The Doctor

convocation tomorrow?" a

able, spoke of a pathetic attempt to reproduce the surroundings of luxurious art without the large outlay that art demands. At one side of the room stood a piano with music lying carelessly about. In another corner was Iola's guitar, which she seldom used now except when int

question Iola's lace lit

course,"

ourse'?" inqui

d of mine is to receive his

is that

Boy

m. Have seen him a few times in the hospital with Trent. Stru

e is quite an old friend. And as for being crude, I think you can hardly call him that. Of course, he is not one of society's darlings, a patron of a

e you going? Some friends of mine are to be there and will be glad to call for you." Th

h reserve in her manner to make the doctor cons

sk?" There was an almost rude familiarity in his

le. In fact, his brother, a theological student, and a Miss Robertso

g. "Oh, yes, I know her. Prett

energy into her voice. "Yes, a saint. But the best

her jolly," said the doctor,

m. "You ought to have seen her at home. Why, at sixteen years she took charge of h

the doctor. "She had a

n a trip to the old country, and, to the sur

s nose out of join

she felt better to be independent, and so here she has been for the last two years. S

ung lady she is,"

with them," c

ill see you." The doctor

to see all

or, "the same circle crowding you, the same

h you-" cried Iola, thro

rrupted the doctor eagerly

t, of course, one can always plan one's time. How ever," she continued, "one can hardly expe

we get off a little together? There are

voice, and the doctor departed with the lively expec

o all who had to take part in the public proceedings, and at intervals in wildly uproarious applause and cheers at the mention of the name of some favourite. At no point was the fervour greater than when Barney was called to receive his medal. To the little group of friends at the left of the desk, consisting of his brother, Margaret, and Iola, it seemed as if the cheering that greeted Barney's name was almost worthy of the occasion. Dr. Trent presented him, and as he spoke of t

ter with old Carbuncle?" eliciting the u

But Margaret made no reply. She was sitting with her eyes cast down, pale except for a spot of red in each chee

pat. He dared say no more, for the sight of her face and the look in

ning half around and in the face of the whole company, she flashed him a look and a smile so full of pride and l

e over, Dr. Bulling made his way

me years' standing to one who holds his parchment in his hand and wears his still blushin

of Dr. Bulling with Iola, but it made him more furious to notice that, instead of resenting, Iola seemed to be pleased with his manner. Just now, however, she was giving herse

Barney as the

ry nice," said Iola, raisin

speak of him about town you wouldn't call him nice. He has

to me. He has been very kind. I am quite devoted to him." Something in the tone of he

m the most insistent was Dr. Bulling, who finally, with bluff, good-natured but almost rude aggressiveness, carried her off to the tearoom. It took all the joy out of the day

and perhaps more to his steadying friendship. Dr. Bulling, who, more for his great wealth and his large social connection than for his professional standing, had been invited, was present with Foxmore, Smead, and others who followed him about applauding his coarse jokes and accepting his favours. The dinner was purely informal in character, the menu well chosen, the wines abundant, and the drinking hard enough with some, with the result that as the dinner neared its end the men, and especially the group about Bulling, became more and more hilarious. Barney, who was drinking water and keeping his hand upon Drake's wineglass, found his attention divided between his conversation with Trent and the talk of Bulling, who, with his friends, sat

te!" said Trent

tention was concentrated upon Bul

s saying, "the sweetest lit

t a voice! She'll make Canada famous some

now she's the leading voice in the cathedral. Introduced her to a few people, and there she is, the finest thing in her line in the city! Yes, and some da

enthusiastically, "and t

ut has a turning. And trust Bulling,"

e a slight deflection. Nature's lines run in curves, you know." And again his wit provoked appla

ds were plainly audible to every man in the

sitting up straight, as i

are a cow

deuce do

honour of a young lady. I say again you are a

o Bulling's surpri

" said Trent.

rth. "You impertinent you

and flung glass and contents full in Bulling's face. In an insta

ulling! Give it t

ling quietly; "I'll make him eat his

ty championship. You don't know anything about it. Let me at him, Barney. I can do him up." Dic

ght. I won't have it, Dick, remember. It may take us an hour or it ma

hem Trent, were seeking to appease

l let the young cub off,

lied," was Barn

d Bulling; "it will not take more than two

plain that the doctor was entirely master of it. Again and again Barney rushed in wildly, the doctor easily blocking, avoiding and sending in killing blows, till at l

Barney, "perhaps you've had enough. Let me tell you, it's time for you to quit fooling, or,

ey, facing his opponent again, and disr

contemptuously, "Come along,

ard, quickly following with his right and again with a last terrific blow upon the jaw of his dazed and reeling victim. Bar

"I've a very fine assortment of the same k

Dick, Dr. Trent and Drake were trying to re

ndy, someone," said Dr. Trent. "A more cowardly brute I've

your credentials, Trent,

gns of reviving. It was some minutes, however, before he could si

a glass to his lips as Barney sat u

returned, cried out, "Where is he? He's not gone?" He seized the glass of brandy and water from Dr. Trea

d, Boyle,

Barney," entreated Dic

me from the lavatory. At once Barney stood up, walked to the table, poured out

, and started toward the lav

his voice coming in broken sobs. "He

before I'm done." And, throwing off the restraining hands, he made his way into the lavator

egan, "but you brought i

ed straight

r you say you

t enough. Be thankful you're not killed. Go

u're a liar and

ad in it the rin

aling to the crowd, "keep this fo

e of the others,

ore. "There's no use, you see."

ring to brush him aside, but Foxmore touched

l oak dressing table by one of its legs, swung it round his head, dashed it to pieces on the marble

aid in a low voice, "and d

trength, the men started back to their

ce turning a shade pale, "the man is

oor and bring me th

or increased. "I take you men to witness," he said, appealing to the company, "if murd

t strike at all. I've had my lesson. You'll strike me no more. The b

ast going. Barney stood

ce again," he said. "Will you

n! Take your medicine!" But the lesson of the last half hour had not been lost on Barney. Up and down the long room, circling about his man, feinting to draw his attack, eluding, and again fe

f expectation. "Keep it up, Barney! That's th

rent quietly, hugely enjoying

. Nature was now taking revenge upon him for his long outraging of her laws. Barney, on the other hand, though bruised and battered about the face, was stepping about easily and lightly, without any sign of the terrible punishment he had suffered. Reading his opponent's face he knew that the moment for a su

Barney!"

now striking wild and futile blows, now clutching and clawing at those terrible gripping fingers. His face grew purple; his tongue protruded; his breath came in rasping gasps; his hands fell to his side. "Keep your hands so," hissed Barney, loosening his grip to give him air. "Ha! would you? Don't you move!" gripping him hard again. "There!" loosening once more, "now, are you a liar? Speak quick!" The blue lips made an attempt at the affirmati

e," cried Foxmore, "l

Foxmore, you laughed, I think, when he uttered that lie," he said in a voice smooth, almost sweet,

ed Foxmore, backi

ghtly toward him on his toes, "say it qui

Foxmore, backing furthe

to live! You're beasts of prey! No decent girl is safe from you!" His voice rose loud and thin and harsh. He was fast losing hold of himself. His ghastly face, bloody and horribly disfigured, made an appalling setting for his blazing eyes. Nearer and nearer the crowd he wal

or a few moments he stood silent looking at the floor, then, raising his eyes, he let them rest upon the

gasp of relief, "if the devil looks