The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-05-01

ardly anything but 'estimablcr"
You arc exceedingly impertinent,'
answered Mrs. Austin. who was now
very angry. II insist on your being no
lite TO Prof. chesney, and doing your
share toward entertaining him, or !
shall certainly complain OF you TO your
father. Leave the room, miss"
a little ashamed. and wholly angry,
Larry whisked out OF the room. almost
into the professors arms, with such
force as To rather stagger him. With a
hasty Excuse me-" she sped along the
corridor and mp the stairs, while the
"cstimable gentleman stood and
looked after her.
AN old fossil.' he murmured, with
a slight smile. stroking his beard.
shortly after this. TO the surprise OF
all, Larry suddenly changed her tactics,
and at dinner one day addressed the
professor. lie answered courtcously.
and very readily joined in an argument
between herself and Jim. Her remarks
were bright and amusing. IL somewhat
crude. and the brown eyes and change
full face were very attractive. In the
evening she played and sang for him,
and was as sweet and bcwitching as the
heart OF man could desire, much To the
surprise Of some. and the annoyance of
others, of her family
"Shc means mischief" thought jim
uneasily. Are you beginning TO sue
cumb to the professors charms?" he
whispered. you know l gave you a
week"
u am thinking Of getting up col
lection Of fossils" Lie answered, with
moclSing laugh, land this is too fine a
specimen TO lose. Don't you dare in
tcrferc.'
Poor wretch" rcjoincd Jim. HE
has my sympathy
Unable TO account for the change in
Larry's manner, the professor never
theless found her very agreeable; and,
though never neglecting anyone else. it
soon became evident that she was the
attraction. The other two reluctantly
gave way to her, and she it was who
went with him to picture galleries and
lectures and concerts, who was the life
of the theater and opera parties. saucy,
willful. charming.
With all his gravity and erudition, il
was plain that he admired this ill-rcgu-
lated young woman. lie had never be-
fore been thrown closely into compan-
ionship with such nature; he admired
her beauty. her dainty costumes; even
her girlish extravaganza Of speech and
saucy disregard Of his opinion pleased
him better than Augustus unvarying
politcness. or Gertrudc's clcverness.
His eyes followed her every movement.
a wistful light in them sometimes. that
touched Jim.
He's in for a severe attack. I'm
afraid" he thought. .I,ad disease to
take late in life"-and went of whist
ling:
Two bright eyes meath q scarlet hood
One beguiling and one beguiled-"
Larry was curled up in deep window
sill overlooking the park, basking in
the sun. for she was veritable Persian
in her love of sunlight, when Prof.
Chesney came into the room. He
leaned against the side of the window,
looking at the picture she made in her
quaint pulled and furbclowed gown,
the sunlight falling on her brown head.
Larry looked up, nodded with a smile
settled back into her original position,
waiting for him To speak; and SO he
did, after awhile. but not as she ex-
pectcd.
II am going away tomorrow. Miss
Larry he said My pleasant visit
has come to an end. /"
Tomorrow" echoed Larry. sitting
up straight. I'm very sorry you are
going And, much to her own sur
prise. she realized that the remark was
perfectly sincere.
II am glad to hear you say that"
said the professor, trying to keep his
voice steady. 1T makes il little
easier to say something that Is in my
heart" Then he told his story in
warm, eager words, very unlike his
usual calm words that stirred Larry
strangely. There was q queer express
sion on her pale face as she stood be-
fore him.
prof. Chesncy. she said. with quiv-
cring lips. I'm not worth the love you
have offered me. You'll realize that
when I tell you that I've only been
pleasant and civil to you all these
weeks. not from any liking for you. but
TOTO plague the others" Thorough
" ashamed. she bent her head, unable
to meet his eyes.
"You mean that you have deliberate
" played part all these weeks? You,
whom thought 50 frank and true?
How could you do il! Then you've not
the slightest love for me in your heart
that. suppose, is out Of the ques-
ton" There was hurt, shocked tone
in his voice that touched Larry keenly.
II don't love you." she answered.
.but shall be very grateful, II. after
what have told you. you will let me
be your friend" She put out her
hands and moved step nearer TO him.
but, 10 her modification, her extended
hands remained untouched.
~ did not ask for your friendship
he said, unstcadily, land just at pres
cnt want only what l asked for. by
and by may De- able to appreciate
your offer; ! shall try, but you've
TAUGHT me hard lesson. Larry, one
I'm not likely to forget Perhaps !
ought to have known better, but