The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-12-19
The Blue Circle
By ELIZABETH JORDAN


am glad to see any one who comes
to me from my friend. Doctor Stanley
VIII you draw that chair a little closer
and sit down facing me, please?
don't hear quite so well as / used to-"
Renshaw released the hand he had
been holding as its owner spoke. and
obeyed hiJ instructions. He felt a
sentiment for the old man, sudden and
to him surprising. 1t was more than
interest 1t was almost liking. He
settled comfortably into the soft depths
of his chair and fixed his dark eyes
on the face of his host with an emo
ton that was almost satisfaction. This
plan Of his seemed to be good one
Mechanically the old man unfolded the
letter of Introduction he had been
holding in his left hand, and cleared
his throat.
day. You have just come from town
and from Doctor Stanley?'
Eyes, sir"
"He hasn't been here to see me for
a fortnight" Campbell grumbled. "Of
course know he's busy, but he might
find time for his patient, if not for his
old friend. Stanley and | were young
together, you know"
Eyes, sir. He told me that"
The familiar lassitude was attacking
Renshaw's will, like creeping paraly-
sis. He had got this far. and appar-
emily the effort had exhausted him.
The thought Of the impending inter
view filed him with kind of horror.
If only Campbell would take the stu
alton In hand and settle everything
But Campbell did nothing of the sort.
because Campbell had as yet no no
tion of what the situation was.
He waited, but his visitor said moth
Ing. The host decided that this was
a young man who had no intention OF
wasting time In generalities That be-
ing so, they would come at once to the |
the point was. He
leaned back and smiled at his caller. |
1t was his most engaging smile, gra-
cious and whimsical--a smile that illu-
mined his delicate old face like light
from within. Under its charm the set |
lips of the visitor slightly relaxed. but
he did not return the smile. With |
Renshaw, smiling was a lost art.
doctor Stanley tells me you have
A proposition to make to me-a rather
and startling one" the host
began comfortably. HE asks me to !
give it the most careful considerations /!
Yes, sir"
This was difficult young man-al-
hough an extremely good-loolking one
Campbell lost the details of line and
olor that would have charmed women.
What he took in. with an unconscious
Ugh of envy, was the chaps splendid
hysique. Six feet at least, he told
imself, and superbly made The fell
DIV was young, too, probably not much
lore than thirty, and, despite his odd
lck of response, obviously a thor
ughbred David Campbell liked thor
ughbreds. being thoroughbred him
elf Renshaw's somber gaze had fixed
self on a door behind the host, but
OF more than eight feet away. He
as trying to lash his will to the task
efore him; but again 1t SHE'D, and, as
e looked. his ears caught a sound
lat gave him a legitimate excuse for
clay. The sound was like the rustic
7 stiff linen garments. Some one was
! the other side of the door. His at
ntion caught and held, he waited,
Specting TO see the door open. Camp
III, hearing nothing, bit his lip. This
as difficult fellowi
81 am ready to listen to your propo-
tion," he said, more concisely than
, had yet spoken.
Thank you" Renshaw replied al
ost absently. his eyes, with quick
ed expression. still on the door he
as facing. But what / have to say
confidential. If you viii permit
p"
He was ca his feet as he spoke, and
three strides had reached the door
d opened 1t. AS he did so he expert
ced sense of chagrin. The door
into side corridor, wide and
pity. No one was there, though 1t
IS possible that he had caught the
tier of white garment disappear
, around corner. He returned to
chair. looking and feeling rather
eeplsh. His host was regarding him
IN courteous surprise