The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10
CHAPTER Y.
The "ConfidentIal.

Brother Tom had come from Thorsby to see Jacob Romer. They quarrelled con- tinually, the two brothers, but after all, they had no other intimacies, and each respected the others tenacity, the other s Independence, the others comprehensive lack of seruple. Jacobs very vices were Toms admirations, and Jacob considered Toms stray virtues so many weak nesses They were in. fact we'll agreed But for all that they were not made to dwell long together Like most other blood relatives, q distance of 200 miles was requisite to make one bearable to the other. That. is, after 24 hours.
 But for the first evening at Gorm House it seemed as if Jacob Romer could not see enough of his brother, the doctor. lie conducted him in person to Tom s room' He saw that there was water in the ever. He inspected the long unused piece of soap, threw 1t out of the window and with threatening movement of his foot sent Gregson scuttling after another. He even sat on the bed while Tom ar ranged the remainder of his locks to the best advantage over his bald head. As he watched, Jacob rubbed up his own thick bristle complacently, and reflected that he was Che older man by good half a dozen years
 Tom he said, you are wearing but poorly-you are younger man than L. q have more to worry me-" retorted his brother, testify. T have not yet got over the last little job 1 was fool enough to take in hand for youn'
 You mean about Caroline said Jacob Romer, serenely. that was five years ago. Your position in Thorsby must be a precarious one if it cannot stand q lit tie jolt like that!'
 Dr. Thomas Romer stopped brushing his scalp, and turned on his brother with the brushes still poised on either side of his head.
 Ut is easy for you to talk" he said with some heat, "here you are master of everything You say to this man Do this, and he doeth itr Or else you know the reason why. But IT am the servant of the Town Council-that is to say, of the mob, fclIle and foolish as so many women,'
 Why do you do it asked his brother as he watched, over the dense woodlands of Inchgormach, the whlrling wheels above his pit-heads, surely you have saved enough money?'
 Money" snorted Thomas Romer, that is all you think of, Jacob! Yes, I have some money-not what you would call much, but enough to live on, thank God. 1 shall never need to come on you to keep me from the poor house. l could even pay for myself in the county asy- lum--"
 That will do, Toml' said the brother, sterny, q know what you mean. We shall have to talk over that subject tonight. You can afford to let it alone till them.
 "Very we'll Jacob!" said Dr. Romer, instantly quieted. q meant no offence to you. you know. But retire I can not. What should | do with myself? am a man without hobbies-I have never gone in for their confounded scientific nonsense4cutting up dogs and frogs and swearing the brutes like it. l have had no time for golf. or to fish, to shoot l have only attended to my patients and to my Thorsby appointments. These have taken all my time. Even when l went off ten days in the summer time. I was precious glad to get back again to the round.'
 Jacob Romer nodded appreciatively.
 Rare thing, work" he grunted "only thing worth living fori Gives you no time to think how miserable you arel"
 But l have not been miserablel" ob- jected Dr. Tom. "I have liked my work well enough, and done it well. But now younger men are taking my place-pass- ing me by: Yes, it is true, l am getting old. 1 do not take easily to newer and cheaper methods. There is that young Salveson, now-ah, it angers me only to think of him"
 What has he done?" asked Jacob. "It concerns you aso in some degree" said his brother, We will go into that tonight. But just now-I think I'll lie down little before dinner-''
 "Nonsensel" cried Jacob, 'lie down, in deed! Stretch your legs, you mean. as