the new TemDleton
suites. Wouldn't that Jar yu'? When
how he lives is mystery"
Il fail to understand how 1t is that
be is so tolerated. was the northern
er's observation.
He was capitalist and had dropped
hints about locating at Ileriaville
They were at once apologize and ex
planatory
"Oh, well, you see, he used to be o
very capable physician, and it's hard