102 
could be far happier than [ am with my ever 
present hopes and doubts relative to his wel- 
fare. Many weary years have flown by since 
I last saw my dear papa, and I know not what 
has become of him.” 
“Pardon my inconsiderate question, if it has 
aroused sad memories. It was but natural 
that I should be interested in the experiences 
of a co-wor:er in Nature’s extensive realms. 
Although a stranger to you, yet I may be of 
service in securing some satisfactory informa- 
tion regarding your father’s fate. I enjoy an 
extensive acquaintance among scientific men, 
and thus I may be able to secure some knowl- 
edge relative to your father that may be of 
value to you.” 
“You are very kind. For years I have 
locked the secret of my great sorrow in my 
own bosom, but I feel it to be my duty to use 
every available means at my command to learn 
the truth respecting my dear papa’s fate. You 
may be of most valuable service to me, as you 
go among the men and women who are the 
most likely to know something of my papa. I 
gladiy accept your generous proffer of assist- 
ance and I shall prove my appreciation of your 
sympathy by confiding my heart’s secret to 
you. It must, naturally, surprise you that I 
would thus make a confident of a total stranger, 
but the fact that you are a naturalist, removes 
all doubts of your integrity, and again, the still 
more important fact that you associate with the 
