Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-12-07

and chaDgsful face were very at
tractive. In the evening she played
and sang for him, and was as
bright and bewitching as the heart
of man could desire, much to the
surprise of some, and the annoy
ance of others, OF her family.
"She meaDs mischiefi' thought
Jim, uneasily. care you beginn.
ing to succumb to the professors
charms?" he whispered. "You
know | gave you week"
Il am thinking of getting up a
collection Of fossils" she answered,
with a moeking laugh, "dnd this
ls too fine a specimen to lose. Don't
you dare interfer,l'
Poor wretch rejOined jim.
"He has NY sympathy~
Unable to account for the change
10 Larry's manner, the professor
nevertheless found her very agree
able; and, though never neglecting
anyone else, it soon became evident
that she was the attraction. The
other two reluctantly gave way 20
her, and she it was who went with
him to picture galleries and lect'
ures aud concerts; who was the lie
of the theatre and opera parties
saucy, willful, charming.
With all his gravity and erudl'
ton, it was PLAIN that he admired
tins iIlregulated young woman. lie
had never before been thrown
closely into companioDshlp with
such nature. lie admired her
beauty, her dainty costumes; even
her girliSh extravaganza OF speech
and saucy disregard of his opinion
pleased him better than Augusta'S
uuvarying pOlIteness, or Gertrude's
cleverneSs. His eyes followed her
every movement, wistful light in
them sometimes that touched jim.
Larry was cullcd up in a deep
window. sill, overlooking the park,
ba>king in the sun, to- she was a
veritable Persian in her love OF
st might, when Professor Chesney
came luto the room. He leaned
against tho side of the window,
looking at the picture she made IN
her quaint puffed 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 Origi.
nal position, waiting for HIM to
sp, ak; and so he did, after while,
but not as she expected.
81 am going away tomorrow,
Miss Larry" he said. My pleas
ant visit has come to an end all
too soon"
"TOmorroWw echoed the girl, sit
ug up straight. 81 ain very sorry
you are going"
And, much to her own surprise,
she realized that the remark was
perfectly sincere.
81 am glad to hear you say that"
SAID the professor, trying to keep
his voice steady. cit Wakes 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 a
queer expression on her pale face
as she stood before bin.
"Professor Chesney," she said, with
qulvering lips, 81 am not worth
the love you have offered me. You'll
realize that when l tell you that L
have Ouly been pleasant and civil
to YOU all these weeks, not from
any liking for you, but toto
plague the Others"
Thoroughly ashamed, she bent
her heat, unable to meet his eyes.
"Ycu mean that you have de-
hberately played a part all these
wetks' You, whom thought so
frank aud truti How could you do
iti Then you've not the slightest
love for me in your beart-that, l
suppose, Is out of the question:
There was a hurt, shocked tone IN
his voice that touched Larry keeDly
81 don't love yOu," she answered.
"bnt | shall be very grateful II
after what have told you you
will let me be your friend"
"Sho put out her hands and
moved a step nearer to him; bu',
to her modification, her extended
hands remained untouched.
81 did not ask for your friend
3 ship" he said, unsteadily; sand
just at present | want only what l
ask for. By .a1d-by | may be able
| ., ,,,nroofata vour offpr. I ahall frV,