The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Heaaned k:en ~ h p ~ 0 ompa
r mind the -a
as yet to come.

lert, and If he says so. try a change
of climate for a while You and Iath-
crime don't need to break your engage
ment-yet a while just postpone it,
indefinitely. Weddings are often post
pohed owing to the nl-heaIth of one Of
the pair. In the meantime, if I can do
anything for you. let me .know-let me
know
Thanks" said Duncan, IN such a
peculiar tone that the older man looked
up at him Quickly Perhaps it would
be better for you not to say anything
to Katherine. I've written her a letter
explaining things. I've decided to leave
at once-to-night 1 may not see YOU
again, sir. so I'll say good-by. Please
don say word to Katherine I will
send her a note this evening. I think
L had better not see her. 1t would only
make it harder for both Of US"
Mr. Trenoweth looked rather per-
turbed.
Perhaps you are right. Duncan, but
it certainly seems rather rough to 20
off in this melancholy sort Of way"
Inwardly. he was wondering why Dun
can couldn't have more consideration
saddle him with lot of extra worry
after a hard day.
Duncan rose and held out his hand.
'Good-by, sir" he said. My love to
the family. 1 think they will under
stand by to-morrow-when they get my
letter." he added
We'll, if you win have it so, good-by,
and God bless you. my boy. But, Dun
can-don't be angry-but I'll just bet
we see you again before the week is
out"
Duncan smiled gravely and shook his
head. I'm afraid not" he said Good
by" He stepped quickly out and closed
the door after him.
Well, thank God. that was over: ali
that was left now was the simple choice
of means Strange, he hadn't consid-
cred that at all.
Now, If his was to be a sentimental
suicide, he reflected. that part OF IL
would probably have received the great
est consideration. Instead. he hated
to think of it at all After all. It didn't
make much difference One way was
about as good as another
A narcotic would probably be the
After all, dead body was much less
offensive than a living source Of con-
tamination
He wondered If he would have any
difficulty in obtaining the drug Then
he happened to think OF the druggist
who had made the analysis Good
They had taken it for granted there
that he was a physician. They would
naturally let him have it without ask
ing any questions
His car took him to the door OF the
pharmacy As he entered the shop he
wondered If it could really be the same
day that he had been there before.
Quietly he walked to the counter
Il want an ounce bottle of Iauda-
num-" he said to the clerk. DO you
wish a prescription"
The clerk had not been long en-
ployed in the store. 81 gues--'' he
began. Just wait minute, please"
He walked back TO the window marked
Prescriptions"
'D'you want an order for bottle O.
laudanum?" he asked, tapping on the
ground glass.
WHO is it?" The slide went W smart
iy. and the pale face peered forth. That
gentleman down there?'' A look Of rec
ognition came into his face. 90. that's
all right-he's a doctor. Oh by tn
way" he came hurriedly out from
behind the partition and walked down
to where Duncan was standing.
I'm sorry. doctor" he began apollo
geticaHy. but after you left this morn
ing I found I'd given you the wrong
report on that specimen you left I
tried to find out where you lived. but
had no way of going at l. This is
yours"
He held out a yellow envelope.
The multicolored bottles on the shelves
danced before Duncan's eye in kaleido-
scopic array. He gripped the counter till
his nails cut into the flesh.
, What did you hnd?" he asked. in a
voice that seemed 10 MIN to come from
long way off
Nothing at al,-didn't really expect TO.
from the character. What's the matter.
sir?',
day. and went without my lunch. You
ought to be more careful about the re-
ports of those analyses. It's a very Sc
rious matter TO report unfaVOTably. I'm
not sure that you're lioJ liable to a suit
for damages.
4 know it. sir. I can't tell you how
sorry You look very badly, sir; better
let me send for a cab
Duncan sat down on a stool
Yes" he said. ''pl ease call a cab.
He drank at a gulp the whiskey which
the clerk had offered him at a sign from
his employer; and call a messenger,
please-at once!'
He leaned over the counter and
rested his head on MS arms. "A two
wheeler drew up at the door
, Here's your cab. doctor. Oh. YOU
wanted some laudanum?
Duncan shuddered. Never mind this
laudanum." ne said