The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-08-11
A WELL
BALANCED MIND

Draycot Dabber lay back in a ca
pacious easychair, perusing, with
lazy enjoyment, a copy of his own
latest work.
How we'll have put that! How
true it is" he soliloquized, musing-
ly. Look army own case. Men
call me lucky, because by the death
of my.cousin Tom in the wilds OF
Africa, l succeeded unexpectedly t.
my present fortune. Lucky, for
sooth.r
who's that?' he added, quickly,
as the sound of the opening door
fell upon his ears. "Oh you, Selma. p"
Now what is it what you want with
me, my dear,'
"You know tine subject" said Sc
lima, with an expression half-detiant,
half-coaXingly, on her pretty face.
DO you mean your engagement
to young Paterson. queriel Dray-
cot Dabber.
Selma nodded.
well, in that event, my dear"
remarked her uncle, II do not seq
what there is for us, in this matter,
to discuss. You have asked my con-
sent. l have given it-with my
blessing. And there's an end of it.. y
But, uncle criel Selma, there
is not an end of it, as you know.
Charley has only $50 pounds year."
so you have informed me before.
VIII, what of it," smiled our phi
lospher, placidly.
"Charlie and cannot live on $50
pounds year. exclaimed his niece
with scarcely repressed indignation.
mo? All was called upon to do
by the will was to undertake your
support. And that l am sure have
doae libcraIy-most literally. But
my uncle said nothing about glviag
you money upon your marriage;
nothing whatever.
"You-you are cruel, selfish,
dishonest mani" flashed cut Selma,
in a fever Of Indignation.
Then she tlounced from the room.
banging the door behind her.
The philosopher, who had now re-
covered his compl ac ency, smiled aud
shrugged his shoulders.
IA gentleman to SEQ you, SIR"
said James. "He apologies, sir, for
calling at this hour, but he sez as
as his business Is rather pertlkler.
"Show him up, James, lie said.
james Withdrew, presently, re.
turning and as!sering in the stranger
"You wish to see me. What can
l do for you?''
"You are puzzled" said the
stranger. "Come! Look at me. Don't
you know me?"
"Iou ere under some delusio,, sir.
l never set eyes upon you before
The stranger laughed
"Well, l dare say am a COOL bit
changed" he SAID. Twenty
years at ny time of lite do make
difference. especially when they've
been spent among the niggcrs ia
CeHtTai africa.
"ln Central Africa?
Draycot Dabber easped, and
turned suddenly pale.
"Yes, ia Central Africa. Dray-
cot, my boy, l am your cousin
Tom"
Draycot sat as if he had been
converted into stone
"Yoa, Tom!' (The words fell
with strange almost unnatural,
sound from his parched lips.) "Im.
possible. Tom was killed in Africa
fifteen years ago.
"Oh, no, he wasn't. My pal
Jevons was the one who was killed.
| was carried off alive by the mig.
gers. l only managed to escape
six months ago, and l arrived 10
London the day be:creyesterday.
By-the.by, those look like un.
common good cigars of yours.
or rather they re mine, l suppose,
having bought with my money. III
take the liberty to help myself 10
one"
lie did, and lighted it: then sat
back in his chair, pulling at the cigar
and gazing the while approvinyly
round the room.
"By.lhc. way, is your piece Seliua,
whom remember as u tiny tot ia
socks and bare legs. still living with
you?
"Yes, said Draycot Dabbcr, but
he added, anxious for his own reason
tJ;nahse that subject. "as was
about to observe
''l'm quite longing to see her again
interrupted Cousin Tom. ''Is she US
iprctiy as she then babe me fare to be?
Tell you what, Draycott-I'll stop
and dine with you tonight and re.
sumo my acquaintance with Miss
Selma
"l'm sorry to say I'm dining out
tonight with X" answered Draycot
Dabber, quickly, thankful indeed to
have this real excuse. "But any
other evening"
"Oh, my dear chap. never mind.
III dine tete-a.tete with Selma,
then. I'd like it awfully.'
Our philosopher, indeed. was
strongly minded to cut Lord KS din.
ner party and remain at home, only
lie felt that he could not offend
peer OF the realm, especially under
the present circunssan ,es. And be.
sides, after all was it likely that Sc
lima would discuss her private affairs
with supposed stranger?