Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-06-10
THE TARKA
TABLETS.
Sc: By A. wALLIE. ::
Sy.EI .ES.EI.EH.Kl.HE ~. ~. EE.ES.H G.Eg:Hl,KS
W.NIsSL.SV. NI.SCsICiNI.NC sS0.NCsIIsTC.N

( 1 more of this obomnable
WOW mechanical work for you
9u, !, away, Madge"
He laid violent hands upon the man
uscript lying beside the typewriter at
which Madge Margctson was employed
and flung the offending document into
tile CRATE whence the girl retrieved it
before answering.
"For shame, Philip" she exclaimed,
with indignation not wholly simulated.
1T belongs to one of my best clients
it is his last novel indeed--and have
no end of trouble to make out his writ
ing ut any time. Now you have made
ii more difficult than ever for me"
She smOOthed the crumpl1d sheets,
tenderly. while the young man, some
what abaShed. watched her closely.
I'm awfully sorry, dear" he apollo
gized; but ! was really so delighted at
the idea that you may get rid of this
horrid work for something more con-
genial that | did not stop to think.
Forgive me- won't your
He had come very near to her, but
SDc ulONeu away,
"l'll pardon you upon two condi-
TONS" she returned, maintaining her
severity. zone is that you sit down.
the other that you tell me coherently
what this wonderful plan of yours isv'
He seated himself as she bid, and she
resumed her place at the machine, but
facing him.
"YOu know" he began. chat in two
days time leave, along with my un.
Gle, Professor Kruse, to whom | am
to act as secretary and assistant while
lie explores the mounds Of Tarka, in
Asia Minor"
The listener nodded.
That" she commented, CURLY, "ls
fiddlers news; we have discussed it for
weeks past"
pray note" lie retorted. mlschlev-
ously, that l am making up for my
precipitation just now by putting every
thing plainly. Therefore, permit me
to add that we two are engaged, but |
have nothing to marry upon except
what | get from my uncle, who disap.
I'"NNN VI mail anu,
| verify believe, of all women. save
Miss Miriam Morgan.
"This Miss Morgan wants cOmpan-
ion who understands cuneiform writ
ing, and has sought vanly for one pos
sessing such an unusual accomplish
ment | told her of you, and of how,
to assist your late father in his Assy-
rian researches you had learned some
thing of it. She deputed me to ask
whether you would come to her, and
offers ten pounds monthly by way of
salary"
Madge's strong, handsome face
lighted up.
ut would suit me, certainly" she ad-
mitted; but what kind of woman is
Miss Morgan, and what reason has she
for such an extraordinary require
ment?"
"She is very rich, good natured,
stout and nearer fifty than forty"
Dunton summarized in reply, land
since she has known my uncle has de-
veloped craze for his special line of
study, about which, however, she is
extremely stupid. You are sure to like
her"
This prophecy proved correct. Madge
did take TO Miss Morgan, and that lady
reciprocated the feeling; in fact. the
following afternoon. when Professor
Kruse, along with his nephew. called
to bid her farewell, they found her full
OF praise of the new companion with
whom she had arranged that morning.
"Such dear girl" she gushed, land
so pretty-not at all like one who knew
anything about that wonderful cruel
form writing"
"Cuneform," corrected the profess
tainly unusual for woman TO under
stand it, But what better occupation
could she have than its, study?' he de-
manded, with that enthusiasm for his
hobby which characterized him.
"What better?" reiterated Miss Nor
gan, her rqbicund color flushing to
crimson. "Why, she could marry, of
course-that would be a higher occupa.
ton"
81 don't agree with you" the profes.
sor retOrted blHntly "No woman with
scientific talents should marry--it is a
sacrifice of her genius at the shrine of
mere mana moral suicide-an utter
iniquity.
II trust to be able to send you from
Tarka," he went on. as though he were
in the lecture room, "the clay tablets
bearing the records Of the hopes and
fears, the ambitions and the disap-
pointments of 1000 years ago With
your young friends help you will be
able to decipher these writings. which
no mortal eye has read for that period
What commonplace. prescnt-day mar
rlage can equal such an experienceY
You mentioned that before" re.
sponded the lady, evading the direct
issue, "and that was what gave me the
idea of getting a companion who could
read them to me. But you will write
to me yourself, professor"
"My work will so engross me-" lie re.
turned, still in the same vein of awk.
ward gallantry, that fear must ask
you to accept the sentiments of the
tablets as mine. shall select suitable
ones, and am sure you will be inter
ested"
Miss Morgan sighed again. and did
so still more deeply when shortly after
the visitors took their leave.
Philips letters to Madge, after hi,
arrival at Tarka. reflected the state 0!
his mind which was much distressed
He did not see a chance for them. he
wrote, for his uncle's antipathy to mar
rlage appeared 10 increase But, tn,
young man added by postscript, the
professor had forwarded to MlsS Nor
gan case full of curious tablets they
had discovered, bearing III cuneltOrm
characters much ancient correspond
ence.
When the package thus advised duly
arrived. Miss Morgan opened II with