The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-26

lived in the country ever since he was
thirty years of age. He is a great sci
enlist. How your eyes sparkle, Made
line! Are you interested in science?"
II am very fond of science" l an
swercd; Il have studied chemistry
good deal for girl,an l took q science
tripos at Girton."
AS I spoke I bent over the Russian
novel which l was trying to read. The
next moment coldly polite voice spoke
almost in my ear. ! looked up and saw
to my establishment that DR.. Chance,
who seldom or never favored the ladies
of his family with his presence, had
come into the salon. He was STOPPING
slightly and was peering at me with his
short-sighted eyes.
did / hear aright?' he said. 'Is 1t
possible that you, young lady, are in
terestod in scicnCc?"
Il like 1t immensely" I replied.
He gave me another look as If he
meant to read me through and through,
then, stepping back a pace he spoke.
Your information pleases me-" he
said. THE fact is this, l came up just
now to ask you to grant me a favor"
"Of course 1 WILL" answered; what
can | do?"
II suffer from an affection of the
eyes At times 1 have intolerablc pain
in the right eye, To use it on such
occasions makes it worse. Today 1
suffer torture. viii you come down
stairs and be my secretary for the
nonce?"
"Of course I shall,"I answered. The
! moment I spoke, DR.. Chance moved to-
ward the door, beckoning me with
y,s,, ~
him. / felt myself, as it were, whirled
| from the room. A moment or two l
was alone with the doctor in his cabin
| ct. A gentleman's study in Russian
houses is always called by this name.
| The doctors cabinet was a nobly pro-
portioned room, two-thirds of the walls
| being lined from ceiling to floor with
| books, large double window giving
abundant light and a door at the fur
| ther end letting in a peep of some
what mysterious room beyond.
My laboratory" said the doctor,
noticing my glance Some day shall
have pleasure in showing it to you.
Did I hear you say that you had stud
led chemistry"
| "Yes."
"Then you may be of invaluable use
to me; the fact is, Miss Rennick, most
vital secrets are brought to light in
that room-matters which may event
ually set the whole world talking. Now
! there is not a Russian in the land-I
say this advisedly because the chill
| drens mothe" happens to belong to
| that country-there is not a Russian
| in the land to be trusted. Suppose I
| trust you; 1 can make it worth your
| while"
| l have plenty of courage-I saw at
that moment that the doctor meant to
test me. l looked him full in the face.
| What do you mean?" 1 asked.
| 81 can double your salary"
| "You pay me as much for teaching
| your daughters as ! think I have a
right to expect" answered.
The doctor glanced at me from head
to foot.
IF 1 give you additional work to do
for me, yea will be rightly entitled to
additional pay--but enough of this
later on. Now can you take down
from dictation?"
"Yes, in shorthand"
Splendid! / shall sit here and die
tate. Is that pen to your liking?"
YES, it will answer admirably
"Now give me your very best atten-
tion. The paper 1 am about to dictate
to you is to be posted to England to-
night. 1t will apear in the Science
Gazette. You doubtless know this
name?"
Certainly, I have studied the jour-
nal for years"
"Ah! how refreshing to meet such a
sensible woman. Well, Miss Rennick,
the subject of my paper is, I am quite
certain, new to you. 1 have discovered
method of photographing Thought"
/ stared up at him in astonishment;
he met my gaze fully. His deep-set
glittering eyes looked something like
little sparks of fire. Was the man a
maniac, or was he sane?