Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-11-22

specimen to lose. Don't you dare
interferel'
"Poor wretch" rejoined jim. "He
has my sympathy y
Unable to account for the change in
Larry's manner, the professor never
theless found her very agreeable; and,
though never neglecting anyone else,
it soon became evident that she was
the attraction. The other two reluct-
antly gave way to her, and she it was
who went with him to picture galleries
and lectures and concerts; who was
the life of theatre and opera parties
saucy, wilful, charming.
With all his gravity and eruditiOn,
it was plain that he admired this i'll
regulated young woman. He had
never before been thrown closely into
companionship with such a nature.
He admired her beauty, her dainty
costumes even her girlish extrava-
gance of speech and saucy disregard of
his opinion pleased him better than
Augusta's unvarying politeness, or
Gertrude's cleverness. His eyes fol-
lowed her every movement, wistful
light in them sometimes that touched
jim.
Larry was curled up in deep win
dow-sill, overlooking the park, bask-
ing in the sun, for she was yeritable
Persian in her love Of sunlight, when
Professor Chesney came into the room.
He leaned against the side Of the win
dow, looking at the Picture she mads
in her quaint puffed and furbelOwed
gown, the sunlight falling on her brown
head.
Larry looked up, nodded with a smile
that showed her smalfwhite teeth, and
settled back in her original position,
waiting for him to speak and so he did,
after while, but not as she expected.
81 am going away tomorrow, Miss
Larry" he said. my pleasant visit
has come to an end all too soon.
Tomorrow echoed the girl, sit
ting up straight. 81 am very sorry
you are going"
And, much to her own surprise, she
realized that the remark was perfect
ly sincere.
81 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 strange
ly. There was queer expression on
her pale face as she stood before him.
Professor Chesney," she said, with
quivering lips, 81 am not worth the
love you have offered me. You'll real
ize that when l 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 deiber-
ately played part all these weeks?
You, whom l thought so frank and
true? How could you do it? Then
you We not the slightest love for me in
your heart-that, l suppose, is out oi
the question:"
There was a hurt, shocked tone in his
voice that touched Larry keenly.
II don't love you" she answered
"but l shall be very grateful if after
what have told you you will let me
be your friend"
She put out her hands and moved q
step nearer to him; but, to her morti,
fcation, her extended hands remained
untouched.
Il did not ask for your friendship,
he said, unsteadily; "and just at pres,
ent want only what l ask for. By
and-by 1 may be able to appreciate
your offer; l shall try, but you've
taught me hard lesson, Larry, one
I'm not likely to forget. Perhaps
ought to have known better; but =
with a break in his voice-"lm no
used to women. I'm only an old fos
sil, after all"
And, without another word, he lef
| her.
Up in her room Larry was stll
more surprised to find bit of crying
necessary. She could not account 70
the unhappy feeling that took posses
sion of her as she reviewed the pas
weeks, and realized that the kindly
l.