The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-19

snllsiaetIon waa slightly tInged with
contempt. but that was all. As the lion
OF the evening could not AFFORD to waste
thought upon that quiet Sray,'mildle-
ased man who had 30 yervtllttle to say,
With the professor Il was otherwise.
10 looked at the stranger more than
once with curious II rather absent eyes,
and at last made a rcmnrk: 81 seem TO-
know the face" N,tRs3 "
"Do you?,'i asked his friend, Barring;
ton. who overheard. Where have you
seen It beforc?"2 t. q
Professor Herne could not remember.
lie felt sure that he had seen those
dark, strongly marked features before;
but he could not tnake. tho recollection
clear. So, after a. moment or two. he
shook his head doubtfuly aud turned
once more to his plate, 4, .j.,i.5
The man from Africa owned. a loud
and somewhat penetrating voice, He
rad boon successful at Johannesburg,
and possessed a large. and seasonable
selection OF stories. Anecdotes OF Rand
lie had far less interest for the profess
sor than the pebble Inscriptions oil, pre-
historic man: but he could not help OBJ.
serving that the newcomer was monop-!
ollzing the attention, not only OF the
other visitors, but, OF the hostess her.
self. Somehow the knowledge depressed
him, and he bent \ little lower over his
plate. ~ N q.
81 almost wish. :" he said, softly, "that
had not none away"
"Eh?" cried Dr.. Darlington. "why?
You we're not disappointed, were you r..
"oh, no. was the replY.sS'.As a geol-
ogical expedition ours was entirely
successful. was thinking of some
thing elsa private matter.
Tho doctor nodded and was satisfied.
while the professor mentally resolved
TO keep better guard upon his tongue.
It Is perhaps permissible for a gentle.
man eminent in the "ologies" to utter
occasionally few unconscious words
aloud; but 1t Is Just as well that such
words should be scientific terms, and
altogether unconnected with matters OF
the heart.
by the way" said Darlington mo-
ment later, ''our new friend has some
good stories: but he does not tell all. II
some reports be true he Is not exactly
the hero our hostess seems TO believe
him."
"Indeed2" was the low remark.
mo. Herries. of the Rifle Police. has
heard something OF him. He is home
on leave. and met him in town last
week. According to his account, our
friend here got into trouble. more than
once through his queermethod OF man
aging certain obstinate. blacks. He did
not stop short Of x
Only the professor heard the final
words: and when he heard them his
eyes seemed to harden peculiarly, and
he gave another glance. toward the head
OF the table.
"Ah!" he said. SIS that so: By the
b.. what Is his nance have forgot
ten"
.'Ragman." replied tho doctor. 81 be-
lieve he intends to settle down at Hex
minister We shall! be little the better
for him"
Very little" was the professors un-
usually decisive answer; and when II
was spoken he fell into train OF
thought from which his companions re-
marks could not easily rouse him.
He saw the; pleasant face of Mrs. Ar
ran turned constantly 20 that heavy.
loud-voiced stranger with an interest
and aImiratlnnSwhlsb could not be de-
MED. He had learned to appreciate that
look himself, and used many little arts
TO evoke It. succeeding so often that he
had almost begun to regard It as a pos
session. OF his own. Hchad also learned
to regard the seat at the head OF the
table. nearest to the charming little
widow. as his own place
Then the long vacation had taken him
away on ar important geological expe-'
dtion 20 Iceland. during which his eyes
had been partially opened to the value o I
those things which he had left so light
ly. He had returned much more gladly
than he had set out, dImly acknowledge
Ing now that Mrs. Abrams face had more
attraction for him than all the mysteries
of the tertiary formation. In short, he
had returned with large number OF
valuable fossils. a larger. number OF rosy
hopes. and still larger numbe: OF
dreams. to his learned duties at the uni
vtrslty and to Mrs. Arran. -
Blu; during his absence the state OF
affairs had changed The man from
Africa had arrived at the old cathedral
city on visit to a, friend. and had ere
ard something Of a ripple upon those
quiet waters. He had gained all en-
trance into that select circle which made
Mrs. Abrams table Its favorite place OF
meeting. and had even won his way to
the sea: OF honor. Alas for the profess
sor! There were whispers already
abroad which people had never thought
Oh rtter!ng In connection with himself,
Tor his homage had been too quiet, tou
oosSure TOO entirely modest, to be OBJ
carved OF the public eye He had been
supplanied. and the allegiance Of the
sehtle' sWee'-taced little woman at thu
orher. 49,
So he ponde.cd, sitting almost in ST.
fence until, the gentlemen moved TO the
craving room. There he found a nook
where he was farthes, from the sound O.
the strong and overwhelming vioce OF
OILS stpplanter, and sat down.
presently ne was aroused by touch
Spon the sleeve. A rather delicate
looking bay OF twelve had approached
hin: ulnotlced. 5s}l.4555 e.
why. Jack" eaid the professor, II
dc not see YOU. How are you?"
Master Jack Arran shook hands, re-
Piled to the inquiry, and took his seat
upon the arm OF. the chair.
I'm glad you are back, sir" he said
heartily. - : :, -
Indeed! Thank you" was the pro-
lessons reply
DID You get any fossils, sir? You
Know you promised me some"
me biologist smiled. Perhaps" he
fald. You shall come to my room to-
n.orrow and see" +.
You're zwfnlly kind" said Jack.
gratefully. MOT like that man over
there. He's quite cad, I think"
Hem" said the professor. warnlngIy,
Whon do YOU mean?"
That Mr.. Rugman. He's from AfrI-
ca, and he's never even shot a rhIno-
rn.s., ~.