The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-09-23
The Professor.
BY 1ARGARET A. nORGENROTH

his puzzled air, "who come and talk to me
without any errand at all-merely for the
pleasure Of the thing"
A little smile was playing round her
mouth, and through her curved eyelashes
the sparkle Of her eyes meant mischief
The professor pushed his speotacles up
again; when people were close to him he
could see better without assistance.
"There are people, F." he said, "who might
venture to come to you on their own merits,
Miss Eva. am not one Of those fortunate
few"
"No?" she queried, lifting her eyebrows,
yet your merits are by no means insight
iicant. They are public property, professor
and we are very proud of them down here
| have eyen''-she looked away from him
felt little alarmed at the thought Of
them sometimes and wondered whether we
all seemed very stupid and dull to so learned
person as you
Stupid and dull" He echoed the words
involuntarily, while ne was thinking what
dainty outline the contour of her cheek
and chin made-like pink seashell, and
what singularly sweet information she had !.
''lou agree that we are So" she said
after an instant's offended silence. "You
add candor to your other merits, professor,
l see. Well, the school treat is over. |
think | must be going homeward. Good
evening"
She stretched out small white hand.
He took it and considered it for moment
''Do you go across the fields, he asked,
cor around by the road?"
Across the fields-when I have someone
with me"
''Should I count as someone, or am l
too"
TOO what too candida"
100 old, he said thoughtfully.
She looked him up and down.
~ suppose that you are twice my age.
"More than that, am sure"
"Has any one ever called you anything
but professor"
my mother calls me john
ANY one else?'
"No one, since | was boy"
They were crossing the meadow now.
In the distance Mrs Errington waved a
goodby to them. They had forgotten about
| her.
(Which would you rather be-yourseli
at your age and with your knowledge or an
ignorant young person like me?"
She had taken off her hat and was dang.
ling it by ribbon from her arm. HeI
hair was all rut1led and one little tress,
with CLINT of gold in it, kissed her cheek
lovingly.
They had reached the stile, and he
answered;
Miss Eva, do you think it is possible
for one to gather nuts and May at the same
| time?"
eyes, if they get up early enough in the
morning."
"What difference does that make?"
'The difference Of not leaving things till
they are too late"
He was still holding her hand. She gave
it to him at the stile, and apparently he
had not remembered to give it back. Her
eyes were like stars, and there was rose
flush like day dawn on her cheeks.
''How is one to know whether it is too
late or not?''
81 thought you knew everything, pro-
fessor. And you called me stupid and
dull just now, so my opinion can't be
worth having
81 called you stupid and dull? Do you
know what l think you?'
"You think me vain, frivolous girl"
81 think you are the most perfect thing
on Gods earth"
professor"
81 have another name, Evadse."
"When you have quite done with my
hand"
81 shall never have quite done with it.
l want it for my own"
Such useless, silly little hand?"
Such pink and white little hand, like
May blossom"
He lifted it to his lips, and they were
silent for moment.
"Evadne, is miracle possible?"
"What would be miraole?" she said
softly.
He drew her with gentle insistence into
his arms, and she raised hers and clasped
them around his neck.
"This is one" he answered; "it is the
impossible come true."
"It was never impossible" she muir
INJURED, "only-you were asleep and dream
ing, John, and now-you are awake, and
it is early in the morning."