The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-09-07

A Love Affair of October and {
May. {
There was a 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 Octo-
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 rectory orchard, under the
shadows Of the fruit laden trees, village
lads and lasses hid and sought, and
out tn 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 O. circle Of infant jewellers, his
sDectacles pushed up on hts broad
forehead. his soft Homburg hat t1tted
forward TO shield his eyes from tie
-, sun. s1lf
Gray eyes they were, with keen
nees in them, that was reflective and
j that lent them clearer vision for
things thst time had Get at a distance
than for psesent realitteas 41<4s Z
The from gray hair was bFushed back
and outlined features that were not IN
handsome, though their sternness gave
him a sembiance Of severity until he
smiled. s
When the professor smiled children
, understood that the tail figure with It's
Inclination. TO gstoop wassnot likely to
prove aggressive, and that the learning
contained In that massive frame~could
be put aside with the spectacles; also
that the professor might hare been
young once, before the weight Of a
laurel wreath had puckered hts brows
and powdered his hair with the frost
that comes before winter.
He was smiling now and looking
with appreciative interest at the game
In progress.
do you hear what they are sing
ing" he asked the rector's wife. s +.
Mrs. Errington detached herself
from the tea urn to answer careiessiy,
Nuts and May isn'titr'
1.-The delightful irrelevances Of child
hood" pursued the professor, 'tthe
sublime faith in the impossible Here
we come gathering nuts and May-so
early in the morningv Not content
with demanding their autumn and
their spring at the same time, they
must have It 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, but am
afraid the days Of miracles are past"
Mrs. Errington's glance fingered on
him for moment, and then he travel
ed to where a girl in white dress
stood under the trees that bordered
!. the rectory garden.
''There Is Evadne," she said; show
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 q
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. Errington; Ego 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.
81 am sent to ask you If you will
have some tea" he said.
"Is 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, Sin which, if you win not think
me conceited, will confess you are
unusual There are people," she con-
tinued, noting his puzzled air, "who
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
5mouth, and through her curved eye
Washes the sparkle Of her eyes meant
Alischief
Yfhe professor pushed his spectacles
lip again; when people were close to
him he could see better without assist
ance.
There are people," he said who
might venture to come to you on their
own merfts, Miss Eva. am not one
Of those fortunate few"
MOP she quer1ed, lifting her eye
brows. yet your merits are by no