The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-01-31

thN pihbbhh Nhh AOhkl lOhtib huN
bath blanket; saw that the shower
bath worked and with asigh of relief,
went down stairs to impress the cook
that during the entire afternoon there
must be plenty of hot water in the
boiler.
Suddenly a happy though struck
her; she went into her husband s study
and brought out every book ON bac-
teriology that she could nnd. These
she ranged on shelf a6 The foot of
the bath-tub. Standing ont & little
beyond the others, as if but just
showed in, was Mr.. Smiths own pam
phlet on "Bacteria. She vas sure
of the vanity of authors. Ee would
at least take this down TO see if any
passages we're marked, and might be
lured into the perusal of some other
books.
Mrs. Botkine pinned on the wall
some colored illustrations of various
forms of bacteria, and then surveyed
the effect with the calm satisfaction of
general who foresees the success of
his maneuvres. 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 he 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 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 q card
bearing the seemingly innocent in
scription, "Mr. Worthington Smith.
She was filled with 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 great deal of persecution from in
quiring admirers, but"
"Oh, not at ALL" she answered,
rather incoherently; cor, rather, 1
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, 1 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
you would be so kind as to explain to
me few things l 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
fastened to add: "But L fear that j
am trespassing on your time. Pray,
do not let me incommode you. 1 have
some uncut pamphlets in my satchel
here, and will look them over as i
wait, and he looked down embar-
rassed.
A furtive feeling of relief crept for
n moment into her eyes. Then the
thought that she could not be guilty
of such 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.
''No, Mr. Smith," she said, gayly,
L uul SURF illtl 4 bOulNl hOb lNll you
anything on the subject, and I can
not think of leaving you here alone.
You must let me make you. comfort
able, know that after your journey
you would like a bath. i"
He looked amazed and then en-
barrassed.
'Fhank you, very much, Mrs. Bot
kline, he stammered, "but l do not
care at all for bath. 1 shall do very
we'll here, and"
''No, mol" she said, neryously; 81
know that you are only afraid that
there is no hot water on such a 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:
'It is all ready. Everything is in
the bath room, and 1 will ring for
James to show you up.
He looked thunderstruck at her in
sistence.
"But, I assure you, Mrs. Botkine, -
, he exclaimed, 'it is not at all worth
| while. /"
''Not another word, if you please,
Mr.. Smith. You will really annoy
, me if you refuse.
II. L 4 4 L Al. L TsAAI