The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-05
Stories of an Inland State.

lie favor, but none was successful.
Still the professor was unhappy. He had
begun, early, to pay attentions to the rich
Miss Clara Drew and had been signally
and persistently rebuffed.
1.-The trobuIe with that girl unused the
professor to himself, sis some old ruin of a
former love- 1 believe she loved that con-
founded ninny Burr who came up here
and tried to scratch my eyes out. She talks
about him frequently. While she doesn
find any particular objection 10 me. she
seems to be staving me off and waiting for
something. It's mighty unpleasant. these
long courtships. but mean 10 keep at it.
There's money with fine wife. I'll drop
this internal music business and loan on
chattels or do something that's easy and
where you don't have to deal with infant
and id.otic minds"
Professor Rego took the local papers with
which he was on most friendly terms. In
fact the papers devoted much space to Pro-
fessor Rego and his recitals and it was only
fair he should take them.
He bought at the news stand daily, also,
several metropolitan papers which he read
carefully ito keep he said from rusting
OUT
He was reading one of these papers now
when he suddenly stopped, took off his
glasses. wiped them vigorously and read
again holding the paper away and then
near again.
well, WeTw he said reading on.
Soon he dropped the paper and stepped
across the room and looked across the
street.
His signs still hanging there swinging
in the wind he said, kicking a foot-stool.
We'll. fortune has good many queer
turns"
He sat down and picked up another met
ropolitan paper and turned the large sheets
over slowly.
What's this?" he exclaimed. His pic
turer
He stood up and held the sheet before
him.
1.-Two columns wide He's changed some
Looks gaunt and big-eyed. Well, that's
pretty good advertising. Sketch Of his life.
Ell? I'll take a peep at that and see if
there's any reference to the famous profess
sor Rego punching his eye out about five
years ago. Huh, Been studying in Ger
many the last four years. Great ovation
in Berlin, Very likely. Not word about
this dod-blasted villager
Professor Rego threw the paper aside
and took up the third.
More pictures" he exclaimed. "Welli
Who's this? A woman with him. Miss
Agnes Andrews who manages S;gnor
Burrs concert Signor! Rats! Pretty
good looking woman,"
"Ahl Miss Drew, good morning"
The professor turned to the object of his
affections.
You have some papers there, professor.
May 1 look at them?'' she asked. Il am
quite GREATNESS with coming up the stairs,
and III rest before we try those Duets
"Why not talk to me?' said the profess
sor gently gathering the papers up and
sliding them into bookcase and locking
the case.
Clara" he said reaching for her hand.
Talk to me little today. You know what
I mean to say. 1 have said it before. Come
now. Be a good angel and tell mes there
any reason why you should not be Mrs.
Rego?"
The woman had a good reason. Years
before there had been a young man named
Burr In that village who loved her, whom
she loved. The community was young then
and despised man music teacher. He had
told her that he loved her but that the
community would not suffer him to marry
her. The community had starved him out.
His place had been taken by the professor
before her who had won over the communi-
ty where the others meekness had failed
This professor had since made love to her
but her heart was still with the man who
had long ago disappeared. She could not
explain that to the professor.
She answered seriously mo"
Come then" coaxed the professor put
ting his arm about her, Say yes, and give
me a kiss"
The woman stepped back.
IT know" he said sorrowfully. You
have loved before. But it is an old love
and 1t promises nothing. Whoever he was
he has gone. He has long ago forgotten
you. am here now. I will love you dear
ignore than my life. And now-why not
speak, Tell me-"
He drew the woman to him and she
yielded
Now seal It all with kiss Of your own
free will"
Damn growled the professor letting
Ter go. Somebody's coming up those
steps. I'll lock the door,
Clara with panied expression
The door opened suddenly.
Mrs Tilford, the janitress Of the building
opposite danced into the room. She stop
ped for a moment and then seeing Mss
Drew dashed fer her and waltzed around
the room dragging the young woman after
her.
wei. what's up now?" asked the pro-
fessor annoyed.
Ties gone and done II" cried Mrs. TIL
ford. hussins the girl and crying hyster:c-
ally. "Oh, Miss Drew, he's gone and done
Il. Oh, amt you gla1?''
Who and WHAT" asked Clara
Mrs. Tilfcrd bresthed heavily from her
exercises ard vert DOWN into the folds of
her dress aud brought out q single sheet
of newspaper.
Now she fairly shouted Just &c.
ready for a surprise. Jus; get ready to
faint clear away. or. It's too good for any
thing. And poor McCiraw who was so kind
TO him's gone and can't hear the news"
'Mr. Burr?'' asked Clara raising her hand
TO her hair.
Yes said the professor "Ee seems
shut UP. you old crank-brain!" cried
Mrs. 1ilford. Don't you spoil my surprise.
This is mine. Now looky there
Mrs. Tilford unfoloed the sheet and held
Z up.
NV York paper with his picture al al
about his do;ngs- Been across the ocean
ard hack again ard they're ov1ung him
cverywhere.''
Clara grasped the paper and sat down
without looking az it and cried. ner hand |
kerchief 10 her eyes.
Mrs Tifcrd surveyed her with swelling.
almos: unc- ntro.lsh'e satisfaction.
The professor giarsi at Mrs. Tilford-