The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-07-21
WHY did Professor Horton follow the

tell. He saw her pause outside another
window, where the Marquis de Ratti
was taking the air, the dance being
over, and it seemed to the observer that
the two exchanged a glance, smile, a
swift signal, before the girl disappeared
around the corner of the house.
1--WE only lack the gallantries of no
blemen and bridesmaids to complete
the ruin of our Silver Spring" muttered
this stern moralist, whose ideas were so
very old-fashioned. He sought his own
chamber gloomily, for in addition to
perturbation of mind owing to hav,n
his sylvan retreat invaded by the Philis-
tines of fashion, he was literally broken
j by bodily fatigue. He had rambled
many miles that day, botanizing in the
valleys, and seeking geological speci-
mems on adjacent hills. His shoes were
dusty, his raiment brier-torn, his loose
sack-coat freighted with the rubbish
precious to the savant in the wide eX-
ternal pockets, while rheumatic twinges
in knee and back reminded him that he
was no longer young, thereby increasing
his evaporation. Then to return to a
hotel where all the world was dancing,
/ OllC NOlllSth htlo NlCShCN Inv an
| idol with seventy-five thousand dollars
worth of diamonds. The Professor S
cup of bitterness brimmed over at these
reflections. The room was stiflingly
hot, but he lighted his lamp, and forced
| himself to read an extract from Dr.
| Dollinger, while moths Numbered about
the flame, frying themselves to condi-
ton of unpleasant crispness, and mos
quitoes stung his temples. His watch
marked midnight, and still the move
ment of the ballroom and the twang of
musical instruments reached his ear,
precluding the possibility of sleep.
Squeak, squeak, tiddles! Boom
away, bass-viols! Keep it up until
morning, by all means. I wonder if
that is the music of the future? A-0-hn -
Here the listener clinched his teeth,
with a truly diabolical expression OF
countenance, as the violins shuddered
over his nervous system, snatched up
his broad felt hat, and strobe out-of-
doors, actuated by the impulse of es-
cape.
The night was sultry and oppressive
The Professor breathed a sigh Of relief
as he quilted the vicinity of the hotel
which sparkled with many lights
through the trees like an ogre's eye
Darkness and the obscurity of shrub
berry welcomed him abroad at this I'M
usual hour. He strolled about the
gravel paths, tanning himself with his
hat, and paused beneath the projecting
roof of the ornamented kiosque of the
Silver Spring.
There will be q thunderstorm be-
fore morning." soliloquized the Profess
sor,' replacing his hat.
All was deliciously still here, and far
below, guarded by the encircling basin,
bubbled the Silver Spring, cool and
limpid, source of health, as the Pro-
fessor firmly believed. Had not the
nymph of the fountain spread her wings
in startled flightin the disastrous change
from rural tranquility to fashionable
resort? The Professor leaned on the
parapet, and peered into the crystal
| depths of the spring, musing in this
vein. As he did so he perceived two
persons advancing from opposite di-
rections to meet a few yards distant
from himself. They proved to be a man
and woman, and they scarcely paused
before separating aGGai9 with tRaa Sniet,
"Wait for me-" said the woman. Il
shall have to manage, to get away at
all"
II will wait until morning." replied
the man.
"She is sure to dance to the very last,
you know" added the woman.
Don't lose your head, that's all,
admonished the man.
81 lose my head, indeedr' retorted
the woman, whose voice and bearing
were youthful
The Professor moved slowly away,
scarcely needing these words waited to
his ear by a passing breeze. At an
angle of the path was rustic bench
beneath q larch-tree, known as Prof.
Horizons favorite seat. Hitler he di-
rected his steps in an irritated mood
and sank down on it in sheer WEAKNESS.
The scent of flowers reached him, while
the foliage seemed to spread above him
fragrant robes of darkness Crate
full repOse succeeded noise and light.
lulling all his senses to soft oblivion; he
fell asleep.
He was awakened by terrific peal
of thunder, and opened his eyes with q
bewildered uncertainty as to surround
ing objects. The trees swayed wildly
in the rising wind; a few large drops of
rain fell heavily among the leaves;
lightning quivered on the horizon Sud
denly female form bent over him.
some small object was thrust into his
hand, and voice whispered in his ear:
81 am early. She had headache.
Quick! take them, or shall be missed. ;"
The thunder rolled, the trees swayed,
the woman vanished. Prof. Horton
winked several times and opened his
mouth to speak, then closed his lips
without sound. The object thus unex-
pectedly consigned to his care was a
small leather bag, scarcely more than
tobacco pouch, and heavy Mechanic
ally he thrust it into one of the wide
pockets of his loose coat Hank! A
heavy footstep crushed the gravel on
the path to the right. The Professor
rose to his own feet as if moved by a
spring, his knees shook, his teeth chat
tered, a deadly fear smote him.
Fear of what evil? He did not know.
TO shrink to the left, gain the next
clump of shrubbery, and conceal him
| self woc tho urn,.ly IS N ,~,o.s.....