The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-12-26
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 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 It's owner spoke, and
obeyed his 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 a good one.
Mechanically the old man unfolded the
letter Of Introduction he had been
holding in his left hand. and cleared
his throat
"This letter." he began, as dated to-
day. You have just come from town
and from Doctor StanleyY'
Eyes, sir"
''He hasn't been here to see me for
fortnight" Campbell grumbled "Of
course know he's busy. bur he might
find time for his patient, If not for his
old friend. Stanley and l were young
together you know"
Eyes, sir He told me that"
The familiar lassltude 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 a kind of horror.
II 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
ton 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 lost art.
Doctor Stanley tells me you have
a proposition to make to me-a rather
unusual and startling one" the host
began comfortably. "He asks me to
give 1t the most careful consideration"
Eyes, sir"
This was difficult young man-al-
hough an extremely good-looking one
Campbell lost the details of line and
,oior that would have charmed women.
What he took in. with an unconscious
Ugh of envy, was the chaps splendid
physique. Six feet AT least, he told
himself, and superbly made. The fell
ow was young, too, probably not much
more than thirty, and, despite his odd
ack of response, obviously thor
ughbred. David Campbell liked thor
ughbreds. being a thoroughbred him
elf. Renshaw's somber gaze had fixed
tself on a door behind the host, but
ot more than eight feet away. He
vas trying to lash his will 70 the task
efore him; but again 1t sEied, and, as
e looked. his ears caught sound |
hat gave him legitimate excuse for ,
clay. The sound was like the rustic [
stiff linen garments. Some one was |
n the other side of the door. His at {
sntion caught and held, he waited,
Expecting TO see the door open. Camp
ell. hearing nothing. bit his lip. This {
as a difficult fellowl {
81 am ready to listen to your propo- G
tion," he said. more concisely than G
2 had yet spoken. 7
''Thank you" Renshaw replied al I
ost absently, his eyes, with a quick I
led expression, still on the door he
as facing. But what l have to say a
confidential. If you will permit u
e." o
He was CT his feet as he spoke. and {
three strides had reached the door
Id opened 1t. AS he did so he expert
iced sense of chagrin. The door
d into a side corridor. wide and !.
npty. No one was there, though 1t h
as possible that he had caught the =
liter of a white garment disappear =
e around a corner. He returned to q
8 chair, looking and feeling rather a
eepish. His host was regarding him =
nh courteous SUNRISE :,