St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-05-12

and Sapphira? Those are the profess
sor's flowers. Vain creature, to sup
pose that he would give them to chit
like you! 1t is shameful"
Eva REDEEMED more and more, but |
could see that she was tittering and
laughing to herself while l sent her to
bed. Il will speak to Eva tomorrow.
She cam t trife with me. do believe
I can see through milestone. No one
can blind me" said. in tone of deep
meaning.
Some one ought to give the pro-
fessor q hint of Eva's duplicity," sug-
gested Miss Leonard.
Perhaps it would be just as we'll to
give him hint of her shocking be-
havior toward that dissolute wretch.
Jack Norris" supplemented Miss Wen
ham.
Il shall certainly do so,' Returned,
in emphatic approval. Prof East
must be warned-he is such a good
man-such an innocent unsuspecting
disposition-we must take care of him.
do fiatter myself I am judge of
men-yes, he must be told about Eva
Noel"
The teachers agreed with me per-
fectly; indeed, I could not recollect
when we were all so unanimous upon
any subject thought over all ! had
to say to the professor, until I had ar
ranged quite a happy and affecting
way of putting it. Plainly it was my
duty to secure the professor against
the arts and wiles of this weak, pretty
face-a girl without the faintest claim
to queenly figure.
Prof East arrived much earlier than
was expected. However. the moment
I heard of it saw my opportunity to
give him a precautionary hint about
Eva's indecorous, artful ways. The
parlor door was partly open, and the
professor voice audible from within.
had the curiosity to stop and listen.
My position demanded watchfulness.
Don't be alarmed,' he was saying;
my luck never wavers. That old
dragon is no match for me-
"But I'm dying with fright all the
time. How can you do it,
The voice was no other than Eva's.
She broke off into laugh. but turned
first red then pale when l walked in,
holding myself very erect and assum-
ing my most commanding aspect. 1t
evidently impressed the professor, for
he put on his immense green glasses
and at once began to talk to me of the
fossils of the tertiary epoch. I made
my points about extinct pachyderms
while had chance. They were tell
ing and powerful, and, l. must say,
delivered in an eloquent and scientific
style. / had been awake until two in
the morning reading upon the subject.
Prof East turned his head Oh one side.
then the other, and looked meditative.
Il am lost in admiration; it is your
figure-the form of Juno! superb! in
spiring?' he suddenly declared. with
the delightful, ingenious candor
which l discovered from the very first
as beautiful trait of his disposition.
Don't flatter me, you dear. naughty
manr' I exclaimed, as I shook my
head at him.
'.Flattery?" he retorted. Il am an
unsophistlcated fellow. always letting
some truth slip out and giving offense.
All, me. know you are furious
Don't apologize, the truth will slip
out, said very kindly; he did look
so wonderfully handsome, even with
those hideous green glasses on. 1--WE
quite understand each other, and I may
say are so congenial that we are some
times imposed upon. feel it my pain
full duty to warn-yes, really warn
you against pert forward. insolent
girl, as shallow and vain as a pea
cock"
The professor came step nearer.
Il think know what you mean,' he
whispered. fairly lost my temper
not with the professor-not at ali, he
was so good looking, but with that
abandoned girl trying to attract his
| attention. 1t was scandalous.
''She is an unprincipled, designing
creature" / went on.
..And so desperately homely," he
| added.
Il know you must think So" was
my triumphant reply; 'but, would you
believe it, some people call Eva Noel
pretty?"
.'Where have I heard that name?"
he questioned. thoughtfully. .,Oh. I
have it, the little girl just now
scarcely noticed; very ordinary, is she
not?''
''Fearfully So" assured him. ''she
has been badly compromised by a
shocking affair with dissolute scoun-
drel, Jack Norris. watch her very
| closely. The miserable knave can't
trife with me. / beg you to remem-
Der that this is a mark of my conf
dence, purely confidential. I mean tc
outwit that rascal Norris, and, Of
course. can't allow you to be taken in.
Come to me if Eva speaks. or even
looks at you, my dear professor.
will protect you"
The teachers interrupted me by COM
ing in at that moment but the pro-
| lessor pressed nv hand gratefully and