The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-11-16

lcnSible than IL woman. Once, when
the canoe had nearly overturned, she
had shown herself valiant in the face
CT danger, yet the sight of tiny garter
snake made her seek refuge on the
nearest fence. where she perched in q
panic till Travers had killed 1t.
Che evening when Travers was re-
turning from lecture he had given at
the summer school of an adjoining
town he noted Il tall young fellow,
fair haired and broad of shoulder, get
off 1T the Hampstead station and strike
along the village road like one accus,
toned 10 the place. The professor fol.
lowed Il little in the rear. AT the
GainSboro gate the young fellow turn.
Cd, and Betty, who was lingering on
the lawn, few to meet him with out
stretched hands.
"Oh, DickI' she cried, an unmistak.
able thrill of surprise and joy in hel
voice. or tie rest Travers saw and
heard nothing. He stepped back quick
~ into the shadows. What right had
he TO be u witness of lovers meet
ing?
You must have had tiresome day
said Marta solicitously, for you're as
white as q sheet"
I'm an old fool" groaned Travers
to himself. ''aA old fool. How could
ever have supposed that she could care
for me? Why, I'm nothing but Il book
worm-Gll my life has been spent in
musty volumes and class rooms, and
now He looked toward the Gains
boro house, where the glimmer of Gig
arctic shone like a. FREELY through the
darkness and the cheerful tunk-a-t funk
of Il banjo came on the night air
Love" said the professor slowly, was
not intended for me-
Thereafter, to AartaS satisfaction
he stayed indoors. forsaking his canoe
and applying himself listlessly to his
books. But Marta was quick to read
the signs and soon realized that all was
not we'll with the young professor
That he Should fall in love had beer
trouble enough, but TO be refused by {
chit of a girl with No more brains thar
4 butterfly, that was not to be borne
and Marta's anger rose the longer she
thought of it. But when. after artfully
questioning the professor, she found
that he had not asked Miss Betty
Gainsboro to marry him. then there
ragged in Marta's heart battle between
the desire 70" Travers' happiness The
latter conquered.
Il see" she remarked to Travers as
she entered his study bright and early
buster in hand, Il see that Miss Gains
boro's cousin, who's been visiting there
has gone. He's going to marry 4 cir
out west and Miss GainSboro's to bC
bridesmaid. Just read it in the paper
| this morning. I'm sorry to disturb you
professor. but YOU know this is clean
ing day. l won't be long. Suppose you
| so out in the orchard and wait till I'm
through" Marta had seen the flicker
of white dress between the trees
Travers. absentmindedly clutching {
paper knife, went out into the orchard
in q happy Gaze and came face to face
with Betty GainSboro.
Looking for specimens? she de
manded, a catch of laughter in hel
tone.
NO" said Travers, for I've found ;
perfect one at last, rose of all the
roses that mean to cherish forever, ii
! you will LET me, Betty"
IF you don't mind the thorns," sht
whispered.
And Marta, watching them from the
study window, surreptitiously wipej
her eyes. i do believe I'm glad Of 4
after ALL" she said huskily, though
know he'll never get his meals OF
time"