The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-05-07

they at last adjourned to bed, each, perhaps,
with q little sense OF discontinue under all
his merriment
The next morning, after watching Tom
out of the house, May sat down 70 some
feminine work of her own, to ponder over
their Inflated schemes when in walked
Professor Rensel, who was supposed to be
safe in his class room. May was aghast at
the sight of him.
Now for it," she thought. ut is too bad
l should have TO take the scolding alone"
For it could not but be that even so mild
q man would be angry at such an escapade.
True. he could not know of her share in ii,
but then it was nearly as bad to have Tom
made the scape goat.
Miss May was an audacious young lady,
but conscience made a coward of her, and
she dared not look up or ask him why he
was not at school.
"why don't he begin?'' she unused, still
keeping her eyes on her work, as the tall
figure shuffied uneasily round the room.
Presently the professor stopped in front of
her and cleared his throat my dear Miss
May, do you think you could ever bring
yourself to marry me?'
The work fell out of her hands, and May
sat fairly dumb with establishment. The
professor picked it up again for her.
II am much older than yourself, Miss
May" he went on, ssand a very awkward
man IN action and speech, as you see. Not
such a one as young lady would ever be
likely to fancy. Only-only felt it my
duty to ask YOU
Then at last May found her tongue. Zone
would not like to marry anybody who asked
her merely from sense of duty" she said,
gravely bending still lower over her work.
The same flush tinged the professors face
that had been there the night before.
when ! said duty, Miss May" he
answered her, half reproachfully, Il only
expressed the motive that had led me to
speak to you this morning. l said nothing
of my own feelings. Surely you must know
that man like myself, who has neither
youth nor attractions of any kind, would,
under ordinary circumstances, feel debarred
from the right to ask what younger and
| happier man might ask. Such q one as
myself can only stand aside, glad to be your
humble friend, and to wish you all happi-
ness to the end of your life"
There was something so pathetic in the
sight of the gentle, learned professor ad-
dressing such words to the thoughtless girl
whom others treated only as a companion
| in mischief, but whom his love elevated to a
pedestal above common womanbood. that
May might well have been restrained by it.
HIS gray hairs and simple kindness of life,
might have turned aside the jokes his ere
dulity brought upon him. She wavered
vlsibly for moment; then the old mischlev-
Gus sparkle came back to the eyes that were
so demurely dropped.
"Yet you have altered your resolution
this morning. she said, inquiringly.
as lOlQ you, MISS may, DtCduSS
believed that it was right for me to do So :
''Well," said May, after a long pause, il
which she was scarcely able to keep dowr
the roguish quivering of her lips, IF 1T !!
your duty to marry me, it must be mine tt
marry you"
"Then you consent?'
YES"
The tall ungainly man stopped, with M
grace except that which love gave him, ant
lifted her hand to his lips. He seemed n,
more astonished at her answer than he hat
been at the spiritual visitation of the nigh
before.
When the boys came home that nigh
they found the professor radiant, Mr.. an,
Mrs. Kingsley beamlng approval upon thei
daughter, and May herself submitting to
all with the most curious expression eve
seen upon any dimpled face-a compoun
oflaughter and doubt, of fun and fear.
Whether she was pricked by her COZ
science, or only frightened by the boldnes
of the game she was carrying on, they coul
not tell. As soon as was possible they go
her alone by herself and fell upon hel
metaphorically speaking, with an avalanch
Of questions
SHAY, did he really ask you to MARI
him?'
But he acts as il you had said yes"
swell, so did,
''By Jove." calculated Tom, perfectly col
| tOuuucus
"You know told you boys, that if
! helped you in your fun, you must let m
i have mine."
..But, MayI May. do you know he has a
ready asked fathers consent? How will 20
. get out of it? What storm there will be!
!, sShe MEANS" interrupted Jem, who ha
2 been studying her face attentively, Ito let
go on till it comes to thu finale. and the
/ say no instead of yes when the minister pu
. the question" a-
Il Toms face was picture of mingled col
g sternation and admiration. He had held
( very low opinion of the courage of grls U
to this point, but here was one who WI
willing to go beyond him.
T Did you think of this last night whe
you wouldn't tell us what you were goir
to do?' he asked, humbly.
"Of course l did,
. sOnly think Tom, he believed every VOL
of it, after all"' put in Jem.
They congratulated each other upon ha
ing perpetrated successful joke, but ST
q their countenances wore a very uneas
y expression.
4 i AFTER all, May, it's little too bad
!, said Tom. hesitatingly. The professor is
: good sort OF man, though he Is such a mu
We won't spoil your fun, of course, but ju
:, look at it before you go ahead. Have yC
: thought what an awful row there'll be whe
= it comes out?"
Z Its too late to stop now said his siste
ralntly, as II sne were lttte alarmed ne
% self at the prospect.
= "Well, anyway, May can marry me. ar
!. so get out of the scrape," said Jem, takiI
. her hand consolingly.
4 Shed better marry you right after Il
other ceremony, them" answered Tor
), ominously. you'd better take her out
father reach as fast as possible. He thin
everything OF the old professor
Z. SWELL, why shouldn't we?'' asked JeI
: with confidence.
= Its just as well now as any time, Nj
:, won't mind"
=. :, this proposal, after the fashion of chi
= who has Unexpectedly grasped a torped
- that Tom began to think it would be Il
" best way out of the scrape, after all.
a. To be sure, the pair would have nothii
: to live on after they were married, exec
y his sisters little legacy, which would not
far, and, besides, which could not
. | claimed for year till the Young lady "