The times., 1899-09-24


development and success in life. Peter
Sand, Master of Arts and Fellow of st.
Gaston's, was dim-sighted, and failed on
one occasion to distinguish between
black cloth and dark blue. In this fact
lies the secret of his subsequent develop
ment and prosperity.
Three years ago Peters development had
apparently ceased. He lived entirely at
the university town of Durbridge, was
known as a Fellow of St. Gaston's, and oc-
casionally lectured on anthropology. His
friends had once expected a great deal
from him, but had for some time aban-
doned these expectations. One or two ar
ticles in scientific magazines formed the
sum total of his contributions to the press,
and the first portions of his great work on
THE Epoch of the Mastodon" had been
written only to be thrown aside. The in
come from his Fellowship was more than
enough for his comfort and he had never
liked society. Gradually he had with
drawn further into himself, until at the
age of thirty-three he looked ten years
older, and was a willing and contented
recluse. His enemies called him THE
Fossil" and he was familiarly known
among his friends as Little Peter
His usual course of life received an in
terruption one day in the form OF letter
from Barron, an old schoolfellow, who had
kept distant but kindly eye upon Peter
for some fifteen years. The Fellow of st.
Gaston's read the letter several times be-
fore he could comprehnd it fully. Barron
was about TO be married, and wished his
old friend TO attend as groomsman.
A notification that he would be expected
TO act as bridegroom could scarcely have
caused Peter more distress. He a grooms-
man-at wedding, 1t was ridiculous
impossible, To refuse Barron's request.
however, seemed also impossible, for he
was the last of that almost forgotten cir
Gle OF early friends. After long and
troubled consideration he sent an urgent
note, asking the bridegroom to come up
TO Durbridge and explain.
Barron came big fellow with large
heart, which even his work as a country
solicitor had not succeeded in warpng.
He was one of those who had respected
Peters learning, and had hoped for great
things from him. His disappointment was
extreme to find shrinkage instead of ex-
pansion, retreat instead of attainment.
Dear me- Sandl' he cried, what's
wrong with you? You look so old, and SO
very gray! Do you go out much?''
Never" answered Peter. why should
II"
why, because you are becoming fos-
sill. man. was the candid answer. You
must wake up-you ought to marry
| What" exclaimed Peter, astounde1,
land lose my Fellowship"
Barron sighed, and felt sorry that the
Fellowship had ever been gained. Then
he set himself to persuade Peter to run
down for the wedding, and to undertake
| the duties OF groomsman. 1t was TO be
very quiet affair, he explained, and the
responsibility was simply nothing. Peter
listened, and gradually gave way. To the
bridegroom's amusement, he then began
| to make exhaustive notes in pocketbook,
so that he might not forget any of his du-
ties.
"Since you don't care for going about
much, said Barron, you needn't come
down until the day before. That will be
| time enough, and you won't require so
much luggage"
Just my things, 1 suppose?' said the
Fellow, It's lucky that I've had first
rate new coat lately. It's a blue one.
''Blue?"
Yes, dark blue I intended to get black,
but 1 am short-sighted, you know, and
when the patterns were submitted l chose
/ blue by mistake. But it's splendid thing,
and my landlady tells me that it looks
very well. should like to do you credit
at the wedding, old fellow"
! He uttered the last words so kindly and
! his confidence in the blue coat was so
| touching and childlike that Barron could
not speak the protest which rose to his
| lips Besides if Peter had TO exert him
self to order and fit new coat he might
rebel and give up the project altogether.
\ So he held his peace, rejecting that there
might be no law against blue after all.
He did not know how criminal his silence
was, for he was but a man, and had never
1 been married before. When he reached
/ home he found cause to regret his silence.
The bride-to-be was supported by the pres
ence of her sister, who had given up a po-
| sition of ease as a countess companion
| 10 fill the vacant place in the family circle.
| She had bright eyes and a quick tongue,
and did not show such reverence for her
new brother as she might have shown.
Barron was continually at war with her.
What is this Mr.. Sand?" she asked,
pertly. What is his work?'
"oh, he's a Fellow" said Barron.
Indeed That is very lucid. Is he a
nice fellow?''
He is Fellow with capital F, Miss
Pattie,'' was the rebuking answer-"a Eel
low of st. Gaston's College. His work is
s-anthropology'
And what is that, pray?"
"Oh, skulls" said Barron-"skulls and
skeletons, and all that sort of thing He's
wonderfully clever-so clever that the st.
CASTOR people give him 200 year as long
as he remains unmarried. They know that
marriage spoils clever men, so they bribe
| them to remain singlei"
His triumph was but a brief one
Has anybody ever tried to bribe you to
remain single, John?" asked Miss Pattie
iciiy; and John was so demoralized by the
| thrust that in another moment he had be-
trayed the secret of Peters coat.
The minutes that followed were decided
ly troubled ones. Dismay succeeded to in
credulity and indignation to dismay. II
was in vain that poor Barron pleaded that
a Master of Arts and Fellow of st. Gas
tons might wear any coat he liked at any
wedding he liked, and even claim to sci
the fashion. He was told that the idea
was an outrage, and that he should have
placed his foot upon that blue coat at its
frst appearance. Miss Pattie declared that
she would never, never walk out of church
on blue coatsleeve and that her brother
Charles must be asked TO act as grooms.
man instead OF that Fellow. Then Barron
SAID that he would prefer to walk into
church with Peter in blue coat than witt
any other living man In a black one 81
the matter was left, in the faint hope tha
the groomsman might be smuggied into ;
more suitable garment on the morning o
the wedding.
II will be bad thing for him." said Mis-
Patue, II he brings that coat down here.
"0h," said Barron. What will you do :?
Il shall simply look at him." was tn
quiet reply. THAT is ALL"
Barron thought it might prove to be quit
enough, for Miss Pattie's eyes had remar
kable powers of expressing the colde
emotions. He felt sorry for his friend, bu
I was utterly helpless.
On the eve OF the wedding Peter cam
4,,4,.