The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-02-27

covered sidel veraDda, looking like
picture in dainty white dress, with a
blue fringed scarf thrown over her
shoulders.
CT know am selfish to take up your
time in these last days, Miss Hamilton"
began the professor, alphabetically,
You have 80 many other friends who
have better claim on you"
"Oh, no, indeed" declared the young
lady. 81 think dragging me safely
through the profupdities OF philosophy
all winter ought to consti ute claim,
ing to-day we thought you'd been won
derfully good to u.s."
"You didn't find me as bad as you
expected, did your" said the professor,
smiling.
Why, we didn't expect" she be-
gan, and then stopped in confusion.
Oh, yes, pardon me, but you did
expect to encounter something terrible
when you ventured into Professor
Brokaw's class. had it from your own
lips"
From mine "
eyes. Let me tell you something.
Do you remember being caught in a
rainstorm one night last tall and walk
ing home under strangers umbrella?
You will recall that you said some very
plain and uncomfortable things about
Professor Brokaw. Well, do you know
who that stranger WASP"
Grace Hamilton's face had grown
scarlet while he was speaking.
ooh, Professor Brokawl" she stam-
mered, penil emily. 81 was in hopes
you'd never knowl L knew you when
heard you speak in class, but l
thought you didn't know me. 1t was
so dark that night. I've always felt 80
sorry about it."
"You said was cranky, and that 1
hated women" he continued teasingly.
Please don't " she begged. ~
didn't know you, or l couldn't have
said such things. l take them all
back"
But you said had beautiful eyes.
Do you take that back, too?"
She looked up and met something in.
the beautiful eyes that made her drop
her own and blush. The professor
blushed little, too. Then they both
laughed.
"No, l won't take that back" she
said, audaciously. "Tney are beautiful"
Something in the downcast, blushing
face inspired the professor with sud-
den boldness.
"Grace," he said, impulsively, CT
know it's a great deal to ask, but do
you think you could ever come to care
enough for your stupid professor to
make his whole lite glad for him?
Could you ever think of being my wife,
Gracie?"
The long lashes quivered, as they
dropped over the hazel eyes, and the
little futtering leaves of the woodbine
and the trumpet creeper near stood
still, waiting, with the professors heart,
for the answer, that came in low,
tremulous voice:
81 might, if-you asked me-"
Two hours later, Professor Brokaw
came dashing up stairs to his room, two
steps at time, humming lively tune.
He turned up the gas, and began hastily
to finish packing the contents of his
desk, for he was to leave day after to-
morrow. The CRATE was already filled
high with waste papers, to which he
added others, and touched match to
them.
Opening one drawer, he came across
partly finished manuscript. Looking
at the first page, he saw that it was that
old thesis he had once written on "Is
Life Worth Livingp" and he sat down
on the table and read it through.
He flushed, and sat looking out into
the moonlight for moment, with q
dreamy look in his eyes.
"What fool l was" he said, at last,
with a happy laugh, and he tossed the
thesis into the grate.-Neoo England
Farmer.