The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-03-04
1.-THE Girl From Across"


unoccupied chair.
She repressed a smile as she noted
its bottomless condition.
mo, thanks" she responded, 81
would rather stand"
There was n 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 we're ill-and
brought you these"-indicating the
grapes In the basket.
He raised his brows and nodded.
Can do anything?"
Il think not" he replied absently.
Il need nothing"
'Perhaps"-she made the suggestion
with dillidence-"perhaps | could tidy
up"
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
charming view of the chlmneys over
the way. For furniture there was
wardrobe, an old armchair, that did
duty also as bed; a rush bottomed
chair, cupboard 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
BILE 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? It Is all very tidy, thank
you. Mrs. Stamp, my charwoman, has
done everything-I-am very comfort
able. thank you"
But you are ILL.,"
Il 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," he
calculated.
The Girl stared in astonishment and
turned red.
Yes. l beg your pardon. WAS
not expecting visitors, and my land
lady told me II l put them in hot wa
ter 1t would do my cold good"
But that water Is cold 1"
"Yes-now. I forgot But It was
hot"
Had you not better get back to
your bedroom7"
This is it."
And he lived day 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.
Won't 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 extint, sin-sin
my ain mither died-and she were a
foolish wummun." He relapsed 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.
"T'hen it's time some one did It for
you now" she murmured. "Oblige
me, Mr.. Morphyn, please, by taking
your feet out of that water and chang
ing 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 child he was dealing with, or,
rather, who was dealing with him. OF
what worth was 1t to resist? He lift
ed his feet and she tucked them in
the blanket, and unperceived put an
other wrap around his shoulders.
She heaved a deep breath OF satis-
faction when her task was satisfac-
torily accomplished. The PROFESSOR
still sat over his books He certainly
felt warmer than he had done 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-
terfous consultations with the rau.
cous voiced woman below. Some more
Goals appeared in the room, the scrap
OF fire glowed brighter, the litter of
pots and pans disappeared, being rel
egated to the crowded depths of the
professors cupboard.
A gentle hand touched, his sleeve.
He looked round on the transforma-
ton which had been going on, unbe-
known 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 q sigh OF
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