The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-08-24

the breeze that swept over the up
lands vas 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, vii
lage lads and lasses hid and sought,
and out in the meadow the children
laughed and played and danced to the
music Of their own voices.
The Professor stood at the outer
edge of a circle of infant jewelers., his
spectacles 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 clearer vision for
things that time had set at distance
than for present realities.
The iron-gray hair was brushed back
aud outlined features that were not
nnhandsome, though their sternness
gave him q semblance of severity, I'M
til he smiled.
When the Professor smiled children
understood that the tall figure with its
inclination to stoop was not likely to
prove aggressive, and that the learn
ing contained in that massive frame
could be put aside with the spectacles,
also that the Professor might have
been young once, before the weight of
laurel wreath had puckered his
brows and powdered his hair with the
frost that comes before winter.
He was smiling now and looking
with appreciate interest at the game
in progress.
''Do you hear what they are sing
ing?" he asked the rector's wife.
Mrs. Errington detached herself
from the tea urn to answer carelessly,
"'Nuts and May isn't it?"
''The delighted irrelevance 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 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 noun
tains, but I am afraid the days o.
miracles are past"
Mrs. Errington's glance fingered OIL
him for moment, and I'll en- Travelled
10 where q girl in a white dress stood
under the trees that borde,ed the rec
tory 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
conscientious answer.
Miss Evadne is always pleasant t
look at" he said, "a he gazed with
rainstaking air ill her direction; "a
this distance I do not see herso plain
ly as I could wish"
"And she is always pleasant to tai
TO-" added Mrs. Errington; Ego an
ask her IL she would like some tes
Professor.
He went obediently, and the whit
figure moved to meet him, while til
echo OF the words ''cool and fresh an
sweet" 1oated still in his ears.
II am sent to ask you if you wi
have some tea" he said.
rs that meant for an excuse or a
Apology" asked Evadne demurely.
docs my errand need either?" /
questioned in return, with his usu
gravity.
"You seemed to consider So" sa
she, Elm which, if you will not thir
me conceited, 1 will confess you a
unusual. There are people, d" she co
tinued, noting his puzzled air, evil
como and talk to me without any e
rand at all-merely for the pleasu
Of the thing"
A little smile was playing roui
her mouth, and through her curv
eyelashes the sparkle of her ey
meant mischief.
The Professor pushed his spectacl
up again; when people wero close
him he could see better without
sistance.
''There sre people," he said, CIV
might venture to come to you on tn,
own merits, Miss Eva. am not O
0f those fortunate few"
MOP" she queried, lifting her e,
brows. yet your merits are by