The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-08-03
CHAPTER I,

CHAPTER I.
Doctor Francis Brodnar rapidly
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
hndliness, 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 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 day!"
TIE sentence ended in something like
groan.
WELL" replied 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. eff this
were my last day of bachelorhood, l
don't think could have stated it so
woefully, 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!"
"Dicll 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, cheerfully,
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 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 bachelor, Dck?"
"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, | draw The line there. Why, con-
found it, man, what is the matter with
you?" lie added; for the other, still
retaining his hand. continued to regard
him in deep thceght.
'.Sit down." said the doctor, drawing
him towards IL chair-''sit down." And
Somers perforce accepted the seat.
Dick land the professional man
stood over him-''l will welcome you
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
The most welcome man Oh earth. l sup
pose ! am heaeilong, enthusiastic and
impulsiye, but | am true, am | not?-
true to my trierds?:"
"True? AS truth itself, old fellow
And somers, who had taken cigar
from a box on the table by his side, sus-
pended the lighted match over the
weed as he looked up. "Anybody been
casting a doubt on that point?"
"And honorable?'
AS honor!"
You would take my word unsup
ported for any amount, would YOU
not?'
Somers looked atfectionately into
the flushed. eager face above him anG
grew serious. IL would take your word
Frank, against the world except ir
ure event.
And tl.nt?"
We'll, If you speak disparagingly o.
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pu'siyely.
''Dick, don't laugh at me or think INT
out of my senses, hut tell NE seriousl,
is there amy reason why you may mo-
be married tonight ?" Somers started
to rise, u queer look upon his face.
'St down." said the doctor, will
both hands on his shoulders. "Answel
me frankly"
Heavens! man, are you in your RICH
senses but yes, this is only the SAM
old Brodnnr.''
You Ito not answer. Dick. You ar
treating me lightly, and lam desperate
~ in earnest
well. then, old fellow, will answe
you seriously. There is no reason OF
Gods earth why 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 1t wore agai
the characteristic half-wistful, hall
mocking smile.
"You would not care. either, Dick
Not if by marrying you obliged frien
who loves you? Not if by marryin
you enabled him to defeat piece {
villainy planned against the life an
welfare of one of Iris dear friends
Not if it defeated a cowardly enemy
oh, don't you see my whole soul is
this matter?" The doctor resumed h
agitatet pacing.
'::Woutdll't it be best for me to XII
HMM some gcntecl way-say-"
"No; kidding is still Il crime, but ma
rimony isn't--thorgh often more in
moral And killing would settle wit
but one, while matrimony wipes OF
the whole crowd"
(which, ,nfort unately, includes m
i'll guess well-but there you go agai
Frank! Sit down, and l will be seriou
nn1v-vo,, 1,ri II 1at mo inuJlira int n ri