Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-06-18

He Seized Mr.. PhiIbrick.
II think | understood she coutin-
ued. hastily, ''and | almost wonder
how you controlled yourself so well.
You mustn't let idle talk disturb you. l
hardly know what I'm saying. LOUIS
talk is bright but her heart is in the
right place"
The doctor flushed and looked away.
You won't do anything RASH" she
replied.
Miss Willis" he responded, at last,
81 shall not endure another such scene.
He must chang ehis course If he and l
are 10 meet here, or If l am to come at
all.'
Amelia gazed at him in despair an
instant, and then joined Louise in
clearing the table.
Mr. .Philbrick came UP in a moment,
and both men took leave of the young
ladies. Mr.. Philbrick with only such
ordinary words as common courtesy
demanded, the doctor saying that he
would accompany his mother TO Fair
view if possible.
Delightful girls remarked Mr..
Pnilbrick, when they had walked a
short distance in silence.
" NN'11'A NtfANAS an H. "N ~
companion added:
ESPECIALLY Miss Dru:nniond. Shes
so bright and unaffected. You know"
DIR. Williams glanced Over his shout
der at Fairview. The house was in
full view. and Amelia stood on the pi-
aZza watching them. . He STROBE on
more rapidly. keeping his teeth shut
hard together.
I'D like TO walk you ten miles for a
supper. DOCTOR" said Mr.. Philbrick,
keeping pace with him; Il believe that
stride would weaken after a while"
II should demand that we walk in
opposite directions" growled the doc
tor.
Mr.. Philbrick looked sideways at his
and a broad grin twisted
his face, in spite of his efforts TO re-
press il. He started to reply, thought
better of il. and II Judged along silent
ly. They passed over the low hill that
separated Fairview and Belmont, n
when they came to the branch road.
where the doctor had left b profess
or's carriage earlier in the day. Or.
williams suddenly halted. Mr.. Phil
brick halted. TOO, and waited with I'M
disguised and expectant curiosity. His
perfect tranquility infamed b doctor
more than ever.
.sMr. PhiIbrick," he began, with shak-
ing voice, you and l may, unfortun-
ately meet again in that house. Ii you
must pick q quarrel with me, do 1T
here. Be a gentleman, If you can, and
behave yourself when you are with
ladies'"
The imperturable Philbrick bit his
lips, but a smile would show itself
there nevertheless.
.Come. SIR exclaimed DR.. Williams
passionately, Tets have some XII OF
understanding"
my dear fellow" returned Mr.. Phil
brick with mild earnestness. you can't
know how profoundly l wish that we
could have just that. l am afraid it is
impossible"
The doctor glared at him an instant,
and, interpreting his attitude as an
indirect acknowledgment of rivalry for
Louise's favor, said: Il will not de-
scend to meet you on your shifting,
eyasiye ground. One thing, at least,
we can arrive at. / will not tolerate
your insults a second time"
Insults? Now, doctor, / intend no
insults"
"Your ignorance is as ~unbecoming a
gentleman as is your conduct, sir"
Mr.. Philbrick's yes lit up slightly.
Anger Is more or less contagious, and
it is a very strong man who can keep
himself u~ninfuenced By another's pas
sion.
II don't know how I can change my
nature" he said quietly. II take life
more h~umorously than you. What
would you do, doctor?"
"Do! At the first sign of your re-
peating your i~mpertinence I'd thrash
YOU"
HIN! h'mi It's a funny situation.
l don't know how to restrain my-im-
pertinence. Is you call 1t. / certainly
shall avail myself Of the privilege Of
visiting Fairview, and Miss Louise has
actually referred me to your mother
II forbid you to drag either Of those
ladies into this d,scussion!" cried the
doctor; and, LETTING go all restraint, he
seized Mr.. Philbrick by his collar and
shook him violently, raising his right
arm to strike.
Perhaps Mr.. Philbrick wasn't really
angry. He may have acted then solely
from the instinct Of s~elf-defense. At
all events, he freed himself from the
DOCTORS clutch and struck him back
with a vigor that astonished the physi-
clan. For a minute or so they fought
furiously, and as each knew something
o boxing, the few blows that land
ed were effective. Once Mr.. Philbrick
was forced to his knees, and again the
doctor, IN turn. staggered and would