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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1935-04-04, Page 2sill THURSDAY, APRIL 4th, 1935 THE EXETER T1MES-ADVOCATJE ‘&11 vpd i iixjiixir^s Z-5IL-4 V tzir’C UllMllXUiO BY JOSEPH MCCORD CHAPTER XIII “Thank you!” she decided. “I will go up to my father’s room. I can find it. Please don’t trouble your­ self,” as Haskel made a move to leave his post. .She was breathing rapidly when she found henself standing alone be­ fore a door that bore a painted “12” between the upper panels. She lis­ tened for a moment, but there was no sound from the other’ side. Then she rapped resolutely, before her courage should ooze away. “Come in,” called a harssh voice. Thankful the response was put iu the form of an invitation, the girl hastily turned the knob, stepped across the threshold and closed the door behind her. “You!” “Yes, sir.” Serenity’s eyes had sought out Langdon, even before his sudden exclamation. She recalled after­ wards he had been sitting on the side of his bed, coat, collar and tie discarded. He had just removed one <of his shoes and he held it sus­ pended in his hand. Before she could speak, he was on his feet. He towered over her, eyes staring. “What is it?” he demand­ ed hoarsely. “Maury? Is he—?” “Maury is all right—now,” was her quiet rejoinder. I Langdon’s shoe crashed to the un­ carpeted floor; a deep scowl gather­ ed .on his face. Seeing that he was framing an angry remonstrance, the girl held up a warning hand. “Please, she urged quietly. “You must let me talk with you a minute. It’s very important. I am not here to ask anything. It’s—it’s a matter of business.” “Not likely!” he snapped. “I want nothing more to do with you. And I might remind you that I am not in the habit of entertaining women in my room—even on business. I happen to be dressing.” •Serenity flushed angrily. “The fact you hoppen to be the father of my husband entitles you to respect,” was her low-voiced ad- ‘ mission. “But I wish you to under­ stand that I am noe seeking enter­ tainment and I expect no courtesy. I am here only because of a promise I once made you.” “Promise you made me?” surprised into repeating- “Yes, sir. It was called at my office, when I was ready to would come and .tell am.” Parrish took a step in her direc­ tion, limping oddly on his stocking­ ed foot. “Do you mean that?” he warned. “What’s ycur game now? What are you after?” ‘‘Only Maury’s happiness,” she confided wearily. “That’s all.” “Does he know you’re here?” “He asked me to come. He wants you.” “What for?” “For the reason ycu’re hoping to hear. He loves you—misses you. So- much so that—” She did not finish the sentence. “Hm-m—And so you’ll clear out “For his sake, yes. I’ll do any­ thing you like.” Parrish turned back to the bed and sat down heavily. He reached out for his other shoe, thrust his foot into it and tightened the laces methodically. As Serenity stood watching him in silence, she saw his head life with a jerk as though he had come to a decision. ‘‘Sit down at that table over there and put what you have just said in writing.” “I scarcely think that is neces­ sary.” “And I do, was the dry rejoinder. “I have my own reasons.” By the time she had seated her­ self and had drawn off her gloves preparatory to his bidding, Langdon was standing stiffly on the other side of the table. He had also don­ ned the rest of his clothing with unexpected haste. He laid a sheet of the hotel’s stationery in front of his guest, took his his pocket and curt: “You can use “Perhaps you “I do not. the day I told you leave town you. Here I 9 lower lines dully, her was as coldly impassive as ever. Setting her teeth against her lip, she slowly wrote a few and added her signature. “Will that do?” she asked wyhen it was finished. Parrish adjusted his spectacles, took the paper from her hand and read its contents deliberately. Thdn he folded it carefully and thrust it in an inside pocket. “Where were you going from here?” was his unexpected comment. “That depends on you Doctor Parrish. If you can arrange mat­ ters to go home—it will be best for Maury. If you can’t then I will stay with him until you find it con­ venient. He shouldn’t be left alone long.” “I shall go to him at once.” “In that case, I shall go back to my office. I asked Myra to bring my things there—if you came home first.” “Then what do you propose to do? “Whatever seems best. I think we have settled enough for one night. I will say good-bye now.” He gave her a curt nod of dismis­ sal and remained motionless by the table as the sound of her footsteps grew faint down the hallway. True to her promise, Myra brought Serenity’s bag to the office within the hour. “Well, here I am,” she announced, closing the door after her. “Why don’t you air things out?” she sniffed. “Smells terrible musty.” “I hadn’t noticed,” returned the doctor, from her old seat at the desk. “Myra?” “Well?” “How was Maury when you came away?” “Well enough, I reckon.” “His father—is w’ith him?” “Sure. He came stalkin’ in as nothin’ had ever happpened.” “Did he say anything—were you there in Maury’s room?” “Yep. He walked in and I walk- there was to it. two of ’em talk­ down the stairs, what I think be- Don’t you think; if Qty? lExder ©imefi-Ahuittaie Established 1873 and 1887 Published every Thursday morning at Exeter, Ontario SUBSCRIPTION-—$2.0:0 per year in advance RATES—Farm or Real Estate for sale 50c. each insertion for first four insertions. 25c, each subse­ quent insertion. Miscellaneous ar­ticles, To Rent, Wanted, Lost, or Found 10c, per line of six words. Reading notices 10c. per line, Card of Thanks 50c. Legal ad­ vertising 12 and 8c. per line. In Memoiiam, with one ver.se 50c. extra verses 25ic, each. Member of The Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association arounse Maury from a long-delayed sleep period. As he swung the door wide, he saw the small figure of Jake Frame in the square of light cast on the porch floor. The two men eyec one another in silence for a moment. “What do you want?” the doctor demanded harshly. "Speak up!” Jake made the nearest approach to insolence in his whole life by squaring his thin shoulders and taking a step forward. “I’m a look­ in’ for Dr. Dale,” “She isn’t here.” ’ “Where is she?” “I can’t tell you." The door was being slowly closed by this time. “You wait a minute,” the caller demanded. “I went to her office down yonder and couldn’t get in. Then some fellers around the hotel told me how she’d got married to your boy and was livin’ up here with you two. I got to see her.” "She is not living here, I don’t know where she is.” “But I tell you I got to find her! It’s the baby. He’s been took bad, I hitched up and come all the way to. town to get the doctor, Laura’s goin’ to take on somethin’ awful “All right! I'll try and get out the morning and see the child.” “You’ll—?” “I said I’d look at the baby in the morning. My eon is very sick and I can’t possibly leave him now.” “•So’s mine. If it hadn’t 'been for that doctor woman, I reckon we wouldn’t had him, at all. You was going to let my wife die or anything •all because I couldn’t pay your bill. I ain’t never forgot that. And neither’s a lot of folks around here. If you’ve drove our doctor away— “That will do, Frame. out.” “You’re darned right You ain’t evei’ goin’ to | of my flesh and blood. They can all It’s must much lr I am not ques- what away, And she queried wonder- any chance, feel un­ to me for anything . do for you since you?she wanted- Mill?”Penny know that I do!” Like to square your ac- guest but it have father sadly.” “And after he does get well?” “I don’t know.” “It was a very beautiful sacrifice, my child,, but I can’t somehow re­ concile myself to thinking it was the thing to do.” “It was the only thing to do,” she repeated dully. “You know best. tioning your judgment. But do you propose to do now?” “I don’t know exactly. Go I guess.” “And leave your patients? your friends?” “Oh, I don’t know what to do!” she burst out. “Nothing seems to matter very much tonight. What do you think I should do?” “You know, I was hoping you’d ask for my advice,” he returned with his old quizzical’ smile. "Do you mind if I begin by asking you some­ thing rather personal perhaps?” "What is it?” ingly. “Do you, by der obligations I have tried to came to “You "U-m. count?” "What can I do? Tell me, please.” “■Turn out your light and walk home with me.. We have a room. It isn’t very palatial, needs you tonight.” “Oh, no—I can’t do that, sweet of you—'But I think I stay here, tonight. I’ve ever so to do.” “It can wait. Besides, you almost promised you would. I’m not insisting so much on my account as on Hetty’s. She wants to see you tonight and something tells me she can do you more good than any­ body else. Great fixer, Hetty is. Next to the Lord, I don’t know her equal. Please, my dear!” Serenity’s eyes brimmed with sud­ den tears. “You always manage to be on hand when—when I’m beaten. How you manage it, Partner?” “Just by blundering around, supoose. ty’s" waiting for us.” Late that night, Langdon Par­ rish heard an imperious rap at his office door and he hurried down the stairs to answer it lest a repetition ed out. That’s all Except I heard the in’ when I started i I’ll tell both of ’em fore I get through. I won’t either!” "Oh, no—Myra. You must .be very I careful. I’m trusting you to help he was Maury.” I With a swift -movement, the older you woman crossed over and dropped that flown beside the doctor’s chair. 11 Throwing her arms about Serenity 1 she strained her to her in a passion­ ate embrace. “Don’t worry,” she choked. "But there ain’t a man in the world worth your takin’ on over. I ain’t a goin’ to stand for it!” She brushed at her eyes with a fierce gesture. "I’m an old fool and I’m goin’ home.” “You’re an old dear, Myra. Good night! And thank you.” Half an hour later, Serenity was.., still sitting motionless in her chair when there was the sound footsteps on the walk and tap on the door. “Come in,” she called glancing at her watch. She gotten there were such things as office hours. Then the door swung open t‘o admit Dr. Bolling. “Well, well,” he began breath­ lessly. “It certainly did look good to see a light in here again. I was passing and thought I would drop in for a minute and do.” "I am afraid you ed the girl, a little inent showng momentarily eyes. Bolling dropped (heavily nearby chair. “Well, my dear,” he smiled, “I did. /The Good Book tells us that a lie is an abomination before the Lord. It’s quite too beautiful an of brisk a sharp wearily, had for- say hiow-do-you- hurried,’ glint of accus- ' amnse- in her into a do if in I shan’t be you won’t! touch none die first!” He shuffled off into the darkness, tossing his impassioned ultimatum over his shoulder as he went. CHAPTER XV They Call It—Love Dr. Parrish’s next caller appeared on the scene, the following morning before the dew was off the grass. He was a large florid man in a wrinkled linen suit, who used the knob of his walking stick nounce his arrival with a tattoo on the door panel. “The doctor at home?” voice asked of Myra when tiorum answered the summons. “Yes, he’s here. But he’s eatin’ breakfast.” “All right. I’ll wait inside. Tell him not to hurry, please, and the caller walked in without waiting for an invitation. He heard Myra making an explanation in the din- ; ing-room that she had never seen to an- subdued his deep that fac- fountain pen from held it out with a tliis.” prefer to dictate.” Just write down what you have just told me. Sign it.” She glanced up with sudden ap­ peal in her eyes, but the face above I "We’ll go home now. Het- I was when wire?” wanted Professional Cards cigar from his carefully, then the man before and hadn’t the slightest idea who1 ins "was. Book agent, for all she could say. Then Parrish strode into the room, halting with a little ejacula­ tion of surprise when he saw the figure sitting near the window’. “Doctor MacDonald! This is a sur­ prise, sir.” "How are you, Parrish? It’s an unreasonable hour for calling, but I had an errand over in this part of the country and got off on an early start. How are you—and how’s the boy?” “My son is doing very well, thank you.” "I vras sure he would, sorry I couldn’t come down you asked me, You got my “I got it.” "B^ the way, Parrish, I to see Dr. Serenity Dale this morn­ ing. I stopped by her office and an early bird who was cutting grass told me she hadn’t been about for some time. In fact, he told me I might find her here.” "No sir. (She is not here.” "Don’t you know find her?” "No, sir.” MacDonald drew a pocket, inspected it lighted it after throughtfully biting its end, "Parrish,” he began abruptly, “I mind as well tell you wants' on my mind. I’m worried about that girl. As a matter of fact, I’m -more or less responsible for her—since her father died. He was my sister’s husband —capable man, Dale.” "I don’t think I knew him.” "Probably not. We were both mightily pleased when hie girl de­ cided to take up our job. She did exceptionally well at school. It wras through me she came here to Penny Mill. I thought it would do her good.” ’Parrish sraightened slightly in his chair. "Why?” he asked. "Well, I thought I explained it in the letter I sent lyou in her care. I thought a man of your standing and' experience oould be a lot of help to a kid like hat—sort of help her get on her feet, you know. Young blood like that is good for us old chaps. We get sort of in a rut and set in our ways. I’rine child did a niece piece of work here during that fever; the State Board crowd have had lots of nice things to say about her. Yes, sir, I thought you and Serenity would hit it off in ' good shape. Seems like I was wrong.” Parrish made no reply, but sat watching his visitor who was star­ ing at the ceeling, puffing medita­ tively on his cigar. (Continued next week.) GLADMAN & STANBURY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, &c Money to Loan, Investments Made Insurance Safe-deposit Vaults for use of our Clients without charge EXETER and HENSALL CARLING & MORLEY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, Ac- LOANS, INVESTMENT'S, INSURANCE Office: Carling Block, Mjain Streep EXETER, ONT. Dr. G. S. Atkinson, L.D.S.,D.D.S. DENTAL SURGEON Office opposite the New Post Office Main Street, Exeter Telephones Office 34w House 34J Office closed Wednesday afternoons until further notice Dr. G. F. Roulston, L.D.S.,D.D.S. DENTIST Office: Carling Block EXETER, ONT. Closed Wednesday Afternoons K. C. BANTING, B.A., M.D. Physician & Surgeon, ,<ncan, O«t. Office in Centralia Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. or by appointment Telephone the hotel in Centralia at any time. Phone Crediton 30r25 It All Depends Sick Millionaire—Nurse, I’m ing you a .month’s salary in my will. Nurse—A month of yours, sir, or a month of mine? leav- evening to contribute to abomina- tions—” "So?” "So I think I’d better tell you that Myra Sanders just left my study a few minutes ago.We had quite a visit.” “I thought so.” "Yes, quite a visit.What she wasn’t able to tell me, I think I could piece out fairly well. May I ask you a few questions?” “Of course.” “You are leaving the field to Par­ rish because you thought it would help Maury get well?” “I know it will. He’s missed his Too Many Pale Faces And Run Down Constitutions There arc too many females, all over Canada, who are broken down in health, apparently growing old while yet young. Often they have pale, sallow complexions, hollow sunken eyes; tho face has % pinched and haggard appearance; they are weak, weary and extremely nervous, starting at the least noise; become low spirited, irritable and fretful. 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