The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-04-03
1.-THE Girl From Across"


leedlessly ignored.
Il live the other side the street."
she explained flushing slightly. "And
study under you at the college"
"Ah, yes" He memorized her now,
as a collector does an unlabelled spec
linen in a box. Back row, pink com
plexion a flower generally on desk in
front of her. Answers ayeragely In
telligent.
Wont you sit DOWN." he said, with
we'll meant politness, indicating to
her, by a wave of the hand, the only
unoccupied chair.
She depressed a smile as she noted
its bottOmless condition.
mo, thanks" she responded, IL
would rather stand"
There was a pause. He listlessly
fingered his pen, but his brain was
tired, and moved slowly. The Girl
returned to the object Of her visit.
"I-I-heard you were ill-and
brought you discriminating the
grapes In the basket.
He raised his brows and nodded.
Can I do anything?"
q think not" he replied absently.
Il need nothing"
"Porhaps"-she made the suggestion
with difidence-'perhaps | could tidy
dp."
He looked round on the litter in
surprise.
The room was no more palatial than
its approach suggested. The one win
dow looked out on the lank telegraph
poles as comrades, and commanded
a charming view of the chimneys over
the way. For furniture there was a
wardrobe, an old armchair, that did
duty also as a bed; a rush bottomed
chair, cupboard, a few cooking uten-
sils and some chemical apparatus
grouped round the hole in the wall,
called by courtesy a fireplace; and
lastly and chiefly, a large kitchen Ia
bic and-the Man.
The table contained chiefly papers.
Its drawers held some scientific in
struments and a mousetrap. The
wardrobe held old clothes The cup
board served as food store for both
Man and mice And the Man con.
tanned knowledge.
Tidy up? 1t is all very tidy, thank
you. Mrs. Stamp, my charwoman, has
Ione everything-I-am very comfort
able, thank you"
"But you are ill.,"
81 shall soon be better" There was
silence. The Girl sat uncertain what
was best to say or do. Something
splashed under the table.
She started in alarm. "Oh, what
was that?" she cried.
"My-er-pedicular extremities," hc
calculated.
The Girl stared in establishment a4t
turned red. IL
Eyes. I beg your pardon. L
not expecting visitors, and my pars
lady told me if put them in hot wa
ter it would do my cold good"
but that water Is cold"
"Yes-now. l forgot. But it wa
hot"
Had you not better get back tt
your bedroom?"
'This is it."
And he lived day and night, ate ant
slept in that desolate attic! The cir
shuddered. No wonder he was ILL.,
Then where is your bed?' Surel,
the Man Of knowledge slept some
times.
Folded up" He indicated the chat
ON which he was seated.
Wont you let me make it up 70
you, and then lie DOWN."
The professor started with astonisf
ment. young lady! None ha' waite
on me to that needless extint, sin-si
my ain mither died-and she were
foolish wummun" He relapsed int
the broad Doric on special occasion
when the cold current was stirred t
the depths far below the surface.
The Girls eyes filled with tear
"Then it's time some one did it fc
you now" she murmured. "Obng
me, Mr.. Morphyn, please, by takin
your feet out Of that water and chani
ing chairs"
"Eh!"
At first he was inclined to rebe
But there was a conciliatory pleadin
in her face that even a hard heade
professor, resent it as he would, cou
not resist.
Nov! Just lift your feet littl
please" He looked at her curious
from under his shaggy brows.
was child he was dealing with, c