The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-09-08
n PROFESSOR
A Love Affhir Of October and
May.

May.
There was u hint Of autumn IA IT!
woodland tlnts, where the cOlors s!laN
ed from softest gray green tllrou%'
russell tones to deepest red and browi
ana the breeze that swept over the "
lands was suggestive OF chilly Oct0
Der, but the golden spell Of lalin,
summer lny on the valley. touching ,A
ripe peaches with IN added bloom un,
Wooing the late roses to unfold tllel
fragrant hearts before Il was too Int,
to give their sweetness to the dyinl
summer.
In the "cctory orchard, under til,
shadows Of the fruit laden trees, vIllag,
lads and lasses hid md sought, ant
out In the meadow the children laugh
ed and played and danced to the music
Of their own voices.
The professor stood ut the QUITE!
edge OF n circle Of infant jewellers. hi
spectacles pushed up on his br0nd
forehead, h!a soft Ilomburg hat tilted
forward to shield his eye from the
u
Gray eyes they were, with a keen.
ness In them that wna reflective ana
that lent them n clearer vision FOR
things TINT time had set ut a distance
than for present realities.
The Iron gray hair was brushed back
n outlined features that were not IN.
handsome. though their %sternnGss gave
him a semblance OF severity until be
smiled.
When the professor smiled children
understood that the tall figure Will, Its
inclination to st00p was not likely to
prove aggressive, and TINT the learning
contained Ia TINT massive frame could
be put aside with the spectacles; also
that the professor might have been
young once, before the weight OF 4
laurel wrenth had puckered his brows
and powdered his hair with tho frost
that comes before winter.
He was smiling now and looking
with a~pprociative interest at the game
In progress.
do you hear what they IRE sing.
lngT he asked the rector's wife.
Mrs. Burlington detached herself
from the ten urn to answer carelessly,
Nuts and May isn't itT
THE delightful %irrelevance Of child.
hood" pursued the professor, 1.-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 ut the same time. they
must have II early In the morning, too:
all the world at their feet. with youth
TO make them enjoy II. They have faith
enough to remove mountains. but ! nm
afraid the days Of miracles arc past"
Mrs. Errington's glnnce fingered on
him for a moment, and then no travel !
ed to where u girl Ia n white dress
stood under the trees that bordered
the rect0ry garden.
"There IL Evadne," she said; chow
fresh ana cool ana sweet she looks.
Don't you think NO, professor"
He adjusted his spectacles TO give q
conscientious answer.
miss Evndne Ii always pleasant to
look at" he said. AZ ha gaxed with a
.p%ainstaliing air In her direction; ut
this distance | do not SOC her 10 plainly
~ could WISH"
"And she IL always pleasant to talk
TO-" added Mrs. Burlington; "go and
ask her II she would like some ton. pro.
fessor."
He went obediently. and tho white
figure moved TO meet him, while tho
echo OF tho words "co0l and fresh and
sweet" foated still In his ears,
~ am sent to ask you II YOU will
have some tea," no said.
us that meant for an excuse or an
apology" asked Evadne demurely,
"Does my errand need eitherT no
Questioned In return, with his usual
gravity.
"You seemed 10 consider so," said
"in which. II you will not think
conceited, | will confess you arc
unusual. There are people," she con-
noting his puxxled air, "who
come and talk To me without any or
rand At all~merely for the pleasure Of
Tho thing"
A little smile was playing round her
mouth, and through her curved eye,
ashes the sparkle Of her eyes meant
mischief,
The professor pushed his speetaales
~ agaIRi when people were close tn
aim no could see better without assist,
lRQe,
"There are people," no said, "wh0 I
night venture 10 come 10 you on their
'wn merits, Miss Iva, am n0l one
N these fortunate foW,u
"Noy she gaeFied, lifting her eye, Z
crows, wet your merits arc by no I