The Opelousas courier., 1893-06-10

me-"
Miss Milly WINGED. It was nonsense
to notice a trife like that, but she felt
now that she liked Mary Redwyn less
than ever.
"And now," added the Titianesque
beauty, "l'll look out for another place
tat once. I wonder if old Mellen don't
want a stenographer9"
Again Miss Milly froze.
%r~s'You mean the professor9"
swell, he is old, isn't he2" giggled
Mary. "He writes a lot, 1 know, and
he's very polite when he meets me on the
stairs. Would you ask him for me, Miss
Milly2"
The elder lady drew herself up.
81 never have exchanged a word with
him since he has been in the house,"
said she. "My sister and do not
mingle with our dodgers. Hannah acts
as our agent"
Mary laughed.
"You're SO queerl" said she. elbow
ever, it don't matter; I'd as soon ask
him myself. I wonder what salary he
would pay7"
The tears were dried on her carmine
cheeks now, her eyes sparkled, and her
enchanting lips were wreathed in smiles.
Miss Milly eyed her ~curiously. Yes,
that was the face, those were the melting
glances, that could not but fascinate any
man alive!
Did the professor really care for this
beautiful, s~oulless Undine-the pro-
%fessor, who had been Millicent's beau
ideal, her chevalier sans peur ct sans re-
Roche, when he and she were young,
on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain2
Yes, this was Miss MiIIY'e secret-the
n romance of her almost forgotten
youth.
Professor Mellen had been studying at
Heidelberg when her ~stepfather, Doctor
Maurande, had died aud left herself AMI
Martha poor. They had counted their
small possessions, considered every side
of the question, and finally decided on
coming Moth to invest their little all in
a lodging house.
They had dropped the name of their
mothers second husband and became
the Misses Duluth again in the new life
which they faced SC boldly.
And when, by one Of nhose strange
condolences which happeT1oas often in
real life as in novels. Professor Mellen
engaged the first floor suit of rooms at
10 Murray Place, because it was sufi-
GENTLY near to the Astor L43rary to ena-
BILE him to prosecute his literary work to
good advantage, he never knew who his
real landlady was.
Milly he never saw. Martha wore |
spectacles, and looked ten years older
than her actual age.
81 don't carel" said Miss MilIy to
herself. "Let Mary Redwyn have him
If she can win hint"
That very evening, however, Miss
Redwyn came home from the advertising
bureau, where Sue had been to register
her name, with a severe headache and a
high fever.
s'l'm glad now we didn't let her CO."
said Miss Milly. "Tne child has no one
belonging to her,"
"Who is to take care of her?" asked
Miss Duluth, wringing her hands.
81 will" Miss Mllly answered.
This was in the early spring. The
June roses were in blossom when Miss
Milly herself, having been also ill, first
sat up in her big cushioned chair and
viewed herself in a looking-glass.
"How funny l look" said she, "with
my face so white and all my hair cut
off Oh, | must have been very sick!"
"You almost died, " said Miss Redwyn.
Sand I was SO GLAD when I got we'll
enough to take care of you, because
knew you had risked your life for
Sand the lodgers2'
Miss Milly reused herself once more
to active interest in the affairs of the
world.
"They've oil gone." said Miss Duluth.
''Of course you couldn't expect them to
stay in a house where typhoid fever was
raging"
"Except Professor Melleu," said Miss
Redwyn, with a toss of the red gold {
which were beginning to grow out
where they had cut away her splendid
coils and waves of hair. "He's a per.
fect herol Not afraid of anythingi
Look, Miss Milly, he sent these roses"
Miss Milly glanced up at her sister.
EYES," said Martha, answering the .
ook, che has discovered who we were.
never saw a man so astonished as he |
I
"And, oh" cried Miss Redwyn, 'sI've !,
UGH a secret to tell you! I'm en-
aged"
Just then the doctor came in; but ;
Hiss Milly caught a moment to press :
velv ct. soft hand and whisper to :
81 congratulate you, deal!"
Later in the day there came a gentle
up at the door. =.
t'May I come ina" said the professor. +,
Miss Mllly smiled aud held out her :
and, while he gently reproached her
Dr. hiding herself away from him so =,
ing. :
"Why did you do it, Millicenta" said =
Q. "Could not you trust me2" :
"You were in Heidelberg" said she. a
"And we wanted 10 leave all f
le old life behind us. We've didn't 8
how people might fell" !
"But it seems," said the professor, q
nth a smile, "that the old life has fol-
WED you. Do you know, Milly, il
GEMS as if it was only yesterday that /
ent awaY2 Do you remember" A
She interrupted him, quickly:
"Oh, | forgotl' said she. ."I have i.