The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-09-28
CHAPTER I
Doom.

.srhen I'm to understand there's no
hope for me?"
I'm afraid not. -" Greyerson said
reluctantly, sympathy in his eyes.
'None whatever" The verdict was
thus brusquely emphasized by Hartt,
one of the two consulting specialists.
Having spoken, he glanced at his
watch, then at the face OF his col
league, Bushnell, who contented him
self with a toler. Mt waggle of his
head, apparently meant to imply that
the subject Of their deliberations
really must be reasonable.
Whitaker looked quickly from one
to the other of his three judges,
acutely sensitive to the dread slgni-
ficance to be detected in the expression
of each.
Failing to extract the least glimmer-
Ing of hope from the attitude of any
one of them, he drew a long breath,
unconsciously bracing himself in his
chair.
IT'S funny" he said with his nerv-
Gus smile-shard to realize, mean.
You see, feel so fit"
Between attacks" Hartt interjected
quickly.
"Yes," Whitaker had to admit,
dashed.
Attacks" said Bushnell, heavily.
''recurrent at intervals constantly
more brief, each a trifle more severe
than its predecessor"
Evidently Bushnell considered the
last word his prerogative.
There was q brief uneasy silence in
the gloomy consulting room. Then
Whitaker rose.
"Well, how long will you give me?"
he asked in a strained voice.
"Six months" said Greyerson, mis-
-erably avoiding his eye.
"Three," Hartt corrected jerkily.
"Perhaps. -" The proprietor of the
Jast word stroked his chin with a con-
templative air.
Thanks" said Whitaker, without
irony. He stood for an instant with
his head bowed in thought. "What a
damned outrage" he observed thought
fully. Aud suddenly he turned and
flung out of the room.
Greyerson jumped to follow him, but
paused as he heard the crash of the
street door. He turned with a twitch-
ing, apologize smile.
poor devil I" he said, sitting down
at his desk and fishing a box of cigars
from one Of the drawers.
"Married2 Hartt inquired.
"NO. That's the only mitigating cir
'cumstcnce" said GreyersOn, distribut-
ing glasses. Hes quite alone In the
world, as far as knOw-nO near rel
ntives, at least. He's junior partner
a young law firm down-town-senior
a friend or classmate of his. / under
stand Drummond & Whitaker. Moves
with the right sort Of people. Young
Stark-Peter Stark-is his closet
friend"
Hugh Whitaker stood for long
time--how long he never knew--bare-
headed on corner, just as he had
left Greyerson's Office. scOwling at
nothing, considering the enOrmity OF
the wrong that had been put upon him.
Later, realizing that people were star
AhNf Ht NiANfNtu VtA AAa AAtAh W. HtthA'if
them and strobe aimlessly down Sixth
Avenue
He turned across town toward Fifth
Avenue, came to his club. and went i'm.
Passing through the office, force OF
habit swungh his gaze 20 the ictterrack.
There was n square white envelope in
the w plgeonhole, and it proved to be
addressed to him. lie knew the hand
writing very well-too well; his heart
gave great jump as he recognized IT,,
and then sank like a stone for not
only must he die but he must give
UP the girl he loved and had planned
to marry. The first thing he meant To-
DO was 10 write TO her and explain and
release her from her promise. The
next thing.
lie refused to let the idea Of the next
step form In his mind. But he knew
very well what it would be. In the
backwards Of his understanding it
iurked-a gray grisiy, shameful
shadow.
The elevator kept him waiting n
moment or two. just round the corner
from the gril.room door. whence came
2 sound OF voices talking and laughing.
whitaker heard what was being said
without ot 0rst comprehending