The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-03-08
PROFESSOR wENNEL's GHOST
BY ESTHER sERLE KENNETH.

The pink chamber was the prettiest room
in Craig Cottage. Mr.. Westgate. the gentle
manly owner of Craig Cottage, had expressed
mild approval of it when Bertrade his
bright, brunette daughter, called him in to
see as the furnishing was completed but
Bertrade flushed with success, was hardly
satisfied.
why, papa, it's perfectly exquisite. like
the inside of a sea-shell. See tie rosy tinges
reflected on the white window shades by the
pink damssk drsping. See the light fall in
glow on the little Nantho yonder. Oh,
ho,c pretty Don't you think it beautiful,
papa 2"
Eyes. ny dear, hope Prof. Wennell will
like it,"
"Prof. Wennell!" screamed Bertrade.
You don't intend to put him in hers?"
"Why not? 1t is the prettiest room in the
house."
"But he's man"
what of that Pr
"This is lady's room. Indeed it is papa,
it isn't fit for gentleman. There are too
many toilet arrangements, and no accommo-
dation at all for cigars"
Prof Wennell doesn't smoke, and he's a
guest to whom l wish to do all possible hon
or. / wish him to be accommodated by the
best the house affords in every way"
Mr. Westgate was mild but firm. Ber-
trade pouted in vain.
| "a horrible great man in that little nest ~
she said to her sister Lou. "Just think of
it. He'll tear everything to pieces, ] know
| he will"
Nonsense, Bert, should think Mr.. Wen
nell was a wild cat"
| Lou don't all men wear muddy boots,
| dash the water about in bathing, scatter cigar
| ashes and put their feet upon the chairs ~
E.Nn Aapap't -
"papa's an exception to all men IN every
way"
You'd better wait and see if Prof. Wen
nell isn't, before you get in such t. passion
about him."
s.I'm not in passion. | wish before he
comes here to spoil that beautiful room, that
he'd blow himself up in some of his chemi
cal experimentation I'm not In passion
| know / shall hate him thought want the
room for Nellie"
"Papa's favorite guest before yours, my
dear"
''Of course; papa would not care if Nellie
slept in the attic"
"Now, Bertrade."
Bertrade, rather ashamed of her last re
marks, was silent, and sat tying knots in he
wrapper cord and jerking them out again
Just then there was a ring of the door bell
the sound of voices in greeting, and Lou OBJ
served quickly:
PROT. Wennel has come, Bert"
Bertrade sat still until she heard her faith
or show the professor into the pink chamber
then she threw herself upon the lounge an
cried tears of vexation.
Neither of the sisters had ever seen Prof
Wennel. lie had been at college with MI
Wsstgate, and they concluded, of course, the
, he was equally elderly and studious The
were not aware that he was barely forty, be
ing eight years younger than Mr.. Westgate
and though interested in literature and &C
ence, hardly considered bore in the best SC
ciety in Europe, which he had frequented fo
the last five years.
Pretty Nellie Daston arrived that evening
! There was no pink Oh amber for her use. Sh
found NO fault with the pretty white-drape
bedroom with a dressing room attached
which was assigned her, but Bertrade ez
! pressed to her her indignation.
. All the girls were little surprised whe
/ they met Prof Wennel at the tea-table.
was fnelooking and agreeable Nellie sal
! so when they had flown back to their retrea
f the bay window in the upper hall, wher
!. Lou always sewed.
"Dear little six-footer! I wonder how b
|, likes the lace of his toilette cushion" sal
! Bersrade inoorrigibly.
= "Pll tell you what should do if / wer
. you, Bert" said Nellie.
"What?'
i Prof. Wennel sat in his room reading.
Q was near twelve O clok at night The dam
9 night-wind blew in at the open window an
: made the light flicker as it shone through it
' alabaster shade. upon the table at his side.-
. The room was indeed like the heart of a rose
n n Rad OF /.