The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-10-10

nal seifishnoss. as Mr.. Fergerson
30 often said. wish 10 God that
bullet had found tho target II was
intended for"
Tho words sounded sineere, hut.
for the first time. Or. Myers smlied
family.
You don't mean that he said.
quietly. You're young. and tho
young soon forgot--mercifnilyi BE
good to her. Rorie. that's all. Life
Is so short at the very best"
lie had never addressed Rorie be
fore by his Christian name. Young
Briton turned impulsively. and held
out his hand.
Il swear | WILL he said. eagerly.
II swear Il. and when she's
we'll
The doctor shook his hand.
"Dont be too sanguins. my boy"
he said. sadly. Hope. but don't be
too sure. IL will be tough battle.
snyway. and you'n want all your
patience.
I'm glad" said Rorie. simply.
1T win be a chance 10 show that
I really mean and wish 90 make up
fer what's gone.- lie broke off.
then asked abruptly. did Mr. Fer
Gerson know-thas Resale was
Certainly, h. va, with m. to 90.
her.
Ror1s psisd . rttis, he felt no 70
sentiment against the old man
only = sort OF sharns. Had Mr..
Ferwsrson. then. thought 20 badly
Of him that he would not tell him'
He knew that he had not deserved
20 be told. Ho recalled the soens
in old Fcrrerson's house, when hs
announcement Of Lillian Fane's en-
gnxement had been mentioned. and
somehow be no longer wondered
that the old man had kept his own
counsel: and yet--how nearly might
/, not have ended In a double dts
aster."
"Brenda's death will be blow to
Fergerson. said Myers. YEARLY.
we were rival. for her years ago"
he added. with a faint smile. 1T
seems only yesterday: now IT'S all
overall done with. She was
very pretty girl in those days. and
never thought she would choose
me. Fergerson was always the
better man"
There was desoiation In the doc
tors voice. Eoris felt an uncom-
Portable lump in his throat 1t was
impossible 10 say anything 70 com
fort this man: useless TO talk Of q
future that stretched away 80 empty
and 30 hopsiessiy.
Az soon as he could he took his DO
parturc: he was glad 10 get out Of
tho house. with its dreadful silence
and overpowering scent OF death
flowers.
Bansheil was waiting patiently
under the red lamp. lie had smoked
n dozen cigarets, and thoroly dis
cussed the tragedy with the village
policeman. who seemed 70 think his
presence outside the Doctors house
an absolute necessity.
II wns surprising how little Of the
truth had a. yet leaked out; the
revelations at the inquest tho fol
lowing day took the village by
storm.
The two young men walked silent.
iy away. Banshell asked no ques-
tons: no felt subducd and sobered.
He had never taken life seriously
until now. but he was beginning 70
.sf Nsr4t -
something else worth doing besides
playing poker and shooting par.
tridges.
You'd better come back 10 town
with mo tomorrow after the I'm.
quest. old chap" he said, presently.
you won't want 70 stick about here
20 be pointed at"
Rorio half smiled.
you're very kind. but can't
leave Rosalie very well; the opera.
ton will have 70 be before long. and
I must be hero, OF course"
Banshell looked rather shame.
faced.
Il forgot he said nwkwsrdly.
Tho inquest was held the following
afternoon in tho village schoolroom.
The building had never been put TO
such uso before; It was terrible,
Rorie thought, as he sat there with
a stream OF golden sunshine falling
on his face through ono OF tho win
dows.
He listened with strained atten.
ton to tho coroner's questions and
the answers made by the witnesses
He was very pale. but when his own
turn came his voice was clear and
steady. He told the coroner what no
knew OF tho hunchback, and how he
had first met him.
you say he had a grudgo against
you, Mr.. Briton. VIII you tell us
why7"
Then, for the first time. Rorie
hesitated: tho color flooded his pals
face; across the sunny room his
eyes met those OF Eustace Myers.
He thought OF the poor little story
he had heard only last night from
the Doctors iips-the story that had
so nearly found an echo In his own
life.