The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-11-23
CHAPTER XIII.-(Continued.)


Friday, Nov. 21.-I have quite an i'm
portant piece of news to-day, Mr.. Diary
So no more grumbles, please. about your
having sunk into a weather report. Yes,
Sir, l have met a stranger-fancy that
visitor, in the winter, at Polleven!
Mr. Hermann-for that is his name
has been 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 lean-shayen 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, l should have knocked
eNA SNAS oA aye. LILO aShCo aAS ehS
way to Polleven, and as 1 was pound
for the village, took him in charge.
On the way he told me that he had just
taken room at the inn there. He is
writing a book, it seems, and wanted
quiet corner. He will End 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-
notes. This was his first walk, and he
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
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. I told him I thought he had
done very sensible thing, and that in
my opinion a great many ciesG. men
would write the better for dose of fresh
air taken daily. He laughed a good deal
at this and compliment. a me on my wit.
My wit! Think of that! As l knew
there were plenty of chops in the house,
l asked him to lunch, saying that my
father, who was an invalid and could not
60 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 thar
he had had a most interesting talk with
him. Yet he did not seem very en-
thusiastic about him. hope they did
not quarrel 1t rather spoiled my tri-
umph. Father did not seem to have
anything definite against him-only
general impression that he was a queer
fellow. think this rather absurd.
Sunday, Nov. 29.-Mr. Hermann sat
behind me at church this morning. He
sang the hymns in 4 high voice that
would have been amusing under ordinary
circumstances. After church he walked
with me some distance up the hill. He
condoled with me on my lonely life, and
that always annoys me. Indeed, l am
afraid was rather rude to him about
It. To make amends, l invited him to
tea on Tuesday.
Monday, Nov. 3O-Father is not SO
we'll to-day. He has had more trouble
with his cough, I fear, though he tries
to make light Of it I wish. had not
asked Mr.. Hermann. l must take care
that he does not see father tomorrow.
The doctors were most particular in their
instructions that nothing should over-ex-
cite him; fear that the two might get
into some silly argument.
CHAPTER XIV.
Tuesday, Dec. Under this head my
diary is blank. l will try to set out
the events Of that day as calmly as
can. May God in His mercy help me-
in His good time, to forget them!
NV father seemed no worse in the
morning, though by my persuasion he
kept to his bed. His own room was on
the ground foor-for he had been for
hidden to climb stairs-and looked out
r6o ho ho