Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-26

6""SO, HC SlOWleu, interpret my
question to suit yourself"
In a moment Marowe was coldly
calm-his features pale and rigid, a
Daleful light in his brown eyes.
Am | to understand that you mean
what your words imply?" he asked
icily.
Il am not in the habit of saying what
do not mean" was the perverse re-
ply.
And you mean to impugn my honor
to insinuate that am a sneak, who
CHANGING to overhear a private CONVEX
! sation forthwith uses it to his own adj
/ vantage?"
The doctor grinned maliciously but
said nothing An unbiased observer
would have said the medical man was
enjoying the tilt. His sneering express
sion, his silence, so exaspered Ralph
that the young man quiYered with sup
pressed rage
Here are your keys he hissed jerk
ing the bunch from his pocket and
tossing 1t upon the counter.
DR.. Barwood started. Instantly his
manager and attitude underwent
change. The hooking smile left his
face; and a look of deep gravity was
there in its stead. Drawing himself up
dignifiedly, he said:
Il do not want the keys. Keep them;
you will needed them. | am going to
the country"
INSTRUMENTATION" Ralph re-
peated slowly pointing toward the
bunch.
You are going to quit my service?"
81 am"
"When?"
Now"
For what cause?"
Because you have basely insulted
me, DIR. Barwood You have called my
honor in question. Were you a younger
man, | would demand an apology"
IF you should-and | should re-
fuse?"
Il would administer the personal
chastlsement you deserve" Ralph cried
hercely.
DO you think would with
twitching features and the merest sem
blance of smile.
II know | could"
And the young man sprang forward
menacingly, his hands clenched.
DR.. Barwood calmly stood his ground
and fearlessly faced his enraged EN-
ployee Their eyes met-the one pair
cleaning savagely. the other pair ex-
pressing mute surprise mingled with
Iepentant grief. Marlowe was instant
ly disarmed; and his hands dropped to
his sides. Retreating a step he leaned
heavily against the counter, trembling
and painting.
Advancing, DR.. Barwood affectlonate-
ly laid hand upon his companions
shoulder and said:
Ralph, my boy, we are much alike
both too prone to outbursts of upright
eous anger wish to apologize for
hurting your feelings; though | meant
my question as a joke. | will not at |
tempt to excuse myself, however;
should not have asked It at all. | !
say cutting, brutal things |
for which | am sorry a moment after |
ward. 1t is a bad habit wish could |
break myself of it. There"-smiling |
sadly-"you have the apology you had
a right to demand that | had no right |
to withhold But you do not know
what an effort it has cost me to offer
1t. 1t is new experience to me. viii
you accept my apology and take my
hand?"
Gladly" Marlowe murmured almost
inaudlbly, his eyes downcast. 81 am
ashamed OF my hot-headedness, doctor.
But | was disturbed when came in;
was not myself | trust you will par
don me But | thought you meant to
insinuate that | had purposely played
eayesdropper-"
Had | thought so meanly of you"
the older man interrupted, 81 would
have asked you no questions. | would
have discharged you without any ado.
Your threat to do me bodily harm was
unworthy of you. You are trained
athlete am not blind to that fact
while | am an old man, whose snews
are stirfened by exposure and hard
usage. There was a day-years ago
when your purposed task would not
have been an easy one. And even yet
but pshaw! "-laughing-"w are not
pugllists; we are men-and friends. We
understand each Other-and | will say
this: In the short time have known
you, have learned to like and admire
you very much. Take me as | am-not
as | appear at times-and perhaps you
may learn to tolerate me. at least"
There was a ring of pitiful pleading
"a reaching out after love and sympa-
thy-in the physicians voice, that was
touching. Ralph was strangely moved
by II, so much so that he cried
IL do not have to learn to tolerate
you. DR.. Barwood-to like you even.
have learned the lesson already-and
II has not been hard one"
Then | need not take back my
keys?" His black eyes suffused with
moisture, yet twinkling humorously.
mo, doctor"
"All right. Help me to gather up my
things, please. | must be going"
As the older man hustled around, get
ting ready to depart. he whistled softly
to himself. At the door he turned and
said:
you sent the telegram to the Badly
Drug Company"
81 did" Ralph replied.
"Say?"
"Well?"
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