Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-12-23
TIE PROFESSORS CHOICE.

Mrs. Linda Graham and Prof Ward
Rockwell were walking up and down the
riaxza Of the Delavan House.
1t wa, in juno, and the windows Of the
parlors which opened on the piazzs were
open, though tho heavy damask curtains
were down, sweeping the carpet with their
shimmcrinv folds. Inside tho south parlor,
curled up in an easy chair by the window,
El.ic Hamper was crochetine fa,np mat.
She caught murmcr Of their voices, but
sook no notice Of what they were saying =
She was not particularly Interested. 1t was
nothing to her, let it he what it might.
Prof. Rockwell had cnly arrived that
morning aud was to stay ut the Delaven
House until the opening Of the fall term Of
W College, Of which he was tn he
Greek Professor. lie was Mrs. Graham> ;
bctrothcd-so the gossip went-and She
was guest Of Kate Delavan, the belle and
hcirc.,. There were several gay. young
l.coplc staying at the house, for Kate liked
company; and this sca'on she had some
how taken distas,c to watering places, and
all other public resorts. $" she remained
ut home, wore her last years mu.lins and
chose her own company.
Elsie was not guest. Since shc was IT,
teen, five years she had lived at Dclavan
House, half as company to Kate, half as
scnmstrcs. aud helper in general.
She was distant cousin Of the young
mistress and after the death Of her mother,
she had been taken by Kate, who found her
handy and useful. Don't for moment im-
ngine that Elsie wore patched frocks and ato
cold potatoes " IL Cimlcul". oh, no.
Hlle was very kindly treated by Kate and
her Indignant papa, and she was much too
plump and rosy to suggest scanty diet.
She combcd Rates hair, when she was
in the mood for il; scwcd mp her ruffics and
embroidered her aprons fed the canaries,
watcrcd the heliotrolcs, crochcted hoodS,
md once or twice when the houscnnald had
bcen absent, out Of pure good nature, she
had helped the cook wasl, up the dishes.
Bu, she did not like this; it made her
hands rough and 10 Of course she deserves
ull the more credit for leaving the cross
Mrs. Gruhan, tho handsome, naughty
widow Of Judge Graham, and kates par
sicular admiration, had snubbed Elsie little
lust enough to make her feel her inieriority.
Elsie did not relish it, and does anybody.
Hardly / think. 1t made Elsie angry, and
If Mrs. Graham could have seen how rcd
her checks we're when she went up to her
chamber; after some sidelong shaft which
had cut her deeply, she would have insinu-
uted to the first gentleman who admired her
color, that the girl painted. just as she did
herself when she was q little pale Of a morn.
ing. Women never accuse others Of their
Sex ofthis bit Of deception unless they them
selves arc guilty. Hearts void Of deception
never look for deception in Others. Make a
note Of it-you're welcome.
There had been great deal Of talk about
Prof. Rockwell before he made his advent
in w. lie was wealthy and Of an old fam
| lily; talented above most men, and very
particular; and Elsie, who had listened to
The description, expected to sec a snuffy,
wsakeycd, sandy.haired individual, in green
glasses, and pantaloons with the knees worn
thread bare.
And instead she saw a very handsome
young man Of eight and twenty, with black
eyes, grave, earnest face, somewhat too pale
perhaps, and very dark hair curling careless
" over broad, thoughtful forehead.
Elsie had not happened to be introduced,
but she had taken several peeps at him, and
satisfied herself as to his personal appear
auce. And sho sighed little softly to her.
self as slss. GrahaR took the arm offered