ondition.

"Here, in Montreal. Next year I hope to go to Europe." He made a sign
to the nurse who entered, and quietly began preparing the arm for its
operation. Roderick did not pay any attention to even her blue uniform
this time, his eyes were fixed with a fierce intentness upon the young
doctor's face. Wells had always been known as a very handsome fellow,
but his appearance had not improved; he had grown stouter and coarser.
He was still good-looking, however, and his manner had the old easy
kindness Roderick remembered. He was just going to ask him another
abrupt question, when the young doctor slipped his finger over the
patient's pulse, and began talking quietly and soothingly.

"And you went back to your old home town, didn't you? Let me see--"
his casual air did not deceive his alert listener--"Algonquin's your
home, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"You've been practising law there, haven't you?" He took out his watch
and looked at it.

"Yes,--in Algonquin."

A smile passed over the young physician's face, as of pleasant
reminiscence. "Algonquin," he repeated--"pretty name. You don't
happen to know--er--a Miss Murray there, do you? A teacher."

"Yes," said Roderick, "I've met her," and held his breath for the next
words.

"I've met her too--several times." He laughed, glancing at Roderick in
a shamefaced manner. "I think when you go home, if you'll take me,
I'll go along as travelling physician. I'd like most awfully well to
see that town of yours."

Roderick involuntarily jerked his wrist from the other's grasp. Had he
not done so, the doctor would have been amazed at the leap of the
already bounding pulse.

"I thought--rumour had it at college--that your affections were in
process of transition when you graduated." Roderick looked straight at
him. It was impossible to keep from his voice something of the
bitterness rising in his heart. He was risking his own secret. But he
felt he must know.

Dick Wells' eyes dropped to his watch again. He was silent for a
moment. The nurse left the room and he immediately spoke in a low tone.

"It a fellow plays the fool once in life," he said, "that's no reason
why he should take it up as a steady profession. I've dropped it for
good and all. And if you behave yourself and have this operation right
away I'll come and take Christmas dinner--no, that's holiday time--I'll
come and prescribe for you shortly after New Year's!" He laughed
joyfully. "