The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-27
The Dream That Came True.

tones to deepest red and brown. and the
breeze that swept over the uplands was
suggestive OF chilly Qetebers but the goi-
den spell OF Indian hummer lay on the
valley. touching the ripe peaches with
an added bloom and Eooing the late roses
TO unfold their fra.eeAaht hearts before
1t was too late to give their sweetness
to the dying summer.
In the rectory orchard, under the shad-
ows OF the fruit laden trees, village lads
and lassies hid sad 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 circle of infant jewellers, bis spec
tacles pushed mp on his broad forehead.
his soft Homborg hat tilted forward TO
shield his eyes from the sun.
Grey eyes they were, with a keenness
In them that was reflective and that lent
them q clearer vision for things that time
had set at q 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 q semblance of severity, until ne
smiled.
When the professor smiled children un-
derstood that the tall figure with Its In
clination to stoop was not likely 20 prove
aggressive, and that the learning con-
tanned 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
appreciative interest at the game In pro-
gress.
"Do you hear what they are singing"
he asked the rectors 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, the sub
| lime faith in the impossible. Here we
| come, gathering nuts and Aay-so early
in the morningP Not content with de-
manding their autumn and their spring
at the same time, they must have II early
| in the morning too; an the world at their
feet, with youth to make them enjoy
ii. They have faith enough to remove
mountains, but am afraid the days OF
miracles are past"
Mrs. Errington's glance fingered on him
for q moment, and then trayeled TO where
a girl in q white dress stood under the
! trees that bordered the rectory garden.
There Is Evadne." she said; how 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" ne said, as he gazed with q
painstakine 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; go and ask
her II she would like some tea, profess
| sor."
He went obediently, and the white fig
ure moved to meet him, while the echo
of the words "cool, and fresh, ana sweet.
| hoated still In his ears.
IT am sent to ask you II you win have
| some tea." he said.
'Ts that meant for en- excuse or an
Apology" asked Svadne, demurely.
Does my errand need eitherr he ques-
toned In return. with his usual gravity.
You seemed to consider So" she said
ain which, II you will not think me con-
| ceited, ] will confess you are unusual
There are people," she continued, noting
his puzzled air, who come and talk TO
me without any errand at a1l-merely for
the pleasure of the thing" t.,
A little smile. was playing around her
mouth, and through her curved eyelashes
| 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 assistance.
There are people," he said, who might
venture to come to you on their own
merit ,o1 Miss sT sax am not 0ne OF
'SNo?" sheaqueried, lifting her eyebrows,
''yet your merits are by no means 4nsig-
nificant. They are public property, pro-
fessor, and we are proud Of them down
here. have even." she looked away
from him. felt little alarmed at the
| thought Of them sometimes, and wondered
1 afr nd ArlI m
so learned a person as you"
stupid and dull" he echoed the words
/ involuntarily, while.he was thinking what
| a dainty outline the contour Of her cheek
and chin made-like a pink see she'll, and
| what a singularly sweet information she
had!
you agree that we are So" she said,
after an instant's offended silence. ''You
| add candor to your other merits, profess
sor, see. Well the school treat is over.
think I must be going homeward. Good
evening""
She stretched out a small white hand.
He took it and considered It for mo-
| ment.
'fDo you go across the fields" he said.
cor around by the road?"
ACROSS the fields-when have some
one with me-"
Should count as some one. or am I
| too"
| TOO what-too candidT
TOO DID," he said. thoughtfully.
She looked him up and down.
81 suppose that you are twice my age"
more than that, ] am sure
HAS any one ever called you any
| thing but professor
My mother calls me John"
ANY one else?"
NO one, since ] was a boy"
They were crossing the meadow now.
II hA sc n ~ W.
| good-by to them. They had forgotten
about her.
(which would you rather be-yourself
at your age, and with your knowledge,
or an ignorant young person like rne?'
She had taken of her hat and was dang
ling Il from her arm. Her hair was all
| rumpled and one little tress with a CLINT
| of gold in IL kissed her cheek lovingly.
They had reached the stile, and he stop
ped to help her over II, before he an
| swered. Then he said:
Miss Eva. do you think II Is possible
for one TO gather nuts and May at the
same timer
yes. If they get up early enough in the
| morning"
What difference does that maker
FsThe difference OF not leaving things
| until they are too late
| He was still holding her hand. She gave
II 10 him at the style and apparently ne
| had not remembered 10 give Il back. Her
| eyes were like stars and there was a rose
blush like dsy-daWn on her cheeks.
How is one 20 know whether IL f. too
| late or not?"
Il thought you knew everything. Pro-
lessor. And you called me stupid and
| dull just now, so my opinion can't be
/ worth having"
| Il called you stupid and dali? Do you
| know what think of you?"
| You think me a vain, frivolous girl"
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