La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-10-01
A PASSAGE AT ARMS

NuuCu VI tuc ptuAescufs StbAh uAs ptUC ~
little Mrs. Abrams right hand he some
times included the scientist In casual
Rinncc. In which supreme self satisfaction
wns slightly tinped with contempt but
that Was all
With the professor II was otherwise
He looked at the stranger more than once
with curious II rather absent eyes. and at
last made n remark
Il seem to know the face.
do your" asked his friend harrington.
who overheard Where have you sesn 1t
beforeY'
Professor Herne could not remember.
The man from Africa owned loud and
somewhat penetrating voice. He had been
successful Mt Johannesburg and possessed
. large ard seasonable select ,pn of stories
Anecdotes 81 Rand life had far less in.
terest for the professor than the pebble in
scriptions Of prehistoric man. but he could
not help observing that the newcomer was
monopolizinR 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.
II almost wish" he said softly. THAT
had not gone away"
"Ehs" cried DR. harrington why!
You were not disappointed were your"
"Oh, no. was the reply As geo.
logical expedition ours was entirely sue
cessf',i was thinking OF something else
| "a private matter.
by the way" said harrington a mo
ment later. our new friend has some
good stories. but he does not tell all II
| some reports 10 true, he Is not exactly the
hero our hostess seems to believe him.
''Indcetls'' was the low remark
mo Herries Of the rifle police has
heard something OF him He is home on
leave. and net him in town last week
According to his account. our friend here
got into trouble more than once through
his queer method Of managing certain oh
Stinate blncks He did nor stop short of -
Only the professor heard the final word
and when he heard them his eyes SCENT.
to harden peculiarly, and he gave another
glance toward the head Of the table.
"Ah," he said. "is that 81. BY the bye
what In his name, I have forgotten.
.'Rugman. replied tho doctor II be-
lieve ho intends to settle down At Hoa
minister We shall be little the better for
him.
VERY little, :" was the professors un
usually decisive answer, and when It wHs
spoken hc fell into u train Of thought from
which his companion . remarks could not
easily rouse him
Tho man from Africa had arrived At the
old cathedral city on a visit to a friend.
and had created something Of n ripple up
OH thosc, quiet waters He had gained an
entrance into that select circle which made
Mrs AYran's table it's favored place of
meeting and had even won his way to the
sent Of honor Alas for the professori
He had been suppianted. and the ailegt.
ance OF the gentle, sweet fnt cd little wom-
an at the head Of the table had been given
to another
So he pondcred, sitting almost in&iience
until the ger .ieMen moved to The draw
ing room There he found a nook where
he was fartt"st from the sound Of the
strong and overw heinling voice Of his sup
planter and sat down
Presently he was aroused by a touch
upon the sleeve rather delicate looking
boy of l2 had approached him unnoticcd.
why. Jack, said the professor. II did
NOT sec youi How arc you,''
I'm glad you are buck. sir. . he said
heartily
Indeed, Thank you" was the profes-
sor's reply
"Did you get any fossils. sir, You know
you promised me some. .
The geoiogist smiled Perhaps be
said You shall come to my rooms 70
niOrruW and see
You no awfuily kind. - said Jnck CRATE
fully Not like that man over there
He's quite cad. think.
'.Hcmr said the professor warningly
Whom do you n,esnY'
THAT Mr. Ruginan He's from Africa,
and he's never even shot q rhinOrerOs lie
can only talk about ts0srs and hanks and
socks and shares. and he'll hardly talk to
rnc at ali
The listener smiled Jack continued
st:ii in = slightly indignant tons;
You know. SIR, you advised mamma
not to send me away to school till am ~
Well. MIR. RuRinsIs has been talking 30
much To her ai,Out II Shat believe She has
almost changed her mind
The professor took of his cyeelass.- .- ard
rubbed them with his handkerchief. an
infallible sign that no was troubled.
II wish you d speak TO her again. sir
She will do an. thing you aay.
Artful Jacki The professor flushed and
promised that be would think about it. Il
was blow 70 him that Mrs. Arran had
been 20 easily shaken In her resolves. and
long dormant battle spirit WAS beginning
70 move within.
.He's been talking about schools, pur-
TO 70 to his old school, Castlebridge.
"EhY wherei' exclaimed the professor.
And his start was % sudden that lack
almost tumbled from his perch.
..CaseleiRidgs." replied the boy. He
eaye be was captain tbeFo once, and NO
end Of other thingA Oh, there's Or. Bar
sfngtop calling mel III b bsck directly.
sir.
The professor ~ back in his chatr. He
rubbed his Eyeglasses onoe more. and then.
elsnciug scruss tho room, took . long.
a -. - L. - - &c.,