Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-04-21

now tHuI elAO AAnS~ J
than ever.
"Aud now," added the Titianesque
beauty. "I'll look out for another place
at once. wonder if old Mellen don't
want a stenographerG"
Again Miss Milly froze.
"You mean the professors"
"WelI, he is old, isn't he9" giggled
Mary. "He writes lot, I know, and
he's very polite when he meets me on the
stairs. Would you ask him for me, MISS
Milly"
The elder lady drew herself up.
al never have exchanged 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 50 queerl" said she. "How-
ever, it don't matter; I'd as soon ask
him myself. wonder what salary ne
would payG"
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 alivel
Did the professor really care for this
beautiful, soulless Undine-the pro-
fessor, who had been Millicent's beau
ideal, her chevalier sans peur ct sans re-
proche. when he and she were young,
on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain4
Yes, this was Miss MillY's secret-the
one romance of her almost forgotten
youth.
Professor Mellen had been studying at
Heidelberg when her stepfather, Doctor
Maurande, had died and left herself and
Martha poor. They had counted their
small possessions, considered every side
of the question. and finally decided on
coming North 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 so boldly.
And when, by one of those strange
condolences which happen as often in
real life as in novels, Professor Mellen
engaged the first floor suit of rooms at
10 Murray Place, because it was sutti-
ciently near to the Astor Library to ena-
bic 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.
az don't carel" said Miss Milly to
herself. "Let Mary Redwyn have him
If she can win himl"
That very evening, however, Miss
Redwyu came home from the advertising
bureau, where sue had been to register
her name, with severe headache and {
high fever.
'I'm glad now we didn't let her 60,
said Miss Milly. "Tae child has no on
belonging to her."
"Who is to take care of herr" aske'
Miss Duluth, wringiDg her hands.
"I WILL" Miss Milly answered.
This was in the early spring. Th
June roses were in blossom when Mis-
Milly herself, having been also ill, frs
sat up in her big cushioned chair aa'
viewed herself in a looking-glass.
"How funny look" said she, "witl
nv face so white and all my hair Gu
of Oh, must have been very sick
"You almost died" said Miss Redwyn
"Aud l was so glad when I got we
enough to take care of you, because
knew you had risked your life fc
me-"
"And the Iodgers9'
Miss Milly reused herself once NOR
to active interest in the affairs of tn
outside world.
They've all gone," said Miss Duluth
"Of course you couldn't expect them t
stay in house where typhoid fever wa
raging
Except Professor Mellen," said Mi'
Redwyn, with toss of the red gol
rings which we're beginning to grow OF
where they had cut away her splendi
coils and waves of hair. "Hc'S pei
feet heroI Not afraid OF anything
Look, Miss Milly, he sent these roses.
Miss Millv glanced I'D at her sister.
Yes" said Mlrtha, answering tn
look, che has discovered who we were
l never saw a man so astonished as l.
was"
"And, oh, cried Miss Redwyn, 'I'v
su,A a secret to tell you'll I'm Ell
gagged"
Just then the doctor came in; bu
Miss Milly caught moment to pres
Mary's velvet. soft hand and whisper t
her:
"I congratulate you, deal !"
Later in the day there came gent
tap at the door.
"May come iu9' said the professor
NJ IS Mllly smiled and held out he
hand, while he gently reproachcd he
for hiding herself away from him s
!, lDng.
"Why did you do it, MillicentG" sal
he. "Could not you trust ne3"
you were in Heidelberg" said she
coloring. "And we wanted 10 leave q