Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-05-02

lHnu Oh nHplS anI DShNer. III inc
delightful excitement of perpetual
purchasing Calista had almost for
Cotton the final end and aim of all |
this speeding from shop to shop, .
from millincr to millincr. But now
a fovorish expectancy took posses
sion of tho girl. She accelerated her
preparations for departure and broke (
the nows to Miss McGrudor, who
stared ut hor in establishment.
II thought you had forgotten all
about it," said that lady, putting
aside Professor Ribotoau's collar,
which she was reducing to scientific
proportions once moro by clipping
its fraycd edges. This was the first
collar which Professor Ribotcau had
intrustod to hor caro-, and she was
anxious that it should insure his ap-
probation when no called that after
noon. She now felt certain that the
professor was without those restrain.
ing yet elevating domestic feminine
influences, lacking which oven the
most profound knowledge of Arabic
is as the taste of tho Dead sea fruit,
that fruit which, whilo presenting
an externally alluring appearance,
Is popularity supposed to undergo an
unpleasant transformation when
subjected to tho ordeal of taste
mo, said Calista, Il haven't for
Cotton, auntic, but l seem to have
boon in dream lately, and all l can
SEQ is Charlie standing ON the Mont
real wharf as the vessel slows into
hor moorings, imploring me to fly
down to him. Let us go tomorrow. "
And the protcssor?' asked Miss
McGrudor, with much meaning.
Tho professor What is to become
of him?"
A sudden pang of pain shot through
tho girls heart. "Oh, auntio, nov
or thought. IL don't know"
She covered her face with her
hands. Miss McGruder was not aware
that every other morning Calista had
attended Professor Ribotcau's Ice
lures. She liked to sit in that almost
oloistral darkness and liston to tho
| professor 8 voice. Somehow it had
the power of soothing and taking
her out of tho everyday petty cares
There was n largcncSS about this man
as he went on spinning his ropes of
sand which attracted the girl very
strongly. Little by little he told her
the story of his life. AS she sat there
day after day (Calista was generally
the sole listoner) in her favorite at
great deal moro than tho professor
himself knew. Sitting in tho old
college room for the last time, Calls
Ia felt as if she had stepped in to
consummato the final tragedy of this
mans life. There were tears in her
eyes as she rose to greet him after
the conclusion of the lecture. 1T
is for the last time, she said almost
carelcssly. II leave tomorrow"
The professor bowed i'll silence as
if waiting for her to explain. I'm
going to be married Soon," said Ca
lista, listening to the sound of her
own voice as # it proceeded from
some one else Il am going to be
married soon. That is why l camo
to Paris to-to'-
She stopped. The look in the pro-
fessor's face frightened her. Sud
denly it passed, as if blind had
bt~m drawn over the windows of his
soul. II congratulate madcmoi-
selle." he said simply. And Miss
McGruder? Is it that she Is to be
married alSo?'
NO" said Calista, feeling rs If
sho had slain something and marvel
ing at tho professors self control.
mo, Miss McGruder has decided
never to marry"
The professor heSitatcd ono mo-
ment, drew his hcols together and
| spoke:
Il cannot thank you. Oh, no, /
cannot thank you. am not of the
world-a dreamer of dreams, a shad-
ow, n shadow of the past And you
came to deliver me from bondage,
you awOke my soul, you taught me
| to sec the sun, you have given me
life-lifc-life, and yet, madcmoi-
selle, you have taken moro than you
| gave. Henccforth life will be q
haunting sorrow, this room pcoplcd
with ghosts, and n ghost of ghosts.
When you go, phantoms will hem
me in and bar mo from the living
world, for l shall never learn to min
gle with my fellows. 1t is all over.
All over! go back TONY tomb"
He took Calista's hand, pressed it
softly to his lips for the first and last
time and mounted his rostrum. AS
Calista slowly went away through
the little door the professors voice
rang solemnly out from the gloom,
reciting the prayers of the Catholic
church for the dead. She understood
him to mean that he no longer lived
The next morning, after Calista
had gone away, tho professor once
more mounted his roStrum and look
ed forth into tho gloomy room at
CalistG's vacant place. He seemed
to see hcr gray eyes gazing up into
his, her soft check resting upon her
gloved hand. If she had gone away,
how came she there? But as he
gazed her face changed to Miss Nc
Gruder's Madonnaliko lineaments,
and he saw that she was quietly
knitting in Calista's place.
The professors lips refused their
wOnted task He essoyCd To com