Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-25
CHAPTER I.


Doctor Francis Brodnar rapidly
paced the richly carpeted floor of hts
spacious parlor office. his brow clouded
and his massive jaw clenched His
countenance, usually serene and trust
inspiring. had for the moment lost itA
kindness. and was forbidding almost
to responsiveness. A patient viewing
him from the operating table would, II
is likely. unless possessed OF superior
nerve. have succumbed to heart fail
ure: at best he would have demanded
another appoin tmcnt; for BY some
atavic reversion the good doctor had
apparently returned to savagery Of a
virulent type. When he paused alb
ruptly before the clock and suffered
his jaws to relax, the spectac ular re-
suits were even worse. He glared vim
dictvely at the placid timepiece and
gnawed fercely his heavy mustache.
-Four o'clockI four o'clock" he ex-
claimed, "and this is her last dayl"
The sentence ended In something IKE
groan.
Well" replied a voice near at hand.
"there must be last days for every body
and everything" The voice was full
and musical, with O shading Of melan-
choly. The speaker stood in the door
way, hat end cane in hand. "If this
were my last DAY Of bachelorhood. ]
don't think I could have stated it SO
woefully. nor have 1 put as much despair
into the sentence. How are you,
Frank7 Why, what is the natter?"
he continued, entering the room slowly
as the other remained motionless. gaz-
ing silently towards him. Don't know
me? Sorry to see me? VOW are glar-
ing!"
"Dick Somers!" The name burst
from the doctors lips, and he rushed
on his visitor, selling and wringing the
proffered hand. Again he stopped, his
whole soul in his face and eyes,
well" said Somers. cheerfnlly,
''what Is on your mind, old man? Five
years is long time and Paris was a
gay place; but five years and Richmond
ere not enough, surely, to effect such
q change as this And 1 shall have use
again for that hand, perhaps. bones
snd all. So"
1.-THE last days Of your bachelorhood
you said the last days of your bach
eorhood, did you not? Then you are
still a bachelor, Dick?"
well, yes" and Somers smiled visit
fully into his friends face. The same
old Brodunr," he contin ued. che adlong,
enthusiastic, impetuous! What new
scheme is afoot now? DO you want to
offer me up on the altar of matrimony
If so, l draw the Fine there. Why, con-
found It, man, what is the matter with
you?" he added: for the other, still
retaining his hand. continued to regar d
him in deep thoeght.
"Sit down" said the doctor, drawing
him towards chair-"sit down" And
somers perforce accepted the seat.
"Dick"--and the professional man
stood over hint will welcome YOU
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
the most welcome man on earth, sup
pose / am headl0ng. enthusiastic and
impulsive, but | am true, an | not p
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 be u
casting doubt on that yoint?"
And honorab le?'
"As honor!"
"You would take my word unsup
ported for any amount, would YOU
not %.
Somers looked affectionately Int
the flushed, eager face above him and
grew serious. Il would take your word
Frank. against the world, except in
one event"
And that?"
"Well. if you speak disparagingly o.
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pulsively.
Dick, don't laugh az me or think IT,
out of my senses, but tell me seriousl y
is there any reason why you may mo-
be married to-night?' Somcrs 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 RICH
sensesY-but yes, this is only the SAM
old Brodnar,"
You do not answer Dick. You ar
treating me lightly, and l am desperate
NY in earnest
"Weli, then, old fellow, ! will answe
you seriously There is no reason oil
Gods earth why | may not marry 10
night. No heart will break, no trus
be shattered, no one will care. Yes
pne--my mother" He lifted his fin
face towards his friend. II wore agail
The characteristic half wistful, half
knocking smile.
you would not care, either, Dick
Not if by marrying you obliged a frien'
who loves you? Not if by marrying
you enabled him to defeat piece @
sillainy planned against the fife an,
welfare of one of his dear friends
Not il it defeated a cowardly enemy
oh, don't you see my whole soul Is il
this matter?" The doctor resumed hi
>gitated pacing.
"Wouldl't It be best for me 10 xii
HMM some genteel way-say--"
mo; killing is still crime, but mat
rimony isn't--though often more i'm
moral. And killing would settle will
but one, while matrimony wipes GU
che whole crowd"
(which, unfortunately, includes m,