Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-09-12
DAILY SHORT STORY
How Marjory Secured Her End
IOriginal.1

to cross the campus, where she occa-
sionally passed students, but none of
them challenged her reverence.
The day that Marjory was graduated
she was returning to her home, dressed
daintily in white null, passing, as usu-
nj, across the campus, when she met
dignified, intellectual looking man
about thirty years old. He barely
glanced at her, but Marjory as soon
as his eyes were turned away fixed
| her gaze on him, and it was evident
| that she was very much struck with
his appearance. The same evening at
a school reception she saw him talking
with one of the teachers and learned
! that he was the new professor of Eng
lish literature.
When September came. Marjory was
entered to pursue n select course of
| English literature in the woman's col
| lege connected with the university.
Her continuance of any study whatev-
| er after her difficulty in getting
through the high school was a surprise
to her friends. MarjOry gave no rea-
son for her action, having the faculty
of reticence, which is often far more
valuable than learning. She numbered
along through the first year at the tail
of the class and, despite Professor
Genthorne's efforts to help her by lead
ing questions, approached the June eX-
aminations with the likelihood of fail
ure A week before the dreaded test
was to come off Professor Genthorne
met her crossing the campus in the
same spot where he had seen her the
first time. He lifted his hat politely.
prepared to pass the examinations?'
why do you ask a question to which
you know the answer, professor"
You mean you are not prepared?"
AIarjory replied by casting down her
eyes, as though she expected to be
slaughtered and Professor Genthorne
was to be the butcher. At any rate,
that is the way the professor felt
about ii.
''If you will come to my lecture room
at, say, o'clock every afternoon be-
tween now and examination, III be
happy. to give you an hours coaching
each day"
THANK YOU said AIarjOry meelly,
and both passed on.
The next afternoon at 1 o'clock Mar
jory was at the lecture room. Profess
or Genthorne gave her Il resume of the
| course so clearly drawn that it could
not but be stamped upon her memory
| that is, if she had had n memOry-and
then proceeded to put her through
preliminary examination.
"Who is called the father of English
poetry?' he asked.
Marjory made no reply for some
! time, looking now and again at the
professor with mild reproach, then,
answered feebly:
Burns"
ooh, no. With whom did begin just
now when 1 spoke under the head of
poetry"
There was another graphing for
ideas, during which Marjory made the
professor feel that instead of trying TO
help her he was treating her brutally.
Finally she gave a guess:
James Whitcomb Riley"
The professor sighed. "You had
better go over this division of the sub
ject at home tonight, and l will try
you again tomorrow. Perhaps you are
better prepared in prose. Let me ask
you few questions on the subject of
essays. Who is supposed to have been
the author of the letters of Junius?"
Marjory cast her reproachful eyes
upon him.
81 didn't think. professor, that you
would wound me Intentionally"
81 wound you intentionally? My dear
| GIRL mean how could you so con-
strue''-
'In asking me such question"
Explain
''why, the author of the Junius let
tiers was
"Well?"
"Junius. of course"
The professor groaned. walked to the
window and stood looking out. Then
he turned and saw Marjory sitting
where he had left her. She was look
ing down at a knot in the bare floor
a pout on her pretty lips, and as the
professor came up she gave him a
| glance which said clearly. when do
you intend to cease this torture?"
81 fear" he said, ''there is n lack of
application"
| Marjory put the corner of her hand
kerchief to one eye.
you don't understand me-" he went
on. You have n good mind. and the
reason you do not get on
''You are very unkind," moaned Mar
jory. I'm sure l have tried to please
| you.''
"But, my dear, it isn't 1 you are to
please. You are to learn for your own
| benefit"
Marjory covered her eyes with her
handkerchief and leaned back in her
chair. She knew better.
Have l been harsh in my treat
|
penitently.
No answer.
'If so. l beg that you will forgive
me. l am sometimes impatient"
BY this time he was standing over