The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-02-08
CHAPTER I.

spacious parlOr once, MS brow caouucu
and his massive jaw clenched. His
countenance, usually serene and trust
inspiring. had for the moment lost its
kindness, and was forbidding almost
70 responsiveness. patient viewing
him from the operating table would, ii
is likely, unless possessed of superior
nerve, have succumbed to heart fall
ure; at best he would have demanded
another appointment; for by some
atavic reversion the good doctor had
apparently returned to savagery of a
yirulent type. Wien 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 fercely his heavy mustache.
"Four o'clock! four o'clockl' he ex-
claimed, "and this is her last dayl"
The sentence ended in something like
groan.
WELL" replied voice near at hand,
s'there must be last days for everybody
and everything" The voice was full
and musical, with shading of melan
choly. The speaker stood in the door
way, hat and cane in hand. IF this
were my last day of bachelorhood,
don't think / could have stated it 50
woefhlly, 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 Somersi" 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, cheerfully,
s'what is on your mind, old man? Five
years is long time and Paris was a
gay place; but five years and Richmond
are not enough, surely, to effect such
a change as thisl And shall have uss
again for that hand, perhaps, bones
and all, So
"The last days Of your bachelorhood
--you said the last days of your bach.
elorhood, did you not? Then you ara
still bachelor, Dck?'
'Well, yes" and Somers smiled visit
fully into his friends face. ''The same
old Brcdnar," 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.
found it, man, what is the matter with
your" he added; for the other, still
retaining his hand, continued to regard
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 mar
stood over him-"l will welcome you
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
The most welcome man on earth. sup
pose ] am headlong, enthusiastic ane
impulsive, but | 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 tn,
weed as he looked up. Anybody beer
casting doubt on that yoint?.
.And honorable?"
sAs honor!"
"You would take my word unsup
ported for any amount, would 20,
not?"
Somers looked affectionately int,
the flushed. eager face above him an,
grew serious. 81 would take your word
Frank, against the world, except il
one event"
"And that?"
swell, If you speak disparagingly o
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pulsiyely.
'Dick, don't laugh at me or think m
out of my senses, but tell me seriousi,
lis there any reason why you may no
be married to-night?" Somers starte,
to rise, a queer look upon his face.
'Sit down." said the doctor, wit
both hands on his shoulders. "Answe
me frankly"
"Heavensl man, are you in your RICH
senses?-but yes, this is only the sam
old Brodnar."
''You do not answer, Dick. You ar
treating me lightly, and am desperat,
iy in earnest"
swell, then, old fellow, will answe
you seriously. There is no reason o
Gods earth why may not marry t,
night. No heart will break, no tru.
be shattered, no one will care. Ye
one-my mother" He lifted his fin
face towards his friend. 1t wore agai
the Characteristic half-wistful, hal
knocking smile.
You would not care, either, Dick
Not IL by marrying you Obliged frien
who loves you? Not If by MARVIN
YOU enabled him to defeat piece
Nillainy planned against the hfe an
welfare of one of his dear friends
Not il 1t defeated cowardly enem,
oh, don't you see my whole soul is
this matter?" The doctor resumed b
agitated pacing.
Wouldn't IL be best for me 10 kl
HMM some genteel way-say-"
~'No; killing is still a crime, but ma
rimony isn't-though often more in
moral. And killing would settle wit