Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-09-22
CHAPTER J

-
Doom.
"Then I'm to understand there's no
hope for mel"
"rm 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 tolerant waggle Of his
head, apparently meant to imply that
the subject Of their deliberations
really must be reasonable.
Whitaker looked quickly from one
20 the other OF his three judges,
acutely sensitive to the dread signi-
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.
Its funny" he said with his nerv-
ous smile-"hard 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 brief uneasy silence In
the gloomy consulting room. Then
Whitaker rose.
''well, how hong viii you give meT
ne asked In a strained voice.
"Slx months" said Greyerson, mis-
erably avoiding his eye.
"Three," Hartt corrected jerkily.
Perhaps. -" The proprietor of the
last word stroked his chin with a con-
templatlve 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. And 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 twitch-
ing. apologetic smile.
Poor dewitt" he said, sitting down
at his desk and fishing box of cigars
from one Of the drawers.
"Marriedr Hartt inquired.
''No. That's the only mitigating cir
cumstance," said Greyersoh. distribut-
ing glasses. "He's quite alone in the
world, as far as know-no near rel
atlves, at least He's junior partner
in 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
starl~-Peter stark--ls his closet
friend"
Hugh Whitaker stood for a long
time-how long he never knew-bare-
headed on a corner, just as he had
left Greyerson's Office: scowllng at
nothing. considering the enormlty Of
the wrong that had been put upon him.
Later, realizing that people were star
ing, he ciapped on his hat to satisfy
them and strobe aimlessly down Sixth
Avenue.
He turned across town toward Fifth
Avenue. came TO his club, and went In
Passing through the office, force OF
habit swung his gaze to the letter-rack
There was a square white envelope iT
the w pigeonhole. and It proved to bt
addressed to him. He knew the hand
writing very well--too well; his hear
gave great jump as he recognized it
and then sank like a stone; for moi
only must he die, but he must give
up the girl he loved, and had planned
10 marry. The first thing he meant tC
do was to write to her and explain anC
release her from her promise. Th'
next thing.
He refused to let the Idea of the mex
step form In his mind. But he knew
very well what 1t would be. In tn,
backwards Of his understanding /
lurked-a gray, grisly, shameful
shadow.
The elevator kept him waiting {
moment or two, just round the corne
from the grill-roOm door, whence cam
a sound Of voices talking and laughing
Whitaker heard what was being sal,
without rt first. comprehending-