The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-12-20

cumD. AS one OF his worst adverse
ries expressed Il, he had to be killed
half a dozen times before he would
die"
A letter from the man who had thus
described him was waiting for him on
this day, and as he read 1t he muttere
ed. This kills me for the sixth Time"
It was Curtis LAngaale's habit to-
lunch IN his ONCE between u andL.
As Macmillan approached the door
OF Langdale's private Office he was
surprised to meet a physician with
whom he had a slight acquaintance, q
man. OF some distinction In the medical
profession. Macmillan uttered a hasty
word OF salutation, but the other pass
ed him without a glance.
IAngdaleis aversion TO doctors was
well known, and Macmillan had no
thought that the visitor had come upon
a professional errand. but nc sight Of
Langdale the incredible became proba-
BILE. An uncanny change had taken
place IN the mans aspect The lines
In his strong face were not only deeper,
but greatly different In their signif-
canoe. He looked III In body, as In
mind.
Surprise was instantly succeeded by
sympathy In Macmillan's mind, and
the conventional glow do you dor
had q real import.
"Oh. I'm all right answered Lang
dale. Never better"
"Well, that's good news" said the
clergyman. al was a bit anxious, hav-
L: R-- - N~ lakewood IN tho hall -
"Dr. Haywood Who's hep"
"Why, he just went out"
mo. sir" responded Langdale; you'll
see no doctors here. I can bunko my
own stomach for nothing. Do you
mean the tall man in the gray suitr'
"Yes."
That's a seventeenth cousin Of mine
from Omaha. He's looking up the fam
4 ily.s Going to write q history OF M"
Macmillan was perfectly sure that
the man was DR.. Hayward, but he
supposed that L1angdale was ashamed
Of having called In a physician after
all the abuse which he had heaped
upon the profession.
Macmillan turned to his real errand.
But he had made scarcely more than
a beginning Of the story when Lang.
dale suddenly required to their last
interview.
"You didn't approve Of me then"
said he. What do you think Of me
nowr"
Macmillan would gladly have post
poned the ordeal for a few minutes
He had decided to lay Amy's affairs
before Langdale as a simple matter OF
business, just as IL he had been dealing
with an officer Of q bank. to ask Lang
dale to consider 1t and give an answer
ON the following day and. having bus
put OF the decision. to lead the CONVEX
sation to the precise point which Lang
dale had reached at a bound.
Before the two men could come TO,
gether upon any common ground the
arrival OF important visitors broke Oh
the session. Langdale excused him
self c~ourteously and gave his hand tc
NJ !cmlllan.
"I'm glad you came to sec me-" he
said. You've done M q considerable
service"
We'll. / really don't see
You have. Richard; you have in
deed.-And l won't forget it always
keep you in mind at this time Of year
GoOdby. goodby."
In a daze Of disappointment. perplex
ity and self reproach Macmillan de
parted. He had bungled the interview
in all ways He had accomplished alb
soiuteiy nothing for Amy. for Lang
dale, for his own conscience. The &C
count of the occurrence which he gav'
to Amy had no clearness to bis own In
~telERence, but seemed quite satisfaC
tory to- her. =
you must see him again." she said
you have Influenced him.. He feels I
and Is grateful OF course you can
know just what II was that you sait
that gave him light, but l am sure tina
he saw a way to carry out his plan
more honestly. That's what he mean
when he spoke of your service to him.
Amy, that Is absurd" "a
"But, my Hear Dick. is there any 9th
er possible explanation? Try to be res
! sonable. He said you had served him
How else could you have done itr'
. The next day was Thursday and bus
! ness practically ceased for the &weei
There was really nothing OF importanc
, that Macmillan could do to avert tn
doom that would fall on Monday. ye
he went to town about noon and force
himself to face several discouraging an
useless interviews. At 3 o'clock b
went to his little Office, beaten and dill
heartened.
There was q letter ON the door. an
he, recognized Lngdale's envelope.
gave hlma shock. but no real hope. fo
he had not ven succeeded In tellfn
LangdaIe what he wanted. He-woul
0 not have been surprised to 6nd a chec
for $50. Under the circumstances
: man OF Laneda5es peculiar notions Z
+ humor might have found amusement 1
such a gift.
There was a check In the envelop'
n 49,. - @ow exc Eivo Thousand wN