Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-29

Eyes, SO did" said Nellie. coloring 81 t Tue
papsr ~he d Tsns for them
something about the voting" vour vote
Your own paper? And you gave your Wv"
Certainly did," she said, somewhat Devil Devil
dered by these questions, and turning 'ne p"p'i
well, think you'll find"
She had found it already. One glance, ana
the whole thing flashed upon her. Sne hsd
0eea somewhat impatient at the Ie ia IN the
mace ner cross in a hurry, and-put IL in '"e
wrong column.
So" she began, hesitating and color ring
could not quite keen faint smile from hover
$50 Miss Brenton, I'm afraid you were re-
sponsible for that wretched black bean your
been done by mistake, for none OF our friends
ID But there I'm very glad indeed that II
FOR the poor child, realizing how naugnty sne
mad been, and how much she must have huTt
and piteous, and her sweet eyes filed with tears
he saw that 1t was better to leave her alone, lot
the better arranging of her thoughts under TINS
new ne complication, so went back 70 MS Two
Its just as we'll not to say anything about
this, think" he said.
"Isuppose you're right, Sam agreed. "Must
started the deliberation."
"Oh, certainly. But If every one knew now
."Chaff," said George Carstairs.
I'm afraid they would" said Colthurst, try.
of course, hear all about it,
Yes. He'll be out shortly, I daresay."
o so ne was coming istlessy enough poor fe
which he had not done. He was in doleful be-
wilderment with the whole affair, the intrica-
tity to him. 1t would almost have been better,
he thought, never to have emerged from his
shell 81 at all than to have been thus sorely
stricken, after his brief season OF happiness
Warmed0tO fuller life by the unfamiliar sun of
love.
But when he had come on the grounds, and
when COlhurst, treating the matter lightly as q
rather absurd trif1e, had told him how it was,
never was professor SO suddenly glorified with
of the blood that minute, instead of merely
experiencing 1t he could not have been more
delighted, nor have demonstrated the correct
ness of that interesting thesis more palpably.
He looked over at Nellie, now playing, and
clearly had thoughts OF at once rushing over,
reg r, bs Of the Of and Of ten
feet new treaty of peace. That was the un-
selfish charm of the man. Not q word of re-
nominy she had inflicted upon him. He had
no taintest idea of taking advantage of the
mistake, Of parading his innocence and tactly
intimating by his demeanor that he expected
some sort OF apologize salve for his outraged
dignity. Such was his grievous want of proper
resentment and selfrespect that his only desire
was to have those few troublous days forgotten,
and to take back the child-doubtess now
much distressed for her willfulness-:o his
lfIcuuSIllp ttuU 10 n1S QeaTt, ii tlere were the
slightest possibility of her being a consenting
decOrous)
But it was not to be-not yet. For when Nell
lie had finished her game, and, before going
away, looked over at the professor, much doubt
ing and fearing what his sentiments might be-
see her. Miss Grace Elliston, in private life
more Familiarity known as Toddles, had taken
Of him eI and the
hath hereinbefore been chronicled, she had
given TO the discovery, had submitted to her
glasses, the maltreatment of his whiskers. and
worst of all, the engressal of hts attention. So
the fair lady's eye sought his in vain, and
fruitlessly directed to him, she departed, un-
willingly convinced that the professor really
did "bear malice" As for him, finding pres
bewlderment was infinite. And when the next
day came, and Nellie, who was persuaded of his
unfriendliness, met him with averted eye and
otherwise comported herself in the similitude
of a naughty heroine OF romance he felt worse
than ever, and could almost have gone and
shocked his head against q wall, despising
hitnself for most stupid and maladroit pro-
fessor, who seemed TO have offended his lady
love without offending her, and then offended
her still more by his nOn-Offending. This was an
unprofessorial paradox, but in everyday mat
tiers he was q regular simpleton, and betwixt
humility and shyness let the days pass by sadly
that he might don courage as q garment and
boldly demand an explanation.
The club was puzzled.
"What are they about now?" Mrs. EllistOn
wanted to know, again assailing her unoffend-
Ing brother, who to do him justice, generally
knew as little about anything as was possible
'Oh, blow them," he said, 81 don't know.
carrying on some moonshiny game of their
own, suppose. You know people that are in
love always do it. remember when yourself
and"
Mrs; Elliston retired, and privately deter
mined to take Nellie to task.
But before She got ODn0rfnDffv NJ dOinO
so something happened. In this wise: Pro-
fessor saxagon, whose health was really sui:
to desert his study one afternoon and seek
fresh air in solitude: And having arrived at a
it was river) ran its slumbrous course, and
from whose outrageous shelter one could
catch a glimpse Of bankrupt waterfall, he
adorned with much quaint and late English
lettering, meditated many things.
Until nearly an hour had passed by, and
shaded stiffness Of the place he almost slept s
waking, and scarce knew whether he lived or
i0itered In leafy dreamland. And 1T CHANGED
hand touched his own TREMENDOUSLY. Where
upon he looked round and was persuaded that
indeed he slept But it was marvellous plea
SAINT dream, and he spoke wondering
"Nelliet'
For it seemed that dainty figure stood by
him, in an attitude pleading, humble. That
blue eyes, with q shadow Of chestnut hair cast
near unto them, sought his own, and the dark
ness of gathered tears dimmed them, wistful
That . piteous sweet mouth, unsteadily culver
ing. strove to calm itself and speak. And then
a voice low and wavering mingled with the
faint music ofrippled water.
81 am sorry!' it said. 81 have been very fool.
fsh and ill-tempered. cannot ask you to for
give me. But wanted to tell you how much
| am ashamed, and sorry. And-and it is a
little hard for me-too-''and then those poor
weak rebellious lips wavered-broke-and,
turning away, the penitent spirit would have
left him.
But the profeSsor-he often thought proudly
OF 1T aftegward, as one of few occasions when
he had been guilty of presence of mind-had
artfully superimposed his own hand on that
small one that had touched him first and kent
owner was arrested. 1t struggled, that slight
thing, to tear itself away, and the voice. very
tremuious now, and catching with frequent
sobs, said:
Let me go-oh, .please-please do"
But he didn't. Not bit Off
Never was such a MOn-hearted professor now
that he had got over his first shock of bewilder.
ment.
Let you go?" he said. mo, I WON'T;
never!"
1t would have been a pleasant sight to see
him then, his honest face lit up with resolution,
visitant, and, with the undaunted courage OF
an earnest seeker after truth, drew 1t closer
TO him, determined to solve the unscientifc
mystery. Pleasant to note the savants dis
regard OF danger In pursuit Of knowledge,
his utter abnegation Of self in the interests OF
humanity.
But not SO pleasant as to see, did the sacred
ness or love permit 1t, the tenderness with
winch he gathered the child to his bosom,
soothing her with words most gentle, touching
her drooped head with hands most loving, most