Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-04-18
CHAPTER I.

spacious parlOr once, MS prov clOuded
and his massive jaw clenched. His
eountenance, usually serene and trust
4nhptring. had for the moment lost its
kindEiness, and was forbidding almost
tn responsiveness. A patient viewing
him from the operating table would, ii
Is likely, unless possessed of superior
uerce, have succumbed to heart fail
ures at best he would have demanded
euotter appointment; for by some
&tastc reversion the good doctor had
apparently returned to savagery of
viruieot type. When he paused abb
rupdy before the clock and suffered
hfs jaws. to relax the spectacular re-
suits we're even worse. He glared vim
dictively at the placid timepiece and
eauawed fiercely his heavy mustache.
~Eaur o'clock! four o'clock" he ex-
claimed, land this is her last day!"
The sentence ended in something like
q groan.
',."Weil," 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-
choIy. The speaker stood in the door
were my last day of bachelorhood, !
don't think | could have stated it so
roefully, 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-
tug silently towards him. Don't know
met Sorry to see me? You are glar-
fngS"
''Dick 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
Senrrs is long time and Paris was a
gag place; but five years and Richmond
are not enough, surely, to effect such
q change as this! And | shall have use
again for that hand, perhaps, bones
and all, So"
'Ehe last days of your bachelorhood
you said the last days of your bach
"eiorhood, did you not? Then you are
-stili a bachelor, Dck?"
y
fuzzy into his friends face. THE same
old Brodnar," he continued, ''headlong,
enthusiastic, impetuous! What new
scheme is afoot now? Do you want to
otter me up on the altar of matrimony?
if so, | draw the line there. Why, con-
Sound it, man, what is the matter with
.yau? 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
fSomers perforce accepted the seat.
''Dick'-and the professional man
stood over him-"I will welcome you
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
Lhe most welcome man on earth. | sup
pose L am headlong, enthusiastic and
lmpulsive, but l am true, am L not p
true TO my friends?"
True? AS truth itself, old fellow"
And Somers, who had taken a cigar
7frGm 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-
pscted for any amount, would you
nat7"
Somers looked affectionately into
tue flushed eager face above him and
sgcew serious. Il would take your word,
Frank, against the world, except in
one event"
~And that"
swell, if you speak disparagingly OF
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
puisively.
Dick, don't laugh al me or think me
Out of my senses, but tell me seriously
--fs there any reason why you may not
be married tonight? 2" Somers started
to rise, queer look upon his face.
sit down." said the doctor, with
both hands on his shoulders. Answer
me frankly"
Heavens! man, are you in your right
@suses?-but yes, this is only the same
old Brodnar."
You do not answer, Dick. You are
treating me lightly, and 1 am desperate.
Ly in earnest"
We'll, then, old fellow, l will answer
you seriously. There is no reason on
Gods earth why l may not marry to-
might. No heart will break, no trust
bs shattered, no one will care. Yes
uae-my mother" He lifted his fine
face towards his friend. 1t wore again
the characteristic half-wistful, half.
zufoscking smile.
~You would not care, either, Dick
Not if by marrying you Obliged friend
~tlo loves you? Not if by marrying
you enabled him to defeat a piece ot
'viiiainy planned against the life and
welfare of one of his dear friends
Not if it defeated cowardly enemy
oh, don't you see my whole soul is in
ssI1is matter?" The doctor resumed his
'SgtGated pacing.
'fWouldn't it be best for me to kill
6in-in some genteel way-say-"
mo; killing is still crime, but mat
rfuony isn't-though often more i'm.
IuoEal. And killing would settle with
hut one, while matrimony wipes out