Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-09-04
From the Boston Beacon.
AT i.O:3O 2. M.

clever, very 1raSc1Dle, and he had but
few intimate friends. Not, however,
because he was irascible, for it was by
fits aud starts only that he snapped and
snarled; but because he was unsociable
and the habits of the recluse grew upon
him and each year of the ten he had
lived alone in his modest fiat in Mordi-
camp Mansions he had withdrawn more
and more from society, and the few
friends who really loved and admired
him were sad at heart for the clever
doctor was only just forty, and his dark
hair ought not to be turning gray so rap
idly; and there was look in his beau
tiful, keen eyes sometimes that made
sentimental women. when they caught
it, which was not often, say he had "a
story"
And so he had, bat the book wherein
it was written down was closed and put
away ten years ago, before he became
famous-before he came to Mordicamp
Mansions. One or two old friends, such
as Tom Teesdale and his wi e, knew the
story, and willingly would they have
written the chapter, which was still un-
told, IN their own way. But the Doctor
stoutly declared that 1t would never be
written - while he lived and what
could the kindest friend do or say, but
just listen to him and submit?
When the story began, as stories so
often do, with a tender and even ro-
mantle love passage, Marmaduke Gray
had not reached the professors chair
which he now so ably filled, but it was
we'll known that honors and distinctions
were before him. Indeed, for his age
he was one of the most gifted among
many able cOmpeerS, and a most de-
lightful companion j only you could get
him away from his microscope and his
specimens, wet and dry-living and
dead. He was just on the point of per
hitting his deft hand to escape from the
discoveries that followed the patient
labor of years chow his fine eyes
sparkIed and how the words poured
from his eloquent lips as he talked of
his work., when the fiat above his own
was let, and every nerve quivered when
he beard piano tuner at work in the
room over his study.
For days and days. before the Pro-
fessor spoke of his grievance, the Tees
dales knew that something had gone
wrong.
had to do with the tenant on the third
floor.
"She plays the piano from morning
till night" he said one evening as he
walked up and down Mrs. Teesdale' s
drawing-room. It was then about s
O'Clock.
''But with padded ceiling, surely the
sound is muffied ?''
Intensified, you mean! The padding
is a fraud Why did she take that
fat?" and the professors long, slender
fingers routed up his hair. 1t was
cropped close, so he could not do much
harm.
"You are sure it is woman?"
Eyes. / read her name on the indi-
Gator in the hall-Mrs. Vernon. And
she is always at home"
Silence for a few seconds, then he
added, with funny little break in his
voice-not the sort of sound one would
expect from a professor: 81 should not
mind so much if she did not play her
music. It seems like retribution that |
should be condemned to listen to it ev-
cry day, and yet not-not from-Mar-
gerry"
MIR. and Mrs. Teesdale exchanged a
rapid glance. Tt was the first time the
Professor had uttered that name for
years.
Chow l used to abominate Chopin
and all of his works ~ the clear voice,
with now pathetic note in it, went on,
and the Professors eyes sparkled al
most as if they were wet. AS he reached
the far end of the room in his walk he
was seen to take out his handkerchief,
but when he passed once more into the
circle Of light the man Of science was
himself again.
II am not going to bear it much
longer" he said, iii cool, matter-of-
fact tone. eff she insists upon playing
all day long [ must move. Fancy be-
j IL
tinkling piano ~
''Do not be in hurry You will get
accustomed to it in time
"Accustomedp' The Professor was
getting cross. II have done my best"
Mrs. Teesdale smiled; she knew what
his best was. Il set my will to work to
force myself not to listen, and [ might
have succeeded if"
eff she had not played like Margery."
The Professor started as if he had
been struck by bullet "You must
not speak of hert' he cried out.
"But you said her name yourself this
moment, you inconsistent mortal''
Every likely, but that is no reason for
surprising that | can bear it from you"
t'But you ought to bear it; and what is
enlargement. I believe you are Just as
fond of her as you were ten years ago"
''Fond of her. What put that into
your head? I am not the man I was
ten years ago. have no time for love
and nonsense"
"Please answer my question"
fsYou did not ask one"
pardon me. I asked you if you
were not in love? There / wonder if
any one ever saw professor blushing
before ?''
"Pish! Rubbish. You make me
look like a fool % the Professor grum-
bled: and he flung himself into chair
and took I'D newspaper wherewith he
screened his face.
'You cannot deny that she was very
pretty woman" he was heard to mutter
as he presently turned the sheet.
Mrs. Teesdale knew her man. She
had let him alone for ten minutes, and
then challenged him to a game of chess.
AS they arranged the pieces the Pro-
fessor said:
81 sent polite message the day be-
fore yesterday, stating the hours at
which am out every day; and I asked,
as great favor, that she would practice
during my absence"
IL