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

tyrant and probably argued that his
authority was impaired by the events
OF the morning, though how they arriv-
ed at any such conclusion was beyond
him. but he had felt something OF the
kind In Branyon's manner. When the
opportunity came 1t would be a salts
faction to undeceive them, and he was
not above wishing this opportunity
might come soon. for his mood was bit
ter and revengeful when he recalled
their ignorant and needlessly brutal
insolence.
Early as he was he found. as he had
anticipated when he started out. that
Ryder was ahead of him The editor
was lounging on the Emorys' porch with
the family. He had dlned with them.
AS Dan approached he caught the
sound OF Constance's voice. There was
no other voice in Antioch which sound
ed the same or possessed the same
quality OF refinement and culture. His
heart beat with Quickened pulsations
and his pace slackened. He paused for
an instant in the shadow OF the lilac
bushes that shut Off the well kept lawn
from the street Then he forced him
self TO go on. There was no gain in
deferring his sentence. Better have ii
over with. Yet when he reached the
gate he would gladly have passed 1t
without entering had II not been that
he never abandoned any project simply
because II was dlsagreeable. He had
done too many disagreeable things not
to have outlived this species OF cow
ardice.
The instant he saw him the doctor
rose from his seat on the steps and
came quickly down the walk. There
was no mistaking the cordiality he
gave his greeting, for he intended there
should be none. Mrs. Emory, too. took
pains that he should feel the friendli-
ness of her sentiment toward him.
Constance, however, appeared embar-
rassed and Ill at ease, and Dams face
grew very white. He felt that he had
no real appreciation of the changed
conditions since his fathers story had
become public property. He saw 1t
made difference in the way his
friends viewed him. He had become
hardened, and 1t had been impossible
for him to foresee just how 1t would
affect others, but to these people II
was plainly shock. The very klndli-
ness he had experienced at the hands of
the doctor and Mrs. Emory only served
to show how great the shock was. In
their gracious, generous fashion they
had sought to make 1t easy for him.
Oakley and the editor did not speak.
Civility seemed the rankest hypocrisy
under the circumstances. A barely
perceptible inclination of the head suf-
feed, and then Ryder turned abruptly
to Miss Emory and resumed his con
versation with her.
Dan seated himself beside the doctor
on the steps. He was completely
crushed. He hadn't the wit to leave.
and he knew that he was a fool for
staying, What was the good in carry
ing on the uphill fight any longerl
Courage IL 4 fine quality, no doubt. but
1t is also we'll for man to have sense
enough to know when he Is fairly
beaten, and he was fairly beaten.
He took stock Of the situation. Quite
independent of his hatred Of the fel-
low, he resented Ryder's presence there
beside Constance. But what was the
use OF struggling, The sooner he ban
ished all thought Of her the better II
would be for him. His chances had
never been worth considering.