Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-07-16
XVIII.


over the old tenant, making him sadly
untrustworthy at times when the de-
mands upon him are greatest. There
fore I regard myself as no exception TO
the general rule-general, that is, so
far as my observation goes-in having
followed irrational courses and behaved
erratically during three weeks or more
Of dissatisfaction, uncertainty, and
doubt. For one of them made myself
miserable through jealousy of the man
Dorothy's aunt had been pleased to
make her guest. Without shadow OF
proof to support the fabric of srecula-
ton I laboriously built up, I contrived
10 persuade myself that he was rival,
favored, of course, for his wealth and
position. Even from his hasty depar-
ture / gained little comfort. The buga-
boo, once installed, was not TO be over
thrown by such trifie. Full OF
gloomy forebodings, I waited Cor news
that he would return, plotting, in my
more cheerful intervals, wild schemes
for turning his triumphant reappear-
snce into by-word and a mockery.
Once caught myself reading with vast
uDDTONal VI SoSSs9 AAa
a textbook on toxicoIogy. The vol
ume had been picked up haphazard, but
It's terse account of several noted mat
tiers caught my fancey, and 1 read ON
until some noise about the house, in
terrupting my recreation, brought me
to a realization of the righteousness
of the performance - for there were
still moments when could understand
that was playing the fool. Perhaps,
also, the plea might be entered that at
this time l was u victim of a recurrence
of my old perplexities, recent events
having served again to force them upon
Inc with even greater vividness than
before.
The jealous fit was ended by letter
which the late visitor sent from New
York to Mrs. Loring. In 1t he ex-
pressed deep regret that circumstances
would prevent him from completing
his visit. Business, he explained, called
him abroad, and before the mis-
sive reached her he would be well on
his way to Liverpool. heard inc news
with decent effort at an appearance
Of regret, and from that moment had
more friendly impression regarding
the gallant colonel.
1t had been my intention to speak OF
him to Lamar, rather because of his
Brazilian interests, of which my client
might know something, than because
of his morning cruise about the chan
nels of the marsh or the abrupt termfn-
alton of his stay. Mrs. Loring's ac-
count of the colonel's manner of life in
dicated that he was n chronic tourist
with no very active concern in happen
ings IN his own country, so long as they
did not interfere with his sources of
revenue. One thing after another,
however, occurred to prevent mention
Of him. One day Lamar was busy,
with his experiments; the nex', for.
some reason of his own, he cut short
our talk; the next he was back in his
laboratory. Thus, before an oppor-
tunity was offered 10 tell my bit of
news, It's value appeared TO have been
lost through staleness, and, in the end.
frcsher topics took it's place when
Lamar showed Willingness to indulge
in brief gossip. So it happened that
he heard nothing of the incident which
had caused me SO many hours of un.
necessary perturbation.
Jones, meanwhile, had been making
steady progress, and, while Banks and
] saw him daily, there was little need
of our attendance. We learned that
he would leave the neighborhood as
soon as his removal could be attempted
with safety, but he told us nothing
further of his plans. tried OCCASION
ally to lead him TO speak of his reasons
for coming to Rodneytown, but he was
reticent, and had to be content with
the explanation given by Lamar.
Dorothy Gray came often TO read TO
him, and he panifested much grnti-
tudc for her Kindness; but even to her
he would soy next TO nothing of his
history or his projects.
Banks wrist was still weak. but his
recovery from the sprain had gone far
enough 10 enable him to circulate in his
old fashion among bis patients, and my
duties as bis coadjutor were ended. He
was beginning, though, to renew his
discourses about his desire 10 secure
partner and practically to retire, and II
was clear that he would soon make me
a direct offer. 1t was only fair that
should prepare TO give definite answer,
but 1 realized that my plans were even
more unsettled than ever. There was
a new disturbing element in the situa-
ton. Could but foretell what Dorothy
would answer were certain question
put TO her, then DIR. Banks might be
answered, In turn, 30 soon as he chose
to speak. But what would the young
lady sayp
Yes, what would she say2 Truly /
was far from sanguine. Icould lind no
reason for confidence, In spite Of many
soulful efforts TO discover one. Wdfwerc
the best of friends; we were together
daily, sometimes for hours at a time;
we read together, walked together,
and drove together. We had interests
in common; in some lines of thought
our beliefs were akin. Such things
were well enough in their way, but
what ground of hope did they furnish? ?
Would not blush, n sigh, have more
meaning? Frequently / read disserta-
tions Of the symptoms of the love NAL
ady, but surely nowhere had I noted
good fellowship set forth as distin-
| gushing mark of passion. Then, too,
there was the difficulty of the bread
and-butter problem. What business
had TO contemplate matrimony, with
no well-defined idea how even one
| mouth was 10 be filed, in the event of a
break with the man who would remain
my payInaster no longer than suited his
convenience? Ny savings would cut
but poor figure on q war-chest for a
family campaign. Besides, the girl
was supposedly well-to-do, and certain
| Iy was the heiress Of her aunt, whose
| wealth appeared TO be sufficient TO en-