Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-28

ing tnnn Pfe,sys
blsck-stuff dress, which hung round
! her graceful figure in long, straight
| folds.
II was a lovely afternoon; the sun
elancipe through the branches OF the
walnut-tree cast checkered pattern
along the grass. House, garden, and
distant landscape were bathed in golden
light. "How peaceful it all looks"
thought the Professor, but his thoughts
were tinged with sadness. Itch gra-
tuliere. Fraulein." he said, presenting
his yiolets to Miss Kirby with charac-
teristically awkward bow before he
turned to salute his hostess. Frau
Mjttnacht bestowed on him a yolubie
greeting; shepulled forward low gar
den chair for his occupation. and she
presented him 20 her niece, the Frau
lein Bertha Weisse, who had, she ex-
planned. arrived at her house the pre-
yious day on visit from Stuttgart.
Then she began long conversation,
or rather a monologue, to which the
Professor gave only divided attention,
while his eyes sought the black-robed
figure under the walnut-tree. Miss
Kirby had looked up at him with
smile and few soft words of thanks
as she took the flowers from his hands.
He was mentally recalling the look and
the murmured words.
1.-The day pupils went of an hour
earlier than usual in celebration OF the
Fraulein's birthday" Frau Mittnacht
ratified on. Gamma Feuerbach, the
pupil-teacher, is keeping order among
the boarders. Herr Bauermann was
here for his singing lessons this morn
ing; he told us that the band will play
in the Lust Garten. tomorrow evening
instead of Saturday we must make
party there in honor Of my niece,
Bertha. You will join us, NIGHT Herr
Professor? and will ask my nephew,
Bertha's cousin, Max"
Max's name reminded the Professor
of the commission which he had re-
ceived from the young man. This was
hardly the time for its execution; he
would wait for the departure Of Frau
Mittnacht's guests.
At last the coast was clear. The
Major and his wife went off with many
hand-shakings and bows and polite
phrases. essentially German in char
acter; the student followed in their
wake. Bertha Weisse produced a rush
basket from the house, and was pre-
sently engaged in gathering flowers.
Some housewifely business demanded
the presence of Frau Mittnacht in the
kitchen. The Professor found himself
sauntering with Janet Kirby along the
shady gravel walk.
II have brought you a small birth
day present--a book" he said. shyly,
without lifting his eyes, and he pro-
duced volume from the depth of his
pocket.
"a thousand thanks" The girl
stretched out her hand for the gift. " Is
it a lesson-book 2" she asked archly.
No, my child it's novel"
Janet turned her eyes searchingly to
the Professors face. 1t struck her that
for some reason or other he was not in
his usual spirits to-day. His voice.
his whole manner, was suggestive OF
unwonted depression.
Janet Kirby was the daughter of a
poor curate in one Of the midland coun-
ties. At the age Of twelve she had
been sent 70 Frau Mittnacht's school.
There she passed-with rare and I'M
welcome intervals spent at her English
home, where a step-mother held the
rcins of ollice-thrOugh various stages
of pupilage up to the post of English
goyerness. 1t was Herr Bettinger who
had given her her first lessons in Ger
man from the time of her arrival in
Ahnstadt he had always been to her
the kindest of teachers and Of friends
"I-I--met Max Siegel before
came here, Fraulein," the Professor
said at last, looking straight before
him.
"So?"
"He-he gave me message for you
or at least for Frau Mittnacht-t's al
the same. There has been a--a-rup
ture the Professor spoke with evident
unwillineness-" between himself ant
his employer. Herr Freitag is an un
duly. harsh master, and-and-in short
Max has lost his situation. But he
will find another-never fear" Words
came quickly enoughnOw, in the speak
er's desire to dissipate regret, insepara
bic from the first reception Of his news
81 myself am thinking of leaving Aim
stadt for Heidelberg, and have {
brother there who is a merchant; it ha
struck me, since / parted from Max
that might ask my brother, as per
sonal favor to myself. to take the yount
man into his office on trial.
Only one clause, and that an Incl
dental one, in the Professors speecl
elected comment from Janet.
"You are going from Ahnstadt =
) she exclaimed, in a bewildered voice
"Shall you be long away"
"Yes; | am going for good"
d" For good" Janet had seated her
self on the stone bench beside the sun
dial J.; she looked up, with eyes full O
dismay, into her companions face
, "When did you come to that decision
Herr Professor"
G "This afternoon, Fraulein.'
THAT is very sudden. You Ia
t given us no warning Of your desertior
> Why are you going?"
The girls lips trembled.
/ Herr Bettinger hesitated. 18Th
A Chair Of Literature has been ohere
f me at the University of Heidelberg,
l he said. 81 had meant to decline il
; The stipend is not higher than my n
a ceipts at Ahnstadt. But within tn
$ last few hours | have changed IN
(! mind"
T "May one ask why?"
: For many reasons, and for one e!
/. pecial reason it will be best for me
n 60" the Professor answered, in lov
4 voice.
/, Pm very sorry cannot tell yo
how very SORROW" Janet's head WI
n bent low she played neryously wit
a the bunch of violets in her lap. w
: live so quietly here, and see so fe
; friends, that we can i'll afford to 10:
1 the kindest Of them ALL"