The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-06
AFTER THE BALL.


stocking, who signed her name Miss
Ehilo Maths entered the geology class OF
the university at Ann Arbor and soon aft
er became member Of the Women's club
in that city. Miss Philo Math was tail,
slight and angular and carried her head
magistsrially tilted back, which gave un-
due prominence to @ short nose and a long
chin, both of which were heavenly in their
inclinations.
By a strange coincidence there was at
the same time another Miss Philo Ma6h in
the city a graduate of the university and
also a member of the Women s club. She
was young and pretty, and, although her
eyes, peeping out misohievously from
mass of silky brown hair, we're a source Of
distraction to many, she was a general fa-
vorite.
The graduates easily distinguished these
ladies, for in an hour the senior was know
as PhilO the Great and the Junior as PhilO
the Good, which was abbreviated to Mag
nus and Bonus respectively. In this
way the graduates escaped confusion, and
if the professors had followed their eX-
ample this incident Of the leap year ball
would never have been written.
The Women 8 club and the university
classes were very closely allied and the red
letter days Of the one were known and OBJ
served by the other When the W0men's
club announced its leap year ball for Feb.
90 there was excitemeu6 in both institu-
tions and for some days many a pretty lit
tie billet doux went forth from both class
and club. Each member Of the WOmen's
club was expected to invite and escort
gentleman to the ball, and the majority
had no difficulty in the selection. Ph1lO
the Great was fortunate. She had a
younger brother who was only 20, but
Philo the Good had no brother
1t is true that there were many aspir-
ants to the honor of PhilO the Goods in
vitauion, but she took time and care in
her selection. She looked the list over
mentally, and as each was presented she
dismissed him somewhat in this way:
g. Brown? No; I have given up dolls years
ago. Jonesf No; a man that carries per-
fume and a pocket mirror is a contradio-
ton. Then Robinson9 No; certainly not
Robinson. lit would take fully six months
to convince him shat / was not deeply in
love with him"
Philo the Good vas at her wits end
when a happy thought came to her and
developed itself so quickly that in ten
minutes she had written an invitation to
Professor Mica Felspar, Phi. D. the Uni
versity Ann Arbor, Mich.
DR.. Felspar was a busy and energetic
man, A years old, and, although his dark
hair was silvered be looked younger. He
was tall and military in appearance and
possessed the dignity and command so es-
sential to a professor. He took deep in
encouraged them to write to him and ask
such questions or make such suggestions
as were relevant to their geological studies.
The ootoP had but little time for his
extensive correspondence, and on Feb 20
the questions and suggestions he received
were as extensive as the science of geology
itself Two letters that morning attracted
the doctor attention particularly, and he
decided to answer them at once
They first req uestsd him to demonstrate.
in bis next popular lecture, the harmony
of Biblical teaching and scientific knOwl-
edge to reconcile geology and Genesis and
to silence forever the agnostic and the
scof7er.
This suggestion was from Philo the
Great, and the doctor decided to comply,
but the other, an invitation to the ball, he
would certainly decline.
The next day Magnus was astounded
when she received the folIowing
Many thanks, but I must decline
am too old, the duties too laborious, and
do not care to DO laughed at. Try the ath-
letic club You viii find them, like Barkis,
willing
BIagnus read the letter several times.
Was the professor afraid Of the subject2
Did be realize its Importance? To say he
was too old was q feeble excuse and to re-
for her to the muscular club swingers was
an insult. Philo the Great was indignant.
When Bonus reached the WOmens club
that day, she was very anxious, but a note
was waiting for her which Gained her
fears. 1t read: I shall be most happy to
comply with your wishes. Your note
came like an angels whisper. 1 shall 60
prepared TO do my duty and waltz over ev-
cry obstacle. The age is progressive, and
IN the grand march science should hold the
foremost place.
Bonus was overjoyed. How kind of the
doctor to accept, and even to call the invi-
tation an angels whisperP' Philo the
Good was happy.
For week Maqnus did not attend the
geology class, but Bonus continued her
studies and stood faoile princeps in her
class, while, in happy ignorance Of his
blunder, the professor prepared his lecture
on Genesis and Geology On the eve Of
the ball Bonus called on the doctor as his
escort, to make final arrangements. Then,
as he held the angels whisper in bis
hand, ne discovered his mistake. He
would not disappoiDt the fair young grad
uste, noT avoIs 3iss1eb her ny an expiana-
l30n, and the arrangements were made.
The leap year ball was a success, and
none was more admired than were the dig
nified doctor and the graceful Bonus. Aft
er leaving the ballroom the doctor told
Bonus Of his blunder 81 am not sorry
now, he said, THAT it happened. Every
one blunders sometimes, but very few
blunder into such happy results as have
done. The invitation was indeed as an
gels whisper to me AS the doctor con
tinued Bonus blushed. 81 want that an
gel to be always near me and to whisper
often"
The professor explained his error to Philo
the Great and delivered his lecture on
Genesis and Geology to the most appre-
ciative audience that has been seen in Ann
ArbOr for years.
The members Of the Women's club say
that hnfora the Eaetnr lilies fade 6hare will
be notice in the papers which viii be
read with pleasure by Philo the Goods
many friends. cts all due, !" the doctor
saws. 10 Bonus and rha angaL-a Ehlsner.n