The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-02-23

he could endure it no longer. He yielding
to the promptings of his heart and turned
into the street that led to her house.
He found her alone on the vine-covered
side veranda, looking like II picture in
dainty white dress, with a blue fringed
shawl thrown over her shoulders.
Il know | am selfish to take up your
time in these last days, Miss Hamilton"
began the Professor alphabetically. 'You
have SO many other friends who have Il
better claim on YOU"
''Oh, no. indeed, declared the young
lady" ~ think dragging me safely
through the profundities of philosophy all
winter ought to constitute a claim if any
thing could. We girls were saying today
u.s.
You didn't find me as bad as you
expected did your said the Professor,
smiling.
"Why, we didn't expect -" she began,
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"
''F'rom mine.'
'Ncs. Let me tell you som, thing. Do
you remember being caught in rainstorm
one night last fall and walking home
under a strangers umbrella? You will
recall that you said some things about Pro-
fessor Brokaw. Well, do you know who
that stranger was?'
Grace lIamilton's face had grown scarlet
while he was speaking.
''Oh, Professor Brokaw." she stammer d
penitently. II was in hopes you'd never
know! | knew you when | heard you
speak in class but thought you didn't
know ne. 1t was so dark that night.
lve always felt so sorry about it,
'You said was cranky and that hated
women" he continued teasngly.
'Please don't, she begged Il didn't
know you, or | couldn't have said such
| tllillSS like llltill All DdCk.
"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, won't take that back, she said
audaciously. They are beautiful"
Something in the downcast, blushing
face inspired the Professor with sudden
boldncss.
Grace" he said, impulsively, Il know
it's "A great deal to ask you, but do you
think you could ever come to care enough
for your stupid Professor to make his whole
life glad for him? Could you ever think
OF being my wife, Grace?'
The long lashes quivercd and dropped
over the hazel eyes, and the little futtering
leaves of the woodbne and the trumpet
creepel near stood still, waiting, with the
Professors heart, for the answer, that came
in IA low, tremulous voice:
Il might if-you asked me-"
Two hours later Professor Brokaw came
dashing up the stairs to his rooms, two steps
at time humming a 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 Tomorrow.
The crate was already filled high with
waste papers, to which he added others,
and touched a match to them.
Opening one drawer he came across a
partly finished manuscript. Looking at
the first page he saw that it was that old
thesis he had once written on SIS Life
Worth Living" and he sat down on the
table and read it through.
He finished and sat looking out into the
moonlight for moment, with dreamy
look in his eyes.
What fool | was,' he said, at last,
with happy laugh, and he tossed the
thesis into the crate. Chicago News.
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