The Dolores star., 1920-10-29

WHY
I'm si1ty-three years DID," said the
Doctor calmly. "and I've made a fool
OF myself In every conceivable way but
one. That's In my own field:
In diagnostician. I've watched Won
very carefully. young man. I
'ninK perhaps you need as much ad-
vice as / do. Of a different variety.
so here 1t is-when you-want encour-
agement. or a medical prescription, or
good cigar and chat, or a quiet eve
ming with an old man and a girl who
plays the piano rather pleasantly, or
seventy-fve hundred dollars which
you've already shown you won't let
me invest unwisely. come and see me.
Now, let's drop business. Not another
word: I'm tired Of 1t. You're through
as an expert; let's get back to old
fashioned friendship. Speaking of
coming to see me-Carol's wondering
II you're trying to slight her. We've
seen very little Of you lately? It's
week now. isn't TT"
"nen, sustained and SOOthed by that
peaceful hour. by the Doctors trust
in his integrity. and by the sedative of
long and untroubled stroll out over
the hills to eastward, HlllIard returned
to the hotel. the room clerk greeted
him with faint superciliousness.
Somebody's been keeping after you
on the telephone all morning." he said
loftily. "New York call. Couldn't 10
cate you. And here's some kilograms
for you.
Of the signature of the first, billiards
eyes narrowed.
Arriving Syracuse 4:15. Please meet
me Mt train and stop all work in the
meantime. Imperative.
"HARMON."
billiards eyelids futtered; this was
evidently the initial result Of Rufus
Warnings efforts, and of those many
letters he had written Harmon. He
tore open the second envelope; !;
the message was again from the broker,
sent obviously from the Grand Cen
trail terminal just before train-time.
Most important news received. Am
Just leaving, having wired you meet
me at station 4 10. Find out who Bob
Waring Is and what he wants. Do
all you can to stave off further In
quiry. Absolutely imperative not talk
to anyone until I see you. Have con-
tract and all other data with you.
Shall have to leave on short notice..
"HARMON."
And the third was from Albany:
Locate Bob Waring II possible and
arrange meeting seven tonight. Ur-
gently imperative. HARMON"
Hilllard folded the three sheets
methodlcally and put them in his
pocket. He glanced at his watch; 1t
showed a quarter to four. He had no
dependence on Harmon, and no fear of
him; he felt no obligation to Harmon.
no sense Of duty. To be sure, he had
the middle of the whirlwind. but that
of itself wasn't strong enough to send
him to a rendezvous with a man he
despised and loathed.
"If co." he said to himself, "I'll be
sorry; and If l don't so why,
If don't go, I'll always wonder If it
would have done any good"
For himself. there was nothing prom
Using In the situation. But on the
millionth chance that something OF
benefit to his subscribers might come
out of it-on the millionth chance that
Harmon might be frightened or per-
suaded into compromise
So he went.
The very first passenger to reach
the platform was Harmon; indeed, he
had been fretting In the vestibule for
half an hour, intent on saving n use
less fraction of a second when the
train stopped. At sight Of Hilliard, he
beamed beneficently-all his earlier
belligerence forgotten.
"Hello! he said. "Glad to see you.
son. Got all my messages, did you"
He shook hands with great urban
ity; billiards. grasp was hardly re-
SpOnsive.
"T got three" said Hllliard. dignitied
and noncommittal and he continued
to inspect his employer with ill-con
cealed dlsfavor and distrust.
"Well, that's all sent. Now, where
can we 20 sit down and talk, for
couple of hours? There's lot to so
over, but want to take the o 40 West.
Not to the Chronological rather so
somewhere quieter. How about the
Kirk?'
"SuIts me all right II 1t does you"
"Any luggage?" They were crossing
the tracks to the waiting-room; and
HillIard, in spite of himself. couldn't
refrain from the sollcitude which any
right-minded resident Of a city feels
for the transient just arrived.
"Only this Gladstone. I can check
that here I guess. Well, I'm certainly
glad to see you. Say, were you able
TO make a date with this Waring per-
son7 It was pretty short notice, but
vou're such q live wire"
Hilliard. fully comprehending the
a T..