Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-09-10


and his massive jaw clenched. His
countenance, usually serene and trust
inspiring. had for the moment lost its
kindness, and was forbidding almost
TO responsiveness. A patient viewing
him from the operating table would, il
as likely, unless possessed of superior
nerve, have succumbed to heart fall
ure; at best he would have demanded
another appointment; for by some
atavic reversion the good doctor had
apparently returned to savagery of a
virulent type. When he paused alb
ruptly before the clock and suffered
his jaws to relax, the spectacular re-
suits were even worse. He glared vim
dictively at the placid timepiece and
gnawed fiercely his heavy mustache.
-Four o'clock! four o'clock" he ex-
claimed, land this is her last dayl"
The sentence ended in something like
groan.
Well" replied a voice near at hand,
there must be last days for every body
and every hing" The voice was full
and musical, with shading of melan-
choly- The speaker stood in the door
way, hat and cane in hand "If this
were my last day of bachelorhood, 1
don't think l could have stated it so
woefully, 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-
Ing silently towards him. Don't know
mef Sorry to see me? You are glar-
ingi"
"Dick Somersl" The name burst
from the doctors lips, and he rushed
Oh his visitor, Selling and wringing the
proffered hand. Again he stopped, his
whole soul in his face and eyes.
We'll" said Somers, cheerfully,
~what is on your mind, old man? Five
years is long time and Paris was a
gay place; but FIVE years and Richmond
are not enough, surely, to effect such
change as this! And shall have use
sgain for that hand, perhaps, bones
and all, So
The last days of your bachelorhood
you said the last days Of your bach
elorhood, did you not? Then YOU are
still a bachelor. Dick?"
We'll yes" and Somers smiled visit
fully into his friends face. THE same
old Brodnar," he continued, "headlong.
enthusiastic, impetuousl What new
scheme is afoot now? Do you want to
offer me up on the altar of matrimony :?
~ SC 7 draw the line there. Why. cen
found it, man, what is the matter with
your" he added; for the other, still
retaining his hand. continued to regard
hin in deep thosght.
''Sit down." said the doctor, drawing
him towards a chair-"sit down." And
Somers perforce accepted the seat.
"Dick"-and the professional man
stood over him will welcome YOU
formally tomorrow, but to-day you are
the most welcome man on earth. sup
pose am headlong, enthusiastic ard
impulsive, but ] am true, am 1 not p
true TO my friends?"
True? AS truth itself, old fellow"
And Somers, who had taken a cigar
from 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 yoint?"
"And honorable? ?"
'As honorl"
"Eou would take my word unsup-
ported for any amount, would you
not?"
Somers looked affectionately into
the flushed, eager face above him and
grew serious. 81 would take your word,
Frank, against the world, except in
one event"
And that?"
"Wen, if you speak disparagingly Of
yourself, Frank" Their hands met i'm
pulsively.
Dick, don't laugh at me or think me
out Of my senses, but tell me seriously
lis there any reason why you may not
be married to-night?" 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
senses ?-but yes, this is only the same
old Brodnar"
You do not answer, Dick. You are
treating me lightly, and am desperate
y in earnest"
well, then, old fellow, will answer
you seriously. There is no reason ON
GODS earth why I may not marry to-
night. No heart will break, no trust
be shattered, no one will care. Yes.
OhS-Ahy mother. he D1JeQ his line
face towards his friend. 1t wore again
the characteristic half-wistful, half
knocking smile.
You would not care, either, Dick?
Not If by marrying you obliged friend
who loves you? Not if by marrying
you enabled him to defeat a piece OF
Villainy planned against the rife and
welfare of one of his dear friends?
Not If it defeated q eowardly enemy?
Oh, don't you see my whole soul is in
this natter" The doctor resumed his
agitated pacing.
Wouldn't it be best for me to kill
him-in some genteel way-say-"
No; killing is still crime, but mat
rfmony isn't-thOugh often more i'm
moral. And killing would settle with
but one, while matrimony wipes out
the whole crowd"
winch, unfortunately, includes me,
II guess well-buf there Won ,,I> o o,o;,o