The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-08-30
THEPROFESSOR
A Love Affair of October and
May.

woodland tintS, where the eelers Shad-
ed from softeAt gray green through
russell tones To deepest red and brown,
and the breeze that swept over the up
lands WAS suggestive Of chilly octo'
Der, but tie golden spell of Indian
summer lay on the valley. touching the
ripe peaches with an added bloom and
wooing the late roses 10 unfold their
fragrant henrts before IL was too late
to give their sweetness to the dying
summer
In the 'ectOry orchard, under the
shadows of the fruit laden trees village
lads and lasses hid and sought. and
out in the meadow the children laugh
cd ana played aud danced to the music
of their own Voices.
The professor stood nj the outer
edge of circle of infant rcvelcrs, his
spcctacles pushed up on his broad
forehead. his soft lIomburg Int tilted
forward To shield his eyes from the
sun
Gray eyes they were. with II keen
ness In them that was reflective and
that lent them II clearer vision far
things that time had set nj distance
than for present realities,
The iron gray hair was brushed back
and outlined features that were not un-
handsome, though their sternness gave
him II semblancc of severity until he
smiled
When the professor smiled children
understood that the tail figure with its
Inclination to Stoop was not likely to
prove aggressive, and that the learning
contained In that massive frame could
he put aside with the spectacles; also
that the professor might have been
young once, before the weight of a
laurel wreath had puckcrcd his brows
and powdered his hair with the frost
that comes before winter
He was smiling now and looking
with apprcciative interest at the game
in progress.
do YOU hear what they are sing
ingT he asked the rector's wife.
Mrs. Burlington detached herself
from the tea urn To answer carelcssly,
Nuts and May isn't ity''
"The delightful lrrclevance of child
hood" pursued the professor, "the
sublime faith In the impossible Here
we come gathering nuts and May so
early In the morning" Not content
with demanding their autumn and
their spring nj the same time, they
must have II early In the morning, too;
all the world mt their feet, with youth
to make them enjoy II. They have faith
enough TO remove mountains, but | am
afraid the days of miracles are past"
Mrs. Errlngtons glance fingered ON
him for moment, and then he travel
cd to where n girl In n white dress
stood under the trees that bordcrcd
the rcctory garden.
"There is Eyadnc," she said; chow
fresh and cool and sweet she looks.
Don't You think SO, profcssorY
He adjusted his spectaclcs to give n
conscientious answer.
Miss Eyadne Is always pleasant to
look at he said, rs he gaZed with
painstakng air In her direction: "at
this distance | do not see her SO plnlnly
as | could wish"
And she Is always pleasant to talk
to-" added Mrs. Errington; ego and
ask her If she would like some tea, pro
fessor"
He went obedently, and the white
figure moved to meet him, while the
echo of the words 'cOol and fresh and
sweet floatcd still IN his ears
II am sent TO ask you If you will
have some tea" he said
rs that meant for an excuse or an
Apology" asked Evadne demureIy.
Does my errand need either?" he
questioned In return, with his usual
gravity.
you seemed to consider So" said
she, lin which, II you viii not think
me conceitcd, | will confess you are
unusual. There are people," she con
tlnued, noting his puzzled air, "who
come and talk to me without any err
rand at all merely for the pleasure of
the thing"
little smile was playing round her
mouth, and through her curved eye
lashes the sparkle Of her eyes meant
mischief.
The professor pushed his spectacles
~ "SHihi utH Itpiblt were close 10
him he could see better without assist
ancc.
There are people," he said, "who
might venture to come to you on their
own merits, Miss Eva. am not one
Of those fortunate few"
mo" she queried, lifting her eye
orows, yet your merits are by no
means Insignificant They are public
property, professor, and we are very
proud OF them down here. have
eyen"-she looked away from him
felt little alarmed Mt the thought OF
them sometimes and wondered wheth
or we all seemed very stupid and dull
to so learned person as You"
Stupid and dull" He echoed the
words inyoluntarily, while he was
thinking what dainty outline the con
tour Of her cheek and chin made like
n pink seashell, and what singularly
sweet information she had.
You agree that we are So" she said
after an instants offended silence