Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-18
Copyright. 1889, by J. B. Lip2incott Com
 pany. All r'~N+s reserved.

The scene and circumstances had powerfully affected the doctor.
 There were difficulties I had not foreseen,'' he said, gravely, 'but you have safely passed them, my friends. And now I must leave you. Dick, I have placed in your hands the honor of woman-and my own. l will re- turn for you before it is light. Re member! The gas is now extinguished and you may remove the bandage." He drew the girl towards him tender ly- "You may trust him implicitly. For the rest, all is now safe. Good night, and God bless you both." He laid his hand reverently upon the girls head, clasped his friends hand and would have passed out, but the hand he clasped restrained him, and Somers spoke feeiingly as he drew him aside:
 ''Is this necessary-tkisr remaining? Think how"
 Absolutely! I read a decision last week, and 1 must have marriage that will stand the test of the highest court.''
 You read a decision? Are you not GcL1Hg uuOeT tue aOfice or your law 3ers?"
 Lawyers be hanged! I know Vir- einia law. A simple acknowledg- ment before q witness. with this ad- dition, fixes everything. Don't sulk now, Dick; it won't be long"
 "I was not thinking of myeslf," said Somers. Good night" He stood & moment in thought, then turned to his companion. In the darkened but not dark room he saw a slender, girl ish figure near him, the face bent for ward and hidden in her hands. Come" he said, cheerfully, "let us ait down and talk it all over. It IS true we are married. but that is no reason why we shouldn't be friends, I suppose If you will find me q chair, I am sure you will confer a great fa- vor. By the way. what shall I call you? Madam or Mrs. Somers' sounds too awfuIly formal. Shall say-''
 -'Can me Frances" she said, simply She understood without analyzing that he was trying to make it easier for her, and was grateful.
 Frances! What beautiful name! I like it already because it is the
  chair will do, and I shall sit here by the table. And you? Oh, seem to see you snug in the rocker in front. This, I suppose, is the proper arrange ment for & family party when the meter isn't working; but I know very little about it. l never was married before, and I suppose you are equally in the dark" It made him happy to hear her friendly little laugh, even though it was instantly checked
 'By the way" he continued, do you know anything of me? I am to ask no questions concerning you, but sup pose we may talk about me, may wc not2"
 '1 know that you are friend ot Cr. Brodnar, and what he has told me. Gou are a stranger in Richmond and a gentleman. But I would have kno own that you are gentleman anyway"
 Thank you, Miss Frances; that was nicely said.''
 'Frances!''
 Miss Frances!" he insisted. ---
 "1 am sorry," said the girl, after a moments silence, ''but if you wish, let At remain that way"
 But I am curious to know how it was that you so quickly decided in my favor the question of gentihty."
 My mother told me, when was lit tie, that any man in whose presence girl or child feels at ease is a gentle man ct heart, and somehow 1 trusted in you from the moment you spoke. But Dr. Brodnar told me"
 'WeE?"
 ''Told me such beautiful things stories of your life; I seemed to feel air, that l had known you always"
 And what has Brodnar been saying of mel can blush unseen"
 'He told me you were brave"
 Most men are. And at times al animals"
 That you loved flowers, birds, horses children and old people"
 "Objests that can't get away from pes Go on"
 That you are generous to a fault
 Especially my own-or his.'
 "And that no woman on Gods green earth. those were his words, ever ap pealed to you for help in vain. He tol6 me onae he saw you get out of your car riage in Paris in your evening suit pick up drunken old woman who hae fallen, and carry her to a house of ref nge-and, oh, sir, you did it because sou said the noblest, the most sacred image on earth to a man should be 7. woman's form, the form like unto tha of his mother-too sacred for tn. daughter and jeers of a city's idlers-'
 ..Iindorse the sentiment, whosesoeve it is. But what a sad gossip Brodna, is!"
 .'Bnt you did do this, didn't you?
 Would it please you to think tha ' did?"
 Would it! Why, sir, it was that tha made me trust you!'
 .Trust me? You were cryihg!"
 '.Because-because-t is a mos strange position for you to find me ir MT. Somers. l thought that I wouldn' care; and I did not, until you came But did then. And hat is why cried Somehow. felt that in spite of all a stake, it ought not to have happene this way
 q understand. But in my estimation smy child, you have sacrificed nothing.
 sSVorr did not think S0-hut-but-