The Iola register., 1901-04-19

was whispered consultation; the
inner door opened softly and some one
passed out.
The scene and circumstances had
powerfully affected the doctor.
There were difficulties l had not
foreseen," he said, gravely, but you
have safely passed them, my friends.
And now I must leave you. Dick, l
have placed in your hands the honor
of a woman--and my own. l will re-
turn for you before 1t is light Re
memberl 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 feelingly as he drew
him aside:
us this necessary-this remaining2
Think how"
Absolutely l read q decision last
week, and l must have a marriage
that will stand the test of the highest
court"
"You read decision? Are you not
acting under the advice of your law
yers?"
Lawyers be hanged! I know Vir-
ginia law. A simple acknowledge
ment before 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
a moment in thought, then turned to
his companion. In the darkened but
not dark room he saw slender, girl
ish figure near him, the face bent for
ward and hidden in her hands.
"Come," he said, cheerfully, ''let us
sit down and talk 1t all over. 1t is
true we are married, but that is no
reason why we shouldn't be friends, l
suppose. If you will find me a chair,
/ am sure you will confer a great IA
vor. By the way, what shall I call
you? Madam or Mrs. Somers' sounds
too awfully formal. Shall l say"
"Call 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
feminine of Francis. Yes, the arm
chair will do, and l shall SIT here by
the table. And you? Oh. seem to
see you snug in the rocker in front
This, suppose Is the proper arrange
ment for family party when the
meter isn't working; but know very
little about 1t. l never was married
before, and l suppose you are equally
in the dark" 1t 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? l am to ask
no questions concerning you, but l sup
pose we may talk about me, may we
not?"
81 know that you are a friend Of
DR.. Brodnar, and what he has told me.
You are a stranger in Richmond and
a gentleman. But l would have known
that you are a gentleman anyway"
Thank you, Miss Frances; that was
nicely said"
"Frances!"
"AIiss Frances!" he insisted.
II am sorry" said the girl, after a
moments silence, but if you wish, let
it remain that way"
But l am curious to know how it
was that you SO quickly decided in
my favor the question of gentility."
my mother told me, when / was lit
tie, that any man in whose presence
a girl or child feels at ease 10 a gentle
man at heart, and somehow l trusted in
you from the moment you spoke. But
DR.. Brodnar told me-"
"Well?"
"Told me such beautiful things
stories of your life; l seemed to feel,
sir, that 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 all
animsls."
"That you loved flowers, birds, horses,
children and old people"
"Objects that can't get away from
me. Go on"
THAT you are generous to fault"
Especially my own-or his"
"And that no woman on Gods green
earth. those were his words. ever ap
pealed 70 you for help In tain. He told
me once he saw you get out of your car
riage In Psris IN your evening enit
pick up drunlren old woman who had
fallen. and carry her 10 o houae of ref
uge=-and. oh. SIR, you ala n heeauss
you said tho noblest, the most sacred
image on earth to man shDuid b. Z
woman's form, tho form hlse unto tina
of his mDthep--too sncred fDf the
laughter and teers Of cftyeS idaeTs-'
"Iindorse the sentiment, whoseenevel
IL II Bua what sad gossip BrodnAi
isl"
"But yU1 dh do thin, dffn't yon7"
"wonH 10 p4eaae yoa to think tina
Idid9H H
-wOald ~ Why. sts. % wAs that tia
suAdo mo sgasa Sool"
s~Trusf fue9 You were cYyfh@i"