The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-10
CHAPTER III.

the face, with beady black eyes and q
short, black beard, with an aggressive
bristle. Thought and work had left
their traces upon his face. but he moved
with the brisk activity Of a man who
had not yet babe goodby to his youth.
"I'm in luck's way" he cried. Il
wanted to see you.
"Then come back into the library"
said the professor. "You must stay and
have lunch with u.s..
The two men entered the hall, and
the professor led the way into his pri-
vate sanctum He motioned his compan-
ion into an armchair.
81 trust that you have been success
full, O'Brien," said he. II should be
loath to exercise any undue pressure
upon my sister Ada, but / have given
her TO understand that there is no one
whom / should prefer for brother-in-
law to my most brilliant scholar, the
author of Some Remarks Upon the Bile
Pigments, With Special Reference to
Urobilin.
"You are very kind, Professor Grey
you have always been very kiad,
said the other. II approached Miss urey
upon the subject She did not say No >"
"She said Yes, then?"
"No; she proposed to leavr the mat
ter open until my return from Edin-
burgh. go today, as You know, and ]
hope TO commence my research tomor-
row."
"On the Comparative Anatomy Of
the Vermiform Appendix by James
McMurdo O'Brien, said the professor
sonorously. "It is glorious subject-a
subject which lies at the very root Of
evolutionary philosophy.
''Ah, she is the dearest girl, " cried
O'Brien, with "a sudden little spnrt Of
Celtic enthusiasm. 'She Is the soul OF
truth and of honor. F."
1.-The vermiforn appendix
the professor.
"She is an angel from heaven" in
terrupted the other. II fear that it is
my advocacy of scientific freedom in
religious thought which stands in my
way with her. i"
You must not truckle upon that
point You must be true to your con-
victions. Let there be no compromise
there.
''My reason is true to agnostioism,
and yet L am conscious of n void-a
vacuum. had feelings at the old church
at home between the scent of the incense
and the roll of the organ, such as have
ever,experienced in the laboratory or
tho loctura. .rcnrn >,
"Sensuous, purely sensuous, said
the professor, rubbing his chin. "Vague
hereditary tendencies, stirred into life
by the stimulation of the nasal and au-
ditory nerves. -
Maybe SO, maybe So" the younger
man answered thoughtfully, ''but this
was not what / wished to speak TO you
about Before enter your family your
sister and you have a claim to know all
that can tell you about my career. OF
my worldly prospects have already
spoken TO you. There is only one point
which have omitted to mention. / am
widower.
The professor raised his eyebrows
"This is news indeed" said he.
81 married shortly after my arrival
in Australia. Miss Thurston was her
name. met her in society. 1t was a
most unhappy match"
Some painful emotion possessed him.
His quick, expressive features quivered,
and his white hands frightened upon the
arms of the chair. The professor turned
away toward the window. "You are
the best Judge" he remarked, "but i
should not think that it was necessary
to go into Details"
lyon have a right to know every
thing-you and Miss Groy. 1t is not
matter on which can well speak to her
direct. Poor jimmy was the best of wom-
en-, but she was open to fattery, and
she was liable to be misled by design
Grey. 1t is a hard thing to say of the
dead, but she was untrue to me. She
fed TO Auckland with man whom she
had known before her marriage. The
brig which carried them foundered, and
not soul was saved. I"
'This is very painful, O'Brien, said
the professor, with a deprecatory mo-
tlOu VI Ills Il Cti1ilOb ttt, uOW-
ever, how it affects your relation to my
sister,. -
II have eased my conscience" said
O'Brien, rising from his chair. II have
told you all there is to tell. should not |
like the story TO reach you through any
lips but my own"
"You are right, O'Brien. Your ac-
ton has been most honorable and con-
siderate But You are not to blame in |
the matter, save that perhaps you show
ed a little precipitancv in choosing a
life partner without care and in
luiry."
O'Brien drew his hand across his
Eyes. Poor grip he cried. "God help
me, love her stilll But 1 must 60"
"You will lunch with us?''
"No, professor; have my packing
still TO do / have already babe Miss
Grey adieu. In two months / shall see
vou again"
"You will probably find me mar
-ied man.