The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-12-08
WASITFATE?

= many years standing; so long, in fact, as to
make rather middle-agei men Of us DO tn
were 1t not that 2tt intimacy dAtes from
Childhood. We We're both Born and brought
hp on neighboring manors in one of the mid
land shires Of England, went to school to-
gether, and subsequently to the university,
where our friendship naturally continued,
owing partly to early associations and
tpartlS 10 similarity Of tastes In certain
directions, Was, perhaps; mora Inclined to
be studi6ua, knowing that, being younger
son my future depended largely on my own
exertionS, while Arthur; On the ether hand,
was heir to very comfortable Estate; Which
BY the law Of eitaii descended I'd him On the
deceass 6f his Uncle. whose family consisted
of Oh only daughter Helen Armitage was
hot the sort 81 Gill to attract particular at
tention; Or fof men to go into rapsodies
ever. Slight and petite OF figure, neutral in
complexion and hair. shy and retiring in the
company of strangers, her one charm con-
sisted in a rare sweetness of disposition and
grace OF manner, which made her
a universal favorite, and 30 over
Swallowed her Deficiencies In ether re-
sIeets, al to make one Obvious to theft ex;
istence after being short while in her COM
pany. Brought up as it were, in the shadow
| Of Hayden Hai-our places we're adjoining,
as have said-f had ample opportunity to
estimate the character OIL Arthur's gentle
cousin, and to regard her with sentiments of
affection, though these were purely Platonic
in character. In fact, can conceive Helen
Armitage as inspiring sentiments ofahy ether
| character.
Ny friend Arthur and myself sometimes
individually, very frequently Id c0Ihpans;
used to pay flying visits of week, or SO at
q time to the country houses offriends during
| vacation. One house to which Arthur was
particularly fond of going was that of the
Boothby's, Boothby Court being within easy
riding or driving distance of Hayden Hall.
These was, however, q more potent reason
than mere accessibility orpleasant surround
ings would generate. Ethel Boothby was
not alone the richest, but also the handsom-
est heiress in the neighborhood, and Arthur
was Of that susceptible age, which SUBJ
ordinates the former quality to the latter,
! the more so as he had no need what
ever to, as it is yulgarly called, marry
| money. That his feelings we're reciprocated
can not be wondered at, considering that
| Arthur was only 90 built like Hercules and
Of a peculiarly frank and agreeable disposi-
| ton.
| One forenoon-it was in the Summer term
| AS was sitting in my rooms, smoking and
| cogitating, my friend Arthur came in abrupt
| ly, as was his wont, and proceeded to make
| himself at home.
~ say, old fellow" he suddenly blurted
| out, after lighting cigar and smoking
minute or two in silence, 'do you believe in
/ astrology?"
"Why, what on earth has put that in your
head?" l asked, astonished at such ques'
| ton coming as it did from such source.
"Simply this: correspond, as you know.
with Ethel pretty regularly, but within the
| last Two or three weeks haven't had line
from her. Now Captain Horrocks, of the
Twelfth, whom you met at my rooms last.
| night, has just been paying visit to Booth
by Court and he tells me there is fellow
there-an army man, think-who is con-
foundedly sweet upon Ethel and he says she
| seems to be spooning him pretty lively, too.
Now, it's impossible for me to go down even
for day just now and see how matters
stand-1H lose my term if l do. And yet l
am awIuily anxious to know. Do you think
| a fellow could find out anything By consult
ing IN astroloSer? Ihear there's fellow here
now who's a regular dab ut the business they
say"
The twinkle in his eye and the humorous
expression playing around his mouth as he
ohnw hot Arr, if0or load
the absurity of his own remarks, for he was as
sensible, matter-of-fact a fellow as you could
find anywhere; yet the very fact of his max
ing such proposition also went to show
that hewas more troubled than he cared to
acknowledge about thereports he had heard.
"Bahp' | said you don't mean to tell me
that you believe in any such rubbish. Don't
make q fool of yourself. Depend upon it,
what you've heard is considerably stretched.
These stories always are"
We'll" he returned, II think so myself,
and 40 for astrology, of course you know
me too well to suppose have any confidence
In it. But suppose we go and see the fellow
at any rate?" lie continued, as if caught by
sudden inspiration. Did you ever consult
one? Have you got anything particular to
do? confess I'm curious to see how the
things worked-how they cast q horoscope,
isn't it7 Suppose we go,just for fun, and have
anything, provided the thing to he done
possesses features of novelty or interest, and
as Arthur Armitage and myself, at the age
Of 20, were no exceptions to the rule, it was
agreed that we should visit the astrologer
In question without delay.
"How did you find out about him?" /
asked, as we turned into High Street, where
Armftage said he lodged
From Benson, of Corpus-you know Ben
son-he should know if anybody knows; al
ways dabbling in such things, Benson says
he's q regular swell. Come up here to con-
suit old works in the Bodleian: He's not
one OF your professionalism, no! A
thorough gentleman l hear-man of indie
pendent means-no such o thing as fee-in
fact requires introduction to CALL got
mine from Benson-Benson believes in it
th.t's partly what influenced me this morn
ing" and SO Armitage rambled on as we
sauntered down the street, till we reached a
house few doors beyond the Angel, where
We understood the parsonage we were in
quest of was staying.
We sent up our cards, along with Armi-
tage's letter of introduction, by the servant
who answeGd our inquiry az to whether Mr..
Asgard was at home. A few minutes later we
received an answer in the affirmative, with
an invitation to come in. as the gentleman
would be pleased to see us. venerable,
but pleasant looking gentleman, with a pa
triarchal white beard, rose from a table as
we entered, and courteously asked US to be
seated.
You ore friends of Mr.. Benson" he began,
"and am always glad to welcome acquaint-
ances of my young friend, who evinces such
laudable enthusiasm with regard to our d.
vine science. The day ia not far distant, my
young friends, when the chair of astrology in
this ancient university will command as much
respect and be held in as high esteem as any
Of those filed by your most learned and
talented professors. The exalted science of
which am the humble, though earnest ex-
ponent has too long suffered from the disre-
pute into which it has fallen through the in
famous and fraudulent practices of ignorant
and designing men, but am confident it will
not be long before it regains the proud posi-
ton it once held, as queen OF the practical
sciences, in that it confers greater and more
lasting benefits upon human life than it is
possible for any of the other sciences, useful
though they be, to bestow. But Iiorget." he
proceeded. checking himself and in q lighter
tone. "you did not come here to hear me lee
ture-you have enough of that in your regu-
lar course-you came, doubt not, to ask me
something, too seek information upon some