The Princeton union., 1892-02-04

- 1liuoii ~ ulsldVOr upon my youthful ap-
peariance and dress and Judged that
my habitual absences were for no
good.
He handed me a card on his tray
and told me that the gentleman was
in the library. : O
The card read: r.,
John William Abernathy,
Andover."
John William Alternately I knew as
a professor Of mental philosophy at
a noted seat Of learning. I could not
imagine what he could want with me.
AS l entered my pretty little library
q tall, gaunt, grizzled gentleman in a
long, tailed coat rose to meetme. His
forehead was bald and shiny, and his
small eyes glimmered behind glasses.
lie evidently was surprised to find
so youthful host. Some of my in
noyatlons in the factory have been
talked about, and may have even
penetrated mental philosophy circles.
lie began at once to tell me his
business: He wanted to ask after my
cousin Nelly ("Miss Helen,'' he called
herr; If she had sufficiently recovered
to see her friends. Mrs. Saltor had
written him several weeks before that
her daughters health was still in a
very precarious state, and she could
not be disturbed by letters or visits,
but Professor Alternately had heard
in some way that she had been out,
and before he attempted to seek her
he would like to know her true state.
And then he smiled a, little and gave
me to understand that ''Miss Helen"
had given him the hope that she
would eventually give her life, in sick
ness or health, into his keeping.
In the most polite manner I could
muster told him that I thought he
had better wait until Mrs. Saltor
signitied her willingness to allow her
daughter. As yet she had seen no
one but her physician and myself.
Alter promising to ask Mrs. Sal
tors permission for the elderly love
to see her daughter bowed the pro-
lessor out, and; sitting down in my
hands and groaned aloud. And then
| walked the floor.
In the midst of my agony there
was q ring at the door bell. I COM
posed my face as much as possible
and sat down.
My visitor was Mr.. Smith, the
bookkeeper at the factory; and he
had a telegram in his hand. It only
needed that to make my position
past endurance, it seemed to me, for
the telegram was from my wife, and
said: "Will be at home Tuesday at
6.3O."
Tomorrow was Tuesday,. I did
not spring up and clap my hands for
joy.
I wondered why Mr.. Smith had
thought it necessary to bring the
telegram instead of sending it by a
messenger; but presently I dis
covered.
After numerous very embarrassed
apologies, he said that he thought it
his duty to warn me that there had
been great many remarks made ty
meddlesome people concerning my
changed manner and appearance, and
some of the conservative old stock
holders in the factory were becoming
alarmed. "Althoughit seems a pity,o
Mr.. Smith said laughing shortly,
"that q man can't buy a new coat
without laying himself out to a
charge of insanity"
Good heavens! had it come to this!
must havelooked Ikea fool. Igot
MIR. Smith out of the house, and I
wentup stairs and took three times
as much brandy as was good for me
and went to bed. Ifelt thatif didn t
have sleep l would Dlow my brains
out.
It was II o'clock next day when l
awoke. s=.>
I told John to bring me in some
strong coffee and I sat miserably
down. -. .. ,". H.
slipped my coffee, and the clock
was just on the stroke of - when
John came in again bringing note
in his hand. .>-.s
1 took it feeling that it made no
difference what happened to me.
Wasn't the end ofthe world coming at
$50 Pm? My head was whirling.
1t was a severe looking little note on
cOmHerclal paper, and this Is What 1t
said:. Ill ..t
81 can not find words to express my sense
of horror at the base advantage you-a rela-
tive, and a man who bears the name of gen.
tlemen-have taken of q woman defenseless
through illness. To-day while walking en-
countered Professor Alternately, and at one
rush my memory returned, making me hor-
ror-struek at the ignominious position you
abetted by DR.. Marsh and my mother-have
striven to place me in. only hope that your
poor wife may neyerknow the circumstances.
! She must have enough to bear in her daily
life. can not long live with my mother and
shall marry Professor Alternately at once. To
him you will be good enough to return my
ring which you wear. Yours unforgivingly,
| HELEN JANE SALToR !"
dragged myself upstairs and took
out my razors. lighted a match
and burned Helen's letter, and then
shaved off that frivolous little mus
tache and left my face clean and bare.
| bundled up all the new shirts and
collars and hats and coats and told
John he might have them on condi-
tion he took them out of the house
and sold them at once, and then I
/ 1,tnH nv 51,o;u :,,o+ $3.50.