Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-04-28
CHAPTER v.-(continued.)
By
Tom Gallon

whispered, leaning across the taole
toward her husband.
Like MISUNDERSTANDING" said
the professor. Students of Nature,
| shouldn't be a 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"
ct might have been better, my love.
If you hadn't learnt quite so much
said Mrs. Tapley, with a sigh.
my dear" said the professor, ut
was not to be avoided. My brain was
bound to be fed"
do you think cheese is the best
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
concluded the professor approached
the old man and the girl at the far
Their 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 a student of Nature and as a man
in a 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 a busy life we find ourselves
with leisure to observe Nature and 10
admire her. Your daughter, | pre-
sume?"
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 q smile, and with a 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 tray-
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?"
Not much farther now" replied the
girl, YEARLY. 1T has seemed a 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"
Every strange thing" said the pro-
lessor. with one of those sudden
changes of mind which characterized
him. Surrey is the very county for
me; I have heard its fauna most high
ly spoken of, and believe there is a
wildness about it that promises well
for the art Of taxidermy. We will 30
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 hat we are best
alone. And we start early tomorrow.
1t is our last day on the road, l.
think"
my dear sir, / would not obtrude
myself for a moment" said the pro-
lessor, airily. ut only struck me, as
fellow travellers on the great road of
life. we might, perhaps. journey a lit
tie way together. But no matter
Grace, we are best alone, l think"
said the old man, in a low voice.
yes; pest 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 nightfalI.
It had been q hot and heavy day, and
walking had been hard and dificult.
Nevertheless. the professor had walk
ed on menfully, mile ON mile, with
scarcely . rest, eniivening the way by
dilating on those shadowy plans he
had concerning the future. Only at
nightfall, turning q corner Of the road,
the three Of them came upon the
strang pair they had seen the night be-
fore at the inn, and came upon them.
too. 1t the moment Of . crisis.
The girl had evidently tainted at the
side Of the road. and the old man was
kneeling beside her, wringing his
hands and calling her by name.
"0race!-don't give up nowl Over
miles Of land and sea We have come
until We are within sight Of the end
OF the Journey. Tonight the real
Grace Yarwood comes into her own:
she must not fail now"
Kindly Mrs. Tapney. hurrying for
ward. began to perform such feminine
oflces ~ were necessary; Absalom. a
the i~nstigAtion Of his energetic father.
set his long legs In motion and dartr
ID doxn the hill In search Of a.sist-
aneA He returned n : moment or two