Evening journal., 1891-11-30
THE VOICE OF SCIENCE.

Mrs. Esdaile, Of the 'Lndens, Birches-
pool, was a lady of quite remarkable seien-
tific attainments. As honorary secretary
Of the ladies' branch OF the local Eclectic
society she shone with never failing bril-
lance. 1t was even whispered that on the
occasion Of the delivery Of Professor Tom
linson's suggestive lecture on the peri
genesis Of the Plastidule" she was the only
woman ia the room who could follow the
lecturer even as far as the end Of his title.
1t would have been q strange thing had
Mrs Bsdaile not been popular among local
scientists, for her pretty house, her charm
ing grounds, and all the hospitality which
an income OF e2,000 a year will admit OF,
were always at their command. On her
pleasant lawns In the summer, and around
her drawing room fire in the winter. there
was much high talk OF microbes and
leucocytos and sterlized bacteria, where
thin. ascetic materialists from the univer
sity upheld the Importance Of this life
against round, comfortable companions OF
orthodoxy from the cathedral close And
in the heat OF thrust and parry, when sci
entific proof ran full tilt against inhexible
faith, a word from the clever widow, or an
opportune rattle over the keys by her
pretty daughter, Rose, would bring all
back to harmony once more.
Rose Esdaile had just passed her twenti-
eth year, and was looked upon as one OF
the beauties Of Birchespool. Her face was,
perhaps, trille long for perfect symmetry,
but her eyes were fine, her expression kind
ly and her complexion beautiful It was
an open secret, too, that she had under her
fathers will e50O a year in her own right.
With such advantages a far palmer girl
~ n u q .ssaltN attFa n In ~
the society Of provincial town.
A scientific Conversations in private
house is an onerous thing to organize, yet
mother and daughter had not shrunk from
the task. On the morning OF which
write they sat together surveying their ac-
complished labors, with the pleasant feel
ing 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 Birchespool objects Of scientific
interest, which now adorned the long tables
in the drawing room. Indeed, the full tide
Of curiosities Of every sort which had
swelled into the house had overiiowed the
rooms devoted to the meeting, and had
suraed down the broad stairs 70 invade the
dining room and the passage. The whole
/ villa had become museum. Specimens Of
/ the Cora and fauna Of the Philippine is
| lands, a lO-foot turtle carapace from the
| Galapagos, the OF fronts Of the Pos months
1 as shot by Captain Charles Beesly in the
| Thibetan Himalayas, the bacilluA OF koct
| cultivated on gelatine-these and a thou
sand other such trophies adorned the table
upon which the two ladies gazed tha
morning
you've really managed It splendidly
ma. said the young lady, craning hel
neck up TO give her mother congratula
tory kiss. 1T was so brave Of you to un
dertake it,"
81 think that will do" purred Mrs. Es
dale complacently. But do hope tina
the phonograph will work without hitch
You know at the last meeting Of the Brit
ish association got Professor Standerto
to repeat into it his remarks on the III
history Of Medusiform Gonophore-"
How funny il seems" exclaimed Ros
| glancing at the square, boxlike apparatr
which stood in the post Of honor on Il
: central table, ITO think that this wood an
!, metal will begin to speak just like h
man being"
Hardly that, dear. or course the po'
y thing can say nothing except what is sa
to it. You always know exactly what
coming. But do hope that it will wol
!, all right"
Rupert will see TO it when he comes
!, from the garden he understands
!. about them. Oh, ma, feel so nervous
n Mrs. Esdaile looked anxiously down
her daughter and passed her hand care
ingly over her rich brown haiF. II und
stand,n she said in her soothing, cool
voice. 81 understand"
"He will expect an answer tonight, mi
Follow your heart child. ! am 81
~ that | have every confidence in your g
sense and discretion. would not dict
~ to YOU upon such a matter"
II, sYou are SO good, ma OF course,
~ Rupert saws, we really know very little
Charles-of Captain Beesly. But th
ma. all that we do know is in his favor.
"Quite SO, dear He Is musical and y
Informed, and good humored, and cert'
" handsome. II is clear, too, from "
he says, that he has moved in the
,he highest circles
~ "The best IN India. ma. He was an
w " innate friend Of the governor gener'
You heard yourself what he said yes
Wy day about the D'Arcies and Lady CIV
y doline Fairfax and Lord Montague e
yenor."
HMell, dear. Salu MIS-. IoNeAiN Ata
edly, "you are old enough to know }
~ own mind. shall not attempt to die
lsue 70 YOU. own that my own hopes y
'eie set upon Professor Stares."
, oh "Oh, ma, think how dreadfully ugl
iE ns is"
1na "But think Of his reputation. dear.
tie more than thirty, and member OF
royal society"
Il couldn't, ma. don't think cou
'f AT there was not another man in the W
.aln @ But oh, do feel so nervous; for you
leae ,'a think how earnest he is. | must give
nv an answer tonight But they will be
over in an hour. Don't you think that we
better 90 to our rooms?"
The two ladies had risen, when
, 49, came a quick, masculine step upon
N ~ stairs, and brisk young fellow,
n, 4 | curly black hair, dashed into the room
"All ready9n he asked, running his
over the lines Of relic strewn tables
"All ready. dear" answered his mt
: ana "Oh. I am glad to catch you toget
aess said he, with his hands buried dee
his trousers pockets and an uneasy e.
sion on his face. There's one thing
- wanted to speak to you about.
here Rosie. bit Of fun is all very
=. but You wouldn't be such little d
to think seriously OF this fellow Bees
'si "Niy dear Rupert, do try 10 be a
you less abrupt said Mrs. Esdaile, Y
your deprecating hand outstretched.
: Wy Il can't help seeing how they hav
WIEN thrown together ] don't want To
AItof 1 Lind poeia hut / can't stand by a