Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-23
and when she went to take her lessons
from him In the library.

ed him, and the hour spent with him
in the library each morning, was rea
punishment to her. The first morning,
as the professor had not brought his
text books with him, she was obliged
to let him look on her book as she
read but by the next day she had
brought down an old copy of Tacitns,
that was her fathers from some dusty
recess In the library, and politely Offer
ed it to him. He noticed this, and
tried to make her more at ease in his
presence.
"Miss Elise" he said, one morning,
''let me entreat you not to sit so far off /,
as il you were afraid of me. Come
over here and sit on this sofa by me,
and l give you my. word for it, if you
do go little wrong. you will sustain
no mortal injury at my hands. Pray
do not rush through your lessons, list
ening to my comments and corrections
as the ineyitable, and then hurry out
of my presence as if were an ogre.
1t was expedient for me to be strict
and stern in my class at the institute,
but the relation as teacher and pupil
need no longer exist between US let
me be your friend and helpmate. do
not know why you appear to dislike
me, and are so constrained in my .pres-
ence. I have often noticed that you
are never so frolicsome aud gay when
am near. No need to put constraint
on your happy spirit on my account,
child. Although the joyous mirth Of
youth has departed from life forever, it
still gladly echoes the music of other
youthful healts."
"Indeed, Professor Ingram, you mis-
Judge me. do not dislike you, and 1
know you have always been just to me.
I confess 1 was not always perfectly
free and at ease in your class. You al
ways looked at me as though you were
criticizing what l said so severely in
your mino."
"Did l." said he, laughing. "Well,
hear me swear, right here, by the shade
of old Tactitus that I will not do SO a.
gain. And will you not, on your side,
promise not to look so solemn whenever
1 come near you."
Elsie promised, and it was not long
before she and her teacher were fully
enjoying each others society. They
often sat and conversed long after les
sons were over. Nor was their conver-
sation confined to Latin literature, for
Elsie was beginning to feel so free in
his presence that she could converse
with him as easily as with one of her
schoolmates. She would show him her
books, birds and flowers, and even let
him examine the collections OF botanic
specimens she had made. She would
often go out for walk with him, and
as they wandered where the prospect of
green, sloping hills, shady dells, spark
ling streams AMI distant, blue noun
tains were spread out in heavenly beau.
ty before them, the grave professor lost
many lesson that nature, in her silent
language. would haye taught him, in
listening to the sirene voice of his hap
by companion. Elsie would go on with
her merry discourse, hardly realizing
that the dark face before her, which she
had come to think so handsome, was
the same that had often been turned
upon her with a frowning expression in
the dreary old recitation room at the in
Stitute.
She often sang for him. and he SEEM
ed never to tire of hearing her voice.
One evening when she had finished sing
ing "Kathleen Mavourneen," he said ::
''Do you know that | once heard you
sing that song more beautifully than L
ever heard it sung by any musical ar
tist of either continent ?"
"Why, no; / did not know you admir-
ed my voice enthusiastically. Please
tell me where | was so fortunate as to
deserve such praise"
"Do you remember of practiclng in
the muSic-rOom near my office the hour
after I read the examination report of
my Latin class | heard you singing
and sat down by the window and listen
ed to your songs. / was there when
Miss Hatton came in and J OH told her
how sorely disappointed you were in
not getting your diploma. 1 cannot tell
how deeply | sympathized with you !!
1t was then l determined you should
not be disappointed. in the end, if any
assistance could render you would be
of avail"
"Oh, you eavesdropper and how lit
tie l dreamed then you were SO sweet
and kind. | do not remember all said
in my disappointment; maybe | said
something naughty about you," said
Elsie, affectionately taking his hand
from the hack of the chair, where it
was lying, aud tenderly toying with the
fingers.
'tNo, you did not" he said, bending
his dark, handsome face close to hers J;
''and my little darling, Il have something
more to confess. DO you think that.as
| heard you sing, determined to one
day make that sweet voice and these
sunny curls and laughing blue eyes all
my own ?"
But we will not listen tothe words he
uttered as he told her the old, old story
that has kindled lovelight in the eyes of
happy maidens from time immemorial !;
the old, old story that enchanted Elsie
as no music had eyer done, and called
forth from her heart a confession Of the
loua cho horn for hin-u LOVE that ssWaG