The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-08-11


" Professor Arle of r." said Har-
old, so suddenly that both girls jumped.
" 1t can't be-yes-please let me see
that card a minute, dear, and pardon
me for startling you so, but / had
cassmate in college by that name. Yes,
it is the same one. He was considerably
older than /, but real good fellow.
There he is nowl" And Harold sprang
to his feet and pursued gentleman
who was going in at the door.
In moment he came back and intro
duced Professor Arlie. Florence recog-
nized him at once, and soon understood
why he did not seem to remember her.
" thought you meant not to recog-
nize an old friend, Arlie," said Harold,
I" but as l could claim acquaintance
with so distinguished gentleman as
the lecturer of the evening, / thought l
ought to do it for the sake of the ladies'"
The professor smiled. "No," he said,
81 never forget an old friend, but l
had the misfortune to break my glasses
the other day, and must depend on
my friends to recognize me first.
have ordered some glasses, but there
seems to be some delay about my re-
ceiving them"
The girls then excused themselves
and went for wraps, ETC., as it was
nearly time to go to the lecture.
4" Are you married?' queried Har-
old, as the two sat together. "No,"
answered the professor, flushing lit
tie, q" are you?'
I" Not yet, but hope to be in the
fall"
"The lady is one of those who have
just left us, suppose ?" ventured the
professor.
Yes said Harold, dreamily, his
gaze fixed on the sea, {" the one with
the light hair" which item of informa-
ton was of great value, as the shade of
brown on both heads was the same.
But Harold was not to blame; when
Picnic was present he saw only her, as
was proper. "Sle is the best girl in
the world, Arlie," he burst forth pres
emily.
"Ah-yes," said the professor, alb
sent-minded in his turn, as he thought
of the lady in blue.
AS Florence and Picnic went up
stairs together the latter asked, What
are you thinking about, Floss, that
makes you look so queer? BY the way"
she went on, without waiting for an
answer, you have not told me that
wonderful secret yet. There will be
time when we come back from the
lecture
Very well, "replied Florence, know
ing that coming back from the lecture
meant to Picnic a walk on the beach
in the moonlight with Harold, which
would put all thought of the "secret !"
out of her head.
AS the four walked to the lecture
Harold asked, care you here alone,
Arie?''
g am now, yes. My sister came
with me, but the sea air did not agree
with her and she soon went home"
Florence heard more of that lecture
than of the one she had atten ded alone a
few evenings before. AS for the
professor, noticing the blue flowers on
her bonnet, he directed all his efforts
. in that direction and was warmly ap-
plauded. When on the way home, as
Florence expressed her enjoyment of
the lecture, the poor man could not tell
whether he preferred blue or white
dress for his lady.
In the weeks which followed-for our
party stayed on after the school had
disbanded-the professor was in guam
Diary. The. blue-robed figure haunted
him continually, but FlOrence's form
would fit between it and him self, till,
in despair, he would say, with a sigh,
"What shall do? Miss Ivers is the
brightest and most fascinating little
fairy l ever met, and yet" and ii
, would generally end with his taking the
little sketch from his pocket and gaz-
ing at it long and earnestly. He would
: go out when the tide was low, and sit
= on the rock where he had first found
, Florence, but a sight of her walking
, on the beach would draw him to hel
side.
SO affairs went on till one evening, as
: they were sitting on the veranda, a
( young lady in blue passed by. The
| professor glanced up quickly, and then
withdrew his eyes to Florence as she
! looked out over the sea.
. " Did you expect to see an acquaint
? ance, professor" asked Picnic.
y " Yes-no," he replied, confusedly
q and three pairs Of inquiring eyes were
fixed upon him.
v "Come, Arlie. explain those contra
f dictory statements, Laughed Harold.
f 81 will, replied the professor, and he
v then gave the story with which we are
familiar, ending with, 81 have been
e looking for her ever since, but JUS
then l had broken my glasses, ant
4 would have been unable to recognize
S her had l met her. She wore blue
i dress, which is the only distinguishing
n mark / have. i never knew before
d what favorite color among the ladies
f is blue"
t The troubled expression on the poo
e professors face absorbed the other two
II so that they did not see Florence'
: bushes, and when Picnic said, " Per
d haps you have seen her wearing anothe
v dress and did not recognize her,
n Florence fastened away. Picnic caugh
o. sight of her as she went and wondered
e at her strange expression. Florence
|. now understood him better than he die
a himself, for previous to this summer hi
had been more interested in Greek ant
n philosophy than in ladies. Yet she die
@ not put an end to his perplexity, per
r, haps because she enjoyed his embarrass
s ment, and at length the day came t.
e say good-by and 60 back to the city