But he shook it off.

He had many battles to fight, not the least of which was with morbid imagination.
When he reached the center of town he entered the lobby of the Bradford Inn.

He hoped to meet Blair Maynard there.

A company of well-dressed youths and men filled the place, most of whom appeared to be making a merry uproar.
Lane observed two men who evidently were the focus of attention.

One was a stranger, very likely a traveling man, and at the moment he presented a picture of mingled consternation and anger.