The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-09-29
PROFESSOR MORTON.
BY CONSTANCE CARLETON.
CHAP. TX.

head of the table, saying laughingly
that she was still playing the invalid.
Very pretty Violet looked in her morn
ing dress of green merino, with its trim
ming of snowy swans down around
neck that rivaled it in whiteness. A
ray ofsunlight coming through the win
dow shown on her ripping hair, maxi
ing it golden frame for her fair sweet
face.
"Really Violet, you preside with
great dignity" said India, looking
smilingly at the little figure behind the
silver breakfast service. Mr. Richmond
looked at her from his end of the table,
and thought so too, and wondered if
she would consent to preside at the
head of his table always. Thinking of
this the absent minded old gentleman
put sugar on his egg, salt on his hot
roll, and stirred his coffee with fork.
India noticed this and called the Profess
sor's attention to it by aslight nod.
'Does your coffee suit you Mr.. Rich
mond?" asked Violet.
"Beautiful' he answered somewhat
irrelevantly with his eyes still fixed up
on her face.
"There was a general laugh at his ex-
pense and India said:
"Guardy, what a peculiar appetite
you must have this morning. You have
sugared your eggs, salted your rolls, and
pray tell me ifit makes coffee any bet
ter to stir it with fork 2"
"Good gracious! what have been
doing! surely am the most absent
minded man alive. "There Jake" Ito
the servant behind his chair) stake this
muss away and bring me clean plate !
Jake who had been watching his mas
ter's movements for some time with his
eyes rolling in merriment, only waited
until he got to the kitchen to burst into
a loud gufaw and to express his belief
that "massa's done gone clean crazy"
Mr.. Richmond said nothing to Violet
during her stay, about being mistress
of that beautiful home, although it was
not his intention to reflect six months
as he did in the case of Miss Hopkins,
Violet and Sidney Morton talked with
each other as much as ever, but there
was an icy barrier between them.
Vacation ended, as all vacations do
long before we wish them to, and the
three returned to school to resume their
several duties. Very irksome those
duties seemed after the pleasant days
they had just spent. Violet studied
harder than ever, and the time with her
passed rapidly. India studied in her
old way; taking up her books, glancing
over the lessons, throwing them down
with an angry exclamation and finally
substituting her school books for nov
ell. Her compositions were written in
this manner.
"Violet give me subject wont youl
"After few moments thought VIC
let would give her one. India would
scribble away for some time, then, af
ter tearing up several sheets of paper
she would write the subject again, and
say pleadingly:
"Start it for me please"
Her roommate would note page OF
two and hand it back. A few more
sheets of paper torn up, and then;
"Violet, / wish you would finish this
for me; can't think Of one thing tc
say on that subject"
About three weeks after her return
to school, Violet received letter from
Mr.. Richmond containing propose
for her hand.
Her astonishment was great. She
answered Immediately, and refused IL
as kind language as possible, and the
"thuudering no" was not so terrible at,
ter all. Late that afternoon, India, who
had recognized her guardians writing
! on Violets letter, said:
"Violet, think you received letter
from Guardy this morniDg7
eyes," said Violet, coloring slightly
"He spoke to me of his intentions il
regard to you, before ! left home. Ma.
J / ask what was your answer'"
"His letter panied me exceedingl,
India, for am not one of those womel
who are proud Of the many offers the.
have received"
"Then you refused"
eyes India"
India was disappointed.
3 Putting herself in Violets place, sh
imagined that her friend could not re
fuse so good an offer.
"You should have considered tn
matter before answering, Violet"