Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-03-13

ltso@AG lad tSAe1 MA by &c ~ AAS
H4rls-
Mrs Merle insisted that the professor
should stay until her husband retaraed
At the same time she felt little nerti-
FED 10 think that he might be 80 fright
ened as not 70 put IN AZ appearance
that night. bat she told Tie professor
that She would be glad % entertain him
He waited sotse time snd then thought
IL best 10 return - the hotel The
young physician accompanied hin- As
fortune happeSed. Mr.. Merle and Mrs
Bryce reached the hotel at the same
time. IL was then very nearly twelve
o'clock.
Tbs separated pair were overjoyed 70
find each other, although Mrs Bryce
was nearly blind with headache.
When the young physician, who in some
respects does not resemble his father.
learned this. he insisted on prescribing
for her. She thanked him. but did not
tell aim that all the medicine she needed
was cup of tea and a crust of bread.
The ehivairous member of the bar.
who had called Prof. Bryce out earlier
in the evening had surrnised that things
migslt not be all right, and SO had re-
turned 10 the hotel 10 investigate. On
inquiring at the Office. he had learned
enough TO satisfy himself that his fears
were well grounded He now ap-
preached the professor and begged 70
be allowed 10 take them Immediately
to his own home where every comfort
awaited them. But the illustrioas pair
had already had all the adventures they
desired FOR one night, and 50 they took
rooms at tho hotel and retired.
One can only judge OF their surprise
the next morning when they found
bill for medical services rendered the
night before. OF course this was paid
without a aurmur.
The hospitable member of the bar
who had taken such az interest in them
the night before paid them an early
call, since nc wished to save the frag-
ments Of the reputation Of the city. He
begged them TO be his guests. but they
declined for want of time. When he
found that they wanted to see the con-
stitutional convention of the stste in
session, he accompanied them TO Frank
fort. Then being DESTROYS OF showing
ing them how rapidly an American
town could grow. he took them to
Middle borough in the extreme south
eastern part Of Kentucky.
Mrs. Bryce, like many English
women, is an accomplished rider; so the
three procured saddle horses, since the
steep roads were well-nigh impossible
for vehicles. The party rode up to the
summit of the Cumberland mountains
from whence they had q grand view Of
four states, with scenery diversified
enough to suit the eye Of q chamois.
When the trio were descending they
caught sight Of an object half way up
the mountain side. This object was
moving, and it looked nearest Like the
picture of vampire By a mad painter.
1t seemed to have wings, an enormous
mouth and considerable tail. Prof
Bryce was unable to decide whether it
was the American gyascutus, the forma-
ton of feud or a kentucky orator;
and he very prudently allowed his legal
escort to ride ahead.
They had perhaps descended quartar
OF a mile with great caro-, when the OBJ
ject resolved itself into a very primitive
looking vehicle with u vampire winged
top, drs WI by mule. The driver was
squat low like toad in the center Of
the wagon, which was bouncing from
side to side and threatening every min
ute TO upset. The three were speech
less when they beheld in tho toadlike
figure the person of Mr.. Merle.
Without paying any attention TO the
rest of tho party, he exclaimed with the
tones of something in pain: Mrs.
Bryce, I'm sorry that did not SEQ you
had supper last night. didn't think; I
forgot"
The scene was so intensely ludiorous
that even the sedate historian had hard
work to keep from laughing. The gi-
gantic ear. OF the emaciated mule, the
antediluvian wagon, the painful earn
estness of the object holding the reins,
would hate called forth an amused
smile from Diogcnes-
Mrs. Bryce, with the keen intuition
of woman, took in the situation at
glance. Mr.. Merle, at great inconvsni-
euce and considerable expense had
come two hundred miles TO beg her par
don. Whether he had been influenced
by his own thoughts after considering
the reception his guests had met, or by
II certain woInans broomsticks, did not
matter. The hook of sorrow on his face
would have moved almost anyone.
Mrs. Bryce replied in her kindest
tones: You are perfectly excusable,
Mr. Merle. We all forget many things,
and arc often sbscnt-miudcd. Socrates
had those very characteristics. and none
OF us think any the less Of him for
them. but rather the more. Do not
trouble yourself any moro about that
Tell Mrs. Merle that IL was all right.
and please give her my regardA"
The look of relief which came over
Mr.. Merle's face was like sunrise at
sea- He accompanied them to town,
and took the first train for Louisville as
happy as child. The party saw no
more of him.
Prof and Mr.. Bryce resumed their
southern journey that night. In the
next edition Of his great work. we may
look for chapter entitled. "some Curl
osities of the American Common
wealth. DAVID WRcusLER