Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-05-19
-- f'Ff 7-T-' 500 itDg 80 49,
The Profess r's
Slow Wit
By HATTIE pRrsrowRiDrk
I{sAhhRs ss1sfafttIslsI
Copyright. 1904. By Daily sssry Pub. o.,

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Copyright 1901. ~ Daily ssary Pub. o.,
IT EFT me remind you. Anne" sal
Aunt Adelaide, sharply, "ths
naturally the professor and Della hay
no desire for your company when the
wish to be alone"
The axiom being sound, Anne
ready blush and questioning glanc
seemed uncalled for.
Il hadn't meant to be forward
aunt" NS,4 "a.
The elder lady frowned.
"IIase said you were?'' she re
sponded, tartly, as she tied her bonne
strings. But the professor is--ahem-
eccentric, and he needs al the oppor
tunity Della Is likely to give him."
A laugh spafkled into Anne's blu
eyes, but Hstopped there, for the doc
opened abruptly to admit Della herself
The young lady dropped frowning int
the Norris chair.
"You might have waited" sh'
whined. Bring the blue suit, Anne
OF all lstupids, Cousin Karl IL thu
worstl He talked every minute Of thu
fauna Of His idlouc Germany. Why OF
earth didn't he stay with them? II
was hateful Of you, mamma, to drag
me down here to be bored to death"
Inasmuch a. Della had given the
household no peace for months. till
this mon6entous visit was paid, the, &C.
cusation was at least irrelevant But
Delia's moods had swayed the family
so long they did not even cause re-
mark.
b Anne, her eyes still Shining, brought
the gown, and knelt to lace the trim
boots. ''''''''- --'-,
THE professor will get impatient,
waiting" fretted her aunt
Della laughed ,derisiyely.i n
mot he!" she scoffed. "He is too
slow-witted for that, even"
Anne checked an impulsive retort
Surely, the handsome Germans great
mind. like bis splendid physique, was
above such weak shafts! So, sedately,
In her gorgeous cousins shadow, she
went down the broad stairs to the hall
where their. host waited. .-,a ..- 4,
The professor was relative by mar
rage only, and widower of some six
years standing. It was Delia's open
secret that, other matrimonial chances
failing, 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
he one step Of maidenly encourage
nent that divided them? But theI
bird week of their visit was passing,
ind the professors blind eyes con-
inued to miss Heaven-sent chances
or declaring himself. Truly, there
vas excuse for Delia's private iIl-tem-
,er and her mothers nervous irritae
,iMty,. 'aa.s .tsrl s-.! j
Anne followed demurely by her
Iunts side, as they went down the
venue. The absurdity of 1t all wazI
TIL bringing out her dihples; for
Anne was young, and husband-huntinsI
'nly a Jest to her. She did not, once
pen her lips till the Quartette stopped
'efore the huge plate-glass Of a down
own store. Delia' insisted on going
inside. ~. -.--t t-t"- a-ss
'1ll. wait here. aunty," Anne said.
she drew q sigh of relief as her com
anions disappeared. No one dreamed
that gall there was to Anne's chains
s dependent and virtual lady's maid
q a family Of geuteel poverty. Z
A hand-organ was playing at the
orner. and she sauntered toward 1t,
cling herself that Della would take
mple time for her shopping. Some
hing sweet within her seemed SWELL
* TO burst its bonds, TO CRY out its
to the hurrying, i'm
ersonal throng that. surged past her
That delicious world. II only one
tight get a chance to taste the real in
lead Of the artihclall n
Presently the player struck into al
sw tune, The professors national
III. She followed Il softly. telling
srself she had no right though; and
Ieanwhile remembering. reckless Of
10 despenIng pink IN her cheeks, how
AIRY he loved bis birthlAnd. IA
-Lieh vstegland. mRgst ruhig seln,
e hummed. thinking what an eject
= oSfthss. indeed. his broad shoai.l
~ might prove. ether % cotntrys o.
uMihA vhsn. dep md soft. a baaul 4
'ies behind her took up he rStrAini I