The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-09-05
THE PROFESSOR
A Love Affair of October and
May.

may.
&NO~CN-~~O~N
There was hint of autumn in the
woodland tints, where the colors shad-
ed from softest gray green through
russell tones to deepest red and brown,
and the breeze that swept over the up
lands was suggestive of chilly Oct0-
Der, but the golden spell of Indian
summer lay on the valley, touching the
ripe peaches with an added bloom and
wooing the late roses to unfold their
fragrant hearts before it was too late
to give their sweetness to the dying
summer.
In the sectory orchard, under the
shadows of the fruit laden trees, village
lads and lasses hid and sought, and
out In the meadow the children laugh
ed and played and danced to the music
of their own voices.
The professor stood at the outer
edge of a circle of infant jewellers, his
spectaeles pushed up on his broad
forehead, his soft Homburg hat tilted
forward to shield his eyes from the
sun.
Gray eyes they were, with keen
ness in them that was reflective and
that lent them a clearer vision for
things that time had set at a 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 a semblance of severity until he
smiled.
When the professor smiled children
understood that the tall figure with it's
inclination to stoop was not likely to
prove aggressive, and that the learning
contained in that massive frame could
ee put aside with the spectacles; also
that the professor might have been
young once, before the weight Of a
laurel wreath had puekered his brows
and powdered his hair with the frost
that comes before winter.
He was smiling now and looking
With appreeiative interest at the game
tn progress.
DO you hear what they are sing
ingY he asked the rector's wife.
Mrs Errington detached herself
from the tea urn to answer carelessly,
u Nuts and May isn't itT'
"The delightful frrelevance of child
hood" pursued the professor, ''the
sublime faith in the impossible, Here
we come gathering nuts and May-so
early ip the morningl' Not content
with demanding their autumn and
their spring at the same time, they
must have 1t early in the morning, too;
all the world at their feet, with youth
to make them enjoy it. They have faith
enough to remove mountains, hut am
afraid the days of miracles are past.
Mrs. Errington's glance fingered on
him for a moment, and then he travel
ed to where girl In q white dress
stood under the trees that bordered
the rectory garden.
There is Evadne," she said; chow
fresh and cool and sweet she looks.
Don't you think so, professor"
He adjusted his spectacles to give a
conscientious answer.
Miss Evadne is always pleasant to
look at" he said, as he gazed with a
painstaking air in her direction; "at
this distance do not see her so plainly
as could wish"
"And she is always pleasant to talk
to-" added Mrs. Burlington; "go and
ask her if she would like some tea, pro-
fessor."
He went obediently, and the white
figure moved to meet him, while the
echo of the words "cool and fresh and
sweet" fioated 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 demurely.
'Does my errand need either?" he
questioned in return, with his usual
gravity.
"You seemed to consider so," said
she, lin which, If you will not think
me conceited, l will confess you are
unusual There are people," she con
tinued, noting his puzzled air, 'swho
come and talk to me without any er.
rand at all-merely for the pleasure OF
the thing"
A 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
up again; when people were close to
him he could see better without assist
ance.
There are people," he said, "whC
might venture to come to you on theiI
own merits, Miss Eva 1 am not one
Of those fortunate few"
Nor" she queried, lifting her eye
br0ws, yet your merits are by nc
means insignificant. They are public
property, professor, and we are very
proud of them down here. have
even"-she looked away from him
felt a little alarmed at the thought OF
them sometimes and wondered wheth
er we all seemed very stupid and dull
to so learned a person as you"
Stupid and dull" He echoed the
words involuntarily, while he was
thinking what a dainty outline the con
tour of her cheek and chin made-liks
pink seashell, and what a singularly
sweet information she had
You agree that we are so," she sale
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 home
ward. Good evening"
She stretched out small white hand
He took it and considered it for mo
ment.
do you go across the fields" hs
said, ''or round by the roadY'
Across the fields-when / have somt
one with me-"
SHOULD I count as some one, or an
too
"Too what-too candidY
TOO DID," he said thoughtfully.
She looked him up and down.
II suppose that you are twice my
age"
'More than that, l am sure"
HAS any one ever called you any
thing but professor
my mother calls me John"
ANY one elseY'
mo one, since l 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-your
self at your age and with your knoWl