Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-06-11
CHAPTER x--cOntinued.

''Why-in a way, yes"
The doctor achieved a perfect cir
elet, and beamed at it
Something else2"
"A good deal else" said Hilliasd, alb
straeted But that's no reason for
me to bother you with it. didn't know
It was so apparent"
Silence.
'.Its not my habit" said the doctor
presently. "to otter any advice unless
I'm asked for 1t Gratuitous advice
never did anybody any good. And no
body takes it unless it costs some
thing-and not often then. And I'm
neither your regular physician nor
your confessor. But if l had made a
diagnosis at this present minute I'd
say that you need preacher a great
deal more than you do doctor"
II I do" said Hilliard, look
ing up sharply. "Only it's out
Of the question. Just personal things,
accommodating 1 can very well talk
about"
"Your trouble" said Doctor Duraht,
"isn't physical as much as it is spir-
ltual. It's nothing but taut nerves. It's
nothing but your struggle against the
restraints you put upon yourself. How
do | know? You've told me so :.
every time I've seen you. It's in your
face. my boy. It's In your eyes. Con-
stantly. And 1t looks as though the
conference is about over be
cause if that isn't Carol coming up the
steps, my ears aren't half as good as
they used to be-"
Both men were on their feet as she
came in, swirling.
"Ohl" she cried to billiard. 81
didn't know you were coming up to-
nightl Suppose I'd missed youl"
He merely smiled, and made no an
swer; nor did he speak to her until
after the doctor. protesting a sudden
desire for solitude, had waved them
Hospitality out of the study into the
living room. Carol was in the old ia
miliar corner of the sofa; Hilliard was
standing by the fireplace. peering
down into the empty CRATE. He coughed
hsrshly, and an expression Of utter
hOpelessness crept into his eyes, He
turned abruptly.
WELL" he said, "just how much
would you have cared if you had?"
There was stately old lamp stand
ing at height behind the sofa; it's
shadows were gracious and its light,
as it crept through a shade of painted
vellum, touched Carol softly, 10
delicacy of radiance which was infin-
itely caressing. Her hands were lying
idle in her lap; she bent her head, and
viewed them studiously.
why, should have cared a great
DEAL" she said. sim always disap-
pointed when l miss seeing friend of
mine. What makes you so pessimistic,
all OF a sudden?'
billiard Redeemed, and his eyes grew
brighter.
friendship he said tardily.
what an accordion like sort of thing
that isp'
why, Mr.. Hilliard I" Her tone was
at the same time interrogatory and re-
proachful.
"oh, I'm not speaking Of you" he
said. "OnIy of the thing itself. !.
It's big or little, close or distant !.
and it hasn't anything TO say about 1t
You'll have to excuse mel
vas thinking out loud :"
please dor she said. ''You were
on the way to be interesting. Think
out loud some more"
billiard glanced sharply at her.
Don't laugh at me!'' he said, almost
roughly. "For heavens sake, don't
you know that the one time you
shouldn't laugh at man is when he
deserves it?"
Carols attitude was vaguely less
suggestive of ease.
Il wasn't laughing at you," she said,
truly. But what you said was so
so queer"
"Oh, yes" billiards. accent was
very fiat. II suppose 1t was. 1t must
have been. always seem to be
more or less up in the air when / come
to see you, don't 1? The last time we
talked about friendship"
But that was at least a month ago.
she said hastily, "and in the mean
time, you've been just as nice and
cheerful as anybody. / thought you
were az over your troubles"
"CheeTfulness wasn't what you
asked tor" billiard swallowed hard.
1 came up here, Miss Du-
rant, to have really serious talk with
sou really serious. It's been
delayed too long already. 1t took me
Two solid days to get my courage up
70 T. And and now I'm mere,
cont even know how to begin"
de scowled heavily into the vacant
fireplace, and held out his palms with
mechanic gesture as though to warm
them at an imaginary blaze. you
Snow'" he said absently. your father
As very extraordinary man-very.'
The compliment to the doctor had