The Iola register., 1901-04-12
CHAPTER 1,

OOClOl DlOhhdl AdPiNAJ
paced the richly carpeted floor of his
spacious parlor office, his brow clouded
and his massive jaw clenched. His
countenance, usually serene and trust
inspiring had for the moment lost its
kindliness, and was forbidding almost |
TO responsiveness. A patient viewing |
him from the operating table would, it |
is likely, unless possessed of superior
nerve, have succumbed TO heart fail |
ure; at best he would have demanded |
another appointment; for by some
atavic reversion the good doctor had
apparently returned to savagery of
virulent type. When he paused alb
ruptly before the clock and suffered
his jaws to relax, the spectacular re-
suits were even worse. He glared vim
dictively at the placid timepiece and
gnawed fiercely his heavy mustache.
-Four o'clock! four o'clock" he ex-
claimed, land this is her last dayl"
The sentence ended in something like
a groan.
"Well," replied a voice near at hand,
"there must be last days for everybody
and everything" The voice was full
and musical, with q shading of melan-
choly. The speaker stood in the door
way, hat and cane in hand. IF this
were my last day of bachelorhood, l
don't think l could have stated it so
woefuily, nor have / put as much despair
into the sentence. How are you,
Frank? Why, what is the matter?"
he continued, entering the room slowly
as the other remained motionless, gaz-
ing silently towards him. Don't know
me? Sorry to see me? You are glar-
ing!"
"Dick Somersl" The name burst
from the doctors lips, and he rushed
on his visitor, seizing and wringing the
proffered hand. Again he stopped, his
whole soul in his face and eyes.
"Well," said Somers, cheerfully,
"what is on your mind, old man? Five
years is long time and Paris was
gay place; but five years and Richmond
are not enough, surely, to effect such
change as thisl And shall have use
again for that hand, perhaps, bones
and all, So"
1.-THE last days of your bachelorhood
you said the last days of your bach
elorhood, did you not? Then you are
still a bachelor, Dick?"
"Well, yes" and Somers smiled wist-
fully into his friends face. "The same
old Brodnar," he continued, "headlong,
enthusiastic, impetuous What new
scheme is afoot now? Do you want to
offer me up on the altar of matrimony?
If so, draw the line there. Why, con-
9- Z Ia,,, tan h
you?" he added; for the other, still
retaining his hand, continued to regard
him in deep thoeght
"Sit down." said the doctor, drawing
him towards a chair-"sit down" And
Somers perforce accepted the seat.
"Dick"-and the professional man
stood over HIM will welcome you
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
the most welcome man on earth. l sup
pose L am headlong, enthusiastic and
impulsive, but l am true, am | not?-
true to my friends?"
"True? AS truth itself, old fellow
And Somers, who had taken a cigar
from box on the table by his side, sus-
pended the lighted match over the
weed as he looked up. Anybody been
casting doubt on that yoint?"
"And honorable?"
GAS honor!"
"You would take my word unsup
ported for any amount, would you
not?"
Somers looked affectionately int
the flushed, eager face above him ant
grew serious. ~ would take your word
Frank, against the world, except il
one event"
"And that?"
swell, if you speak disparagingly ot
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pulsively.
"Dick, don't laugh at me or think me
out of my senses, but tell me seriously
is there any reason why you may moi
be married tonight" Somers started
TO rise, a queer look upon his face.
"Sit down" said the doctor, will
both hands on his shoulders. ANSWER
me frankly"
'Heavens man, are you in your righ
senses?-but yes, this is only the sam
Old Brodnar."
"You do not answer, Dick. You ar,
treating me lightly, and am desperate
ly in earnest"
"Well, then, old fellow, win answe
you seriously. There is no reason ol
Gods earth why | may not marry to
night. No heart will break, no trus
be shattered, no one will care Yes
One-my mother" lie lifted his fin
face towards his friend. 1t wore agail
the characteristic half-wistful, hall
mocking smile.
"You would not care, either, Dick
Not if by marrying you obliged a frien
who loves you? Not if by marryin
you enabled him to defeat a piece G
vil!ainy planned against the tife an
welfare of one of his dear friends
Not if it defeated "A cowardly enemy
Oh, don't you see my whole soul is /
this matter?" The doctor resumed hi
agitated pacing.