River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-02
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER XI.
DIR pINWTTZ

/ 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 a literal right to the rank
which Doll Tearsheet ojuStly, if rude
1 ly, 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, 50 when during
dinner heard Plowitz generally spok-
en- to, and of, as DR.. Plowitz, was
less disposed than ever to take afriend-
+ " or even a 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 resolved that Plowitz was
an impostor.
The conversation during dinner GER
tainly showed him in favorable
light. He spoke English perfectly,
with a peculiarly of accent which
might easily pass for a personal and
/ not a national one. 1 have heard many
4 Englishmen with more pronounced de-
/ psrtures from the standard of pure
/ speech than Plowitz was guilty of. The
4 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 of his usual reserve and
/ talked well; Miss Beauf0y apparently
/ laid herself out to be charming, and.
/ as | very well knew. she could when
I she chose. succeeded thoroughly.
was not allowed for moment to feel
/ myself in any sense a stranger, and |
I ayailed myself of the opportunity of
I general and spirited conversation very
readily. Plowitz was both genial and
amusing, and assumed the position OF
+ an old friend with considerable charm
I of manner. There was only one who
/ did not brighten IN as the rest of us
i did. and that was Mary Fortescue.
+ With me she was nj first unusually
merry and bright; but as, during din
ner. PlCwitz directed more of his con-
versation to her, aud. in talking over
trivial incidents of previous visits. en-
deayOred always to associate her
with these "reminiscences, she very
soon drew back into her old state Of re-
serve, and seemed determined TO sac
rife. all share in the general interest
rather than to admit DIR. Plowitz to the
footing of kisdly intimacy which he
/ appeared to consider his due. The
change was striking. | attempted 10
carry on some subject on which
she had been speaking cheerfully and
pOintedly a few minutes before, but She
had, as it were, curled up, and answer
ed only with schoolgirl constraint
while to PlowItz she simply became
mOnOSyllaDIc. L observed faint and
scornful smile lit over the calm face oi
Miss Beaufoy; while Plowitz. showing
no consciousness of her chilling man
ner, launched into a 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 owl
devices. Plowitz showed disposition
to be friendly.
You are a musician, Mr.. Cople
stOne?" 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 a 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 music
but he is an excellent musician a
we'll"
Yes said the professor. IL am in
teTested in the experiments that Mr.
Beaufoy makes. We have WORKED
together before, and, " turningto Beau
foy, Il am gong to ask him to let me
help him again
The two men smiled at one another
and Plowitz emptied his glass, as
drinking an unspOken toast.
z III NNAA EehhN AAAANANs1A ~ szts+NAA
t.fic matters, Dlr. Ioplestone! he con
tinued.
mo. have not had any opportu
nity for some years of taking up any
hing, and all nv energies were former
IL given to music"
When we Joined the ladies in tn
drawing-Toom, PlOwitz proved himsel
the poSsessOr OF a really fine voice
Miss Beaufoy played for him, and
endeavored. from curiosity, to ga.he
what Mary FoTtcscue really thought 0
aim. She sat apart out OF the brigh
light Of the lamps. l made my wa.
over tn her.
is there room for me here9"
She made room, and sat beside her
DIR Plowitz i an old friendp"
asked.
..He has been here several times be
fore"
He sings remarkably WE'LL" / wen
on.
4 suppose he learned abroad" sh
said, as if. though she could not den
that he was q tine singer. the fact tina
his accomplishment was not of Englisl
growth deprived either him or il of al
credit. This was one Of the mos
wOmau-llke things had yet heard he
say, and it gave me q great deal O
amused pleasure.
HE has been telling some Yer.
amusing stories of his student DAYS"
observed. What wonderfully goo
English he speaks.
vas able To observe her easily in tn
shaded light, without making my oh
SeryatiOn too marked She loOket
anxious while spoke of him.
He turned directly towards us now
and sang a passionate serenade straigh
a. our corner. Sine grew very uneasy
: and moved her head. as if to escap'
from the spell of his 9ice, and as h'
: sang more passionatCly she turned ant
: looked at me, and there were tears il
her eyes.
Why | should have felt chilled an'
/ angry I DO not know. / rose anC
> moved across the room, coming be
: tween them as / went.
; The song was ended. He whispere,
E -, NJ