The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-11


"Then where is your bed?'' Surely
the man of knowledge slept some times
Folded up" He indicated the chair
on which he was seated.
Won't you let me make it up for you
and then lie down2"
The professor started with astonish-
ment. Young LADY, None ha' waited
on me to that needless extint. sin-sin
my ain mother died-and she were a
foolish wummun.n He relapsed in the
broad Doric on special occasions when
the cold current was stirred to the
depths far below the surface.
The girls eyes filed with tears. Then
it's time some one did it for you now. !"
she murmured. "Oblige me, Mr.. Nor
phyn. please, by taking your feet out
of that water and changing chairs
"Eh!"
AT first he was inclined to rebel. But
there was a conciliatory pleading in her
face that even a hard headed professor,
resent it as he would. could not resist.
Now Just lift your feet a little,
please He looked at her curiously
from under his shaggy brows. It was a
child he was dealing with. or. rather,
who was dealing with him OF what
worth was it to resist2 He lifted his feet
and she tucked them in the blanket,
and unperceived put another wrap
round his shoulders.
She heaved a deep breath of satisfac-
accomplished. The professor still SAT
over his books. He certainly felt warm
er than he had done before
The girl, her point gained, went quiet
ly on, tidying up and arranging the
couch. She tripped gently out of the
room once or twice and held nlysteri-
Gus consultations with the raucous
appeared in the room, the scrap of fire
glowed brighter, the litter of pots and
pans disappeared, being relegated to the
crowded depths of the professors cup
board.
A gentle hand touched his sleeve. He
looked round on the transformation
which had been going on, unbeknown
to him.
There! Now you will go back to bed.
And I will let the doctor hear, and look
in again on you later"
He saw her depart with a sigh of re-
lief, and watched the gold crowned head
with its sunny smile disappear behind
the rickety 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 a staid
professor. already in his gray haired
stage, meekly to obey a mere chit of a
school gsrl-f1lia pulchra-Daughter of
Eve. Pish!
He laid down his pen, his head throb-
bed YEARLY. The cold sheets looked IN
viting. He stroked them with his hand.
In ten minutes nature had conquered,
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 by
Meantime the Girl was interviewing
the Professor of Medicine. He heard
4 her story with surprise, then went out
and fetched the Head.
The Head. a grave. clear headed man,
pursed his lips and leaned the tips of
i his fingers against each other medita-
lively, as he listened to the Girls reci-
tai
'.Strange-dear mel Alone. you say =
The Head gasped with astonishmenS.
Morphyn had always been an extreme
recluse, but such lack Of comfort and
dubious surroundings for a man of
means was, even to thenn-grave, studI-
Gus men of modest, evEa ascetfc. habit
/ inexplicable and unreasonable.
They listened to her story with sus-
pended amazement. Thanked her grave
/ " and bowed her out.
As she reached the step. the Head
coughed- Miss Hopkinshaw- erin
1 future-er-with a nurse-er-in at
tendance-er-there will be no need-to
caII-that is, a repetition Of your oppor-
| tune visit will be inadvisable.'