The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-02
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OFTO-DAY.
CHAPsER xI.
DIR. PLOWITz.

A SvONx OE IO.DAxe
CHAPsER xI.
DR. PLowITz
/ had. and have. q prejudice against
the holders Of vague titles, especially
when they do not suit the titles they
hold. Pseudo-military men are bad
enough, though there are many ways
in which very unsoldierly persons may
acquire . literal right to the rank
which Doll Tearsheet sojustly. if rude
", begrudged to Ancient Pistol. The
title of doctor, when assumed BY men,
especially foreigners. with nothing
grave or reverend about them, was al
ways particular passport to my sus-
picion and dislike, SO when during
dinner heard Plowitz generally spok-
en- to, and Of, as DR.. Plowitz, / was
less disposed than ever to take q friend
II or even . fair view of the visitor.
..Professor" was bad enough, to my
thinking, when applied to man Of
such juvenile and unphilosophical as
pect; but doctor" was too much for
me, and I resolved that PlowitS was
an impostor.
The conversation during dinner Ger
tainly showed him in . favorable
light He spoke English perfectly,
with q popularity of accent which
might easily pass for . personal and
not q national one. have heard many
Englishmen with more pronounced de-
partures from the standard Of pure
speech than Plowitz was guilty OF. The
introduction Of this new member to the
circle had the happiest results on all.
Mr.. Beaufoy. who generally left his
daughter virtually to be both host and
hostess, cast off his usual reserve and
talked well; Miss Beaufoy apparently
laid herself out to be charming, and,
rs very well knew, she could when
she chose, succeeded thoroughly. /
was not allowed for moment to feel
myself in any sense stranger, and l
availed myself of the opportunity OF
general and spirited conversation very
readily. Plowitz was both genial and
amusing. and assumed the position of
an old friend with considerable charm
of manner. There was only one who
did not brighten up rs the rest OF u
did, and that was Mary Fortescue.
With me she was at first unusually
merry and bright; but as, during din
ner. Plcwitz directed more of his con-
versation to her, and, in talking over
trivial incidents Of previous visits. en-
deavored always to associate her
| with these "reminiscences, she very
soon drew back into her old state of re-
serve. and seemed determined to sac
ritice all share in the general interest
rather than to admit DR.. Plowitz to the
footing of kindly intimacy which he
appeared to consider his due. The
change was striking. attempted to
carry on some subject on which
she had been speaking cheerfully and
had, as it were, curled up. and answer
ed only with schoolgirl constraint,
while to Plowitz she simply became
mOnosyilabic. | observed faint and
scornful smile fit over the calm face Of
Miss Beaufoy; while Plowitz, showing
no consciousness of her chilling man
ner, launched into very admirably
told story of student scrape ut thu
University. As he did 50. l could no
help looking very fixedly at Mary
Fortescue. She did not know ] c0ulG
zee her. but she blushed deeply.
After dinner we sat for some tim,
talking over our wine. This was ,
change, as, when alone. Mr.. Beaufo,
usually left me very soon to my owl
devices. Plowitz showed disposition
to be friendly.
You are musician, Mr.. Cople
stonep" he said.
YES answered. "And You ar
also. believer
.Oh, not much" he said, Laughing
modestly.
"A German professor of music"
said. lis generally thought q good dea
of in England"
Mr.. Beaufoy laughed little-a rar
thing with him.
..Dr. Plowitz is . professor of metal
lurgy and mineralogy, not Of muse
but he is an excellent musician .
WE'LL"
Yes said the professor. Il am in
terested in the experiments that Mi
Beaufoy makes. We have works
together before, and" turning to Beau
toy, Il am going to ask him to let M
help him again.
The two men smiled at one another
and Plowitz emptied his glass. as
drinking an unspoken toast.
do you take any interest in scier
tic matters, Mr. IOp.cslunep' he COZ
tinued.
mo. I have not had any opportu
nifty for some years Of taking up any
J hing, and all my energies were former
" given to music"
When we Joined the ladies In til
drawing room, Plowitz proved himse
, the possessor of q really fine voice
Miss Beaufoy played for him, and
. endeavored. from curiosity, to gatht
what Mary Fortescue really thought I
him. She sat apart out Of the brigi
light Of the lamps. made my va
over to her.
lis there room for me hereP"
: She made room, and l sat beside he
"Dr. Plowitz is an old frienda"
+ asked.
..He has been here several times b.
FORE"
HE sings remarkably WE'LL" I wel
; on.
Il suppose he learned abroad" 81
said, as If, though she could not den
| that he was fine singer. the fact th'
!: his accomplishment was not of Englis
growth deprived either him or it Of .
/ credit. This was one of the mo
: woman-like things had yet heard b
: say, and it gave me great deal
10 amused pleasure.
g ..He has been telling some vol
70 amusing stories of his student days"
\ observed. What wonderfully Cox
:: English he speaks"
]. Twas able to observe her easily In Il
=; shaded light, without making my Q