Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-11-09
CHAPTER XIII.-(Continued.) J


portant piece of news to-day, Mr.. Diary.
SO no more grumbles, please, about your
having sunk into a weather report. Yes,
sir, have met a stranger-fancy that
a visitor, in the winter, at Polleven!
MIR. Hermann-for that is his name
has been a dabbler in science, he tells
me, all his life. l shall snare him be-
fore long and lay my spoil in triumph
at fathers feet. Since the weather has
been so bad, it has been very lonely for
him indoors, poor dear, with only ignor-
ant me for company. l am certain Mr..
Hermann will be just the man for him. A
good stiff talk will brighten him up won
derfully.
l CHANGED upon him this afternoon. He
was struggling along the cliff edge in
the teeth of the wind. His age should
be about sixty, but he is very well pre-
served He is clean-shaven and close
cropped and is altogether very neat in
his appearance. His eyes behind his
glasses are absurdly young, if l can so
describe them. They are so active and
clear that if it were not for the wrin-
kles above them, should have knocked
ten years off his age. He asked me the
way to Polleven, and as L was bound
for the village, l took him in charge
On the way he told me that he had just
taken a room at the inn there. He is
writing book, it seems, and wanted
quiet corner. He will find it at Polleven!
He speaks with but a slight accent, hav-
ing lived much in England, though his
father was a German, as his name de-
;o oil bo
seemed much impressed with the wild
ness of the scenery.
l told father about him at supper. He
said he would be very pleased to meet
him.
Saturday, Nov. 2S.-I am filled with
the triumph of success. Mr.. Hermann
and father are hard at it over their pipes
In the study. They do not seem to be
opposed on any big question, which is
most lucky, for some very learned men
get into dreadful tempers with each 9th
er when contradicted.
1t is the butchers day at Polleven, so
/ walked there this morning to give the
orders. l met Mr. Hermann coming up
from the quay. He is very fond of sail
ing, he said, and had engaged a small
trawler and two men, so that he can
have a good blow when the weather per
mits. He kept on rubbing his hands
and beaming upon me, as if he had
struck upon some new idea which pleas
ed him. l told him l thought he had
done a very sensible thing and that IL
my opinion a great many clever meI
would write the better for dose of fresf
air taken daily. He laughed a good dea
at this and complimentsd me on my wit
My wit. Think of that! AS l knew
there were plenty of chops in the house
1 asked him to lunch, saying that my
father, who was an invalid and could moi
go out much, would be delighted to MAKE
his acquaintance. He accepted at once
and we walked back together.
Later.-Father says that Mr.. Her
mann is unusually well read, and tha
he had had most interesting talk witt
him. Yet he did not seem very en-
thusiastic about him. l hope they die
not quarrel. 1t rather spoiled my tri
umph. Father did not seem to hav'
anything definite against him-only {
general impression that he was a queel
fellow. l think this rather absurd.
Sunday, Nov. 29.-Mr. Hermann sa
behind me at church this morning. HI
sang the hymns in a high voice tina
would have been amusing under ordinar!
circumstances. After church he walked
with me some distance up the hill. HI
condoled with me on my lonely life, anC
that always annoys me. Indeed, l an
afraid l was rather rude to him abou
it. To make amends, invited him t
tea on Tuesday.
Monday, Nov. 30.-Father is not s,
well to-day. He has had more trouble
with his cough, l fear, though he trie
to make light of it. wish had no
asked Mr.. Hermann. | must take car
that he does not see father tomorrow
The doctors were most particular in thei
instructions that nothing should over-ex
cite him; / fear that the two might ge
into some silly argument.