Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-27
CHAPTER IL

The next mail brought not only more news
OF our traveller but letters under his own hand
written, however, several months previously
Several Of them were communications for the
learned societies with which he was come cted
The newspapers published them in full and
they were doubtless very interesting. Just
then, however. was more curious about the
man than his discoveries, and read with the
closest attention his private letters to my father
In the hope of finding in them something that
would throw further light on his friends
character and answer the questions which in
spite Of myself were beginning to haunt nv
mind and disturb my peace. Was he the sort
OF man | might let myself love. or he so
devoted to science that there would be room
In his heart for naught else? And what was he
Ike! My father had spoken OF him a fine
fellow and a Hercules. This merely meant that
he was physically strong end that my father
admired him. We had no likeness OF him, for,
as my father informed me, DR.. Herbert could
never be persuaded either 70 sit for his portrait
or pose to photographer.
In short, worked myself up into a very fever
OF curiosity and impotence, and long before
the hero arrived i was quito ready to fall in
love with him at frs: sight.
When we next heard from DR.. Herbert he
was on his way 10 the coast. and not long after
ward We had kilograms from Alden and Alex
sndria the latter Of which fixed the time for
his arrival in London.
Where will no stay?' asked nv father.
with Us. OF course. Tic promised he would
before he went away. We must meet him at
the station Would you Like to go with me?"
Yes. father"
AT length the long-expected day came. MANY
others besides ourselves were a: Charing Cross
and as the train steamed into the station and a
sunburnt face. surrounded by a plth helmet
smiled friendly recognition at my father there
was a great shout of welcome and the men
pushed n shaEa han IL -
the distinguished traveller.
4 remained in the background Watching NV
hrst feeling was one OF disappointment In
m mind had given Herbert the port and
Stature OF a life guardsman. But he was two or
three inches under six feet and his great
breadth OF shoulder and stalwars limbs made
linn look shorter than he really was. More
over. his face was not of the da:k, rcsolute cast
l had imagined and should have preferred
Though burnt brick red by exposure TO the
sun he was naturally light complexIoned; he
had flowing iaxen beard and large blue eyes;
MS HAIR MS closely cropped. aud when he
raised his hat in acknowledgement of the
2IAudits which greeted him the pailor of his
OF his checks.
good face withal. yet not exceptionally
powerful or striking: less so. indeed than the
faces OF several officers of the Indian army who
arrived by the same train
But when my father beckonrd me forward
and introduced US / saw that beneath the
na1en beard were q firm mouth and square,
resolute jaws.
AZ soon as we could free Ourselves from the
thronS we got 10 :he carriage which was wait
Ing outside. and drove to Harley street
~ was pleasant. and, for me, a memorable
evening The party consisted OF ourselves.
one OF my brothers and my aunt Lavinia. who
ever since my mothers death had kent INV
fathers house-a dear old lady OF few ideas aud
many cares.
After dinner we adjourned TO the study. and
Herbert was invited to smoke. which he did
with evident enjoyment He was a good taIker.
and had so much TO tell that even though he
had been bad one his talk would have been
Interesting. He gave us very little science re.
serving that,sas he SAID. for the following even
ing and other occasions, and even my father
was more wishful TO hear something of our
guests adventures thaA to listen to a lecture on
his favorite science.
BESIDES being scientific explorer, Herber,
was IN ardent sportsman. and ne told US some
thrilling stories of encounters with wild ami.
mas and still wilder natives. of hartiships
bravely borne, and deadly perils narrowly es-
capped
Ny father inquired how it was that he had
been 20 long away. He set out with the idea