Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-06-28
CHATTER XXI

Nuau lEN ~ M.
1t was raining furiously. and was as
dark rs It might have been at that hour
In March. instead of the beginning Of
May. But ! went on toward the farm
gate. which I had broken open Mt noon,
with my head down and the collar OF
the portcr's coat pulled up to my ears.
! had got through the gate aud quar-.
ter Of mile further on, perhaps. when
suddenly ! came into violent collision
with some one walking rapidly In the
opposite direction.
Halo! Why cant you look what
you're aboutY Surely there's room enough
In this road for two:' exclaimed an an.
cry voice.
I apoiogixed. and found myself talking
to q man not much more than my own
aye. perhaps. but almost fcatureiess. veil.
cd In a heavy black beard. A soft black
hat. streaming with rain. was pulled well
over his eyes. aud q macintosh was
tightly buttOncd round his throat, In
one hand was a rather professional look.
ing hug. and. In spite OF my surprise that
he should be walking, I began eagerly
to wonder IL this shOrt.tcmpercd gentle.
man could be- the Market PcytOn doctor
on his belated way toward the Spider
Farm.
II beg your pardon" I cried, civilly;
"bNt are you on your way to see Mr..
Jonas Hecklcberry, OF Spider Farmw
He had gone just past me a step or
two In his hurry, but wheeled round hur'
| riedly at my words.
II beg your pardon" he echoed. will.
a look Of being startled. "but ] should
like to ask what may that he to you"
1T Il this TO me-" I answered, that I
wish to know whether You arc tho doctor
who was sent for early this afternoon
from Market peyton.
I'm Mr.. Nobody OF Nowhere" he re-.
turned, with II peculiar laugh. But.
though l haven't got an NJ. u. after my
name, I'm a pretty good doctor for all
that. and I'm the best Mr.. Jonas Heckle.
berry IL likely to get tonight. But,
again, I'd be glad to inquire what affair
II II Of yours? You don't come from the
Spider Farni-that know"
"There you're mistaken" l said cOolly
''fOr l do come from there. and I'm so.
ing back again with yOu, IL YOU are Il
doctor, as you seem inclined to hint"
"The deuce you arc!" he exclaimed
shortly, and ! caught a CLEAN OF dark
eyes under the slouch hat.
| could not help laughing. "Lct u,
drop this badinage." l said, "and com,
to some sort of understanding" ! thci
went on to explain what ! thought nee
essary, and ut last repeated my question
Had met the doctor!
"You have, and you haven't" he re
turned. II don't live in Market Pcy
ton. But l had business there to-day.
heard about the accident. And the fac
in the part of the country from whicl
they came, and I'm one of the few PEG
pie It wouldn't fret Jonas unnecessarily
to see about him. Though, as ! said
I'm only MIR. Nobody of Nowhere ant
so it's my within to remain. | took fan
cy when ! heard the news to run out ant
doctor Jonas myself. was able to sat
isfy the medical chap who was comm.
Of my capabilities and the advantage,
Of my presence on the scene, and AS III
was busy over case which he didn'
care to leave, why--l was welcome t.
have my way. And now good night t
YOU; ! must be hurrying on
He was off as he spoke like a shot
but ] was considerably taller and lOnge
Of limb than he, and l caught up will
him again In moment.
"Not SO fast, MIR. Nobody, IL 70,
please" ! said. "Im going back will
You to the hospitable shelter Of the Spi
der Farm. ! think l mentioned my inten
ton once before"
II don't recOllect it." he returned surl
lily, "nor Is there the slightest need Of
earth for you to do 3d."