The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-15
Our Daily $bcrt Story

 "The cousins walt. mein kind" he said. and a note in his vibrant voice set her blood surging. For ourselves. we haf all our. lives. yet. to sing Lieb vatefiand to- gether."
 Dazed at the wreck she had wrought Anne suffered herself to be led. Back at the entrance the glances of her rela~ tives fell on her like tdaggers. The rest of the day was a nightmare. with th4 cruel fate mocking her at every 6teU. and crushing all sweetness from the knowledge so suddenly come to her of her own heart-and the professors. The cli- max appeared later. in tle storm of ens~ picious accusations that privately bro11 on her defenseless head.
 Late that night Anne crept from her sleepless bed, and in her white wrapper stole softly down the back hall. Her ex~ cuse was glass of.fresh water; but the real thirst of her sore heart was for the near presence of the professor. uncou4 scious though it might be. In the fright ened gleam of her candle she crouched a moment, on her return. by the door in- side which she knew he lay sleeping. A big sob welled up in her throat. Oh! to have gone, like the Bible woman. and lain down at his dear feett Then, she told herself. death were nothing. For Anne. one must remember. was young.
 Without warning the door of the den opposite opened, and the professor hin1< self stepped out. A stare of increduiity filled his eyes as they fell on the crouch ing figure. Then glow leaped into them. He strode across. but half way candls and glass slipped from Anne's nervcieas fingers. and, crushing on the hard fioofs left the two in utter darkness.
 "Annel Gott in Himmel!' calculated the professor. softly. He groped. undaun- ted. and in a moment had gathered her to him, and found her tear-wet cheek with his bearded lips. What is it. LAeb- chen? Thou vert right to come to me. I saw that something''---
 But Anne, with one tremulous, hyster- ical effort, wrenched herself from the passionate clasp and lied. like the thief she was. to sob out her shame and fright and misery in her own little bed.
 She did not go down to breakfast next morning. The white cheeks aud heavy eyes smote even Aunt AdeIaidA,s con- science; but Anne i'll only represented to her one more care, and Della had ker< her awake half the night with Jealous complaints. That young woTnan's latest grievance, however, was Anne's sole re- lief in the whole miserable forenoon. The professor had been called away on bust ness and would not return til nightfau: so at least six hours intervened before she must face him again. or frightfnI alternative-elude him and her aunta wrath together by running away. The dim plan of the morning crysfal- lized into decision. At three Aunt AdeA laide and Della dressed for walk. Half an hour later Anne, in travelling attire and carrying her small satchel, cam1 quietly out of her room. At the mead of the staircase she met the profassor face to face.
 'Oh!" she gasped.
 This time the professor did not etacti- late. or even stare. He took the satchas from her and set 1t aside. retaining the fingers that carried 1t. regardless of their effort at freedom.
 Anne" he said. gravely, "wouldat thou run away from me. without a word. like this2"
 A wretched lump rose in her throat. But before she had time to dispose of 1t the profess kr drew her close. If I haf offended thee-whae haf done mein LiebIing, except love thee with my whole soui?"
 Anne pushe dhim away, and the lump broke into sob. She pulled at her hands 80 forcibly he let them go. at last. ar1 satood regarding her with hurt punzled. ineredulous gaze that made the last drop in her bitter cup
 You have done nothing; don't ask ma. she said, brolSeniy. T must go-homa.,'
 'HomeH' he repeated, wistfuily: .x would make that for thee. Anne's---- The street door below them opened. noisiiy, cutting short his words. Anne. shrank back in consternati0n as d shrfll familiar voice fi6ated up the stairs: T tell you, mamma, I won't waste arss other day on himi His stupidity is out. done by nothing except Anne's innpertl-. nence."
 Through the professor's ef1w wits light broke at last. It sent a glow ali oyer him. He reached forth imperatively. ''Is that why they have afflicted thee he asked her, with shining eyes. "sweets heart, thou art not safe a moment oft@ side these arms. ComeH, And flushed, half-smiling. still fearful. she came.