Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-19

ard then Joined Louise in clearing the table.
Mr. Philbrick came up in moment, and
both mel took leave of the young ladies.
Mr.. Philbrick with only such ordinary words
common courtesy demanded, the doctor
saying that he would accompany his mother
to Fairview, if possible.
Delightful, girls remarked Mr.. Phil
brick when they had walked short distance
in silence.
The doctor made no reply, and his COM
panio1 added:
Especially Miss Drummond. She's so
bright and unaffected you know"
DIR. Williams glanced over his shoulder at
Fairview. The house was in full view, and
Amelia stood on the piazza watching them.
He STROBE on more rapidly, keeping his teeth
shut hard together.
I'D like to walk YOU ten miles for sup
FER, DOCTOR" said Mr.. Philbrick keeping
pace with him; Il believe that stride would
weaken after a while
Il should demand that we walk in opposite
directions" growled the doctor.
Mr. Philbrick looked sideways a his COM
panion and broad grin twisted his face in
spite of his efforts to repress 1t. He started
to reply, thought better of 1t, and trudged
along silently. They passed over the low
hill that rose between Fairview and Bel
mont and when they came to the branch
road where the doctor had left the pro-
fessor's carriage earlier in the day, DR.. Will
liams suddenly halted. Mr. Philbrick halted,
too, and waited with undisguised and ex-
pectant curiosity. His perfect tranquility
inflamed the doctor more than ever.
Mr.. Philbrick," he began, with shaking
voice, you and 1 may unfortunately meet
again in that house. If you must pick
quarrel with me, do 1t here. Be a gentle
man, If you can, and behave yourself when
you are with ladies'
The imperturbable Philbrick bit his lips,
but smile would show itself there never
theless.
Come, sirr' exclaimed DR.. Williams. pas-
siorAtely,., lets have some kind of under
MY dear fellow" returned Mr.. Philbrick.
with mild earnestness, you can't know how
profoundly wish that We could have Just
that. I'm afraid it's impossible"
The doctor glared at him an instant. and,
interpreting his attitude as an indirect ac-
acknowledgement of rivalry for Louise's favor.
said: Il will not descend to meet you on your
shifting, evasive ground. One thing, at
least, we can arrive at: will not tolerate
your insults second time"
Insults? Now, doctor, intended no in
suits"
Your ignorance is as unbecoming a gen.
tleman as is your conduct, sir"
Mr.. Philbrick's eyes lit up slightly. Anger
Is more or less contagious, and it is a very
strong man who can keep himself unin-
fuenced by anothers passion.
Il don't know how can change my ma
ture," he said quietly. II take life more
humorously than you. What would you do,
doctor?'
your impertinence I'd thrash you"
HIN! HIM! It's a funny situation. I
don't know how to restrain my-imperti-
nence, as you call it. l certainly shall
avail myself of the privilege of visiting
FairvIew, and Miss Louise has actually re-
ferred me to your mother"
Il forbid you to drag either of those la
dies into this d!scussionr' cried the doctor;
and, letting go all restraint, he seized Mr..
Philbrck by his collar and shook him yio-
lently, raising his right arm to strike
Perhaps Mr.. Philbrick wasn't really an
CRY. He may have acted then solely from
the instinct Of self-defense. At all events,
he freed himself from the Doctors clutch
and struck back with a vigor that aston
they fought furiously, and as each knew
something about boxing. the few blows
that landed were effective. Once Mr.. Phil
brick was forced to his knees and again
the doctor, in his turn, staggered and would
have fallen but for coming against tree.
Eventually they clinched and stood face
to face, feeling one anothers hot breath.
Then, as if by common impulse, each threw
the other from him, and the battle was
over, with honors, If SO they may be called,
easy.
The doctor, MORALLY ashamed of himself,
now that his passion had had its vent,
strobe off along the branch road.
Mr.. Philbrick sat down on the ground,
Wiped his perspiring face, examined his
handkerchief to see whether 1t We're stained
with blood, and then fell to laughing i'm.
moderately. He was SO supremely uckled
that he lost his balance and rolled over on
the grass shaking and gurgling and emit-
ting little falsetto shrieks between bid
gasps for breath. one might have thought
that he had just heard the funniest stor1
in the world.
Gro be continued tomorrow.)