Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-04-26

His attitude toward the world was
the decently cheerful one Of the man
who is earning a good salary and
whose personal cares are far from be
ing numerous or pressing. He was
still capable Of looking out for Cor
nish's interests, and his own, too, II the
need arose.
He went down to the office alert and
vigorous. As he strode along he nod
ded and smiled at the people he met
on the street II the odium OF his IA
theirs crime was to attach Itself to
him It should be without his help. An
tioch might count him callous II It
liked, but II must not think him weak,
His first official act was to go for
Kerr, ~ho was unusually cantanker-
Gus. and he gave that frigid gentleman
a scare which lasted him for the bett5r
part OF a week, for Kerr, who had con
vinced himself overnight that Oakley
must resign, saw himself having full
swing with the Huckleberry and was
disposed to treat his superior with
airy Indifference. He had objected to
hunting up an old order book Dan
wished to see on the score that he was
too busy, whereat as Holt expressed
It, the latter Jumped on him with
both feet" His second official act was
TO serve formal notice on Branyon that
he was dismissed from the shops. He
was even harsh with Miss Walton, and
took exception to her spelling Of a
typewriter letter which he was send
ing Off to Cornish In London.
He also Inspected every department
In the shops and was glad Of an ex.
cuse he discovered to reprimand Joe
Stokes, who was stockkeeper in the
ner in which the stock was handled
Then he returned to the office and as
q matter Of discipline kept Kerr busy
all the rest OF the morning hauling
dusty order books from a dark closet
He felt that II excitement was what
was wanted he was the one to furnish
1t. He had been too easy.
Naturally the Office force gave deep
sigh OF satisfaction when Oakley closed
his desk and announced that he was
going uptown and would not return.
Miss Walton confided to Kerr that she
Just hoped he would never come back.
1t was little before o'clock when
Dan presented himself at the Emorys'
The maid who answered his ring usll.
cred him into the parlor with marked
trepidatlon. She was timid soul
Then she swished from the room. buI
returned almost Immediately to say
that Miss Emory would be down in u
moment.
When Constance entered the room he
advanced little uncertainty. She ex.
tended her hand quite cordially, how.
ever There was no trace of embar-
rassment or constraint in her manner.
As he took her hand Dan said sim
ply. going straight to the purpose of
lis call:
Il have thought a good deal over
what want to tell you, Miss Emory
Miss Emory instantly took the alarm
ana was on the defensive. She en-
vclopel herself in that species of in
scruable feminine reserve men find
so difficult to penetrate. she cou.d
not imagine what he had to tell her
that was SO pressing lie was certain
ly very curious and unconventional
There was one thing she feared he
might want to tell her which she was
firmly determined not to hear.
Oakley drew forward a chair.
Wont you sit down" he asked
gravc!y.
Thank you, yes" 1t was all SO
formal hcy both smiled.
Dan stood with his back to the fire.
place, now filled with ferns, and rested
an elbow on the mantel There was
an awkward pause. At last he said
slowly:
'lJ seems I've been the subject OF 4
lot OF talk during the last two days,
ana have been saddled with a matter
for which l am in no way responsible
though it appears TO reflect on me
quite as much as If l were"
"Rcaily MIR Oakley" began Con.
stance. Sceuting danger ahead. But
her visitor was in no mood to tempo.
rize.
cone moment, please" he said hastl.
ly You have heard the story from
Mr. RYDER"
81 have heard it from others as
we'll"
1t has influenced YOU
"No | won't say that" dehantly
She was not accustomed TO being cate,
ch.Sed
AT least it has caused you to seri
ouSly doubt the wisdom OF an ac
QuUutauce." hlurted Oakley.
You are very unfair" rising. with
latent anger
You will greatly oblige me by sit
ting down again"
And Constance astonished beyond
measure az his tone Of command saub
back Into her chair with little smoth
cred gasp of surprise so one had ever
venurcd 90 speak to her Ike that be
fore Ii was "a new experience.
We've got 10 finish this. YOU know
explained Dan, with one OF his frank
est smiles, and there was genial sim
pll7.y about his smile which was worry