The record-union., 1894-03-31
THE PROFESSORS.

The second evening after the departure
of the LaplOcks for the continent, two
hearty, handsome men, still within the
pleasant and hopeful neighborhood of 30
years of age, entered the beautiful grounds
of Rosemary Villa, and proceeded leis-
urely and confidently along the avenue
Of sycamores toward the Laplock man
sion.
"Tom Tarbot," exclaimed Professor
Winfield Rodgers, the geologist, with
sudden start, ''bless me, if that little
speech of mine for the hand of Cecil Lap
lock is not at this moment as lost as the
lost Atlantisi''
'Oh, bother the speech, Rodgers! 1
shall Just tell them plainly that l love
Janet Denham; that [ wish to make her
my wife; that if they consent. we will be
very happy, and that If they don't Pll
have her anyhow"
"You forget, Tom, she is ward, and
under protection of the court. You might
lind yourself in contempt, and further
still, in jail, my dear Tarbot."
"Whew! l never thought of thatn'
'But Pm in worse predicament than
that. The odds are against me for con-
sent in the first place, and then, Tom, if
l finally secure it, think Of my fate with
mother-in-laW and an omnipresent aunt
like the Laplock family Mind and that
maiden sister OF the tertiary epoch! Why.
Laplock himself is a positive ray Of sun
shine, but how could one ever tow those
two old female glaciers into latitude
where they would melt? It's impossi-
ble."
"Confound it! The house looks as
though there were to be funeral. Can't
be possible anything has happened?''
suggested Tarbot in alarm, as they gained
the entrance and rang the bell.
A servant-a strange face and sour
one-answered their call. The Professors
were about to enter, as their con-
slant coming and familiar acquaint-
ance warranted, but the servant held the
door and stood before them uncOmpro-
misingly.
suggested Rodgers to the maid insinuat-
ingly, 1--WE have an engagement here this
evening, my good woman"
THAT is,' said Tarbot sub rosa to his
friend, and with melancholy exaspera-
ton, 1--WE hope to have"
sIhe Laplocks is away" said the maid
sharply.
"Away?'' they both echoed. mot
not all of them?"
"Yes, everybody. Travelin' on tn
continent"
"Travelin' on the continent?"
"Ye es; Indefinitely. as is instructions"
"Indetinitely?" gasped the Professors,
and then obviously at each other.
And they left no word for US; for the
the Professors?'
"Ob, yes; word wus left"
'From Cecil?" briskly inquired Rodg
ers.
From Janet?" as anxiously asked
Tarbot.
"From Mrs. Laplock," was the indif-
ferent answer. 'She said as 'oW to tell you
if you be th' Professors that's been
hangin' round-as 'twasn't no use. The
misses is bespoke elsewhere: anil prob'ly
ave husbands ash become 'em, long afore
th' family comes backp'
The maid here shut the door with
smart bang, and the two upon the outside
heard the bolt click into its place and the
chain go up with a rattle and clang OF
disheartening irrevocability.
They passed down the stone steps and
ont along the broad avenue, arm in arm,
almost as il for mutual support. Not
word was spoken by either until they
had reached the street. There. under
meath the great lamps of the entrance
arch, they turned and gazed tixedly for
time in each others faces.
speaking of glaciers" Tarbot at last
yentured, lit rather seems that there has
been some radial glaciation quite re-
Gently, reaching 10 our vicinity"
Exactly" groaned Rodgers, land we
are the powdered detEius OF the result.
Jehosephat. Tom, [ can't think that
Cecil, Janet or poor little Laplock have
had hand in this infamous business?"
ION the contrary, they are its victims
along with us. See here. old BOY, Well
not suffer this sort of shameful defeat at
all. You have your heart set upon study
inc the moraines of Norway"
''Precisely, Tarbot! And you, the min
eralogy and the theory of double axis OF
eruption OF Mount Etna?"
Their right hands came together with
a hearty crack and their lett hands
clapped each others shoulders reassur-
ingly, as they instantly comprehended
their mutual meaning, while purpose
and plan came alike. and like flood OF
enthusiastic determination, almost stimuli
taneously from their lips.
We'll start Immediately after the
Christmas holidays!"
.'And find Cecil and Janet and dear
old Laplock, if it's the last act of our
livesr'
"And when we find them"