The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-08-15
CHAPTER 1.

CHAFIEk 4.
Doctor Francis Brodnar rapidly
paced the richly carpcted floor OF his
spacious parlor Office, his brow clouded
and his massive jaw clenched. His
countennnce, usually serene and trust
inspiring. had for the moment lost its
kindliness, 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; mt 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 fcrcely his heavy mustache.
-Four o'clock! four o'clock!" he cx-
claimed. "and this Is her last day!"
The sentence ended In something like
groan.
We'll" replied u voice near nt hand.
"thcre must be last days for everybody
and everything" The voice was full
and musical, with n shading of mclan-
choly. The speaker stood In the door
way. hat and cane In hand. "lf this
were my last day of bachelorhood, |
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 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!"
from the doctors lips, and he rushed
on his visitor, seizing and wrlnging the
profYered hand. Again he stopped, his
whole soul In his face and eyes.
'Well." said Somers, cheerfully,
"wbat il on your mind, old man? Five
years is long time and Paris was n
gay place; but five years and Richmond
are not enough. surely, TO effect such
a change as this! And shall have use
again for that hand, perhaps, bones
and all, So"
"Thc last days of your bachelorhood
you said the last days Of your bach
clorhood. did you not? Then you nre
s,ill n bachelor. Dick?"
well, yes" and Somers smiled visit
fully into his friends face. "the same
old Brodnar," he continued, "headlong,
enthusiastic, impctuous! What new
scheme is afoo, now? Do you want to
4 f, t,i,,
II so, ] draw the line there. Why. con
found IL, man. what Is the matter with
yon?' he added: for the other. still
retaining his hand. continued TO regard
him In deep thoeght.
'Sit down." said the doctor, drawing
him towards n chair--"sit down" And
somers perforce accepted the seat.
"Dick"-and the professional man
stood over him will welcome yoii
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
the most welcome man on earth. sup
pose ! am headlong, enthusiastic and
impulsiye, but am true, am l not ,
true 10 my friends?"
"True? As truth itself. old fellow
Aud Somers, who had taken cigar
from u box on the table by his side, sus-
pended the lighted match over the
weed us he looked mp. Anybody been
casting doubt on that poin,?"
"And honorable?"
AS honor!"
"You would take my word unsup,
ported for any amount, would you
not ."
Somers looked uircrtionately int.
;hr flushed. eager face above him and
grew serious. 81 would take your word
Frank, against III, world, except IN
one event"
"tnd that ."
"Well, II you speak disparnginpl, oO
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pulsiyely.
"Dick, don't laugh NJ me or think M,
out Of my senses, but tell me seriousl,
is there any reason why you may not
bc married tonight" Somers starte,
10 rise, n 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 righ
senses? but yes, this Is only the sam,
old Brodnar."
You do not answer. Dick. You ar
treating me lightly, and ! am desperate
~ in earnest"
well. then, old fellow. will answe
YOU seriously. There Is no reason ol
Gods earth why may no, marry ia
night. No heart will break. no trus
be shattered, no one will care. Yes
one-my mother" lie lifted his I'm
face towards his friend. II wore agai
The characteristic half-wis,ful, halt
mocking smile.
''lou would not care, either, Dick
Not II by marrying you obliged frlen
who loves YOU? Not II by marryin
,ou enabled him to defeat u piece @
,i.lainy planned against the sfe an
welfare of one of his dear friends
Not u II defeated IA cowar,lly enemy
oh, don't you see my whole soul Is |
this natter?" The doctor resumed hi
nriiaied pacing.
.Wouldn't u be best for me to XII
HMM some genteel wny-sny-"
mo; killing Is still n crime, but ma
rlmony isnt--ihouph often more In
moral. And killing would settle viii
hut one, while ma,rlmony wipes o,
the whole crowd"
(Which, unfortunately, includes m
i'll guess well-but there you go ngai
Frank! SIT down. and viii be seriou
Only-you will let me inquire into u
details OF this marriage which you la
evidently planned for me--n man m'
inquire about his own marringe, mi
he not 2" soincrs' voice was now plai
tive. The doctor did not answer on q
...o,.,a.,t l,ot xxaiksd IN tha Niulo