Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-22

lightly on his brow. he caught 1t
again. and pressed it tight to his lips.
AS he rode away. leaving her be-
hind him, the whole world suddenly
seemed strange. The stars were diff
ferent, the shadows unlike shadows
he had known before, the air he
breathed of strange, new quality -
the very feel of life had given over
before the loosing of all bonds which
had held back the acknowledgment of
his own love.
Ruth's attitude did not trouble him
then. Though she had sent him away.
though she had limited at an obstacle
between them something which
might turn his love to black passion
he was saturated with the conf
dence that she did love him, and that
she merely held him off until she
could adjust herself to those new
realities - kindred to those which he
had been experiencing: such is the
optimism of the true lover.
CHANGING toward his office. he was
brought back to earth by sight Of a
| lighted window
Wonder who can be there?" he
muttered, and, thinking that it must
be patient who waited struck across
the street toward the building
He mounted the stairs rapidly and
entered his outer Office, to be con-
fronted by John Hough, standing in
the middle of the room, hands in his
hip-pockets, hat far back on his head,
face set and grim.
whats up, doctor?" Hardy asked,
apprehensive.
"Sit down. the older man sug-
gested, and took chair himself Il
thought you'd come here If you saw
the highland had to see YOU
He looked keenly at Hardy, and
! said.
"There's hell to pay"
"What and why
| DR.. Hough pushed bis hat, farther
back on his head.
This town had gone and forgotten
/ all about Bart Sears until today a ru.
j NOR started that he's in the neighbor-
hood, getting over wound, and that
We'll Hardy, that you're taking
care Of him."
The young man returned his gaze
steadily.
DIR. Hough" he began after a
moment, IF Sears is in this neighbor-
hood and has been suffering from a
gunshot wound he would need the
services OF physician. Pm physi-
clan.
Il concede nothing at all but, CON
sidering the facts in the case, why
should such stuation-even should
| grant that it existed concern the
town so much? take, from your
waiting up for me, That it does"
"Oh, ] know, That's what makes
me so internally mad! People can't
stop to reason it out, but that doesn't
help your position any"
"My position?" in astonishment
eyes don't you see? These --
these yaps around here are suspicious
of you because they've been told that
i you're treating Sears. You can't tell
them anything about the duty Of a
/ physician.
"And-well, you better know it all,
Hardy--some fool has started wonder
ing why you, a stranger, happen to be
caring for Sears. and why you came
just at the time you did; besides that.
they've dug UP the old wonder about
| the way the information about that
money in the bank got to Sears. Sus-
! picion never settled on any one for
that until today--now they're wonder.
ing If you had anything to do with it,
Hardy, bewildered drew hand
across his cheek and pinched his chin
thoughtiully.
"They think I'm an ally OF Bart
Sears---the whole town?N he asked
mo, no. No one has got far
enough to think anything. They're
panicky, that's all, and are looking for
something or someone to suspect.
And they don't all wonder, either.
It's only the gadabouts who're doing
that, curse EN-"
The old doctor paced The room
wrathfully, mutterng to himself
But, Hardy, understand" he de.
clared. Il know you, and know what
this talk means. 1t II amount to moth
ing in the end and because you're on
| the level; but It's uncomfortable while
it lasts, and you'll need lot of charity
in your soul to overlook some things.
Il came here and waited tonight be.
cause wanted you to know 1t all, and
thought If | neglected this the story
might get to you from less friendly
source
Hardy settled back In his chair and
smiled. II dazed him in the begin.
ming, but his ready mind rallied to the
cold facts before II and he smiled with
a peculiar brand of amusement.
What do you think about It, DR..
Hough?' he asked. DO you think I'm
treating Sears?'
The older man dropped his gaze and
laughed shortly.