The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-09-26
LARRY'S OLD FOSSIL.

Larry declared herself sick OF the
subject.
Larry was the only one of the fam
lily who had not met him, and with
her usual perversity, made up her
mind not to like him. He was learned
in mathematics, which only scored
against him in her eyes.
g The calculating power alone
should seem to be the least human of
qualities, she quoted, her small
nose in the air. "There is something
wrong about man whom everybody
likes My prophetic soul tells me l
shall not take to him, at least.
The Wednesday the professor was
expected Larry went for long walk;
she met Ned Erskine and Harry Win
throp, two young artists with whom
she was good friends, and enjoyed
herself very much, getting in barely
in time to dress for dinner.
They we're all assembled round the
table when she slipped into her place.
and there was a reproof in her mothers
voice, as she said, my third daugh-
tor, Larinda, Professor Chesney"
If there was anything that her
third daughter hated, it was being adj
dressed by her baptismal name. With
a pout of her red under lip she bowed
hastily, and it was not until she had
disposed of her soup that she looked
at her opposite neighbor.
A tall, thin man, with brown hair,
and short brown beard and nous
tache thickly streaked with gray,
large, dome-like forehead, and near
sighted gray eyes that looked kindly
mt her through his spectacles.
He was little surprised at the hos.
tile expression in the brilliant brown
eyes, which surprise deepened into
astonishment whom, in answer to
iow-voiced remark from Jim, the
young lady replied, also in low tone,
but so distinctly that he heard every
word, II think he is an old fossil !"
Notwithstanding this, several times
during the meal his eyes strayed to
the white-robed figure, the bent, shin
ing brown head, and once, in the
midst of remark from Augusta, ho
turned quickly to listen to a peal of
merry laughter from Larry.
Several of her friends came in dur
ing the evening, and she devoted her.
self to their entertainment, complete
iy ignoring the professor. When she
kept up this behavior for nearly
week, it attracted the attention of her
family as we'll as that of the visitor
and when gentle hints we're. scorned,
Larry was severely reprihanded
'You are positively unladylikel"
said Mrs Austin ''and insist on, at
least, civility. He must think you an
iill-mnnnered child"
81 daresay do seem a child to his
advanced years, saucily answered
Larry.
lyon are exceedingly impertinent |"
answered Mrs. Austin, who was now
very angry. 81 insist on your being
polite to Professor Chesney, and do
ing your share toward entertaining
him, or l shall certainly complain of
You to your father. Leave the room,
miss I"
A little ashamed and wholly angry,
Larry whisked out of the room, al-
'mOst into the professors arms, with
such force as to rather stagger him.
With hasty Excuse me, she sped
along the corridor and up the stairs,
while the ''estimable 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 tao
tics, and at dinner one day addressed
the professor He answered cour-
teoulsy, and very readily joined in .
argument between herself and Jim.
Her remarks were bright aud anus
ing, if somewhat crude, and the
brown eyes and changeful face were
very attractive. In the evening she
played and sang for him, and WAS las
bright aud bewitching us the heart OF
man could desire, much to the sur
prise of some, and the annoyance OF
Others, Of her family. aeA
''She means mischiefl' thought
Jim, uneasily "Are you beginning
TO succumb to the professors charms?'