The Holly chieftain., 1903-06-19
CHAPTER xi.-(continued.)


started up as though to take his turn
at swinging her. Il am enjoying it so
much"
He thought little and began once
more with one of Moore's short love
songs, and second, and still third
time he made new choice before the
humor seized him to desist or her to
speak. Then they chanced to look up
at the same moment and to perceive
that the professors head had fallen
forward on his breast and that he was
no longer smoking.
He is asleep" said Eleanor, in a
whisper. Then, as she watched the
electrician lay the banjo softly beside
him, she added with enthusiasm: "It
must be an endless delight to be able
to sing like that"
"It is a relaxation to me from my
work, at any rate. Your uncle seems
to like to hear me, and none of the
neighbors have complained as yet"
Eleanor, shrouded in the hammock,
was able to peep at him through the
network without being observed. The
moonlight fell upon him in such a way
that his features were thrown into re-
lief. They were refined and suggested
a sensitive temperament. Eleanor said
to herself that he was fifty-fold more
interesting to her than owen Page and
the other young men with whom she
had associated during the past year.
There was, moreover, something shy
and unsophisticated about this one,
which gave her sense Of composure
which it was rather pleasant to feel.
Have you lived here long, Mr..
Struthers?" she asked.
"Only about six months in this
house. But was born and brought up
in the city. Last summer was gradu.
ated from the school of mines"
80 you have begun your life-work,"
she replied, wistfully.
Il am immensely interested In elec-
tricity. Sooner or later l hope to OBJ
tain position either with some large
concern that puts in electrical plants
or regular employment as consulting
engineer in such matters"
He spoke with a direct simplicity
that attracted Eleanor. He seemed so
modest and yet SO self-reliant withal.
Then we are somewhat similarly
situated" she was tempted to reply;
only you have your work already in
a measure provided and mapped out,
and am still an idler perforce."
"You?" he calculated, wonderingly.
She enjoyed his astonishment for
moment without responding, then she
said:
You did not know, then, that was
looking for position"
He became confused. and it was
plain that he was nonplussed, doubt
full whether she was bantering him or
no. Again she waited, finding his en-
barrassed silence and almost dis.
tressed mien delicious, by way of con.
trast to the veneered audacity of the
young men who visited her Aunt EN-
ma.
Yes. am going to be teacher;
that is, if any one will engage me.
have come here to ask my uncle about
it. He does not know as yet. l should
like a position in college If possible,
so that might become professor in
time, If l were fit for it. But l am
ready to begin at the bottom of the
ladder, and accept anything that Of
fers. Does the idea shock you, Mr..
Struthers?"
Shock me? Why should it?" he
said. simply "Only-" he added,
and then precipitately halted, while
renewed discontinue betrayed itself
on his cheeks.
Only what, Mr.. Struthers?' Eleanor
asked, with a delighted laugh.
For moment he hesitated, then
suddenly raising his eyes, he an.
swered:
only had not supposed you to be
that kind of young lady
And what kind of young lady
had you supposed me to be, Mr..
Struthers?"
He evidently realized that his bold
ness had merely drawn him on the
thinner ice, for he seemed to undergo
contortions before her interrogatory
and laughing glance. She had raised
herself in the hammock as she spoke,
and was looking full at him. But it
plainly was not his wont to rescue
himself from peril by subterfuge. for
after moment of agonized confusion,
he said, with the same directness as
before:
81 assumed you were rich, and that
it would not have occurred to you to