Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-30

GU young WOlIuIl. Ilb udu hCNCI DClOlO
been thrown closely into companionship
with such a creature. He admired her
beauty, her dainty costumes, even her
girlish extravaganza of speech and saucy
disregard of his opinion pleased him bet.
ter than Augustus unvarying politeness
or Gertrude's cleverness. His eyes follow
ed her every movement, wistful light
in them sometimes that touched Jim.
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 Professor Chesney
came into the room. He leaned against
the side Of the window, looking at the
picture she made in her quaint pulled and
furbelowed gown, the sunlight falling on
her brown head.
Larry looked up, nodded with a smile
that showed her small white teeth and
settled back in her original position, wait
ing for him to speak. And so he did after
awhile, but not as she expected.
II am going away tomorrow, Miss
Larry" he said. MY pleasant visit has
come to an end all too SOON"
"Tomorrow!' echosd the girl, sitting
up straight. II am very sorry you are
going"
And. much to her own surprise she
realized that the remark was perfectly sim
Cere.
II am glad to hear you say that" said
the professor, trying to keep his voice
steady. at makes it a little easier to say
something that is in my heart"
Then he told his story in warm, eager
words very unlike his usual calm ONES
words that stirred Larry strangely. There
was queer expression on her pale face as
she stood before him.
professor Chesney," she said with
quivering lips, Il am not worth the love
you have offered me. You'll realize that
when 1 tell you that have only been
pleasant and civil to you all these weeks,
not from any liking for you, but to-to
plague the Others"
Thoroughly ashamed, she bent her head,
unable to meet his eyes
You mean that you have deliberately
played part all these weeks? You whom
/ thought so frank and true? How could
you do it? Then you have not the slight
est love for me in your heart-that, sup
pose, is out of the question:"
There was hurt, shocked tone in his
voice that touched Larry keenly.
Il don't love you, " she answered, "but
I shall be very grateful if, after what l
have told you, you will let me be your
friend"
She put out her hands and moved step
nearer to him, but, to her modification,
her extended hand remained untouched.
II did not ask for your friendship" he
said unstcadily, land just at present l
want only what 1 ask for. By and by |
may be able to appreciate your offer. I
shall try, but you've taught me hard les
son, Larry one I'm not likely to forget.
Perhaps / ought to have known better,
but'-with break in his voice-"Im
not used to women. I'm only an old fos-
sill, after all.
And, without another word, he left her.
Up in her room Larry was still more
surprised to find bit of crying necessary.
She could not account for the unhappy feel
ing that took possession of her as she re-
viewed the past weeks and realized that
the kindly, pleasant companionship she
had accepted SO hecdlessly was at an end.
Il suppose he'll hate me now and for
ever" she thought between her sobs, but
how could say 1 love him when 1 didn't?
| Then she sobbed all the harder.
i IIb DTOlGSsOT ltlU UlG DCAU
while Larry was out.
A box Of white roses lay on the table adj
dressed to her, card attached, on which
was written, From your friend, Roger
Chesney." That was all, but she guessed
dimly what an effort it cost him TO write
| it.
With trembling fingers she made three
parts of the flowers and gave them to her
mother and sisters.
II don't want them" she said proudly,
in answer to her mothers remonstrance
II was only civil to him to please you all. u
Jim noticed that the brilliant eyes were
full of tears, and that she took the card
away with her
"Itmust be relief to you to have him
gone" he said as they stood for moment
in the hall. Association with such Sc
rious man must have been trial to you. .
He was unprepared for the way she
famed out at him.
such trial as makes me more willing
to accept the statement that man is made
after Gods own image and possesses some
godlike attributes. Now gol"
And he did, "a lurking smile under hi'
mustaohe and most emphatic BY JoveP
upon his lips.
One bright morning early in Juno jim
opened the door of Mrs Austin's sitting
room. Larry was there alone. She had al
industrious fit on her. and with the sleeves
of her blue morning dress turned back
displaying two prettily rounded arms
feather dustor in hand, she was whiskinl
the dust off some rare pieces of old china.
Larry, here is an old friend of yours,
Jim announced Treat him well, for h,
sails for Egypt tomorrow, never to return
I'll be back in minute"
Hevanished, and there, inside the CLOSED
door, stood Professor Chesney, thinner
grayer, but with the old kindly smile OIL
his lips that she remembered so well. Star
tied out of her self possession, Larry STOOD
with her duster suspended over gran ma
hundred year-old teapot.
Il sail for Egypt tomorrow, said tn
professor, taking few steps into tn
room, and | may never return. Won
you wish me godspeed, Larry"
Crash went gran mas priceless teapo
in a dozen pieces on the polished floor