The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-10-09

mond square, so deeply ABSORBED In an
article in my Medical Journal that l
did not hear the door of my office
open, nor was aware of the presence
of second person until peculiarly
deep-toned, rich and musical voice
broke upon my ear
Have the honor of addressing Dr.
Marston?"
l looked up, and saw before me a
tall and graceful young man, smooth
shaver, and dressed in the character
istic clerical garb of the Church of
England
yes, l am Dr. Marston," I said, re-
plying to the young clergymans ques-
ton. Can l be of any service to
you?"
"On one condition-possibly, re-
piled the young man, taking the seat
which | indicated, and fixing his
thoughtful brown eyes searchingly
upon mine. For moment we sat gaz-
ing intently at each other, and then l
said, somewhat abruptly:
Il beg to know the condition, sir"
ut is this" he replied; that if l
intrust my case to you, you will prom
Use to keep it entirely secret, scientific
ally or otherwise, until after my death,
should that occur before your own.
And, in any case, you must agree
never to reveal my name in connection
with the affair.""
For some moments I sat turning
over this peculiar proposition in my
mind, conscious all the while that the
brown eyes were fixed patiently, but
anXiously, upon my face. At length
replied:
Il have never as yet been called
upon to undertake a case guarded by
such secrecy as you seem DESTROYS to
throw about your own, and, to be
frank, / dislike to commit myself to
any transaction of the sort-at least,
until | know something of the nature
of the trouble and the reasons for sup
pressing any mention Of it. This
much, however, will agree to do. If
you will describe the nature of your
disease, will then decide whether
ought to accept the case on the con-
ditions imposed. Whether l accept or
refuse 1t, will agree to keep the mat
ter a total secret, except so far as
your own proposition gives me lib
erty to speak"
A slight smile fitted over the young
clergyman's face. Very WELL" he
said; Il accept your word of honor, as
a gentleman should and will proceed
at once to describe the malady which
has, perhaps justly, awakened your
suspicious. To come at once to the
point, then, know that, impelled by
your well-deserved reputation as an
anatomist, have applied to you to
perform a surgical operation for the
cure of love-sickness!"
/ started, the suspicion that fitted
through my mind mirroring itself I'M
consciously in my dilated eyes.
"Ah, no." exclaimed my companion
seriously, reading the tell-tale revela-
ton of my face. Il am not insane. My
mind is as clear and logical at this
moment as it ever was in my life, and
the request which l make, little re-
Election will prove to you. is not only
reasonable, but scientific.
First, however, let me state to you
the circumstances which make me de-
sirous to rid myself of the passion
which l have confessed. thereby an
ticipating the question which is sure
to rise to your lips. You are aware,
of course, that the high church move
ment in this country, as well as in
England, has resulted in the formation
of certain brotherhoods of the clergy,
bound together by vows more or less
approaching in strictness those which
govern the clergy of the Church Of
Rome?"
81 was not aware of the fact" re.
piled, as the young clergyman paused
for an answer.
at is indeed So" he continued. you
will not be surprised, then, to know
that by the VOWS of the Brotherhood
of st. Michael, to which l consecrat-
ed myself soon after the days of my
novitiate, celibacy is as strictly en-
joined as upon the priesthood of the
church of Rome"
Indeed" / exclaimed, carried away
by some sudden feeling, which l can
not even now defend. The moro
fools"
But here stopped, the great brown
eyes with something like a fash of
Olympic lightning piercing and en-
claiming mine. In another instant
the deep, rich voice proceeded:
For ten years l have kept every
VOW of the brotherhood referring to
woman, without a single spiritual
truggle-wearing these restraints as
Samson wore his chains. But some
thing less than six months ago l met
a woman"
The young clergyman paused. throw
ing his head back against the green
baize OF the easy-chair in which he
sat. For a moment / thought he had
tainted, and sprang for cordial; but,
without taking his slowly opening
eyes from the ceiling, he motioned me
back, and continued. while an indie
ecrfhahlV sweet and almost trans6g-