The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-07-19
THE MAN AND
HIS CHANCE.
By GILBERT DAYLE.


ask what you think of me. l only
knew that / must tell some one,
and l thought of you. 1t doesn't
matter-everyone will know in q
week" He gave hysterical laugh
"A world of fools and the maddest
goes to the wall. eh2'
Sherard, the doctor, gave him a
searching look.
''What kind of wall is it going to
be in your case!" he asked.
''Oh l dou't know yeti" answered
the man with the gray face YEARLY
"Goodby"
Sherard gave him a last look.
II shall send you that sleeping
draught," he said with a nod.
"Good-by!"
He hurried down into the street,
and jumping into his private han
som, he was driven swiftly to mis-
house in Grover street, Mayfair.
He let himself in with his latch
key, and, making his way TO his
study, flung himself into an arm
chair, relieved to find that there
was nobody waiting to consult him.
Dick Sherard was about 35, agood
looking man with few premature
streaks of gray in his hair. After
qualifying he had set up in practice
in the house in Mayfair which had
been left him by his mother. 1t
had been an uphill fight at first,
but succeeded-tirst, in making a
living: now he was reckoned as
one of the most promising Of the
younger men in the medical pro-
fessiOn.
He sat buried in thought, his
mind beating out the sordid story
told him by the man with the gray
face. 1t touched his world; prob
ably that's why he had been told.
lie heard the whirr of the great
bell and rousel himself with sigh;
it generally foretold the arrival of
another patient. The door opened
and his housakeeper, Mrs. New
house, appeared, her ho'nely face
beamin@ with qualification.
Miss Elsie and Miss Erskine,
SIR she announced.
The two girls came into thereon;
both were pretty, but to Dick Sler-
ard one was ever the most attract
i've he had set eyes on.
~ surprise visit, Els:e:' he cried
grasp;ng her by the hand.
YES, Dick; Vi and | have been
to st. jamess hail, and as we want
Ell to talk with you we thought we
would drop in on the way home"
"Iuu'ii nave some tea, Miss Llsie:"
put i'll the old housekeeper eagerly.
"ieS, please, Newhouse- if we
may have it in tho masters stu ly,'
she added with a smiling glance at
s;herard.
Elsie Carew was the only daught-
er OF Il great railway contractor, who
slent most Of his life in India. Be
ing widower, he left his little
daughter in Mrs. Sherard's charge
in England, aud Elsie had grown up
at the house in Grover street with
Dick Sherarl as her chief cumpan-
ion.
Then her father had died, leaving
her a vast fortune to he inherited
when she came of age, Dick Shcr-
ard, who loved the girl with every
fibre OF his strong nature, telt more
more than ever the duties Of his po-
sition. He was twelve years her
senior, and it would be unfair to let
the circumstances Of the case iniiu-
euve the girl besides he was no fort
unc hunter!
So the quiet life i'll the house in
Cover street went on, the man new
er changing from his attitude of the
elder brother, until Mrs. Sherard
del, and another arrangement was
rec 'ssary. Elsie went to live with
IN old friend, Mrs. ErsEine, and to
an ext mt passed ont Of his life. He
t. W himself into work more than
ever, and how his tried to fight his
loneliness and failed, DULY he knew.
You'll never guess, Dick, what
we have Come to consult you about
she said to him with smile. I'm
wondering if l shall accept an offer
of marliage?" she continued.
'lndeedI" he said, summoning
smile. He knew this would come
some time, but tried not to think Of
it.
you see, Dick" she went with a
mischlevous glance at her friend
Mrs. Erskine ana Violet wish me
to be married and ont of the way
poor vi doesn't get chancef'
quite right" said Miss Erslline,
taking large piece Of cake. Elsie
is sweet and | love her very much,
but it's borrid of her to have SO
much money. She gets Il proposal
once a week regularly"
And who IS the latestI' he said.
with an effort.
Lord Hugh Bayntoun," Miss
Erkskihe volunteered the informa-
ton. "llc hasn't actually propos-
ed. but Elsie sees it coming. We
think it will be tomorrow. as Sir
Michael Evcsham has invited him
to Join his party up the Nile. and
he told Elsie that he hoped he
would have IA good excuse fer not
going there was no installing his
meaning. II Elsie accepts HIM he
stays at home: II she rcttses him
b gses.'
and what do you say youroelf?'
asked Sherard mantulIv, looking at
Elsie. "Do you love him.
mo, | don t think do-yet.' she
said frankly. 81 don't love any.
body but you!' she said. looking at
him with smile.
Sherard's grip tightened on his
chair. lie knew very we'll that the
remark was only meant 10 a SIS ter.
Il, 4.