Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1925-04-10

Etc me from my friend, DOctor Scanley
Will 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 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 It. 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
stion that was almost satisfaction. This
tHplan 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, sis dated to-,
day. You have just come from town
and from Doctor Stanley?" 80 -
Eyes, SIR" I'll,
"He hasn't been here to see me for
fortnight" Campbell grumbled:' '"Of
course I know he's busy. but 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 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 filled him with kind of horror.
If only Campbell would take the situ-
alton in hand and settle everythingl
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
young man who had no intention of
wasting time in generalities. That be-
ing so, they would come at once to the
point-whateve the point was. He
leaned back and smiled at his caller.
1t was his most engaging smile, gra-
cious and whimsical smile that HUI
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
proposition to make to me-a rather
unusual and startling one" the. host
began comfortably. "He asks me to
give it the most careful consideration
Eyes, sir"
This was a difficult young man-al-
though an extremely good-lookihg one.
Campbell lost the details Of line and
color that would have charmed women.
What he took in, with an unconscious
sigh Of envy, was the chaps splendid
himself, and superbly made. The fell
low was young, too, probably not much
more than thirty, and despite his odd
lack of response, obviously a thor
oughbred.. David Campbell liked thor
oughbreds being a thoroughbred him
self. Renshaw's somber gaze had fixed
itself on a door behind the host, but
not more than eight feet away. He
was trying to lash his will to the task
before him; but again 1t SHE'D, and, as
he looked. his ears caught sound
that gave him legitimate excuse for
delay. The sound was like the rustic
Of stiff linen garments. Some one was
on the other side Of the door. His at.
tention caught and held, he waited
expecting to see the door open. Camp.
bell, hearing nothing, bit his lip. This
was difficult fellow! w
II am ready to listen to your propo
sition," he said, more !concisely than
he had yet spoken.
THANK you" Renshaw replied al
most absently, his eyes, with quick.
ened expression, still on the door he
was facing "But what l have to say
is confidential. If you will permit
me-
He was on his feet as he spoke, and
in three strides had reached the door
and opened 1t. AS he did so he expert
enced sense of chagrin. The door
led into a side corridor, wide and
empty. No one was there, though II
was possible that he had caught the
flutter Of white garment disappear:
ing around corner. He returned to
his chair, looking and feeling rather
sheepish. His host was regarding him
with courteous surprise.