Litchfield enquirer., 1874-08-13


 choly brilliancy imparted by desperat. brushing. I was afraid that Professo Fargo was either nigardly SDapreSGriO or that the great "moral and scientific combination" was not always as renumer alive as it seemed to have been at p While was making these reflections the Professor entered, with an exhilaration o! manner which conceived to be tribute to unwonted success.
 'Well Sir" he cried, as his eyes fel upon me, ''what do you say to it now Ihope VIC did things handsomely, eh? hope you call this a solid entertainment This young man, you must know, is ono of the scoffers," he went on, turning tc the Colonel. "He came yesterday and bearded the lion in his den. He suspects me of foul play, and would like me to ad- init, in my private character, that you and are q couple of sharpers hope we satisfied you l"
 The Colonel went on dipping his toast into his tea, looking grave and saying nothing 'sPoor mani" I said to myself ''he despises his colleague-and so do I. I beg your pardon" cried with warmth ; "I would like nothing of the kind. I was extremely interested in this gentleman's 8 exhibition," and I made the Colonel a bow. 'It seemed to mo remarkable for its perfect good faith and truthfulness.
 "Many thanks for tho compliment. '" said the Professor. 'As much as to say the ColOnel's an apostle, and I am a ras- cal. Have it as you please if so I'm a hardened one ]" he declared with a great slap on his pocket; and anyhow, you know it's all one concern" and the Pro- lessor betook himself to the window where Miss Clifford was standing. She had not looked around at him on his en- trance, as she had done at me. Tho Colonel, Tn response to my compliment, looked across at mo with mild benignity. and 1 assured him afresh of my admira- ton. He listened silently, stirring his tea his face betrayed an odd mixture of confidence and deprecation as if he thought it just possible that might be laughing at him, but that if was not, it was extremely delightful. I continued to insist on its being distinctively his half of the performance that had pleased me so that, gradually convinced of my respect ful sympathy, he seemed tacitly to inti- mate that, If we were only alone and he knew mo little better, it would do him a world of good to talk 1t all over. I deter mined to give him q chance at tho earliest moment. The Professor meanwhile, waiting for hls breakfast, remained at the window experimating in tho deaf and dumb alphabet with the young girl. It took hnn, as an amateur, long time to form his sentences, but he went on brave ly, brandishing his largo plump knuckles before her face. She seemed very patient of his slowness, and stood watching his gestures with the same intense earnest ness had caught glimse of in the cem- Meet Af I. an unimpeded use of their tongues and I was unable from experience to appreciate his situation but could easily fancy what delightful sense of intimacy there must be in this noiseless exchange of long looks with pretty creature toward whom ali tcndrcSSc of attitude might be conveniently attributed to compassion, Before long the Colonel pushed away his cup, turned about, folded his arms, and fixed his eyes with a frown on the Professor. It seemed to mo that read in his glance complete revelation of moral torture. Tine stress of fortune had made them associates, but tho Colonel iealOusly guarded the limits of thor pri- vate intimacy. The Professor, with all his audacity, suffered himself to be re- minded of them. He suddenly pulled out his watch and clammored for his cof- fec and was soon seated at q repast which indicated that the prophetic temperament requires generous diet. The young girl roamed about the room, looking idly at thIS and that, as If she were used to doing nothing. When she met my eye, she smiled brightly, after moments gravity. as if she were also used to saying to peo- pie, mentally, ''Yes, I know I'm strange little creature, but you must not be afraid of mo-" The Professor had hardly got that array of innumerable little dishes. of the form and dimensions of soap-trays with which one Is served in tho rural hos telries of New England, we'll under con tribution, before young lady was intro dnced who had como to request him to raise q g!lost-a resolute young lady, with several ringlets and a huge ancestral um- brelln, whose matutinal appetite for the supernatural had not been quenched by tho raw autumnal storm. She produced very frankly ''tin type" of forid young man, actually deceased ,and demanded to be confronted with his ghost. Tho day was beginning well for the Professor. He gailantly requested her to be seated and promised her every satisfaction. While he was hastily despatching his breakfast. the COlonels daughter made acquaintance
 
 young mans portrait gently out of her hand, examined it, and then shook her head with little grimace of displeasure. The young woman laughed good-natured- ly. and screamed into her car that she didn't believe sine was a bit deaf and dumb. At this announcement tho Colonel, who, after eyeing her while she stated her cred uIOus crrand with solemn compassion, had turned away to tho window, as if to sparo himself the spectacal of his col leagues unblushing pretensions, turned back again and eyed her coldly from head to foot. '1 recommend you, madam, ]" he said sternly, ''to reserve your suspi clOns for m occasion ill which they may be more pertinent.
 Later in tho morning found him still in the diningroom with his daughter. Professor Fargo, he said, was in the par Tor, missing ghosts by the dozen and af- ter little pause he gave an angry laugh, as If his suppressed irritation were caus- ing him more than usual discomfort. He was walking up and down, with slow rest less steps, and smoking a frugal pipe: I took the liberty of offering him a good cigar, and while he puffed it gratefully. the need to justify himself for his odd partnership slowly gathered force. "It would be satisfaction for me to tell You. sir" hc said at last, looking at mo with eyes that fairly glittered with the pleas ure of hearing himself speak tho words, ''that my connection with Professor Far go implies no-no-" and he paused for mOment-''no intellectual approval of his extraordinary pretensions. This of course, IS between ourselves. You're stranger to mo and it's doubtless the night of indiscretion in me to take you into my confidence. My subsistence dc ponds on my not quarrclling with my companion. If you were to repeat to hIm that went about undermining tho faith, the extremely rctributive faith, as you sec" (and he nodded toward the par Tor door), ''he would of course dissolve our partnership and should bo adrif again, trying to get my heavy boat il tow. l should perhaps feel like an hon est man again, but Ill tho meanwhile probably, l should starve. Misfortune, he added bitterly, "makes strange bed