Middletown transcript., 1901-02-09

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She took up some needlework and
sewed nervously upon it, meditating
upon the best course to pursue At the
same moment Tessa threw most of her
roses to the floor, and, leaning out of the
window, she looked back along the path
toward the woods. The breeze was
blowing her brown curls over her eyes,
and she brushed them away repeatedly,
with pretty, unconscious grace of ges-
ture. Elizabeth watched her admiringly.
Impulsive and incorrigible as the girl
was, she was the idol of her cousins
heart.
"What do you see, darling?' she asked,
smilinglY; but Tessa either did not, or
would not hear her, for she continued to
stare fxedly in the same direction until
Elizabeth's curiioSity would no longer
endure it, and shecame and leaned out of
the window beside her. Tessa drew
back at once asshe did SO.
"What do you seer" she asked, teas
ingly.
''The professor" Elizabeth exclaimed,
with start and blush; and just then a
rose, well aimed, few over her shoulder
and struck the professor squarely upon
the arm. Of course he started, then
glanced up hurriedly; and, equally Of
course, it was too late for poor Elizabeth
to retreat out of sight before he saw
her. He lifted his hat with the grave
courtesy which characterized him, picked
up the innocent beauty at his feet, and
passed on.
Elizabeth stepped back into the room,
and with low cry put up both hands to
cover her burning cheeks. Tessa watched
her, startled, then caught the two hands
in hers imploringly.
t'Don't act that way, Lizzie" she
cried, remorsefully. 'Iwas only in fun.
1t was such good opportunity to
shock him; he looked so awfully thought
full and unconscious that I could not re-
sist it,
''Don't touch mep' cried Elizabeth,
dragging her hands away from the i'm
ploring clasp. ooh, Tessa! how could
you do it, and when you knew that l
cared for him! What will he think Of
me?-Oh, it was ruel,-heartless Of
youp' And the calm, reserved Elizabeth
burst into tears.
This unusual sight and astonishing re-
velation was too much for Tessa; and
without word she turned and ran out
Of the room. Elizabeth heard the dis
tant patter of the flying feet, and silently
praying that there might be no sequal to
this crowning modification, gathered her
self and belongings mournfully together,
and descended toward their lodgings.
Meanwhile, the professor had gone on
his way through the woods. The poor
rose lay carefully slowed away in an in
ner pocket of his coat, and with his
hands clasped learnedly behind him be
had resumed, to all outward appearances,
the tenor of his thoughts. He was smil-
ing at the moment, and perhaps those
thoughts could not have been occupied
with an abstruse problem, after all; for
he turned somewhat eagerly when he
heard the sound Of running feet behind
him, and seemed all in the present in an
instant.
It was certainly startling sight which
be beheld. A slight, girlish figure was
flying toward him at a most astonishing
rate Of speed; the blue ribbons were fut-
tering musically in the wind, and every
sunny brown curl was a-bobbing wildly.
The lips were parted and the breath
coming in hurried gasps.
Ell Professor she cried, frantically; and
as he paused she slackened her speed
and finally walked demurely up to him.
A prettier, sweeter, naughtier face
could not be found for many day, and
bis eyes frightened as he saw it. How
ever, be waited deliberately for her to
begin, which she did, and lamely enough,
drawing her ribbon nervously through
her fingers and looking at him coaxingly
from under her lashes. But he would |
not help her.
Professor, I-I-wanted to speak to
you."
80 I am led to infer, Miss Dufferies"
'sWelI, but-I-I-really do, profess
'or," smiling at him with anxious sweet
ness. 'T-you know-I-I am awfully
sorry"
1T was you, then, who struck me with
he rose?'
"Oh, yes" hurriedly, "of course it
was I. Elizabeth Couldn't mean
do such thing; but Of course
you knew that? I wanted to shock you
out Of your oblivion, you looked so pain
ully good and proper; and so when had
in making Elizabeth look out
# the window just at the right moment,
threw the rose at you SO that you
would think she had done it."
He smiled in spite Of himself, she
ooked 50 thoroughly sweet and wicked,
md with just a touch Of repentance to
leighten her charms.
'Tm afraid that it was wasted clever
less, Miss Dufferies, for l did not for
instant suspect Miss Armstrong Of having
the deed; you were too
'lainly visible behind her. You are a
cry naughty girl. What shall I do to
'unish your"
Il don't know" looking down at the
mall boot that was nervously rubbing
he green moss in the path, and feeling
decidedly fiat. II think, though, that I
ave been punished enough already, for {
hat stupid old rose had an ugly thorn
n it,and it has torn my hand dreadfully. {
ust see thatr'
$50 it has," lifting the small member, |
which she held out to him for inspection,
cry gently in his. t'This is too bad. J
'oor little hand! it has been cruelty torn.
is owner can be generous, though, and |
IL.