Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-03-20
I.


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 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 a
virulent type. When he paused alb
Tuptly before the clock and suffered
ms 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 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, /
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 20 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
gay Place; but five years and Richmond
are not enough, surely. to effect such
change as thisS 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
e'orhood, did you not? Then YOU are
still bachelor. Dick?"
Well, yes and Somers smiled visit
fsliy into his friends face. The same
old Brodnar." ne continued, "headlong,
enthusiastic. impetuousi What Few
scheme is afoot now? Do YOU want to
ofter me up on the altar of matrimony?
III so, draw the line there Why, CON
found 1T, 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 a chair-"sit down." And
Somers pcrforce accepted the seat.
"Dick'-and the professional man
stood over him-"I will welcome vo,,
formally tomorrow, but to-day YOU are
the most welcome man on earth. sup
pose l am headlong. enthusiastic and
impulsive, but l am true. am [ not?-
true to my friends?"
True? As truth itself old fellow"
And Somcrs, who had taken a 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?"
'As honor"
You would take my word uusun-
ported for any amount, would YOU
not?"
Somers looked afTectionateIy into
the flushed, eager face above him and
grew serious Il would take your word
Prank. against the world, except in
one event"
And that"
Wen, If you speak disparaginely of
yourself. Frpnk." Their hands met i'm
pulsively
Dick, dom laugh at me or think me
out OF my senses. but tell me seriously
is there ana rcason why YOU NAV moi
be married to-uight?' Somcrs started
70 rise, queer look upon his face.
sit down said tie doctor. with
both hands oo bis shoulders. Answer
me frankly
Heaven! maU. are you in your right
scuses?- but SEE. this is only the same
% Brodnar
You do NOS answer. Dici, You are
treating nc ]. Chilly, and am desperate
~ iu earncs.
wei. then old fellow. ! will answer
you seriously There is no reason ON
Gods earth "hy / may not marry TO-
night. no heart will break. no trust
he shattered, no one will care. Yes
one my mother" lie lifted his fine
face toward. his friend ii wore again
the Characteristic balf-yistfuI. half
hooking sm5ie.
You would not care, either. Dick2
Not u by marrying you obliged friend
Who loves you2 Not if by marrying
you enabled him TO defeat q piece OF
Nilainy PLAGUED against the life and
welfare OF one of his dear friends ?
Not " - defeated a cowardlv enemy?
Oh. don't you see my whole soul is in
this natter" The doctor resumed his
sgiiated pacing.
'WOuldu't he best for me TO liz,
him-in some gentcel way say"
No; killing is still crime. but mat
rimony isn''--though often more i'm
moral. And killing would settle with
but one. while matrimony wipes out
the whole crowd"
,Which W fnrfunafelr incInTcs III.