The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1899-07-13

THEY WERE SILENT FOR A MOMENT.
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
a laurel wreath had puckered his
brows and powdered his hair with the
frost that comes before winter.
He was smiling now and looking with
apprecative interest at the game in
progress.
"Do you hear what they are sing
ing:" ne asked the rector's wife.
Mrs. Errington detached herself
from the tea urn to answer carelessly.
Nuts and May isn't IT."
"The delightful irrelevance of child
hood" pursued the professor. 1.-The sub
lime faith in the impossible. Here
we come gathering Nuts and May
so early in the morning! Not con-
tent 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, but
am afraid the days Of miracles are
past"
Mrs. Errington's glance fingered on
him for moment and then travelled to
where n girl in n white dress stood un-
der 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
conscientious answer.
Miss Evadne is always pleasant to
look at" he said, as he gazed with
painstaking air in her direction; .at
this distance | do not see her so plain
ly as | could wish"
"And she is always pleasant to talk
to-" added Mrs. Errington; 'go and ask
her if she would like some tea, profes-
sor."
He went obediently, and the white
figure moved TO meet him, while the
echo of the words ''cool and fresh and
sweet" floated still in his ears.
Il 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.
docs my errand need eitherY' he
questioned in return, with his usual
gravity.
"You seemed to consider So" said
she, ''in which, if you will not think
me conceited, l will confess you are
unusual. There are people," she con-
tinued, noting his puzzled air, ''who
come and talk to me without any
errand ut 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 as
sistance.
There are people," he said, "who
might venture to come to you on their
own merits, Miss Eva. l am not one of
those fortunate few"
NO." she Queried; lifting her eye
brows, ''yet your merits are by no
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 n person as you"
stupid and dull" he echoed the
words involuntarily, while he was
thinking what n dainty outline the
contour of her cheek and chin made
like pink sea shell, and what a
singularly sweet intonation she had!
you agree that We are So" she said,
after an instant's offended silence.
You add candor TO your other merits,
professor, / 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
moment.
do you go across the fields" he
said, ''or round by the roadE'
"Across the fields-when | have some
one with me-
SHOULD | count as some one, or am
| too"
'Too what-too candidt'
"Too DID," he said, thoughtfully.
She looked him up and down.
Il suppose that you are twice my
age"
More than that, / am sure"
HAS anyone ever called you any
thing but professor|
MY mother calls me john"
anyone elseT
mo one, since | was boy"
They were crossing the meadow now.