Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-21

Anne turned, flushing hotly, to look into the professors own eyes, brim- ming with surprised, joyful tenderness not to be mistaken. It's import turned all her world upside down She stam- mered something incoherent; but the professor drew her hand within his arm
 The cousins wait, mein kind" he ] said, and note in his vibrant voice set her blood surging. For ourselves, we haf all our lives, yet, to sing 'Lieb ! Vaterland' together
 l 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 daggers. The rest of the day was nightmare, with the cruel fate mocking her at every step, and crushing all sweetness from the knowledge so suddenly come to her of her own heart-and the professors. The climax appeared later, in the 1 storm of suspicious accusations that l privately broke on her defenseless | head.
 l Late that night Anne crept from her sleepless bed, and in her white wrap l per stole softly down the back hall. 1 Her excuse was glass of fresh water; I but the real thirst of her sore heart i was for the near presence of the pro lessor, unconscious though it might be-. In the frightened gleam of her candle i she crouched a moment, on her return, 1 by the door inside which she knew he 1 ray sleeping. A big sob welled up in her throat Oh! to have gone, like the Bible woman, and lain down at his l dear feet! 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 himself stepped out stare of in- ! the crouching figure. Then a glow \ leaped into them. He strode across, but half way candle and glass slipped from Anne's nerveless fingers and, ] crashing on the hard floor, left the two i in utter darkness.
 "Anne Gott in Himmel!" calculated ! the professor, softly. He groped. un- daunted, and in a moment had gath 1 cred her to him, and found her tear l wet cheek with his bearded lips. What is it, Liebchen? Thou vert \ right to come to me. saw that some 1 thing
 But Anne, with one tremulous, hyS- terical effort, wrenched herself from i the passionate clasp and fled. like the thief she was, to sob out her shame and fright and misery in her own little bed
 l . T70 Co, next morning The white cheeks and heavy eyes smote even Aunt Adelaide's conscience; but Anne ill only repre- sented to her one more care, and Della had kept her awake half the night with jealous complaints That young wom- ans latest grievance, however, was Anne's sole relief in the whole miser- able forenoon. The professor had been called away on business and would not return till nightfall so at least, six hours intervened before she must face him again, or-frightful alternative elude him and her aunt's wrath to- gether by running away.
 The dim plan of the morning crystal lized into decision. At three Aunt Adelaide and Della dressed for walk.
  attire and carrying her small satchel, came quietly out of her room. At the head of the staircase she met the pro- lessor face to face
 "Oh!" she gasped.
 This time the professor did not ejac- ulate, or even stare. He took the satcheI from her and set it aside, re- taining the fingers that carried it, re- gardless of their effort at freedom.
 Anne he said, gravely, 'wouldst thou run away from me, without q { word, like this?"
 A wretched lump rose in her throat. But before she had time to dispose of it the professor drew her close
 If haf offended thee-what haf I { done, mein Liebling, except love thee with my whole soul?" l Anne pushed him away, and the lump broke into sob. She pulled at her hands so forcib1y he let them go, at last, and stood regarding her with a hurt, puzzled, incredulous gaze that made the last drop in her bitter cup. You have done nothing; don't ask i me- she said, brokenly T must go i home"
 ''FIone!" he repeated, wistfully; II would make that for thee, Anne"--- i The street door below them opened, noisily, cutting short his words. Anne 1 shrank back in consternation as a shrill, familiar voice fioated up the I stairs:
 'I tell you, mamma, won't waste ] another day on him! His stupidity is l outdone by nothing except Anne's inn l pertinence."
 Through the professors slow wits i light broke at last. It sent glow all over him. He reached forth 1mpera- | lively.
 .'Is that why they have afflicted thee ?" he asked her, with shining eyes. sweetheart, thou art not safe mo- ment outside these arms. Come!"
 And flushed, half-smiling, still tear i full, she came.
 i Minute Was Precious. l A taxpayer who desired information