Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-07-30

him. 1t seems to me ne would be dan
gerous IL enraged."
The doctor smiled grimly. II his
mother had known, as he did, to what
excess Of rage the professor was sub
ject she would hardly have let him 60
70 readily.
prof. Drummond does not dare
trouble me-" he said confidently; but
/ do not intend to provoke him"
In the hall near Amefia's door the
doctor saw Betsey Hubbard gliding
slowly along.
"A fit inmate Of the professors
house." he reflected. "She moves about
as silently and apparently as aimlessly
as a cat. What can she be up to? Why
does she stay here after her place has
been taken? Or why does Mrs. Apple
ton stay?
He stopped under the impulse TO
speak I Betsey, and she looked over
her shoulder as IL she, TOO, wished TO
say something; bat as he hesitated she
glided on.
.rll have to think up something in
order TO lead her into a conversation"
thought the doctor. FOR the present
| require all the craft and dissimula-
tiepI can muster with the professor"
At the foot OF the stairs he heard
Philbrick's light-hearted tones from
the direction of the dining room. a
low rfppele of laughter assured him
that Louise was, as usual, giving the
visitor admiring audience. A low rum
BILE of bass from the % across the
hall testified to the professors where
abouts. The doctor Knocked az the
door, and an instant later the profess
sor opened IL.
"Ah, doctor he said, with an APP
proach of his ordinary blandness,
something wanted Cor the patient?"
"No, thanks" replied the doctor. II
wanted a word with you on a matter
not directly connected with the pa
tent. II you are engaged, I'll wait"
Greatly surprised at the doctors
agreeable manners-for since Amelia's
illness the young man had been curt
to the point OF i~nsult-Prof. Drum
mond looked across TO the dining room.
He, too, heard Philbrick's voice, and,
after a slight hesitation, said:
Come In here. / am alone"
81 thought l heard" began the doc
tor.
II was discussing domestic details
with Mrs. Appleton" remarked b
professor In a rather loud voice. she
went out by the other door IN you
knocked"
The doctor entered the o n
Prof. Drunmond closed the door. :.
after what has passed, professor
sd the doctor, ~unsteadily, finding 1t
more difficult than he had supposed to
play a part, 1T is rather hard to begin
a conversation with you on even terms.
| have used very harsh language
Don't mention II, my dear boy; eat
OF passion, you know; very natural i
err myself in the same way"
II am glad you fes that no apollo
gies are called for on either side. 1
have come. however, not TO speak Tor
myself. but for my mother"
Your motherT exclaimed the pro-
fessor, rervously. Really
"She has told me OF your pro-
posaN"
"You internal young idiot! What do
you mean?"
The professors capacity for rage
was great, as the doctor already knew,
but he was unprepared for the sud
denness with which it burst ferth now.
AS usual. of late, the professor made
a strong effort to control himself, with
the result that he shook 50 that the
room seemed to vibrate.
DIR. Williams was completely taken
back.
"She tells me you proposed mar
riage." he retorted, after a little pause
of establishment.
Prof. Drummond's mouth vas open
t. speak, but only an inarticulate rat
tie sounded there. Another voice
spoke, however, with sufficient clear
ness and emphasis.
Conincident with the words a tall
screen standing before the fireplace
fell down. and there stood Mrs. APP
pleton, with eyes ablaze and cheeks
atlame.