Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner. (Elizabeth, Colo.) 1920-1921, 1920-08-13
CHAPTER v-contlnued.

1t was perhaps five minutes before
that door was reopened. and during
the interval. billiard had an oppor-
tunity to wonder If the doctor had re-
vised his office hours; otherwise, he
should now be down in the Physicians
building receiving patients 1t oc-
CURED spontaneously to billiard that
both Carol and her father were con-
ceivably harassed by contrition. but
as he estimated the extent to which
their sorrow might go judging
by Carols distress of last night, and
the potential truancy of the doctor to-
day-he was possessed of gripping
emotions. Had they cared SO deeply
for him, then? Angela and Carol had
said so but he had doubted what he
most wanted to believe. Was this ad
ditional proof? Had the doctor cared
so deeply that In order to hold con-
verse with Dick Morgan's sole execu-
tor, he would interrupt the sacred
routine of his practice7 Too lateI Too
late to care, too late to sympathize.
only the winter garment of repent
ance was left for them Hilliard
couldn't comprehend why, when he
had risen this morning so refreshed In
mind and body. he should now be so
unutterably wearied In both.
Carol returned, followed by a gen.
tleman of sixty; and as the doctor en-
tered, the room was suddenly per-
meated by an atmosphere of calm, and
kindly peace. He was a large man,
lav 80 the vf
his forehead was that of an INTEL
lectualist; his eyes were those OF
dreamer; his chin denoted rugged
capabilities, and the stubbornness Of
answering ethics.
Mr.. Hilliardr' His voice was
pitched low, but Its resonance was
striking. Thirty years ago the doctor
had been famous baritone; and there
was still one church in town which
dated its musical supremacy from the
choir he had organized and directed.
Doctor Durantl" The two men
clasped hands firmly Hllliard. ex-
periencing the dreaded sinking sensa-
ton which came upon him as often as
he exposed himself to yet another old
acquaintance. hardened as he per-
eeived no recognition in the doctors
eyes. The Inevitable reaction left him
momentarily weak.
at was good of you to take this
trouble, Mr.. Hilliard. appreciate it."
billiards denial was highly cour-
teous II was harder to hate the doc
tor than he had planned.
mo. doctor-it would only have
been blamable If hadn't"
IT insist that it's good of you. +.
You knew Dick intimately, / under
stand"
billiard nodded.
Every Intimately. sir, considering
the length of time" He perceived that
Carol was holding the letter lightly
folded in her hands; she intercepted
his glance. md colored proudly.
ut 1t did belong to me-
she said, subdued "And can
never thank you enough never
-
MY daughter" said the doctor
presently. has told me the one great
fact" He paused. then went on
gravely. 81 accept 1t. and 1t needs
very little comment What most con
Germs me now is to know the lesser
facts. 1 have some hope, Mr.. billiard
that you can make the lesser seem the
greater; and the greater the less.
want you TO clear up the one cloud
that still dims our knowledge. hope
you can tell us something about Dicks
reasons for doing this thing-for go
ing abroad at all, and for enlisting
and for"
Hiniard WINGED; the doctors autop
sy on his character was considerably
more disconcerting that Mr.. Cuilen's
had been.
Doctor Durant, can't think its
fair TO put Dicks motives under the
microscope like that Why not for
set everything but the attending cir
cumstances to the one great fact
He"
I'm not unfair" said the doctor
slowly. I've never been unfair II
could help It. and certainly not to this
man. above all others. Here is a case
in which man who left us most un.
heroicnliy comes back to us, in spirit
at least as hero. The particular