Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-01
THE BASILISK.
A6TORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAP TER xI.
DR.. HOWIrZ.


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 80 justly. 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 I heard Plowitz generally spok-
en- to, and of, as DIR. Plowitz, I was
less disposed than ever to take friend
~ or even fair view of the visitor.
Professor was bad enough, to my
thinking, when applied to a man of
such juvenile and unphilosophical as
pect; but doctor" was too much for
me, and I resolved that Plowit1 was
an impostor.
The conversation during dinner GER
tainly showed him in q favorable
light. He spoke English perfectly,
with a popularity of accent which
might easily pass for = personal and
not 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 we'll; Miss Beaufoy apparently
laid herself out to be charming, and.
as very we'll knew, she could when
she chose, succeeded thoroughly.
was not allowed for a 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 as the rest of us
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
rifioe 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. l attempted to
carry on some subject on which
she had been speaking cheerfully and
pointedlY few minutes before. but she
had, as it were, curled up, and answer.
ed only with schoolgirl constraint
while to Plowitz she simply became
monosyllabic. 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 at the
University. As he did so, could no.
help looking very fixedly At Mary
Fortescue She did not know coulC
see her, but she blushed deeply.
After dinner We sat for some time
talking over our wine. This was {
change, as, when alone, Mr.. Beaufoy
usually left me very soon to my ow1
devices. Plowitz showed disposition
to be friendly. -
... Yen O., AZ are 30: : musician Mr.. cople
Yes" answered. ''And you art
"Oh, not much" he said, laughing
modestly.:
"A German professor of music,'' ]
said. lis generally thought a good dea
Mr.. Beaufoy laughed a little-a rart
thing with him.
''Dr. Plowitz is professor of metal
lurgy and mineralogy, not of muse
but he is an excellent musician a.
WE'LL"
YES" said the professor. II am in
terested in the experiments that Mr.
Beaufoy makes. We have worked
together before, and" turning to Beau
toy, II am going to ask him to let me
help him again.
The two men smiled at one another
and Plowitz emptied his glass, as i
drinking an unspoken toast.
'.Do you take any interest in scien
Lfic matters, Mr. Coplestonee' he con
1inued.
mo. I have not had any opportu
nifty for some years of taking up any
hing, and all my energies were former
ly given to music" Il
When we joined the ladies in tn.
drawing-room, Plowitz proved himsel
tho possessor of really fine voice
Miss Beaufoy played for him, and
endeavored. from curiosity, to gathe1
what Mary Fortescue really thought o
MIN. She sat apart out of the brigh
light Of the lamps. l made my wa,
over to her.
sis there room for me here1''
She made room, and I sat beside her
..Dr. Plowitz is an old friendp"
asked. - &c.,