The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-07-16

And he lived da and night, ate and
slept in that desolate attic! The girl
shuddered. No wonder he was ill.
''Then where is your bed?" Surely
the Man of Knowledge slept some
times.
Folded up" He indicated the chair
on which he was seated.
"Wont you let me make it up for
you, and then lie DOWN."
The Professor started with astOnish-
ment. young lady! None ha' waited
on me to that needless extinct, sin-sln
my ain mither died-and she were
foolish wummun." He re!apsed into
the broad Doric on special occasions
when the cold current was stirred to
the depths far below the surface.
The Girls eyes filled with tears.
''Then it is time some one did it for
YOU now" she murmured. "Oblige
me, MI Morphyn, please, by. taking
YOUR feet out of that water and chang
ing chairs"
"Ehr'
At first he was inclined to rebel. But
there was conciliatory pleading in her
face that even hard headed professor,
resent it as he would, could not resist.
"Now! Just lift your feet little,
please" He looked at her curlously
| from under his shaggy brows. 1t was
child he was dealing with, or rather
who was dealing with him. OF what
worth was it to resist? He lifted his
feet and she tucked them in the blanket,
and unperceived put another wrap
round his shoulders.
She heaved deep breath OF satlsfac-
ton when her task was satisfactorily
accomplished. The professor still sat
over his books. He certainly felt warm
er than he had been before.
The Girl, her point gained, Went
quietly on, tidying up and arranging
the couch. She tripped gently out OF
the room once or twice and held myS-
ferrous consultations with the rancous-
voiced woman below Some more coals
appeared in the room, the scrap OF ilre
glowed brighter, the litter of pots and
pans disappeared, being relegateo TO
| the crowded depths of the professors
cupboard.
\ gentle hand touched his sleeve. lie
looked round on the transformation
which had been going Oh unbeknOWn
to him.
There Now you will go back to
bed. And | will let the doctor hear, and
look in again on you later.
| He saw her depart with sigh OF re
lief. and watched the gold-crowned head
with it's sunny smile disappear behind
| the ricketv door with evident satisfac
ton, Now he would be able to really
work.
GO to bed. she had said, as though
expecting implicit obedience-he stald
professor already in his gray-hared
stage, meekly to obey mere chit of a
schoolgill-,fiia pulcAra-Daughter OF
Eve. Pish'
He laid down his pen, his head throb-
bed YEARLY. The cold sheets looked
inviting. He stIoked them with his
hand. In ten minutes nature had con-
quered, and he was resting his burning
head upon pillows her dainty fingers
had Strengthened and smoothed, and
his lips sought gladly the cooling drink
her thought and care had placed near
Meantime the Girl was interviewing
the Professor of Medicine. He heard
her story with s1rprise then went out
and fetched the Head.
The Head, a grave, clear-headed man,
pursed his lips and leaned the tips of
his fingers against each other medita-
tiyelv, as he listened to the Girls re-
cital.
"Strange-dear me, Alone, you
say
The Head gasped with astonishment.
| Morphyn had always been an extreme
recluse, but such lack of comfort and
dubious surroundings for man of
means, was, even to them-grdve, stu
dious men of modest, even ascetic ha-
bit-inexplicable and unreasonable.
They listened to her story with sus-
pended amazement. Thanked her
gravely and bowed her out
AS She reached the step the Head
coughed. Miss opkinshaw-er-in flu
ture er-with nurse-er-ln ATTENDANCE
| there will be no needto call-that IS, a
repetition of your opportune visit'will
be inadvisable.'
She flushed scarlet MAY | not see
my patient;'
progress, but for you to call there will
be scarcely-er-''
Then the reason dawned on her
81 see."
Her features set fixedly and the words
fell coldly-"It would not be proper"
"-Er. He will have every attention"
the embarrassed Head explained. The
Girl turned on her heel.
! "Of course, we are more than CRATE
full for your kindness" but she was
gone. and the excuses and reasons
which were addressed to empty air,
though more fluent of delivery, sound
ed horribly unconvincing to the two
men, the sole auditors as they reitera-
ted them soothingly to each other.
Propriety! Yes, she had acted with
American freedom, she supposed, in
venturing to knock at the neglected
door Propriety would have left him
to die. Propriety, as typitied by that
fussy old dame who shuts her eyes to
everything dlsagreeable that does not
prowl under her very nose
She sat by her window while the sun
flecked with crimson clouds the scanty
yellow sky over the way.
She watched a cab draw up-a sparse
figure and corded box deposited. That
was the nurse, she supposed She
picked up book and tried to read.
Night came darkly down. The shops
lit their lamps. Unmindful of the
darkness she sat in the window seat
and brooded with hot cheeks over the
Heads edict. About nine o'clock she
saw the nurse 60 out. Then she did a
daring thing. Putting on her cloak she
stole warily up the rickety staircase.
He lay apparently asleep. The WIN