The Ordway new era., 1920-08-27
CHAPTER x-continued.

WhN-in way, yes.
The doctor achieved perfect cir
clet, and beaiued at 1t.
Something eise?"
"a good deal else" said Hlllinrd. alb
stracicd. "But that's no reason for
me to bother you with IL. didn't know
1t was 50 apparent"
Silence.
Its not my habit" said The doctor
presently, 10 offer any advice unless
Tn asked for IT. Grituitous advice
never did anybody any good. And no
body takes 1t unless 1t costs some
thlnr-aDd not often then. And I'm
neither your regular physician nor
your confessor But II | hnd made a
diagnosis at this present minute I'D
say thar you need preacher great
deal more than you do n doctor"
81 do" said HIllard. look
Ing up sharply. only IT'S out
of the question. Just personal things.
doctur-nothing / can very well talk
about"
"Your trouble" said Doctor Durant.
"lsn't physical as much ns 1t is spir-
itunL It's nothing hut taut nerves. It's
nothing but your struggle against the
restraints you put upon yourself. How
do | knOw7 You've told me 50
avery time I've seen you. It's In yonr
f~e my hoy. It's in your eyes Con
gnntiy. And II looks as though the
conference is about over he
rause n shat isn't Carol coming up the
steps. NV ears aren't half as good as
they used to hc."
Roth men we're on their feet as she
came in. swirling.
"Oh'" she cried 10 Ililliard. 81
didn't know you we're coming up to-
night suppose III missed you -
He merely smiled. and made no an
Ewer: nor did he spenk 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
nfiiar corner Of the sofa; Hilliard was
standing by the fireplace. peering
down into the empty CRATE. He coughed
harshly. and an expression Of utter
hopelessness crept into his eyes. He
turned ahruptly.
We'll" he suid, Just how much
would you have cared II you hnd?"
There was stately old lamp stand.
ing at height behind the sofa its
shadows were gracious and Its light.
ms Il crept through shade of painted
vellun. touched Carol softly. Ia
deiicacy of radiance which was infin-
ltely caressing. Her hands were lying
Idle in her lap; she bent her head, and
yieYrd them studIously.
why should have cared a great
deal" she said I'm always disap-
pointed when | miss seeing friend OF
mine. What makes you so pesslmistic.
all Of q sudd-n?"
Hillisrd reddened, and his eyes grew
brighter.
"Friendship," he said tardily.
"Whnt an accor,IionIike sort OF thing
that is
"why. Mr.. Hlllisrd," Her tone was
at the same time interrogatory aud re-
proschful.
"oh. I'm not speaking Of you" he
said. ''Only OF the thing itself e.
It's big or little. close or distant
and II hasn't anything to say about II
You'li have 10 excuse me-
was thinking out loud ="
please do" she said you were
on the way to he Interesting. Think
out loud some more
IIilliard glanced sharply at her.
Don't laugh AT me 9" he said. almost
roughly. "For heavens sake. don't
you know that the one time you
shouldn't laugh at a man is when he
deserves it?"
Carols attitude was vaguely less
suggestive of ease.
81 wasn't laughing at You" she said.
"truly. But what you said was so
so queer"
"Oh. yes" Hiliards accent was
very hat. Il suppose It was. II must
have been. always seem to be
more or less up in the air when come
to see you. don't /? The last time we
talked about friendship"
''i:ut thar was nj least a month ago. Sc
SHE said hastily. "and in the mean
time. you've been Just Ms nice and
cheerful as anybody. thought you
were all over your troubles"
"CheerfulneSs wasn't whnt you
asked for Hilliard swallowed hard.
II | came up here. Miss Du-
rant, TO have n really serious talk with
you really serious. It's been
delayed too long already. 1t took me
two solid days TO get my courage up
to 1t. And and now I'm here
don't even know how to begin"
He scowled heavily into the vacant
fireplace. and held out his palms with
mechnnic gesture as though to warm
them nj an imaginary blaze. you
know" he said ahSently. your father
Is a very extraordinary man-very."
The compliment to the doctor had
It's invariable effect upon her; she
glnwed under IL