The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-12-06


formed that Mr.. Van Camp would r,
turn 10 the club for the night; ther
In his silk hat and generally shlnin
togs, he set forth TO make a call II
was no stranger to New York. an
usually he took his cities as the
came, with a matter-offact noncha
lance. He would be as much at hom
on his second day in London as h,
mad over been In Lynn; or he woull
60 from friends weekend house
party where the habits of a Sybaritt
were forced on him, to a camp In thu
woods and pilotbread fare, with al
equal smoothness OF temper and enjoy
ment. Since luxury made no impress
sion on him, and hardship never
blunted his own ideals OF politenest
or pleasure, no one ever knew which
life he preferred.
Choosing to walk fifteen or twenty
squares to the Archangel apartment
house. his destination, Van Camp
looked about him, on this night OF his
arrival. with slightly quickened per.
ceptlons. He cast mildly apprecia-
tive eye toward the picture disclosed
here and there by the glancing lights,
the chiaroscuro of the intersecting
streets, the constantly changing Wis
tas. For an unimpressionable man. he
was rather wrought upon. Neverthe-
less. he entered the charming apart
ment whittier he was bound with the
detached and composed manner which
society regards as becoming. A maid
with foreign accent greeted him
Yes, Mademoiselle Reynier was at
home; Mr. Van Camp would find her
in the drawing-room.
The stiff and unrelaxed manner with
which Mr. Van Camp bowed to Miss
Reynier a moment later was not at
all Indicative Of the fairly respectable
fever within his Scotch breast. Miss
Reynier herself was pretty enough to
cause quickened pulses. She was Of
noble height, evidently woman Of
the world. She gave Mr. Van Camp
her hand in a greeting mingled OF
European daintiness and American
frankness. Her vitality and abound
ing interest In life we're manifestN
"Ah, but you are very late. This is
how you become smart all at once In
your New York atmosphere! But pray
be seated; and here are cigarettes, IL !
you will. No? Very we'll: but tell |
me; has that amorphous gill-slit--or
no, the branchial lamella-has 1t be- |
haved itself and proved to be the ave
nue. which shall lead you to fame?"
Mr.. Van Camp stood silent through
this fiippant badinage. and calmly
waited until Miss Reynier had settled
herself Then he thoughtfully turned
the chair offered him so as to com
mand slightly better view of the
corner where she sat, leaning against
the old-rose cushions. Finally, taking
his own time. he touched off her
greeting with his precise drawI.
I'm not smart, as you call it, even
n New York, though try to be-" His
eyes twinkled and his teeth cleaned
n his wide smile. IF were smart.
ID pass by your error in scientific !
but really / ought not
o do it. If one can not be exact" {
That's Just what l say. If one can {
Iot be exact why talk at aIl?" Miss I
teynier caught it up with high glee. c
The had foreign accent, and an oc- Y
asional twist Of words which proved Y
er to be neither American nor Eng a
shwoman That's my principle" +
he insisted. Leave other people in 0
ndisturbed possession of their hob n
les, especially in conversation, and h
ont say anything If you can't say |;
hat you mean. But then, you won't s.
Tx about your hobby; and If I have o
D one to inform me, how can / be e,
iact? But I'm the meekest person a
i've; I'm so ready to learn"
Mr.. Van Camp surveyed first the r
alluring eyes, then turned CT
S gaze upon the sofa luxuries about NJ
EN-. tn
Are you ready to turn this bijou Il
cam into a laboratory smelling of in
cohol and fish? Are you willing to RI
end hours wading in mudbanks after
ecimens, or scratching in the sand tr;
der the broiling sun? Science does di
t consult comfort" as
Miss Reynier's expression of duizzi- wf
teasing changed to one of rather
'ughtful inquiry, as if she were es- or
lating the man behind the scientist alb
n Camp was one of the lean, angu- yor
type, like Jim Hambleton. He was Bu
o every manly and wholesome, but grf
IN in his conventional evening fas
thes there was something about Rb
, that was unconventional-a pro-
ting, untamed element OF charac- Lie
that resisted all rules except those wa
scribed by itself. He puzzled her ME
', as he had often puzzled her be- in
}; but If she made fun of his hob pic
!, she had no mind to make fun of \
man himself A cheerful. intelIi- his
smile finally ended her contem- fail
ing moment. frie
Oh, no; no digging in the sand two
me, I'll take what science I get ept,
mother way-put up in predigested unli
lages or bottled-any way but the anv
: way But please don't give me was
You shed a good deal of light error
ny mental darkness last winter in M
pit, and maybe | can improve still won
3" She suddenly turned with blac
idly, confidential manner toward tura
k, not waiting for replies to her She
lrks. IT'S good to see you again! forh
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