Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-16
CHAPTER l.

Cd-aP EEK ].
 Doctor Francis Brodnar rapidly paced the richly carpeted floor of his spacious parlor office, his brow clouded and his massive jaw clenched. His ceuntenance, usually serene and trust Inspiring, had for the moment lost it's 2indliness, 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 nre; at best he would have demanded another appointment; for by some atavic reversion the good doctor had apparently returned to Savagery of a <iruient type. When he paused ab ruptly before the clock ard suffered his jaws to relax. the spectacular re- suits were even worse. Pe glared vim dictiSely at the placid timepiece and gnawed fiercely his heary mustache-
 -Four o'clock. four o-clock!'' he ex- claimed, "and this is her last day!" The sentence ended in something like groan.
 'Weli,' replied voice near at hand. "there must be last days for every body and everything" The voice was full and musical, with a shading of melan- chOly. The speaker stood in the door way, hat and cane in hand. If this were my last day of bachelorhood, 1 don't think l could have stated 1t 50 ssoefully, nor have put rauch despair into the sentence. How are you, Frank? Why, what is the matter?' he continued, entering tie room slowly as the other remained motionless. gag ing silently towards him. Don't know me? Sorry to see me? You are glar- ing,"
 Dick Somers," The name burst from the doctors lips. and he rushed on his visitor, seizing and wringing g the protfered hand Again he stopped, his whole soul in his face and eyes.
 ''WeH,' said Soruers, cheerfulIy, ''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 . change as this! And I shall have use again for that hand, perhaps, bones and all, SO"
 'The last days of youc bachelorhooa you said the last days of your bach elorhood, did you not? Then you are still bachelor, Dick2''
 'Weu, Jes," and Som CTS smiled wist- fully into hss friends face. 'The same old Brodnar, he continued, "headlong enthusiastic, inpeiuoe=si 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 tb matter with you2" he added; for the other, still retaining his hand, continued to regard him in deep thought
 ''Sit down. said the doctor. drawing 2 him towards chair-''sit down. And Eomers perforce accepted the seat. "Dick'-and the professional man stood over him-"I will welcome you formally tomorrow, but to-day you are the most welcome man on earth. l sup pose l am headlong, enthusiastic and ampulsive, but 1 am true, am not ?- true to my friends?''
 True? As truth itself, old fellow" And Somers, who had taken q 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 honoraole?,'
 .'As honor!"
 You would take my word unsup- ported for any amount, would you not ?"
 Somers looked affectionately into Hhe flushed, eager face above him and grew serious. .'I would take your word Frank, against the world, except in pne event.
 And that?''
 "Wen, il you speak dispnra gingly o1 yourself. Frank" Their hands met i'm. Pulsively.
 Dick, don't laugh at me or think me put of my senses, but tell ne seriously -is there any reason why you may not be married to-night?" Somers started &o rise, queer look upon his face
 '.Sit down." said the doctor, witt Both hands on his shoulders. Answer me frankly"
 Heavens! man, are you in your right senses? ?-but yes, this is only the same old Brodnar."
 You do no. answer, Dick. You ars Treating me lightly, and I am desperate k in earnest"
 Well. then, old fellow, will answer Teu seriously. There is no reason oI &od's earth why I may not marry to night. No heart will break, no trus be shattered, no one will care. Yes One-my mother" He lifted his fin face towards his friend. It wore agail the Characteristic half-wistful, half knocking smile.
 You would not care, either, Dick Not if by marrying you obliged frien, who loves you? Not if by marryini you enabled him to defeat piece o Silainy planned against the life an welfare of one of his ear friends Not if it defeated a cowsGdly enemy Oh, den't you see my whole soul is ii khis matter P The doctor resumed hi 1gitated pacing.
 ..Wonldn't it be best for me to Xii him-in some genteel way-say-"
 ssNc; killing is still crime. but ma, e3mony isn't-though ofteH more i'm an61al. And killing would settle wit, < but enc, while matriH,ony wipes ou
 no Who1e crowd"