Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-12
THE VOICE OF SCIENCE.
RUPERT sTARES WINS HIS WIFE wITE A
PHoNOGRAPH'S AID.

Mrs. ESdaile, of the Llndens, BircleS.
pool, was lady of quite remarkable
scientific attainments. AS honorary sec.
retary of the ladies' branch of the local
Electric Society she shone with never
failing brilliance. 1t was even whisper ed
that on the occasion of the delivery of
Professor Tomlinson's suggestive lecture
ON the "Perigenesis of the Plastidule she
was the only woman in the room who
could follow the lecturer even as far as
the end of his title.
Rose Esdaile had just passed her 20th
year, and was looked upon as one of the
beauties of Birchespool. Her face was,
perhaps, trifle long for perfect symne
try, but her eyes We're fine, her expression
kindly, and her complexion beautiful. 1t
was an open secret. too, that she had un
der her fathers will $500 year in her
own right. With such advantages far
palmer girl than Rose Esdaile might
create stir in the society of provincial
town.
A scientific conversazione in a private
house is an onerous thing to organize, yet
mother and daughter had not shrunk
from the task. On the morning of which
l write they sat together surveying their
accomplished labors, with the pleasant
feeling that nothing remained to be done
save to receive the congratulations OF
their friends.
With the assistance of Rupert. the son
of the house, they had assembled from
all parts of Birches pool objects of scien
tific interest, which now adorned the
long tables in the drawing room. In
deed, the full tide of curiosites of every
sort which had sweled into the house had
overfowed the rooms devoted to the
meeting, and had surged down the
broad stairs to invade the dining room
and the passage. The whole villa had
become a museum.
You We really managed it splendidly,
ma" said the young lady, craning her
neck up to give her mother a congratu
iatory kiss. at was so brave of you to
undertake it..
Il think that will do, purred Mrs. Es-
daile complacently. But do hope that
the phonograph will work without a
hitch. You know at the last meeting OF
the British Association 1 got Professor
Standerton to repeat into it his remarks
on the life history of Medusiform Como
phore.
How funny it seems, exclaimed Rose,
glancing at the square, boxlike appara-
tus which stood in the post of honor on
the central table, to think that this wood
and metal will begin to speak just like a
human being"
Hardly that, dear. Of course, the
poor thing can say nothing, except what
is said to it. You always know exactly
what is coming. But do hope that it
will work all right.
Rupert will see to it when he comes
up from the garden. He understands all
about them. Oh, ma, feelso nervous.
Mrs. Esdaile looked anxiously down at
her daughter and passed her hand caress-
ingly over her rich brown hair. II
understand" she said in her soothing.
cooling voice, II understand.
"He will expect an answer tonight,
ma"
Follow your heart, child. am sure
that have every confidence in your good
sense and discretion. would not die.
tate to you upon such matter"
"You are so good, ma. Of course, as
Rupert says, we really know very little
of Charles-of Captain Beesly. But then.
ma, all that we do know is in his favor "
"Quite so, dear. He is musical and
well inforMed, and good humored, and
certainly handsome. 1t is clear, too,
from what he says, that he has moved in
the very highest circles.
"The best in India, ma. He was an
intimate friend of the Governor Generals.
You heard yourself what he said yester-
day about the ID Arches and Lady Gwend-
oline Fairfax and Lord Montague Gros-
venor."
well, dear, said Mrs. Esdaile resign
edly, you are old enough to know your
own mind shall not attempt to die
tate to you. own that my own hopes
were set upon Professor Stares."
"Oh, ma, think how dreadfully ugly he
is"
But think of his reputation, dear.
Little more than 80, and member of the
Royal Society"
II couldn't, ma. don't think ! could
if there was not another man in the
world But, oh, l do feel so nervous ;
for you can't think how earnest he is.
] must give him an answer tonight.
But they will be here in an hour. Don't
Won think we had better 20 TO our rooms? "