The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-17


gers gripped the younger mans throat
with a strength belied by his white hairs
and ere Pattison could pluck them off, a
sponge was held TO his nose, wet with
some sicky smelling liquid which al once
stepped his senses in darkness and obllv-
ion.
He woke TO consciousness again to find
himself in a small room lighted by two
lamps fixed against the wall. 1t was bare
of furniture, but this was of no conse-
quence for he was lying on a soft rug,
bound by cords TO a bamboo pole, its ends
fixed to uprights from the floor. He could
see dark patch on the ceiling which he
guessed was a skylight, and the walls were
bare of windows. Between the two lamps,
their light falling upon him, sat the man
who had so unceremoniously seized ana
bound him.
He did not look a vulgar robber; the
forehead was broad, and the nose promi-
nent the eyes which CLEANED behind the
gold-rimmed spectacles denoted intelli-
gence ana his whole air gave the appear
ance of learned man, a scientist of some
kind
Seeing Pattison's eyes open, he addressed
him in a Gear, bland voice
How are you feeling now"
The unlucky prisoner. bound and help
less, unknOwing what this man meant to
do with him, full of rage at the way he
had been captured was goaded almost to
madness by the conventional inquiry. He
writhed and struggled to get free till the
cords cutting him painfully, he desisted,
and fixing eyes full of hate on his interro-
gator gasped:
IF l were only loose I'd show you how
l feel"
The old man surveyed his struggles
through his spectacles with absolute i'm
MOBILITY, then replied 10 his prisoner
words:
THE wise man accepts the inevitable.
You appear. 1 perceive, to have quite re-
covered. Kindly inform me, if you please,
who you are"
The others calm exasperated Pattison.
Who are you, is more to the point" he
answered, land why have you Kidnapped
me in this fashion,"
"All in good time my dear sir, you will
learn very shortly. First you must an
swer me a few questions Tell me your
name, address and occupation"
Herbert Pattison. live in Bloomsbury.
Occupation, 1 have none"
you are, in fact. a private gentleman.
doubtless fairly well OFF,
Yes"
Are you married."
mo But what is the object of all these
questions. I suppose you will force me TO
ransom MYSELF"
You will learn directly. Then you have
no wife; but perhaps you are going to be
married?"
mo, am not cried Pattison. 81 am,
not going to be married, and | am not
going TO answer any more questions"
SOFTLY. softly, Mr.. Pattison; your last
speech is oniy half true. You need an
swer no more questions, but you are going
to be married.
What do you mean?"
you say you are bachelor, and have
no intention of getting married. That is
pity, Mr.. Pattison, every man should
marry. 1 must insist on your doing so.
You will marry my ward Miss Grace Vim
cent, whom you saw an hour ago down
stairs"
The old man spoke In the same clear
and Unconditional tones which he had used
| throughout the conversation. Pattison
stared at him in alarm; was the man mad?
But why?" he asked helplessly.
IA legitimate query, Mr.. Pattison. l will
now explain my conduct. My name is Med
calf and 1 hold the title of professor from
the University of Berlin, where studied
My mother was German, and l was entire
ly educated in Germany My whole life
has been devoted to study of the Aryan
race and the connection between us, the
modern Teutons, and the Hindoos, have
| lived in this house In London for many
| years pursuing my Investigations, but now
| they will enter upon new phase. II is my
intention to return to India, where spent
many years of my middle life.
For the last fourteen years. that is to
! say since the age of five, when her father
died, Grace Vincent has lived with me.
Her father, though younger man than
| myself has been, 1 may say, my only
| friend. On his death-bed, he died widow
er and without known relations. l prom
ised to take charge of Grace, 10 educate
her, and keep her as long as 1 lived, or till
she married
Il have brought her up on a system of
my own, not approving of governesses for
girls, and have been her only instructor
since she was twelve. l own l made a mis-
take. 1t being one of my theories that both
man and woman should be taught to help
on themselves and do without the society
and friendship of other people, l brought
her up on this principle, and she has no
friends whatever. now perceive that this
gives her no chance of getting married.
Desiring now TO go to India and travel
there from place to place, Grace will be
very much in my way. l intend to leave
her in England, but owing to the words
of my promise cannot leave her except to
the care of husband, and as we are
quite without friends l have been Obliged
to resort TO extreme measures to obtain
one"
You are not going" gasped Pattison.
ITO marry me to your ward, without my
leave. In fact you can't. 1 decline alb
solutely"
Then, Mr. Pattison. 1 shall keep YOU
here till you consent"
Il am afraid" sneered Herbert sin
that case professor, you will have to de-
lay your journey to India"
Il think not" calmly returned the pro-
fessor you will get nothing to eat till
you promise"
You would starve me to death p,
cried Pattison, in horror
Il would have no compunction. I look
upon you merely as a means to an end
As a scientific man, the phrase Sacred
ness of human life has no meaning n
me. 1 value your life at slightly more
than dogs"
cold sweat of horror damned the
prisoners brow. "Surely, YOU are iolx-
ing he stammered. 1T is cruel to both
of US, each to marry an utter stranger
Can you not see the unreasonableness Of
it?" VI
Frankly, I cannot Mr.. Pattison Thu
marriage of convenience is co-existent
with marriage itself. Marriage bv can
ture Is also familiar to ALI st,,don.. =.