The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-05

queerer every time | see him. Can 1t be
that too much learning Is making him
mad? Pshaw' In spite Of his learned
reputation the mans whole brain could
be packed in n nutshell lie has never
accomplished anything in the scientific
world. and he never will. A plodder. and
as dull as ploddcrs always are. A certain
amount OF intelligence, but learned in tho
strict sense of the term-pshaw!" And
more in the same strain.
The invention was success, the pro-
fessor was convinced of that but success
had brought large amount Of unhappi
ness with it. Here was his friend, the
friend of his youth and manhood, and
one whom he expected TO be the friend Of
his old age, thinking such thoughts as
these Of him-and speaking them, too,
perhaps II was hard bow, for under
his commonplace aspect the professor had
a warm heart, and he was loyal and sin
cerc TO the core in spite Of his habitual
seeming Indifference lie is not old
either. Take of the near sighted spec
tacles and trim the hair and beard, and
he would be Il handsome man, and young
one. too
lie next experimental On fippant
young man who had only called at the
house u few times and was startled at
the lcvity and blackness of his thoughts |
There was mention Of horse races and
betting. diamonds and ballet girls, debts |
and Cards-all foreign subjects to the |
professor. whose youth had been one OF |
hard study and self denial, end even in |
his later years he had studied books more
than men and wOmcn-so much more had |
he studied books that his fellow mortals |
were almost entirely unknown to him
and this man, this butterfly this giddy, |
frivolous creature was terror.
Shortly afterward he heard the doctors |
voice in the hall for All instant, and on
looking out he saw that the hat was gone. |
He closed his door carefully and sat down /
and waited. A few minutes later both |
Bertha and the doctor were in the hall TO |
gether, and then they went away again
and he heard their voices on the piazza.
He opened his door stealthily and looked
out into the hall The hat was there Ilo
listened attentively. then crept forward
softly and seized il Once more iii his
study. he closed and locked the door, as he |
had done 80 many times. He hastily
crossed the large room. lighted only by
student lamp taking the paper from the
hat as he did 50 The hat rolled, IN
heeded 10 the floor at his feet as he seated
himself and leaned forward to read the
paper And this Is what he read
Bertha my beloved ny own! That accused
husband II yours To win you and cast you
lside. Brute that he Is on Bertha. my love
81 hat IS the tie that binds YOU 10 himY iIab |
ink that could easily be snapped asuDder by |
'O3H soft. white fingers, He sc0FBs YOU and I
- Oh, heavens one smile from sou, one |
ouch Of your hand, Is more to me than life itself
y GOD. The thought Of possessing you makes |
ny brain reel and my body irembiel You mus
I'VE him up-break entirely with that cur who
as driven you from him oh, my love- como 10
ne
The professor could read no more
luiyeriDg with rage, he started up, with
cry Of passion and anger.
Curse him" he muttered grinding his |
eeth ITO make love to Bertha under |
ny very eyes A married woman; how |
are he love her. How dare he think of
her. A frail link to be |
mapped asunder' The vile wretch, the |
erpentl But | have fonnd him out |
hanks to my invention, and he never
arkens my doors again. Bertha to be the
icy of such a man as this His very |
resence pollutes her. II
His foot touched something 1t was
be hat, and lac kicked it furiously all
round the room As he reached again
ne circle of the light shed by the lamp (
he hat. though by this time badly bat
'red. presented Il somewhat familiar ap.
parance. lie picked it up and examined
The hat was his own, and he had been !
.ading his own thoughts He remcm
.red wearing it rs he walked up and
OWN the hall but how he had made the
istake Of placing the paper i'll his own
al he could not explain.
How long he sat asleep he never knew,
ut nc was reused by hearing footsteps on
&C piazza just out side OF his window and
It doctors voice said.
And now hat lac is dead, Bertha, my
we, YOU will let me tell you how much ! .
NC you? You viii promise to be my :.
life darling
And Bertha's sweet voice answered It
Yes frank Leslies.