Evening star., 1919-03-23
m AND HIS CRUCIBLE
7 DUNG DIR. JOHN THAYER ar
rived early at his office. in the
upstairs Of one of the few


two-story business houses I'm
the little town that had been his home
town for year. There We're no calls
on his slate. and ~after tidying his
Office he sat down at an open window
and looked toward cool green wood
land of pines that lay beyond field
of white cotton bloom. The day was
his first anniversary in the Southland
he was Yankee from Maine-and
he was pleasantly thoughtful. He
was glad that he had come to East
over, for he had prospered; hospital
ity had greeted him on every hand;
kindliness and sympathy seemed" so
easy for these southerners
Soon he began to whistle gayly. 1t
was a good world Early summer
was on; the mocking birds and
, thrushes were singing their hearts
out; wild yellow jasmine rioted in
golden profusion along the fences and
In the woodland. and waXen white
cape jasmine made the AIR sweet with
it's delightful perfume 1t was just
the time of. year for a man to fall in
love-but DR.. John Thayer> had al
ready done that, and he had done it
very earnestly.
There was sharp rap at his door,
and he stopped his whistlng and
in"
The door swung open and Jackson
Ryerly. middle-aged attorney. who
had offices across the hallway, en-
man, dark eyed. with black hair and
heavy black mustache. Although
they had been Office neighbors for
twelve months. DR.. Thayer had never
gone beyond n common acquaintance
ship with Byerly; the attorney had
AN overbearing. authoritative man
ner that the young physician found
hard to tolerate even when they met
at the home of the woman they both
loved almost to the point of madness.
visitor at the home of the Batesfords;
he was we'll educated and well read.
and when he chose he could assume
very engaging personality.
II came to see how much man there
is in you. Thayer." snapped the Wis
itor. with cleaning eyes.
II beg pardon, Byerly." coouy re-
piled the doctor. but 1 do not under
stand. Your voice tells me you are
nc not e3n1a; 2oking ;n o, VIII you be good enough
The attorney closed the door be-
hind him and took a few steps to-
ward Dr.. Thayer.
We both love the same woman.
Thayer," he breathed with a bitter
ness that was shaking him through
out. AT least love her; your feel
ing for her can be but little more
than passing admiration compared
to mine. 1t is very evident that there
can car be no success for one of US until
fore l hereby challenge you to duel,
the way"
The doctor realized that Byerly was
desperately in earnest. He tried to
desire to fight.
Back to the middle ages. eh?" he
smiled. No duelIng for mine, Byerly.
It's the silliest thing in the world"
hyeriy frowned harder and jerked
enough to fight" he clipped "o' Ma"
TN man enough" replied DR.. Thay-
er. but I'm not fool enough. Let the
girl decide which of us she wants
" either of us is SO fortunate as to
meet with her requirements. I have
afternoon-and she is to let me know
today: You propose. too, and let her
of us"
IT have already asked her." said
Byerly sourly. TN fact, rye asked
her half dozen times. and she laughs
at me very sweetly-and tantalizing-
ly. Thayer, I tell you one Of us is
IN the others way. Neither of us
will ever get her until the other"
Bah" the doctor interrupted. He
was. becoming nettled. Never de-
ceive yourself by thinking that
woman in real life is ever bothered
concerning which OF two men she
loves. That's all cheap book talk.
,Byerly."
you coward" the older man cried.
His jealous, unreasoning rage was
sitting him almost. You're afraid to
nght--there's not enough pure man
IN you to fight! Well. I'll make
With one open hand he slapped DR..
John Thayer hard on the cheek, Il
frank and gratuitous insult.
Thayer stared contemptuously, SEEM
ing not to feel the pain Of the blow
glance ut his face. however, would
have told even an idiot that the at
torney'S hand had stung to the bone
Then Byerly slapped him again and
harder.
Now will you Aght?' he grltted.
Thayer was man OF strong char
acter. but he was also young, and
he had a young mans standards of
honor. The maddened attorneys sec
ond blow battered down some Of his
better judgment. He went white and
his voice trembled when he spoke.
YES" he said with q dangerous
calmness. NOW I will fight. But not
in the way you think. am GER
tainly not going to ruin the rest Of
my life by killing a yellow dog. /