Smyrna times., 1900-01-31

Gu out IN desperation, flushing to the
prlIh OF his scholarly hat.
hedoras face was suffused with sud.
,,t uen coior, and she gave an inarticulate
iittle murmur quite beyond interpreta-
tiOu. ~ e'"-
AueEe was an interval, during which
neither spoke for several minutes Tho
professor was the first to break tbe
pause.
Madly' terribly, fOOlishly in love-"
ne SAID, emphasizing the last adyerb
as though it included the sum total of
human lmbecility. Fedora shot at him
glance of bewilderment.
10 Think" she said, making n
mental observation. that he could he
so violent"
1here was another pause. She dug
one dainty hand into the soft turf and
looked at him shyly out of the corner
OF her eye. The professor spoke again.
What do you think of itY' he asked
abruptly his gaze resting upon her
race with suppressed eagerness.
"l-dOn't know" She said it SLOWLY
ana blushed as she spoke. A mingled
expression of doubt and perplexity be-
came visible on the professors face as
he waited for her to go on.
But Fedora remained silent, her eyes
resting dreamily upon a little white
| cloud drifting across the horizon.
The situation was growing awkward.
The professor felt that his grasp was
slipping away from him and went ON.
little anxiously:
You know about such things-girls
| generally do. Tell me-what shall I
doT
lie toyed nervOusly with Il dead twig
as he spoke and searched her face mar
rowly for encouragement.
Fedora reflected for moment. then
nodded with decision.
1T depends" she said dryly, fixing
her eyes upon his with a serious look.
| "Yes?" The professor turned to her
with quick smile.
Fedora pOndered again, then dropped
her eyes half timidly and twisted the
corner of her handkerchief.
"On-the other one, you know-the
girl" she went on, with n soft blush.
The professor gazed at her in silence,
his kind eyes full of perplexity.
docs she-care for you?" asked Fe-
dora in low voice, looking away.
That's precisely the point" said he,
pushing back his hat. II want to find
out"
as she prettyY'
"Beautifulp' replied the professor.
with enthusiasm. "She has the most
magnificent brown eyes in the world
and hair-hOw do they say in novels
like spun gold, that's it," he concluded
impulsively, his eyes aglow.
| Fedora's cerulean Orbs were sudden
ly misty, and her dusky brown head
was averted
There was silence for a few mo-
ments. After a little she leaned for
ward to pick flower, her heart throb-
bing violently, and the color faded
from her face.
The professor drew a long breath and
sighed. "She doesn't give me any en-
couragement," he ventured, regarding
her with a questioning, half wistful
look.
Perhaps" said Fedora family, as if
to herself. "she cares for some one
else"
The professor stared at her in con-
sternation.
81 never-thought-of-t that" he said
slowly, dismay stealing into his tones,
as his eyes sought hers with an intense
look as though searching her inmost
soul.
The pause that followed was unbro-
ken for some moments. Finally he
spoke.
Il hOpe-yOu have not made a mis-
take" he said, rising to go. because
it meant so much to me-everything."
He was looking down upon her. and
there was something in his eyes she
had never seen there before.
"There is only one way-to find out"
she said, speaking herOically, but with
dreary little smile.
The professors face frightened
"Well?" said he, almost holding his
breath.
The girl did not Immediately reply.
Something seemed to clutch at her
throat.
Presently she lifted her eyes-suspi-
ciOusly bright-tO his and said slowly,
her voice half tremulous:
"Just tell her-in a straightforward,
manly way that you-love-her and
want a-serious answer"
She dropped her eyes suddenly as she
encountered his look - not easy to
evade.
There was an inaudible stiffness. Fe-
dora was looking away like one in a
dream, her hands lying cold and pas
sive in her lap.
The sunshine circled about her red
brown head in a shimmering rainbow.
The professor looked across at her,
his eyes full of unexpected admiration,
his hands knotted close together.
After awhile he leaned suddenly to-
ward her and with a quick movement
seized both her hands in his own.
Fedora. love you. Will you marry
me?"
NI=