Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-02-27
THE PROFESSORS BUG.
What an Important Part 1t Played
in q Love Affair.

Miss Florence Taylor, daughter OF
Prof. Archibald Taylor of - Uni
versity, was perched on the top of the
stile at the lower end of the garden,
with very fearful expression on her
pretty face With her chin resting on
one little hand she looked away into
space instead of at the young man who
was leaning against the fence but a few
feet away. At length he came and
leaned against the stile.
"Well?" he inquired, mournfully.
''It isn't well at all, Tom,' said Miss
Taylor, looking severely at her COM
panion; ''and I think it is very incon-
siderate of you to hint that it might be. !"
I'm sure 1 meant nothing of the
kind said Tom, humbly. what did
the old-that is what did your father
say?"
"He says l am not to see you any
more, and that I must tell you 1t is all
over between u.s."
She spoke without lifting her head,
and closed her speech with heavy sigh.
There was silence for some minutes,
and then Waters spoke again, little
moro cheerful1y.
'And what do you intend to do,
Flos?"
81 suppose / have got to do as my
father says, and we will have to bear
it, she said, playing mournfully with
leaf that came fluttering down from the
tree overhead. There was something so
resigned in her words that Tom took
offense at once, and thrust his hands
into his pockets.
"You seem to bear up well SO far"
he said, very bitterly. 81 don't think
there is much more to say" and he
turned and walked two or three PAGES
up the road.
"Tomw called Miss Taylor from the
stile.
He came back Immediately.
"Tom," with great se-erity, don't
you think it is positively wicked to be
so unkind when everybody is against
me. 1 didn't think you would be SO,
Waters interrupted her hastily, for
she was growing more fearful with
every word she spoke.
"There, Flossie, dear, l know I'm
big brute, and hate myself for making
you SO unhappy"
cts just as bad to call yourself
brute-as if / would care for BRUTE"
said Florence, sobbing violently on his
coat.
"Wen, / didn't mean that either,
then" said Tom, and peace was restored
once more. The sobbing grew more
faint, and at last stopped altogether.
81 didn't tell you the worst, Tom,"
she said presently from his coat.
Waters face was the picture of de-
spair.
"Wen," he said, "what is it?"
'He Is going to take me away" said
Florence solemnly and tragically.
"Where, Europe?' asked Tom.
mo, down in the country where he
is going to spend whole month. He
is going to hunt for new bug or some
thing, and just know he will stay for
ages"
"He may find the bug and como
away" suggested Tom, vaguely.
Il know he won't. They never do"
There was silence, during which
there were symptoms of returning sobs.
"Flossie," said Tom, suddenly, 81
have an idea"
Really" with unconscious sarcasm.
Perhaps you don't care to hear It,"
said Tom, with dignity.
"Tomp'
when are you going?" asked Waters.
II think he said tomorrow"
"Well, then," said Tom, stepping back
to watch the effect Of his words, 81 am
going too"
SIS that all" said Miss Taylor, scorn-
fully. you know he won't ever let
me see YOU 1t will be no better there
than here"
You wait and see" said Tom, sagely.
Florence felt her curiosity rising.
perhaps you had better tell me what
you are going to do" she said as indif-
ferently as possible.
Tom shook his head gravely.
you wouldn't understand. No wom-
an would" patronizingly. And now,"
he continued, Il see somebody coming
this way and ! presume 'twere better
we should part" Then tenderly: You
win be glad if it does come all right,
little sweetheart"
"You know 7 WILL" she answered,
and in moment he had swung himself
over the fence and gone striding down
The road.
That evening he made call on Prof.
Taylor. He found that gentleman in
his study and received stiffiy frigid
bow as he entered.
81 have come to ask favor of you,
SIR" he said, taking a chair and seating
himself comfortably, with his hat in his
hand.
The professor wheeled around in his
chair
II don't want to hear you say any
thing about my daughter" he said,
with rising wrath. 81 presume she has
told you what have said. Let that be
enough"
Excuse me, SIR said Tom, calmly;
al haU not intended to speak of your
daughter. 1t was very different mat
ter"
WELL" said the professor, a little
mollified.
.'You see," said the young diplomat,
81 have been good deal interested in
the work in your elective. / heard that
you were going to spend month or
so in search after some new specimens,
and, as have nothing particular to do
this vacation, thought perhaps you
might allow me to accompany you."
Prof. Taylor knitted his brows for a
moment and thought. He really liked
Waters, and it was true he had worked
well in the professor particular branch.
1t would be an advantage to have him
around, but
This is some trick he said. look.