The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-09-23

i'i my NhN JuhiPSd uI anu NShl out ~
the room laughing.
Maureen wasn't my only care, either
had son called Tom, and he was a:
wild as hawk, and so need hardly say
that he and my ward hunted i'll couples
He was Il year or two younger than sht
was, but he would have followed her tC
the moon willingly, had there been {
path there, and there had never been ar
eScapade of hers i'll which Tom had not
had his full share.
had had tutors for him, but one after
another these gentlemen had informed
ME that-well, one of them had insinu
atcd that had better engage one of tn,
wild beast tanners from Il travelling ne
nagerie, as such Il person might succeet
in instructing Tom. For IN ordinary
man it WAS Il hopeless task. lie said, tc
attempt to teach him anything
NV wife had warned me not to engage
any young man as tutor this time "Now
Maureen is grown up. she said, your
own common sense will tell YOU that it
wouldn't do at all"
agreed hastily, and sat down to &c.
cept the suggestion of friend who had
proposed sending me certain Professor
Bryant, who, my friend said, was quite
clever at dealing with boys. had Wis
ions of spectacles and a brain stuffed
with classical lore, of some old drv-as.
dust specimen of humanity, and gave a
sigh of sympathy with Tom. l remem-
bered my own mad youth, and under
stood him better than most people could,
except Maureen.
But the boy must learn; he was going
TO college soon to prepare himself for the
bar, and he needed preliminary tuition.
My letter was written and duly dis
patched, my terms were accepted by
Professor Bryant" and few days later
came a telegram announcing his arrival.
had spoken to Maureen about II, and
she had coaxed Tom into n state of qui-
essence, which was shade better than
the open rebellion which he usually show
ed to new arrivals of the genus tutor.
sent 4 carriage to the station to meet
the professor, and STAYED at home tc re-
ceivc him.
went out to the hall when heard the
wheels on the drive, and shall never for
get my feelings of surprise when the pro
fessor" came into the lamp-lit room. He
was six-foot. three, at least--a fair-haired,
blue-eyed giant, and if lie was more than
six and twenty, Im-well. add TO that
the fact that he was the most attractive
man ever saw in my lite and you will
understand that, as he stood there facing
me i'll his rough tweed suit, was men-
tally calculating:
What will Molly (my Wife say ?"
What she did say was SO different from
what had expected that | was struck
dumb, and only stared at her, wondering
for the hundred thousandth time at the
inconsistency of women.
She just looked at me, her eyes bright
and her checks quite pink, and she said:
Hes the handsomest man ever saw:
he is one of the BryantS of Dorchester, 4
cousin of my mothers Gsn't that quecr)
He's as good as gold and as nice as he
can be, and do wish he'd fall in love
with Maureen."
Which speech, as l have already re.
marked, struck ME dumb.
There was no use in reminding her,
you said so and SO week ago" She
would have waved me aside with an airy
"One is at liberty to change ones mind. ="
SO |, metaphoricallv, took a back seat
and waited to see what would happen
next.
What did happen was n refreshing
novelty. Tom took to Bryant at once;
he also took to his books, and worked
like a beaver, morning, noon, and night
except now and again, when he and
Bryant took holiday and went fishing.
OF this art Bryant was found to be Il
past master, and Tens respect for hi:3
increased accordingly.
The other noticeable fact since his ar
rival was still more extraordinary.
Maurcen became strangely quet-oddly
sllv--a new loneliness had touched her
face, and even knew it was something
which could not be accounted for by any
physical cause. 1t was almost the differ
cncc between an "I'ndine" before she had
a soul ard after she possessed one, or at
least the difference between child and a
woman.
Maurecn had crossed the dividing line.
and, consciously or unconsciouSly, some
body had won her heart
Things went on much as usual other
wise, but, about six months after Bry-
ants arrival, he asked to see ME in the
library ION business"
Ny heart sank. He was going to
throw up the place-of course, | knew
that. He did throw up the place as
had expected; but he said to me when he
had done so: 81 think it's only fair to
tell you that it's not because of any
trouble I've had with Tom that | am
leaving We get on capitallv. The boy
has brains and grit enough for two.
He'll make his mark by and by, but
he paused.
Out with it, mani" said, impa,
tiently. 81 can't stand people who leave
a sentence unfinished"
Bryant smiled broadly.
"All right" he said, "Ill go straight 20
the point love Miss O'Connor, your
niece and ward. | am a poor man;
although a small estate at Dorchester
belongs to me, it has been let for years
and haven't enough to keep wife,
even supposing that might venture to
try and win Miss O'Connor. | am get.
ting to care for her more every day, and
am going away because | can't stand
it."
"Blcss my soul" l said, You had
better tell her that"
Bryant took step forward, his eyes
very bright.
ono vnu mean m fell me II ar Won