Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-01-12

tue bdtu-ItD. otduulHS OuG 1lteiC
beyond the others, as if but just
showed in, was Mr. Smiths own pam
phlet on Bacteria. She was sure
of the vanity of authors. He would
at least take this down to see if any
passages were marked, and might be
Iured into the perusal of some other
books.
Mrs. Botkire pinned on the wall
some colored illustrations of various
forms of bacteria. and then surveyed
the effect with the calm satisfaction OF
q general who foresees the success Of
his mannuvres. She sighed regret
fully that she could not bring herself
to introduce into the room few sam
pies of the germ culture" that her
husband was carrying ON, but she felt
that she must draw the line at living
germs.
She smiled again To be sure, Mr..
Smith might think her husband rather
eccentric in pursuing his studies in
this room, but he would certainly feel
that he had found congenial spirit
in a man who could not tear himself
away from his beloved bacteria even
in his bath.
She had done all she could. With
this virtuous feeling she was able to
go about her occupations for the day,
and in the afternoon even banished
the thought of her expected guest
enough to take a quiet nap.
She was awakened by knock at her
door, and the maid handed her a card
bearing the seemingly innocent in
scription, "Mr. Worthington Smith. :"
She was filled with q nervous fear,
and her heart beat fast as she walked
down the stairs. She fingered outside
the drawing room as long as she dared,
and then, putting her trust in the
bathroom, walked in and greeted her
visitor with a smile of timid welcome.
He did not look at all alarming
She was surprised to see that he was
young, darkly handsome, and dressed
with more regard to fashion than the
scientific mind generally deigns to be-
stow. He saw her timid air and blonde
beauty with evident admiration.
After the first polite commonplaces,
Mr.. Smith smilingly observed, "Pro-
fessor Botkine's recent researches
have been of such interest to scien-
rife men that they must lay him open
to a great deal of persecution from in
quiring admirers, but"
ooh, not at ALL" she answered,
rather incoherently cor, rather, ]
should say, he likes to be prosecuted
that is" with some confusion) che
will be delighted to find you here when
he returns In the meantime, hope
that you will let me look after you"
Mr.. Smith thought that he should
like nothing better, but contented
himself with remarking:
Thank you, very much. Perhaps
me few things I should like to know
about Professor Botkine's theories on
bacteria.
He was surprised to see a deep flush
and look of distress come over her
face, and, before she could answer, he
hastened to add: ''But [ fear that l
am trespassing on your time. Pray,
do not let me incommode you. [ have
some uncut pamphlets in my satchel
wait" and he looked down embar-
rassed.
A furtive feeling of relief crept for
a moment into her eyes. Then the
thought that she could not be guilty
of euch inhospitality as leaving her
guest to shift for himself forced itself
upon her. But here he was, plunging
into science the very first thing and
turning shy besides. Oh, she must
send him off to that bath! 1t seemed
rather awkward, but she nerved her
self to the effort.
mo, Mr.. Smith, she said, gayly,
II am sure that 1 could not tell you
anything on the subject, and [ can
not think of leaving you here alone.
You must let me make you comfort
able. | know that after your journey
you would like bath. -
He looked amazed and then en-
barrassed.
THANK you, very much, Mrs. Bot
kline" he stammered, "but I do not
care at all for bath / shall do very
we'll here, and"
"No, mol" she said, nervously; 81
know that you are only afraid that
there is no hot water on such warm
day, and you do not wish to give
trouble"
He put out his hand and tried to in
terrupt her, but she shook her head
and went on rapidly:
cit is all ready. Everything is in
the bath room, and | will ring for
James to show you up"
He looked thunderstruck at her in
sistence.
''But, assure you, Mrs. Botkine, ;"
he exclaimed, ''it is not at all worth
while. /"
''Not another word, ii you please,
Mr.. Smith. You will really annoy
me if you refuse"
She thought to herself that he little
knew how more than annoyed she was
at the thought of his possible ques-
tions. As the manservant appeared,
she said:
''James, take this gentleman's
satchelsto the guest chamber and show
him 10 the bathroom"
Mr.. Smith endeavorei to hang back
and say something, but Mrs. Botkine
smilingly waved her hand toward the
stairs and walked into another room.
She had looked alternately vexed and
triumphant.
AS he followed James, Mr.. Smith
remarked to himself that before this
experience he would have vowed that
she was too pretty to be eccentric.
He had no wish to bathe, but fearing
to vex her, meekly proceeded to per
form his ablutions.
She, meantime, was vastly relieved.
She smiled to herself at the thought
of how unwilling ne had seemed to
give the slightest trouble.
81 suppose he thought we Amer1-
cans never had any decent facilities
for q BATH" she reflected. Then: