Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-07-24

the possessor of an immense head
destitute of hair and of peculiar
knobby appearance. Altogether he
was far from being prepossessing
yet he had kindly eyes, and his smile
when he gave it liberty, was wonder
fully genial.
He entered Miss Peek's parlo1
somewhat bashfully, and when the
lady blew her nose for the fourth
time he stammered something about
hoping she had not contracted sum
mer cold, and begged leave to shut
the window.
spray leave it open, professor
said Miss Peek, recovering herself
and closing the ledger with one hand
while she gave him the other. 'The
weather is suffocating."
'True," returned the professor;
"but you should be careful of chills
However, I suppose it's none of my
business"
Miss Peek smiled in spite of her
misery; the professor employed the
|1aCCer phrase SO OICeu.
II thought you were going off on a
holiday to-day" she remarked.
II leave tonight" he replied. II
II merely called for a book I was
careless enough to leave-a book on
comic sections-in my class room. ]
wouldn't have troubled you, but the
maid Informed me that everything
had been cleared from the school;
and"-
eyes. But know where your book
is. If you wait moment I'll bring
it to you. You are going to London
suppose?" ~
The professor bowed, and replied
in the affirmative. London, or rather
the British museum had been the
scene of his annual holiday for years
By careful saving during the session
he usually contrived to accumulate
enough money to keep him there fol
a month; but this summer, by great
fortune, he was the possessor OF
nearly double that period, and he was
looking forward to a glorious spell
of hard research among certain liter.
ary treasures of the museum. When
Miss Peek had left the room to pro-
cure the volume on comic section, he
smiled to himself and rubbed the
left breast of his shabby frock-coat,
within which reposed' his pocket
book. He was going to have such a
holiday!
He seated himself near the door
and relapsed into pleasant medita-
ton. Ere minute had passed, how
ever, he was disturbed, not by the
entrance of Miss Peek, but by piece
of paper which puff of wind blew
across the room to his large, clumsily
shod feet. He stopped to pick it up;
but before he touched it his eye
caught the following words in type.
written characters: g.. immediate
payment, failing which we shall re.
luctantly be compelled
"What-what?" murmured Pro.
fessor Bumpus; and, grabbing the
letter, he proceeded to read it from
beginning to end. 1t was an exceed.
ipgly peremptory demand for the
payment of twenty-five pounds, ten
shillings and threepence sterling,
due, or rather overdue, to Messrs
Curle & Coyle the well-known money.
lenders. .....
"Dear mel" said the professor to
himself. "What pity! However, !
suppose it's none of my business
He stepped softly across the room,
deposited the letter on the desk,
and returned to his seat near the
door. II shouldn't have read it; but
somehow, wasn't thinking. Never
dreamed of her getting into debt,
poor thing! Knew she wasn't max.
ing much; but-well, well! I sup.
pose it's none of my business. Tut
what fool I am! She was crying
when came in. That was why she
blew her nose. Bless me! but it's
rough on a woman. I wish''-
The flow of his thoughts was in.
terrupted by the return of Miss Peek
who handed him the book he had in.
CURED for, and smiled brightly as she
did so.
"She's been washing her face, poor
thing!" thought the professor
'sMany thanks" he said aloud, flush
ing because of the feeling of guilt
that possessed him. "Now, II
won't intrude further. You-you'1
let me know about the next session,
please, when it suits you"
ooh yes; I shall inform you in good
time" returned Miss Peek bravely
"And I hope you will have a larger
class than you had this last session
Professor Bumpus," she added, try.
ing to laugh. ~
"Ha! ha! It can't be much smaller
anyhow! But I shouldn't wonder il
you have a very full school in the au'
| tnmn Miss Peek I really shouldn't