The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-10-21

get over 1t presently. Youth forgets.
Time, like water, smooths away the
ragged places.
The countess called regularly. She
vas of course, %dreadfully sorry over
what had happened. She had heard
something about his character; news
paper men weren't always the best.
This one was a mere fortune hunter;
a two faced one, at that. She was
never more surprised in her life when
he threw his arms around her. And
so on, and so forth, half lies and half
truths, till the patient Jones felt like
wringing her neck.
From his vantage point the butler
smiled ironically. He could read the
heart of this Perigoff woman as he
could read the page of a book. The
effrontery! And all the while he
must gravely admit her and pretend
when the blood rioted in his veins at
the sight of her. But he dared not
swerve a single inch from the plans
laid down. 1t was a cup of bitter gall,
and there was no way Of avoiding the
putting of it to his lips. She ema-
mated poison as nightshade emanates
it. the upas tree. And he must bow
when she entered and bow when she
left! Still, she had done him an in
direct favor in breaking up this love
business.
One afternoon Rraine summoned his
runabout and called up two physicians.
When he was ushered into the desert
ed Office Of the first he sent his card
in. The doctor replied in person. His
face was pale and his hands shook.
Good afternoon" said Braine, smil-
ing affably. ,
The doctor eyed him like a man
hypnotized. "You . . . you wished
to see me on some. particular bust
ness?"
VERY particular" dryly. my car
is outside. Will you be so good as
to accompany me%
The doctor slowly went into the
hall for his hat and coat. He left the
house and got into the car with never
a word of protest.
"Thinking?" said Braine.
81 am always thinking whenever I
see your evil face. What devilment
do you require Of me this timer"
"a mere stroke Of the pen" '
Where are we going?"
ITO call on another physician OF
your standing" significantly. 1T is a
great thing to have friends like you
two. Always ready to serve us, for
the mere love Of it."
There's no need of using that kind
Of talk to me. You have me in the
hollow of your hand. Why should
bother to deny it? 1 have broken the
law. I broke it because I was starv-
ing"
ut is better to starve In freedom
than to eat fat joints up the river.
Today it is a question Of sanity"
and you want me to assist in sign
ing away the liberty OF some person
who is perfectly sane?"
"The nail on the head" urbanely.
You're a fine scoundrel!"
mot so. loud!" warningly.
"As loud as I please. 1 am not for
getting that you need me. I'm no
coward. I recognize that you hold the
whip hand. But you can send me to
the chair before I'll crawl to you. Now,
leave me alone for a while"
The other physician had no such
qualms Of conscience. He was ready
at all times for the generous emolu'
ments which accrued from his dealings
with the nan Braine.
The Countess Perigof vas indis-
posed; so 1t was quite in the order Of
things that she should summon ply
sicians. ..t..
There is a law in the state Of New
York-just or unjust, whichever you
please-that reads that any person
may be adjudged insane If the sigma