The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-05-12


be so if people 10 n3, >,4p running to
me with thair troubles. ! wish / had
told him To forget tina, ne had been 10
see me. Ii would haze spared Ur much
annoyance. However. let us proceed.
for have not much time"
lie went to Il locker and took ont Of
it Il small machine that resemblcd an
electric fan. This he set upon ;he ia
Bile ana connected il with wires from "A
lamp. Certain parts of the instrument
began to revOIvc, and ncheld a lumi-
nous spot that twiukled and yet was
sharply fixed. like "A great star.
do not look too long" said he. and
at that moment an Old negro servitOr
who had ushered me in appeared at
the door.
Professor Sumner, after a glance at
the black, crossed the room, and there
was a whispered conference
You have good fortune" said the
professor, returning Here is some
one who wishes to consult me- 1t is
your opportunity"
But this must be some private mat
ter" said l. Your visitor will not
speak before me"
Already the professor had me by the
arm, and he led me behind screen
and seated me in a chair before l could
make up my mind to resist But as he
was arranging the screen for my more
complete tOncealment | found my
voice
Il can't do this" l protested 1T
does not seem right"
Let your conscience be at peace"
said he. IF anything is disclosed
which you should not know. l will
throw you into a trance and you shall
have your mind wiped clean of it. That
is understood. eh?"
Before could reply heard the door
open. Professor Sumner stepped aside.
and l was sitting there in the corner
blushing unseen. like the flower in the
poem.
Professor sumner" said a voice
that made me jump.
Il am he" was the reply
You do not know me?"
Il have seen your face. but do not
know your name" said the professor
IF there is any reason why you do not
wish TO give it,
THANK you" said the visitor hastily
Il suppose that / am foolish about it,
You are man in whom any one could
have confidence. You are greatly re
spected in this community. If you
prefer that l should introduce my
SELF
by no means" exclaimed Professor
Sumner. The face is enough. You
are an honest man. and you are in
trouble. In the past few weeks | have
seen plenty of people who were in
trouble. but very few honest men You
are welcome, sir. What can | do for
your"
There was moment of silence and
then my young man Of the corner and
the street car-the escort of the pretty
girl of two complexions-said slowly:
There is something which | would
like to forget; something which 1t Is
unjust that | should remember-at
least 1t is an injustice to remember 1t
as l seem compelled to do. Can you
make me forget itf"
II can make you to forget any thing
at ALL" replied Sumner: your name.
your age, your native tongue | can
send you out Of this room dumb, and
you shall never speak English until
you have laboriously learned it all over
again
I hN hot
strain as he leaned back in it, and
could imagine the expression Of his
face
What is this that you wish to for
get?" demanded the professor. II must
have a perfect Idea of it before we
begin"
The young man begged delay and
paced the floor for a minute or two.
You have called me an honest man."
said he, stopping suddenly. Il think |
am too honest for my own good, surely
for my own happiness. I have a horror
Of deception-an unnatural horror of
it."
so have l." responded the professor.
I'VE should be friends But you did
not come here to tell me that"
Il will speak straight out" said the
visitor in voice which indicate ted that
nothing could have been harder for
him. Il am in love with pure and
admirable woman. She is not an an
gel. l suppose she has her little faults
and weaknesses like the rest of human
ity. l could hardly wish her to be
otherwise. And 1t Is the more unjust
in me on that account to retain and to
brood upon the memory of one slight
error, but can't help it. The thing is
running my life"
80 1 perceive" responded Sumner
What did she do?"
1T was a tri1Ing deception, a bit of
thoughtlessness." continued the young
man. IL am not a resident Of this
town, though live not far away. You
will make no attempt 10 identify me or
the young LADY,"
Trust me-" said Sumner. Il live the
life of monk In these stone walls"
There was man, somewhat older
than myself" said the visitor, with
whom this young lady