The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-03

the balmiest of fall weather, seem fairly
frigid in comparison.
The sky was threatening, and the
clouds, twisted into fantastic shapes by
) the stiff northwest breeze, now and
) again flung stray snowflake spitefully
through the air. Even the driver of the
stagecoach, who was usually Indifferent
TO the state OF the weather, was heard
to mutter as he drew up at the tavern,
that he'd be blessed if he wasn't about
sick Of New England weather anyway"
There was only one passenger this
eveniDS-a young man who sprang
lightly up the steps and into the CHEEKY
barroOm. jeff Brown rose with formal
courtesy to greet the stranger, but as
the newcomer flung aside his great
coat and cap revealing very familiar
face and form the landlords demeanor
quickly changed.
Why, Ned, how came you here? l
thought
"Yes, l know. You thought I was
at college. Didn't expect me until next
week, did you?" broke in the young
man, drawing a comfortable-looking
chair to the fire and throwing himself
into it. Take seat, jeff. You look
dazed."
"And so I am" said the landlord,
slowly seating himself opposite his Wis
itor. Here you come a week before
anybody expected you, and instead Of
driving right on, as you always have,
stop here and fairly take possession of
my quarters. Why in the name of
wonder didn't you go to your Aunt
/ Hannah's? Bessie was down here only
/ yesterday, mourning because you
weren't coming this week"
''Well, you're cool. Anybody would
think you weren't enjoying my society,
to hear you talk. But there's no use
keeping anything from you,Jeff. didn't
| intend to come this week when I wrote
Bessie, but was more fortunate than
some of the fellows, and had my exams
all finished several days before l ex-
pected. Finding almost a week on my
hands before the time that my letter
announced that / would be in Lubec, l
conceived plan for getting even with
my precious Cousin Bess for that little
joke she played on me at the picnic last
year. Remember it?''
jeff nodded with twinkle in his
eye. "And what do you propose to do?''
he said.
I'll show you. Is room % at liberty?
All right; I'll take it, if you please, and
you must register Prof. Penderghast, in
a very scrawley hand for me. I'm pro-
fessor of mathematics in an Ohio univer-
sity come to have little quiet and
spend Thanksgiving with you. Do you
begin to see?;'
HIM, yes, all right. Prof. Fender
ghast it is. I think I'm rather glad you
couldn't come this week.
Both men were quiet for few mo-
ments, and then the visitor broke the |
silence with:
Flows Nellie?"
'Nellie Cummings? First rate Was
down here this afternoon looking as
rosy as an apple. Expected to hear you
ask after her before. But I say, let's
have game of chess, for / don't sup
pose shall have much chance to indulge
with my friend Prof. p"
The next evening furnished an adj
mirable opportunity for Ned to practice
his disguise, for it was the twenty-ffth
of Judge and Mrs. Cum
mings' marriage, and since the hospi-
tally of the judge was as large as his
been invited to help celebrate the occa-
sion, JEFF among the number; and now
that so distinguished parsonage as
Prof. Penderghast had become his guest
the invitation was speedily and cordial
" extended to him also.
Bessie Marsdon was the first 70 arrive
at the brilliantly-l mansion, for
Edgar Cummings had not unwillinglv
obeyed his sisters injunction 'to bring
Bess over early
AS Nellie assisted In the removal of
the others wraps she exclaimed:
''Oh, Bessie, when was down to Jeffs
for the mail this afternoon l met the
queerest old fogyl He's coming up this
evening and promises to be quite an adj
dition, l imagine !
who is he and where did he come ;
from?" I
"A professor-Pendergha believe
Jeff called him, and bachelor. An old
friend OF Jeff's whom he hasn't seen for
some time and who has turned up now
10 spend Thanksgiving with him. He's
professor OF mathematics somewhere.
md you wouldn't need to be informed {
# the fact. He's worse than Miss {
lonely for bringing it into his CONVEX {
'ation. | wish she was here tonight
they make good pair
How old is he, and what does ne look 7
ike?" s
We'll, let me see. He's tall, and S
'ather slim. and as stiff as a poker. t
should think he was about forty-fve, |
wears glasses and a curly gray wig, and c
S clean shaven with the exception Of a S
ray mustache- There, you look al
most pretty enough 10 charm him" as 4
he stood off to study the effect OF the
ca roses she had fastened in the folds c
4 Bessies soft wool gown But you G
Won't. He imagines all the young Il
aides to be in love with him, and has I.
ONE TO this quiet village where there
re none but simple country Eaideus,
or the express purpose Of escaping z
heir wiles. i
Indeed" said Bessie. ''Nonev. or a
What IS the drawing card that makes
i'm so fear the opposite sex?" =
''Oh, ! don't know. Honor Of his DO b
ition. imagine But we shall see" c;
See what, Nellie Cummings? Your
one Is suspicious What naughty plan Z
ave you in your head now?-
oh. nothing bad answered Nellie | z
cry demurely, only / thought-oh. .
other. here comes the Johnson fam :
,ra -, 4