The Red Cloud chief., 1901-08-09
The Jrusdness Of Mc6onigIe

discharged the functions OF carctsker "
a most exemplary rTanncr. but whenever
he sought the professors laboratory on
the top floor Of Maynard. his whole bear.
Ing changed. lie became another being,
whose sole aim was to serve the idol OF
his eye. II Morton said. "Auro!ius, do
this" or "Aurelils. kindly get me that
away went Aurolius as IL his life depend
ed upon II. AS %janitor, mis- manner seemed
to say. ITS tremendously boring. but one
must make his salt" As Morton's trust
there was that about the mans appear
ance which said. at doesn't matter II
l don't get u cent for this. 1t Is my
forte"
lie was middl.-aged. stocp-shouldered
and a trlhe bow-legycd. Ills head was
W with q shock OF red hair, strange
~ contrasting with the w5tery bidc Of hts
eyes. Hts name began brayely with
Marcus Aurcllds, and ended rather lin
ply IN McGonigie.
To Morton. the self-appointmont of
Marcus Aurelius az his trlsty was In no.
wise displcasing. lie scarcely knew when
Ii began. Indeed. II had been so gradual
a development that II was impossible to
tell where the obliglng janitor ceased and
the willing trusty commenced.
None OF your assistants with degrees
Tor me- Morton was wont to say. Give
me Aurelins. lie doesn't ask questions.
or make suggestions. or gossip all over
the ampus lie lis worth ton ordinary
men. and he shall draw a salary from the
corporation FOR II vet Mark my words
IL was this implicit obedience and his
habit OF being close-mouthed that made
Anreiius valuable. When one Is conduct
Ing some delicate experiment. the results
or which are to send a stir through the
scientific world. he Is 10th to have the
news or II abroed until the said results
have been obtained. Moreover. n man
who will do just as you say has his
merits. for II often requires nerve to stir
certain nitrogen compounds which are In
the process OF formulation. and Marcus
Aurtlius would rave blown himseif TO
atoms had Morton but given the word.
And are ye sayin' { a a gone through,
The roof II the temperature d gone Ave de-
grays higher" slid Aurclius one after
neon. GLORY be. 1t 3 mosilf that fears
rothin' be token of known nothin'."
1t happened that Morton was young
enough and imaginative enough to venture
Into nolds ct which older and harder
heads scoffed. and In consequence OF this
ne had several times sent n stir through
the scientific world. But he at las. b.
came ersrossed In q problem which
cwarf.d all the others. IL he were sue.
%ctssful. he would rank among the great
est scientists of the hse. and the eyes OF
the civilized world would he turned TO
Barnard college. at which he held Il pro-
censorship. Morton had limited as much
to President Newman. and the president,
who believed In young men. and had every
faith I'm Morton. had purchased a new coat
and a silk hat. When the eyes OF the
world sought Barnard college they must
not find the head Of the corporation want
ing.
So through the bleak days OF late winter
and the pleasant days OF early spring,
Prof. Morton and Marcus Aurelius Me-
Gonigle stayed much In the little labora-
tory at the top of Maynard. where there
were many Queer-shapcl rctorts and In
Vulnerable TASKS ana tubes. where bright
colored liquids boiled and dubbed, and
strange smells pervsded the place.
ITS fame yc'n be hayin' this time,
sure Aurclius often reiterated. I'm
shmellin' ut In the air
Wherest Morton would laugh and tell
his trusty that II such were the case. the
wi lpA ttDoltl nltll tsNlcldnI J
and sive him a snug salary.
One morning In April Morton was called /,
to New York. This would necessitate his |
absence over nisht. Al 1890 he came into
Maynard and In the lower hall encoun-
tered McGonigle. WHO being newly come |
from the boilers. was covered with ashes.
"fm goins. to New York to-day. Azure
lius." said he. and IN have to leave ,
thip1s m ynr 'rha htv rstnct 1, ,hn ,pl,,
thing that win need attention. III have |
a look At 1t before ! leave and put a note
on the desk telling you what to do. oh. |
by the way. the formulas OF last week are
In the desk. and Lander win come round
to take them to the safe deposit vaults. |
m feel better ~ they are there, you
know. Unlock the laboratory for him
when he comes. win you-or. no--Im let
him have my keys. Good by. Aurelius.'
an be dom just as you say In the note,
sor.' said Aureiiis.
II haven't a doubt OF that" said Nor
ton. Better go ar about fve.' All right.
sor." said Aurelius. and went back to the
boilers.
1t was precise y . o'clock when, Win a
feeling Of nervousness. yet not without a
certain sense OF responsibility, he UNI
locked the door OF the laboratory. He
went over to the desk by the window
The note was not there. lie rummased
about among q few loose papers no
note; nor was II In the waste basket. |
With perspiration starting from his fore
head ne searched high and low. SIN the |
note did not appear. lie went over to
the big retort. An alcohol flame In n
suard burned beneath It. and within he
could hear the liquid boiling merr,iy. and |
the steady drip-drip as the drops fell into
the flask from the condenser.
For one awfuf moment the world |
seemed to stop. The next. Aurelius had
locked the door. and was speeding across
the campus to the presidents house.
I'm wantin' TO see Prisidint Newman
he said to the servant who opened the
door.
Hes In his study bat she began.
Aureilus new w the stairs and burst |
unceremoniously into the study.
Mr.. McGonigie," began the president
Ia mild surprise.
sure" sasped Aurelius, hes gone |
prinaaor Marian, and he soI1 h.,a 4. |