The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-04-04
CHAPTER l.,

and his massive jaw clenched. His
countenance, usually serene and trust
inspiring, had for the moment lost it's
kindness, and was forbidding almost
to responsiveness. 81 A patient viewing
him from the operating table would it
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 q
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!"
The sentence ended in something like
groan.
Well" replied a voice near at hand,
there must be last days for everybody
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, l
don't think l 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!"
"Dick Somers!" The name burst
from the doctors lips, and he rushed
on his visitor, selling and wringing the
protfered 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 q,
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"
"The last days of your bachelorhood
you said the last days of your bach
elorhood, did you not? Then you are
still bachelor, Dick?''
'Well, yes" and Somers smiled visit
fully into his friends face 1.-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?' he added; for the other, still
retaining his hand, continued to regard
him in deep thought.
''Sit down." said the doctor. drawing
him towards chair-"sit down." And
Somers perforce accepted the seat.
"Dick''-and the professional man
stood over him-'I will welcome YOU
formally tom orrow, but to-day you.are
the most welcome man on earth. Isup-
pose I am headlong, enthusiastic and
lmpulsive, but I am true. am I not?-
true to my friends?'
'True? 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 yoint?'
And honorable?'
"As honor!''
You would take nv word unsup-
ported for any amount, would you
not .,
Somers looked affectionately into
the flushed, eager face above him and
grew serious. II would take your word,
Frank, against the world, except in
one event."
"And that?"
"Well, if you speak disparagingly of
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pulsively.
Dick, don't laugh at me or think me
out of my senses, but tell me seriously
is there any reason why you may not
be married tonight" Somers started
to rise, a queer look upon his face.
"Sit down." said the doctor, with
both hands on his shoulders ANSWER
e. me frankly"
Heavens! man, are you in your right
sensesTbut yes, this is only the same
old Brodnar.''
"You do not answer, Dick. You are
treating me lightly, and am Desperate
ly in earnest"
well, then, old fellow, will answer
you seriously. There is no reason on
Gods earth why I 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. It wore again
the characteristic half-wistfu1, half
knocking smile.
'You would not care, either, Dick? ?
Not If by marrying you obliged friend
who loves you? Not if by marrying
you enabled him to defeat a piece of
. villainy planned against the hfe and
welfare of one of his dear friends?
Not if it defeated cowardly enemy?
Oh, don't you see my whole soul is in
this matter?" The doctor resumed his
agitated pacing. sss@@ -
Wouldn't it be best for me to kill
: HMM some genteel way-say-''-