Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-09-13
t THE WAY OF A CAD


"Oh, don't lSnow!" stammered the
other man. Are you really seriousf
If so. you must be-pardon ME fol
saying so-either the most heartlesA
beggar 1 ever met or the most abb
surdly sensitive"
"In other words, knave or blith'
ering idot-eh. Metford, old chap|'
said Winston, cheerily,
"Exactlyl 1 hope it is only case
of temporary insanity"
DR.. Metford was one of the ablest
of the younger physicians in the West
End of London; but, being also one
of the most stupidity modest of clever
men, his professio AL income barely
sufficed to pay the rental of his rooms
in Cover street. Some day he may
discover that it is possible to be over
modest and that inward self-deprecia-
ton leads to penury, and then he will
remove to Harley street and begin
to make progress towards affiuence.
Winston did not fail to observe the
tinge of color on the doctors face,
nor it's quick disappearance, but he
gave no sign of recognition. Never
before had he seen his old college
chum look half so handsome as when
that feeting show of rosy color tinted
the mans cheeks, nor half so pathet-
ically glum as when it vanished.
"She saved my life. think you will
admit that, doctor? How many WON
en- would have taken the risks that
she took? Would any other woman
In the world have sacrificed herself
as she did,?
"Any number of them!" declared
the doctor. sentsntiously, although
fitting smile upon his face said:
"None of them. bless her!"
"You medical men are utterly
heartless. cynics," protested Winston,
Struggling his broad shoulders.
utterly" admitted Metford.
Snow, | am so unromantic as to at
tribute your recovery chiefly to your
cast-iron constitution, rafting good
physician-must sound by own trum-
pet if you won't blow it for me-and
Old Nick's merciful consideration.
Your cup of iniquity is not yet quite
brimful; your liver and all the rest
of you, including your heart, is as
sound as a bell!"
81 know we'll what / owe to you,
Metford, old chap!" said the GONZALES
cent in a grateful tone and with an
affectionate grasp of the biceps Of
the doctors nearest arm. "You don't
appear to be aware of it, but you're
long way the cleverest medicine
man in London. head and shoulders
above all the rest of 'em. If you
weren't such a confoundedly modest
beast"
"Skittles!" interjected his physi-
clan, in much confusion. "You can't
think how 1 hate that kind of talk"
Nevertheless, 1 mean it. old chap!
Just you think the matter over seri-
ously! Well, to proceed: My sister
Jess says that Miss Wethered-who,
by the way, comes of tolerably good
stock-was very different from the or
binary professional nurse, and that,
during those weeks when my very
valuable life hung on very slender
thread she absolutely sacrificed her
self to save me. My recovery, jess
saws, is due entirely to her devotion
Not very complimentary to you, eh p
Mrs. Trevelyan is modesty and
every other grace personified!" de-
clared DR.. Metford. $50 far as 1 could
see. she sacrificed herself almost, il
not quite, as magnifcently as-as the
paid nurse!"
"Be that as it may" persisted Win
ston. 81 have chatted the matter Ovel
very seriously with my sister, ant
she says, imprimis, that Mary Weth
cred is, barring the wings, an angel
secondly, that the said angel without
wings would make jewel of a wife
and thirdly and most troublesomely
that | shall be the most ungratefu
beast on earth and stupidest old duff
fer if / don't straightway let the lad.
know / think So Unfortunately, al
l protested to my sister and have ad
mitted to you, 1 can't honestly sa.
that | am the least bit in love will
Miss Wethered. 1 like her very mucn
Won know. and all that sort of thing
possibly more than l like any othe
,, girl of my acquaintance-and L hav
reason to believe that she is not en-
tirelv Indifferent to me, and that j
1 only"
The doctors lips curved scornfully
involuntarily, and glow of colo
that was hardly blush sutfused hi
face.
"And Jess tells me-" continued tn
young officer, imperturbably, "tha
1 might do a very much worse thin
than marry Mary Wethered. 70
know, old chap, I've led a devil
] 4 life in India and elsewhere! Tie
rible lot of racketingl We arm
men, you know! So, you see, old fe
low, I--er-oh-you know-I-well
er-love is for me dream OF IL
joyful past, and not vision OF II
: future. Miss Wethered's knowledt
of nursing might be invaluable
me-"
: Metford groaned audibly.
at must not bel" he exclaimed, i
dignantly. ("Shall not bel" he mu
tered, inwardly.) "You don't love II
|, girl. you have admitted it; you a
: not half as fond of her as OF tn
newest pup of yours" ("I would d
to save her half moments pain, al
don't suppose she cares a straw Il
: me-" he reflected, bitterly) u re
n like kicking you'll"
He looked like kicking likewise.
, 'Kick me, or thump me, or do VIII
= YOU will, old chapl My feeling is Ju
Is this: l am a worthless sort OF II
low, have gone the pace, and dor
3. deserve the love of any woman
s. the world"
"What man ever did?" growled Me