Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-04-28
CHAPTER v.-fcontinued.)

81
Like -Bohemians, said
the professor. Students of Nature,
/ shouldn't be bit surprised;
will endeavor to get acquainted with
them. They may understand some
thing about the country and the local
methods of bird-catching. My dear
Absalom, always remember that You
can't learn too much"
st might have been better, my love,
If you hadn't learnt quite so much"
said Mrs. Tapley, with sigh.
My dear" said the professor, "it
was not to be avoided. My brain was
bound to be fed"
thing for it?" asked Absalom, as he
observed his father helping himself
to a goodly portion
Under the circumstances, yes"
said Prof. Tapney, sternly
When their modest supper had been
the old man and the girl at the far
ther end Of the room. Waggling his
great head at them, he advanced, with
his hands under his coat tails, and
smiled genially.
You will pardon me, sir" he said,
'as student OF Nature and as man
in general scientific way-you will
pardon me for presenting myself, my
wife, and my son to you. We are
traveling-er-for pleasure; in the
midst of busy life we find ourselves
with leisure to observe Nature and to
admire her. Your daughter, l pre-
sumo"
The girl raised her beautiful eyes
and looked full at the professor
yes" she said. My father and are
travelling in this poor fashion," she
added, with a smile, and with glance
round the room, because money is
scarce and we have far to go. We
have walked from Southampton"
Most extraordinary" exclaimed
the professor. My love, my dear Di-
ana, do on hear this? This lady and
her father (permit me to present
my wife and my only offspring)-
these good people have actually trav-
eled from Southampton as we have
done.
You look tired, my dear" said Mrs,
Tapney. dropping her hand tenderly
on the girls shoulder and smiling
down into her face. you are not
made for this sort Of work. How far
are you going?" i
Not much farther now" replied the
girl, YEARLY. at has seemed long
way, but we are near the end now"
How far are you going?" asked
Mrs. Tapney again, seating herself be-
side the girl.
Into Surrey" was the reply. We
are going to a. village called Haw-
ley"
VERY strange thing" said the pro-
lessor, with one OF those sudden
changes OF mind which characterized
him. Surrey is the very county for
me; have heard its fauna most high
" spoken of, and believe there is a
wildness about it that promises well
for the art Of taxidermy. We will go
with you"
We would prefer, sir, said the old
man. speaking with a strong, strange
accent, ito travel alone. No offense
meant, sir, or to you, madam: but our
business is such that we are best
alone. And we start early tomorrow.
It is our last day on the road, l
think.
My dear sir, 4 would not obtrude
myself for q moment" said the PRO
fessor, airily. ut only struck me, as
fellow travellers on the great road of
life, we might. perhaps, journey lit
tie way together. But no matter. z
Grace we are best alone, think, Z
said the old man, in a low voice.
Yes; best alone said the girl.
It happened, however, that they
were destined to travel together after
ALL for although, when the professor
partook OF breakfast In the morning
before starting out again, he heard
that the strange pair had started at
daylight on their way, his own small
party came up with them at nightfall.
IL had been hot and heavy day. and
walking had been hard and difsicult,
eyertheless, the professor had walk.
ed on manfully, mile on mile, with
scarcely q rest, enlivening the way by
sdilating on those shadowy plans he
had concerning the future. Only at
nightfall turning Z corner Of the road.
the three Of them came upon the
strAng pair they had seen the night be
tore ct the INN, and came upon them.
too, q the moment Of crisis.