Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-06-12
CHAPTER 4.

He had finished his studies for the
day. and he nov proposed to Eleanor
that sha should accompany him on
several errands Which he had TO do.
They sailed forth together. and after
visiting tho Institution with which he
was connected and n library where he
had 10 mouse among the shelves for
n few minutes 20 consult authorities.
Trey sauntcrci through various book.
stores and picture galleries with
which the professor was familiar.
Il was nearly dinner time whom
they returned. and the professor ex-
pressed surprise at not finding Mr.
Struthers In possession Of his den.
"Ah." he said on second thought.
-he has feared to Interrupt us. Good
boyl He has thought We had many
things to talk about. And SO we
have; but such modesty deserves its
reward. Shall we invite him to join
US. Eleanor?"
The professor went clambcring up
the necessary two flights. and after
n few minutes reappeared with Mr.
Struthers. who had doffed his fustian
jacket for conventional attire.
so you have had a good day. young
man." said Uncle Phineas.
Il have been trying some interest.
ing experiments"
only think OF It. Peaeh-blossom.
he keeps lightning on tap in his
laboratory. We all live in constant
fear that he will burn the house down.
What sort Of a fume is rampant to-
day?" the professor added. smiling
the air. "one day he perfumes the
atmosphere with sulphureted hydro
gen, and the next Mrs. Todd Ia cook
Ing salt fish in the basement. Chemist
versus cook, and don't know which
is the worse"
Eleanor laughed, and said:
What is the special thing you are
trying to discover. Mr.. Struthers?"
"a mere bagatelle," interjected her
uncle This audacious youth has
the hardihood to maintain that it is
only matter OF a few years-or
months. is it?-when our steam en-
gines will be run by electricity instead
OF steam. and he hopes to be the for
tunate man to demonstrate that 1t can
be done successfully. But II | once
let him loose on his hobby there will
be no dinner for u.s." he continued.
with bantering smile at the en-
barrassed youth, whose tongue his
pleasantly had fettered. Il war
rant now, Peach-blossom, that you
have five minutes of prinking yet to
do. and a woman's five minutes are
always ten.'
"Tll be right down, uncle" cried
Eleanor, as she gathered up her be-
lopgings and ran up the stairs.
Fifteen minutes later they were at
table in snug restaurant, one of the
choicest. into which the professor con.
veyed them, bumptiously announcing
to the electrician, whose eyes were
diIating at such prodigality, that he
had thrown economy to the winds.
II am spreeing it-spreeing 1t: and
all on a woman's account. And there
will be no headache tomorrow" he
whispered, jubilantly, as he began to
peruse the bill of fare with the man
ner of a man who meditates extrava-
gance. 'It will do you good. too,
young man. A pretty face assists the
imagination"
81 have realized that already" an
swered Struthers. whose visage, the
moment after he had spoken, glowed
from the unaccustomed use of compli-
ment.
"a puree OF green peas and soft
shell crabs, and filet la bordelaise
to begin with" began the professor,
re6ectively, "and-and some cham
payne. of course"
I'm afraid, uncle. if you go on at
that rate Won will nover have that
little house." said Eleanor; "it will
be a castle in SPAIN
Never you mind, young lady" he
replied drawing fat, old-fashinned