The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-12-26
Chapter I

A Man Cast Down.


Renshaw stopped at the entrance to
the grounds of the country house he
was approaching and surveyed the
building with the detached expression
of baby that is being kissed. Pre-
sumably. something agreeable was hap
pening to him, but he could not whip
up much interest In the episode. He
had arrived Mt TawnO Ker, the home of
David Campbell. and. incidentally, his
own future home. In the absence of
any conveyance, he had walked from
the station-a little matter of mile
and half-and he was more than
ready to set down his handbag and feel
the dust of the road from his shoes
before he appeared to his new en-
ployer.
The fact that the employer did not
as yet realize that Renshaw was to be
his new employee did not disturb the
that soon enough. In the meantime
there was the place to be looked over.
Pceibly he. Renshaw. would not like
the place-in which case, of course, he
need not present himself to Its owner.
He took Off his hat, however, and,
leaning Ianguidly against stone pillar
of the wide gateway. let the late Oc-
tober breeze cool his head 1t was a
strikingly well-shaped head, obviously
capable OF more interior work than its
owner was now requiring of it. or
late. Renshaw had lost interest in most
matters. For two years he had stood
outside OF himself watching the undi-
rected course Of his existence.
He turned upon the driveway lead |
ing to the old red brick house before |
him a pair of eyes that matched his i
hair in color They were very dark
brown eyes, almost black. Nature, in
giving them 10 him, had shown char
acterIstic Indifference to the sufferlngs
Of women But il was long since Rem
shaw had turned those eyes on women
OR, indeed, on anything else-with
other than the remote expression that
had become habitual to them.
With this expression he surveyed
he two rows of maple trees that
the driveway. like lines Of
'ootmen in gorgeous livery separating
% permit visitors to pass. He really
must look at the place. Yes. he must
lie must decide whether or not he was
,oing into that house to see David
and work for him. He
ashed his will to the task, and his
gill. like an unwilling horse, SHE'D and
ide- stepped. He forced ii to the ef-
ort. He would look at the house. any
vay-and then, an inner voice again
uggested, perhaps he wouldn't have I
0 90 in.
1t was late in the afternoon. and the
utumnal twilight fell while he stood
here, hesitatlng. In the dim windows
( the house. lights began TO twinkle,
Ike smiles In tired eyes. There was
very soothing n the sight
.enshaw replaced his hat. casually
listed his shoes on the grass of the
Dadside. and picked up the travelling
ag. de had decided to remain and /
ork for David Campbell. '
He made his way up the avenue.
aging a little under the weight of
lie case. and, gratefully dropping the
tier on the broad veranda with
hIch an architect unbound by tradi-
on had embellished the front OF the 9
olonial dwelling, he again hesitated,
18th his finger on the button of the
ectric bell. To press that button q
cant TO re-enter life. If he pressed r
and some one came, he would be 1
to an Interview, to explana- S
Dns. to the carrying out of plan b
e first plan he had formed in two
.ars. 1t had been very hard to make u
at plant would be nothing short of | I
Hing to carry 1t through. Yet there o
~ only one alternative-and this al Y