The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-04-28

night OF the dinner Robinson and |
were on hand early, for we were anx-
ious to see the meeting between Davis
and Whiting, and had made several
bets with the other fellows as to
whether Davis would snow up.
whiting appeared punctually as
usual, but though we waited until mid
night Davis failed to materialize OF
course this Settleu the matter in Whit
ing'S mind for the time being. and he
made us set up several bottles of wine
to drink to the health of his mythical
counterpart. as he called him.
The next night. however, he came
to the club, and drawing Robinson
and me aside said:-"BoyS. this mat
ter has gone too far like a joke.
but | think it is rather rough for you
to keep it up And on our express
ing our ignorance of his meaning he
showed us Il letter from Davis regret
ting his inability 20 be present the
night before, and saying that he was
too i'll at the moment to make his re-
gretS III person.
But, my dear fellow said Robin.
son, IF YOU really think us guilty of
this letter will you kindly explain how
1t happens to be written on your own
paperY
Nv hitting grabbed up the note and
seemed frightened for the moment,
for at the head Of the letter was his
crest and the envelope bore the impress
sion of his private seal, which he al
ways wore on his watch chain. He
looked at it searchingly, and then left
the club without Il word
after this occurrence we ceased
bantering him about Davis and passed
the word around To the other fellows
to drop it, for we saw that the matter
worried him greatly and feared the eff
feet of our chaff on his high strung,
nervous temperament. Davis came to
the club less frequently during the
winter but at every mention of Whit
ing's name he smiled and said he was
sorry they did not happen to meet.
One day, early in the spring. Whit
ing sent Il note asking me to come up
to his den after dinner. as he had some
thing of importance to tell, and begged
me not to fail him. | had often been
to his office on Madison avenue, but
had never visited him at his rooms on
til street. 1t was quiet neighbor-
hood. west of Ninth avenue. and the
ed frame buildings still in good repair,
but backed up against their rear were
several ramshackel old tenements.
nearly deserted by tenants.
Il had not seen Whiting for some
months and was shocked by the change
in his appearance. There Were dark
circles under his eyes and a strange
hunted expression in his face He
grasped my hand eagerly and drew
a chair for me in front of the CRATE
fire. for the evenings were still cool.
Doc he exclaimed suddenly. after
we had lit our cigars and talked gilt
tcring generalities for a few minutes
that fellow Davis is killing me by
inches
Why, old man. l said, so you
have come to believe in him mt last
| started to laugh, but checked my
self when l saw the expression of his
face.
What is it. my dear boyf | asked
soothingly. 1t certainly can't be so
serious. What has he been up to
now?
'Tis damned queer business. said
Whiting eXcitedly. and can't imagine
his motive: but these are the facts
For several weeks this fellow has
logged my footsteps. and after have
made professional call and left the
usual prescription he has sent a note
to the patient initiating my handwrit
ing and changing the medicines fol
others, which. had they been taken as
directed. would have in some eases
proved fatal. Fortunately the drug
gists have telcphoned me that there
was some mistake and | have been
able to correct it. But of course this
constant changing of prescriptions
has affected my practice terribly, and
people are beginning to think that my
mind is unbalanced
But, my dear fellow said |. trying
to quiet him, why not give up youI
practice for a few weeks and take a
decided rest. and meanwhile we will
deal with this fellow Davis as he
deserves
But that is not ALL continued
Whiting, despairingly. 1t is true
don't need the income from my
practice, and work more from the love
of it than for the fees, but he has gone
still further and dared to call on Miss
Wiley. my fiancee. and tell her many
Oh Ilc lOOllSH cStdIldttS VI my tpllcSc
DAYS. the secret of which | thought
was buried in my own breast. | have
tried to explain them away, but of
course cannot deny the tales, and |
fear 1t is all over for me in that quart
err. | can't see how she could listen
to the cad or where she could have met
him
Davis actions seemed to be more
inexplcable than ever, and | longed to
get hold of the brute and force an ex-
PLANTATION from him; but, hiding my
anger. | tried to quiet Whiting, and
finally prevailed upon him to take
heavy dose of choral. which | pre-
pared. and to try to get a nights rest,
promising to see Miss Wiley shortly
and attempt to patch up matters.
Il left him asleep on his lounge, and,
as it was still early, walked over to
Madison avenue, determined to call
ON Miss Wiley, whom | knew slightly,
and tell her of Writings condition.
There was n light in the drawing
room, and. ringing the bell, | gave my
card to the servant, and he ushered
me in unannounced. Miss Wiley sat
at the piano. her haEds OH the keys, |
while standing at her side and looking
down ardently into her upturned face
waS-DaviS.
For a moment | could not speak |
and seemed glued to the floor. but