The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-04-11
BY TROY ALLISON
Copyright, 1901. by Troy Allison


mail rather than have it sent by the
college carrier.
On that memorable night he had tax
en- his letters and looked them over
listlessly until he came to the one that
was the proverbial bombshell in his
experience. He read it over three
times before his astonished faculties
were able to grasp the fact that there
was woman, an unknown woman,
who protested an admiration for him.
He was not quite sure that it was ex-
actly respectable to have an unknown
woman write him a letter, and his Pc
dantic soul knew that If it did not go
beyond the bounds of responsibility II
at least must be called an impropri-
ETY.. The first letter troubled his peace
Of mind for days. 1t was witty and
bright and contained just that delicate
soupcon of fiattery that charms the
man who believes he abominates fat
terry.
Had not she insinuated that she had
met him occasionally and had been
struck with the idea that he possessed
depth of understanding it would be
interesting to fathom?
She further stated she was at that
time leading so quiet and restricted a
life that she was at loss for some
real intellectual interest. His mind
Immediately pictured the sister Of the
president of the college, who was
spending a quiet winter In the small
village for the sake of her health Yet
it seemed impossible that a woman of
so much dignity and reserve could take
such a step even for amusement
After bordering over the matter sew
eral days carefully and methodically
according to his custom, he had hest
tated and been lost. He had answered
that letter. The address given was in
a neighboring city, and he had found
himself going to the postoffice after
ward under the stimulus of an unusual
excitement. He had really been curl
GUS to see the second one.
He had hazy recollection of an
adage that the second step in wrong
doing had won renown as being less
difficult than the first He felt posi-
tive symptoms of pleasure in answer
ing the second letter.
He knew that the dignity Of his posi-
ton would fall fiatter than the western
Roman empire If the girls in his class
once got an inkling that he was q
factor in an anonymous correspond
ence. Nevertheless he grew more alb
sentminded every day, and every dag
his curiosity increased, this pedant Of
thirty-fve who had all his life refused
ia take an atom of interest In any
woman.
So the girls nudged each other and
giggled as much as they deemed II
permissible for members Of the senior
class to giggle, and little, fair haired
Ruth Payne read her Greek, hopelessly
involving all parts Of speech.
He was walking on the college cam
pus one afternoon meditating with
much satisfaction on the fact that ht
had at last gathered courage to beg
his anonymous friend to disclose heI
identity and let him call the next time
he went to the city. The professor was
a shy man and had found it required
all the nerve he possessed to make this
request He was thinking 1t could mo-
be many days before he received an an
swer when he noticed Ruth Payne
walking In front of him, porting ovel
a book in the manner of a schoolgirl
who goes up for examination the mex
day.
A tiny green snake ran across the
path, and the professor caught the CIR
In his arms as she screamed and reelet
toward him.
While he stood gazing helplessly a
her white face other girls rushed to bill
assistance.
TT was an awful snaker' Ruth gasp
ed when she opened her eyes.
After the girls had taken her to thu
house he picked up the Greek Synta1
she had dropped in her fright.
A sealed letter, ready for mailing
dropped out The address was plainl.
Professor R. G. Claxton," and tn
writing was in the familiar hand o
the anonymous lady.
He sat down Imply on the neares
iron bench. There seemed something
awry with the universe. Was it pos
sible that this pretty child had writes
such letters-a little blond girl VIII
blushed furiously and stammered ev
cry time she was spoken to in classI.
He opened the letter eagerly. 1t
superscription gave him that privilege
He noticed, too, that the girls nam
written on the fly leaf of the Greel
Syntax was identical with the writing
on the envelope. He read on to lear
that he could call on her at the end o
the college year when he passes
through the city on his way home-l
he still cared to meet her.
The professor went to his room, hi
thoughts In chaotic condition.
That night he followed her to tn
corner of the veranda, where she sa
gazing abstractedly on the moonn
lawn.
80 l have met you" he said quietly
he sat down beside her and looked a
her intently. "And-so-you-are-
woman he added slowly.
She gave frightened gasp and look
ed at him with terror and shame L
her eyes.
"It was-awful of me, know. It wa
a dreadful thing for me to do" Sh
turned away from him, and he coul
see she was trembling with nervous
ness.