The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-05-04
CHAPTER /.


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
kindness, and was forbidding almost
to responsiveness. A patient viewing
him from the operating table would, IL
is likely, unless possessed OF superior
nerve, have succumbed 10 heart fail
ure; at best he would have demanded
another appointment; for by some
atavic reversion the good doctor had
apparently returned 10 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
dietiyely at the placid timepiece and
gnawed fiercely his heavy mustache
"Four o'clockl four o'clock" he ex-
claimed, "and 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 shading OF melan-
choly. The speaker stood in the door
way, hat and cane in hand. IF this
were my last day of bachelorhood, j
don't think could have stated IL so
woefully, nor have put as much despair
into the sentence. How are you,
Frank? Why, what is the matterY'
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, selling 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 a long time and Paris was a
gay place; but five years and Richmond
are not enough, surely, 10 effect such
a change as thisl And i shall have use
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 are
still a bachelor, Dick?"
"Well, yes" and Somers smiled visit
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, I draw the line there. Why, con-
found IL, man, what is the matter with
your" he added; for the other, still
retaining his hand, continued to regard
him in deep thought.
''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-'I will welcome you
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
the most welcome man on earth. sup
pose / am headlong, enthusiastic and
impulsive, but am true, am not p
true TO my friends?"
"'ffu.? AS truth itself. old fellow"
And Somers, who had taken 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 point?"
"And honorable p
"As honorl"
"You would take my word unsup-
ported for any amount, would you
not?"
Somers looked affectionately into
the flushed, eager face above him and
grew serious. ~ would take your word,
Frank, against the world, except In
one event"
And that?"
swell, IL you speak disparagingly OF
yourself, Frank" Their hands met inn
pulsively,
Dick, don't laugh al me or think me
out OF my senses, but tell me seriously
lis there any reason why you may not
be married tonight" Somers started
TO rise, queer look upon his face.
"Sit down." said the doctor, with
both hands on his shoulders. Answer
me frankly"
'Heavensl man, are you in your right
senses?-but yes, this is only the same
old Brodnar."
you do not answer, Dick You are
treating me lightly, and am desperate.
~ in earnest"
well, then, old fellow, / will answer
you seriously. There is no reason on
Gods enrth why ] may not marry TO.
night. No heart will break, no trust
be shattered, no one will care. Yes
one-my mother" He lifted his fine
face towards his friend. IL wore again
the characteristic half-wistful, half
mocking smile.
"You would not care, either, Dick
Not II by marrying you obliged frient
who loves you? Not il by marrying
you enabled him TO defeat piece Of
villainy planned against the life ane
welfare of one of his dear friends
Not IL IL defeated a cowardly enemy
J Oh, don't you see my whole soul Is In
this natter" The doctor resumed MI,
agitatcd pacing.
"Wouldn't II be best for me TO Kill
him--in some gcnteel way-say--"