Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-11-11
CHAPTER |
Doom.

Doom.
"Then I'm to understand there's no
lope for me?'
I'm afraid not. =" Greyerson said
velnctantly, sympathy in his eyes.
None whatever" The verdict was
Tins hrusquely 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 tolerant 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 signi-
6conce 10 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,
upconsciously bracing himself in his
chair
It's funny" he said with his nerv-
Gus smiIe-"hard to realize, l mean.
You see | feel so fit"
Between attacks" HART interjected
quickly.
\ Yes" Whitaker had to admit,
dashed
Attacks" said Bushnell, heavily,
"reQurreut at intervals constantly
more brief, each triie more severe
than its predecessor"
Il Evidently Bushnell considered the
last word his prerogative.
There was a brief uneasy silence in
h the gloomy consulting room. Then
n Whitaker rose.
well how long win you give me?'
he asked in a strained voice.
q "Six MONTHS" said Greyerson, mis-
erabIy avoiding his eye.
Three" HART corrected jerlzily.
4 Perhaps. The proprietor of the
last word stroked his chin with a con-
templative air.
4 Thanks" said Whitaker without
4 Irony, He stood for an instant with
his head bowed In thought. what a
q damned outrage" he observed thought
4 fully And suddenly he turned and
flung ont Of the room.
Il Greyerson jumped to follow him, but
paused as lie Heard the crash of the
street door. He turned with a witch
liz, apologetic smile.
Poor devil!" he said, sitting down
at bis desk and fishing a box of cigars
from one Of the drawers.
Married." Hartt inquired.
II No That's the only mitigating cir
c1nstanee," said Greyerson, distribut-
Ing glasses He's quite alone in the
World, as far as l know-nO near rel
Il auFes' at least. He's junior partner
"a young law firm OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ffle2d or classmate of his, / under
stand; Drunmond & Whitaker, Moves
Win the right sort of people. Young
S.aFk-Peter Stark--is his closet
friend"
Hugh Whitaker stood for a long
uAe-how long he never knew-bare-
4 ,-eaued on a corner, just as he had
's't Oreyerson's Office: scowling at
uo'l1Hg' considering the enormity of
,us wrong that had been put upon him.
n later realizing that people were star
''s' he Capped on his kat to satisfy
n ,1en and strobe ai1.lessly down Sixth
Avenue.
"1 turned across town toward Fifth
ue' came to his club, aid went in.
d ls through the office, force of
Il A. swung his gaze to the letter-rack.
n ERE was square white envelope in
a. a. " p'seonhole. AID it proved to be
81 >SFd to him. Ee knew the hand
very well-too well; his heart
S'12i jump as he recognized 1t,
'-g'i sank like a stone; for not
Il must lie die. but he must give
- -..e -.ri he loved, and had planned
Il nary The FIRST thing he meant to
- 'S go Write to her and explain and
q nav. AeF from her promise. The
refused to let the idea Of the next
Il 9,7p form ir his mind PM he lnew
z - Nv. what 1t would re. In the
q -. ards Of his understanding il
sE.5a gray, grisly, shameful
81 -+-. e'''1toe Sept him waiting a
a - two, just round the corner
De griil-roon door. whence came
n as. VI voices talking and laughing.
y So. So heard what was being said
at first co,"Drehending-