The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-15
THE PROFESSORS SLOW WIT.

| BY HATTIE PRESTON RIDER. (Copyright. 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col Let me remind you, Anne" said Aunt Adelaide. sharply sthat naturally the professor and Della have no desire for your company when they wish to be alorie." ~
 The axiom being sound, Anne.s ready blush and questioning glance seemed un- called for. 99 T hadn't meant to be forward, aunt The elder lady drowned.
 Have I said you were7s she respond ed, tartly as she tied her bonnet strings. .But the professor is-ahem-eccentric and he needs all the opportunity Della Is likely to give him.
 A laugh sparkied into Anne's blue eyes, but 1t stopped there. for the door open ed abruptly to admit Della herself. The young lady dropped frowning into the Morris chair. a You might have waited. 2. ehet whined. Bring the blue suit, Anne. Of all stu pids, Cousin Kari Is the worst! He talk ed every minute of the fauna of his idiot ie Germany. Why on earth didn't he stay with them? It was hateful of you, mann ma, to drag me down here to be bored l to deathp' , s
 Inasmuch as Della had given the household no peace for months. till this momentous visit was paid. the accusa- ton was at least irrelevant. But Della s moods had swayed the family SO long they did not even cause remark. l Anne, her eyes still shining, brought the gown. and knelt to lace the trim boots. ''Tne professor will gee impatient, waiting" fretted her aunt.
 | Della laughed derisively.
 I Not he!" she scoffed. He is too slow witted for that. eyen.''
 Anne checked an impulsive retort sure- ly. the handsome Germans great mind, like his splendid physique. was above such weak shafts! So,. gedately, in. her gorgeous cousins shadow, she went down the broad stairs to the hall where their host waited.
 The professor was a relative by mar riage only, and a widower of some six years standing. It was Delia's open secret that, other matrimonial chances Falling, she would reward what she chose to consider his long devotion to herself The others had failed; now, what more | fitting than that she take the one step oi l maidenly encouragement that divided | them7 But the third week, of their visit was passing. and the professors blind eyes continued to miss Heaven-sent chances for declaring himself. Truly | there was excuse for Della's private Ill. temper and her mothers nervous irrita- ton. st
 Anne followed demurely by her aunt's side, as they went down the avenue The absurdity of it all was stil bringing ou, her dimples; for Anne was young. and husband-hunting only a jest to her. She | did not once open. her lips til the quar- tette stopped before the huge piate-glass of downtown store. Della insisted on going inside.
 l I'll wait here, aunty," Anne said.
 She drew a sigh of relief as her com panions disappeared. No one dreamed what gall there was to Anne's chains as dependent and virtual ladys maid in family of genteel poverty.
 | hand-organ was playing at the cor ner, and she sauntered toward 1t, telling herself that Della would take ample time for her shopping. Someting sweet with in her seemed swelling to burst its bonds, to cry out It's good-feliowship to the hur- rying, impersonal throng that surged past her. What deliicous world, if only one might get a chance to taste the real instead of the, artificial {
 Presently the player struck into a new tune. "The professors national air!" She followed 1t softly. telling herself she had no right. though; and meanwhile reinem- berins, reckless of the deepening pink in her cheeks. how dearly he loved his birth land.
 "Lieb Vaterland. magst ruhig sein, a she hummed, thinking what an effective defense, indeed. his broad shoulders might prove, either to country or woman; when, deep and soft, a bass voice behind her took up the refrain:
 Fest stecht und treu die Wacht, die Wacht am Rhein."
 Anne turned. flushing hotly. to look into the professors own eyes, brimming with surprised, joyful tenderness not to be mistaken. Its import turned all her world upside down. She stamrnered some. thing incoherent; but the professor drew
 her hand within his arm. -. <, s'