San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-28
AT 1890 P. N.

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friends Not, however, because he was iras
upon him; and each year of the ten he had lived
chile, for it was by fits and starts only that
he snapped and snarled; but because he was
upsociable, and the habits Of the recluse grew
alone in his modest fiat in Mordicamp Man
sions no had withdrawn more and more from
society, and the few frieRds 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
rapidly; and there was look in his beauti-
| full, Keen eyes sometimes that made senti-
meRtal women when they caught it, which
was not often, say he had "a story"
And so he had but the book wherein it was
written down was closed and put away ten
years ago, before he became famous-before
he came to Mordieamp Mansions One or two
old friends, such as Tom Teesdale and his
wife, knew the story, and willingly would
they have written the chapter, which was still
untold, in their own way. But the doctor
stoutly declared that it would never be writ
ten-while he lived-and what could the
kindest friend do or say but just listen to him
and submitf
When the story began, as stories so often
do, with a tender and even romantic love
passage, Marmaduke Gray had not reached
the professors chair which he now so ably
filled, butit 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 delightful
companion if 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 perfecting the deductions made
from the discoveries that followed the pa
tent labor of years (how his fine eyes spark
led and how the words poured from his elO-
quent lips as he talked of his work y when the
fat above his own was let, and every nerve
quivered when he heard piano tuner at
work in the room over bis study.
For days and days, before the professor
spoke Of his grievance, the Tepslales knew
that something had gone wrong
Then it all came out bit by bit, and it had
to do with the tenant on the third doOr
SIZE plays the piano from morning til
night he said one evening as lie walked up
and down Mrs. Teesdalcs drawing room 1t
was then about o'clock
But with a padded ceiling surely the
sound is mufflei"
intensified, you mean The padding is q
fraud! Why did she take that flat!" and the
professors long slender fingers routed up his
hair. 1t was cropped Close 50 he could no;
do much harm.
GU are sure it is a woman
YES read her name on the indicator in
the hall-Mrs Vernon. And she is always
at home"
Silence for few seconds, then he added.
with a funny little break in his voice-not
the sort Of sound one would expect from a
professor: Il should not mind 80 much if She
lid not play her music. 1t seems like retri
button that | should be condemned to listen
to it every day, and yet not-not from
Margery."
Mr.. and Mrs. Teeeiae exchanged a rapid
glance. 1t was the first time the professor
had uttered that name for years.
How | used TO abominate Chopin and all
his works." the clear voice with now pa
thetic note in it, went on, and tie professors
eyes spurklcd almost as il they We're Wet
As he reached the far end of the room in his
walk he was seen to take out lis handkerchief
but when lie passed once more into the circle
o. light the man of science was himself |
again.
Il am not going to bear it much longer"
he said, In a cool, matter-of-fact tone. If |
she insists upon playing all day long | must |
move. Fancy being driven from a comfort
able home by a tWkIing piano"
do not be in a hurry. You will get a..
clIstOraed to it il time.
Accustomed" The professor was getting |
cross. Il have done my best" Iirs Ties, |
dale smiled, she knew what his best was |
Il set my will to work to force myself not to |
listen, and might have succeeded if -
If she had'not played like Margery."
The professor started as if be had been
struck by bullet. You must not speak of |
herr he cried out
But you said her name yourself this mo |
ment, you inconsistent mortalr
Very likely but that is no reason for SUD
posing that can bear it from you.
But you ought to bear it, and what is |
more, you ought to put an end to this es |
arrangement. believe you are just as fond |
Of her as you were ten Years ago"
Fond Of her What put that into your
headf am not the man was ten yearsago.
have no time for love and nonsense"
Please answer my question"
You did not ask one"
Pardon me. asked you if you were not |
in love- Thcre | wonder if any one ever
say professor blushing beforeF
"Pish Rubbish You. make me look like
a FOOL" the professor grumbIed; and he lnng
himself into a chair, and took up q news |
paper wherewith he screened his face.
You cannot deny that Size was q very |
pretty woman" he was heard to mutter, as |
he presently turned the sheet
Mrs. Teesdale knew her man. She let him |
alone for ten minutes, and then challenged !
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