The Osceola times., 1884-04-05
A PAYING POLICY.
BY EMILY LENNON

male seminary" sat two gentlemen, Who'
Judging from the filmy strata Of thin,
blue smoke that haunted the upper air,
were bent upon outraging Madame's ex-
press commands.
"Ifyour wife were to come in now,
Professor" said the younger, with long
hard pull at his handsome meerschaum,
81 wonder what she'd sayP"
"Say? echoed the Professor, with a
momentary frown that melted away in
quick mercurial smile; "oh, my wife is
an angel Rather an eccentric angel at
times, perhaps, but still we get along very
well together. When l can't upset her
preiudices l climb over them"
He spoke with marked German ac-
cent, but very fuently and with the best
nature in the world.
II can't get over my surprise at finding
YOU married and settled down" said his
friend. Fred Stambach. "Who would
have thought to find Professor Metzger,
the linguist and metaphysician, at the
head of a young ladies' boarding school?'
Zach, Fritz cried the Professor, re-
filling his pipe. "How many times am
to tell you that l am not the head of it?
l tried languages and philosophy. IT
was all work and no pay. Enter Madame
handsome, capable Frenchwomsn with
pensionnat, who offers to marry my
name and position. Tres-bien! ! offer
no objections, and so the struggle for ex'
istance ceases. | become gentleman Of
leisure. read and study, and smoke
and talk, and Professor Ludwig Metzgers
School of Languages thrives under the
sovereignty of Madame, his wife. But
you, Fritz, you are young, good-looking
ambitious, talented. What in the name
of goodness are you doing as assistant
teacher of languages in little hole like
this?"
A swift, passing frown wrinkled Siam
bach's broad white brow for moment.
~ viii. starve rather than submit to do.
mestic tyrany," he said with quiet en-
phasis. "My fathar won't make any
thing by his present course of conduct
I can take care of myself He can dc
what he likes with his money! I'll be
shot if marry Miss Cushman or any one
else unless it suits mel"
ala wohl" said the Professor. "Abel
"a little money is a nice thing to have
i'm the house. Ifvou-. Good gracious
There's my wife,"
With one wild dash he plunged his
pipe into pitcher of water that stood
near by, while Sambach hastily lifted
fitted the lid Of the desk and laid his
away.
sight is not the only sense, unfortu
nately," be said, scattering the smoke
with his hand.
"Im not afraid of her. the Professor
exclaimed, as he walked to the window
and raised it. "but one hates to have
rows"
Meanwhile the parlor door opened
and in came Madame Metzger with tn,
French teacher Mile Lorraine. FREQ
knew the soft, light, springing step tha
followed Madame's even before worC
was spoken.
The little Office where he and the Pro
fessor sat, occupied one corner of thu
graet barren parlor or sitting room, from
Viii n il was separated by light parti
ZION, reaching half way up to the ceiling
A caaopy of tobacco smoke still hover
ed over this small enclosure, but MADAME
was too much occupied to notice that
under ordinary circumstances, woult
have sent her into spasms.
"No, Mademoiselle," she was saying
Nith something like snap; II canno
have IT, This flirting in school fo
young ladies "a pensionnat! 1t will ney
dol"
"Iou accuse me unjustly. Madame
was the gentle but firm response. :"
have never firted with Mr.. Stambach." !"
Indeed, II is worse then? Have yol
Mademiselle, accepted his attentions
with purpose-a-a design"
Fred sprang to his feet with an angr,
movement, but the Professor thrust hin
back in his chair.
"Fritz, be still" he said, in smother
ed undertone.
IL do not know what you mean TO in
sinuate, Madame" said the calm. clea
voice, which had risen, perhaps, a not,
higherand vibrated with suppressed feel
ings.
perhaps you mean to marry Mr.. STAN
bach?" Madame continued, half curious
ly.
Certainly not" was the prompt reply
"He does not wish it, and l."
Fred rose this time with quick, cage
gesture, and stood listening.
"well?". said Madame.
'I'm a Frenchwoman. It is absurd tC
think OF such a thing, butt wouldn't
Marry a General, Madame, under any
circums' aces"
"No?" said Madame sarcastically; but
her bitter speech was cut short by start
led cry from the Professor:
"The desk is on fire, Fritz"
In an instant Madame was inside the