The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-04-26

u-0-{ worm exclaimed. SaVaGely,
tIsl Mlj to himself. as he strobe
away from Constance Mer.
rihcw's house. We'll. every one to
his TASTE. and if she admi2es that sort
of a fellow, l supEo se it's none of my
business.
And it did seem strange, more than
one Of her friends agreed. when the
matter became known. that she should
prefer EheSte: Adams etfeninate style
Of beatty TO Jacks stalwart manli.
ness. but there was nc accounting for
tastes.
Jack Waiworth was 4 rising young
physician. with 4 steadily increasing
practice, and when one afternoon be
received a telegram from a patient liv-
ing ten miles out from the town. bid
ding him to come Immediately. he pre-.
pared to go with alacrity, although it
WAS showing. and the mercury nearly
zero.
He had the carriage brought around.
packed in his medicine case. and such
other articles as he deemed it eXpe-
dent to take. and was gathering up the
reins to start of, when a CHEEKY voice
hailed him:
"Hello. doctor. Off for a business
trip? Can't I come. too?"
1t had not been the least of Jacks
trials that his riva! seemed to have
taken a decided fancy to him. and fol-
q moment he heSitated, feeling as if
this were greater hospitality than he
felt disposed to bestow upon one who
had robbed him Of that which he held
most Gear: then 4 variety of feelings,
too many for him to attempt to con
slider or analyze. induced him to change
his purpose. and answer. almost cor
daily:
Certainly. if you would Ike to 90.
But it will be a cold trip"
oh. | don't mind that" returned
Chester. Tile fact is. for some mys-
terious reason, Miss Merrihew has for
hidden me to come to the house until
evening. and | was casting about as to
how I could best kill time"
Every we'll" said Jack. turning down
the carriage rug. with a laugh. If
you desire to Kill it in my society, !
have no objections; but I warn you
that We shan't get back until night.
fall. and it will be singing cold by
u that time"
u think | can rise equal to the oc.
casion," responded Chester. accepting
the offered seat and in another minute
they were skimming swiftly over the
crisp snow. The journey was accom-
plished without incident. although Jack
found his patient required so much
more time than he had anticipated
that it was a full hour later than he
had calculated upon when a. last they
set out on their return. while tbs
thermometer had taken a drop of sew.
eral degrees.
DO you think you can face this ten
nerature going back:' he said to Ches.
ter. Because if you prefer to wait
until morning. they will be glad to &C,
commoiate you here"
No, indeed" responded Chester. with
q laugh. Although Miss MerriheN
did turn me out this morning. she told
me to De sure to. back tonight, and
would not disappotnt her for any.
thing"
Jack. would have been more than
human If his heart had not stirred with
q hot. though brief. resentful thrill
and he said, somewhat stif1y: LAS yor
please, of course" and gathering up the
reins as his companion clambered in
beside him, set the horse speeding on
ward.
Talking was difficult under the cir
cumstances. and. after a few desultOry
remarks. Jack had relapsed into q
somewhat bitter r~everie, when he was
suddenly aroused by feeling Chester
Iurch heavily against him.
what is the matter:" he exclaimed
giving him 4 shove: then. receiving nc
response. lie turned sharply to look al
him. His features were set. his eye:
wearing a glazed expression: and
twisting the rains hastily around the
whip-holder. Jack seized him by the
shoulders and shook him vigorously.
Grouse up. man" he exclaimed
f'You're freezing to death. Rouse your
self.w
But Chester only looked at him like
one daZed. made 4 few in%articulatt
r sounds. and sank down again.
For 4 moment Jack looked at hin
with a great lump swelling i'll hi:
Throat. Unless heroic measures were
adopted. his rival would perish. ant
be removed from his path: and yet
how could he- meet Constance Merri