Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-07-09
TDrofessor and
4 Dead Letter.
BY Nellie cravey Gilmore.
copyrishted, 1907, by p. c. Eastment.
BY Nellie cravey Gilmore.
copyrishted, lOOT, by p. G. Eastmont.

professor was IL distinctly uncercmoni-
Gus one. Tripping lightly across the
mud soggcd pavement, she suddenly
caught one foot In II tangled heap OF
Wire flung down from the telephone
and telegraph lines by the ravnging
hand OF Il recent hurricane and STUN
bled preclpitatcly into the arms of
blond giant, who supported her valor-
ously till she had blushingly recovered
her poise.
Thanks, nwfully,' she said you
have doubtless saved my life"
Your frock, more likely" he replied.
lifting his hat. II nm no end glad
happened along at the propltious mo-
ment."
Belinda returned him n little com
binntion smile ana nod as she lifted her
dainty, crisp skirts and pursued her
way cautiously across the slippery
street.
lIurdiman restrained his cagcrncss
until reasonably safe length OF time
had elapsed before turning to look
around. He had gained the opposite
sidewalk by this time, ana his glance
back at the girl betrayed Instantly TO
The casual pedestrians that the profess
phlegmntic attitude of mind.
Belinda turned into Oak street all
unconscious OF the scrutiny that fol
lowed her, ana Harllmnn continued
his way In tumult of chnotic reflec-
lions. He reached his hotel In Il state
OF mind that was quite impossible.
The very first look into the girls face
had thrilled him stnrtllngy. The ac-
oil N,,l ~
against his had finished the Job He
told himself TINT 1t WINS case of love
mt first sight. So much for the cxplo-
sion OF Ills lifelong theories! Then Il
perfect regiment of doubts and fcnrs
nssailed him. Perhaps after NIL she
was not II girl, but married woman.
The professor nto his dinner In ST.
lence. Aftcrwnrd lie went to his room
and for some ineXpllcnblc reason ex-
changed his dark suit for one of lighter
and more becoming texture. He brush
ed his hair painstnklngly, placed soft
gray alpine hat ON his head and saun-
tered forth In quest Of fresh air. 1t
was almost dark before he returned,
disappointed and oddly depressed. lie
eschewed supper altogether and went
back TO his room for II solitary cigar
and meditation.
Meanwhile Belinda had rcachsd
home, put OH n pnir Of dry boots and
settled herself for quiet afternoon
School would open OH Monday, and she
would not have many more afternoons
to lounge, rs they would be given over
to outdoor recreation after the trying
hours of the morning. The town clock,
striking o, aroused her. She tore up
the last letter. old love letters they
were, and tossed the bits into the CRATE.
Then she made careful toilet and
went downstairs TO dinner Teddy Ev-
critt was coming over that evening, she
recollectcd, but for the first time In
many months the prospect OF n visit
from that Individual give her no par
ticulnr pleasure
Sunday morning she selected her
most becoming gown and hat 1t was
perfect day, and her satisfaction was
almost complete. She created the usual
stir as she walked up the aisle of the
village church and took her scat near
the front Less than Ave minutes aft
onward the professor came In and sat
down in the pew opposite. He had
boon waiting outside half the morning.
unobserycd, but alert. After service
Belinda gave him tlecting smile OF
recognition and for some reason that
was new 10 her turned and hurried
home rs fast as her pretty patent
leather covered feet could carry her.
When school opened the following
day, the first person she encountered
on entering the faculty hall was tho
new professor. She blushcd to her
ears and tried valiantly to retain her
scholarly dcmeanor, but the logged
crimson showed persistently through
the tanned checks, and her eyes were
puzzles.
Hardiman made no effort to conceal
his qualification, or. il he did, he was
not at all successful. The rest of the
teachers looked on in good nntured
amusement None OF them were old
maids
In month the acquaintance grew to
intimacy. In two 1t became serious
proposition. After three the only thing
lacking were the words and the ring.
The professor had nj last made UP
MS mind TO propose. He had meant
to restrain Ills ardor till the close of
the term, but when 1t became manifest
mat the adorable little Instructor OF
grade No. rccprocated his affection
prudence was thrown to the winds
He sat In his study pondering. Sud
sieniy he got to work dsposing of his
reports in short, but thorough order.
He made a point OF never sighting his
duties for anything Then he drew
forth square envelope and sheet OF
white paper to match. This seemed
to him the most direct and final way