The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-07-18
professor and
L Dead Letter.
By Nellie Cravey Gilmore.
Copyrighted, 1907, by P c. Eastment.
By Nellie Cravey Gilmore.

Beinda's introduction to the new
professor WIS a distinctly unceremoni-
Gus one. Tripping lightly across the
mud sogged pavement, she suddenly
caught one foot in tangled heap of
wire-flung down from the telephone
and telegraph lines by the rayagng
hand of a recent hurricane-and STUN
bled precipitately into the arms of
blond giant, who supported her valor-
ously till she had blushiugly recovered
her poise.
Thanks, awfully," she said. you
have doubtless saved my life"
Your frock, more likely" he replied,
lifting his hat Il am no end glad |
happened along at the propitious mo-
ment"
Belinda returned him little com
bination smile and nod as she lifted her
dainty, crisp skirts and pursued her
way cautiously across the slippery
street
Hardiman restrained his eagerness
until a reasonably safe length of time
had elapsed before turning to look
around He had gained the opposite
sidewalk by this time, and his glance
back at the girl betrayed instantly to
the casual pedestrians that the profess
or had been abruptly shaken from his
phlegmatic attitude of mind.
Belinda turned into Oak street all
unconscious of the scrutiny that fol
lowed her, and Hardiman continued
his way in tumut of chaotic rrtiec
tons. He reached his hotel in IA state
of mind that was quite impossible
The very first look into the girls face
had thrilled him startlingly. The &C
cidental contact of her delicate form
against his had finished the job He
tod himself that it was a case of love
a. first sight. So much for the explo-
sion Of his lifelong theories Then
perfect regiment of doubts and fears
assaled him. Perhaps after all she
was not girl. but married woman.
The professor ate his dinner In 81
lence. Afterward he went to his room
and for some ineXplicable reason ex-
changed his dark suit for one of lighter
and more becoming texture. He brush
ed his hair painstakingly, 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. He
eschewed supper altogether and went
back to his room for a solitary cigar
and meditation.
Meanwhile Belinda had reached
home, put on pair of dry boots and
settled herself for a quiet afternoon.
School would open on Monday, and she
would not have many more afternoons
to lounge, as they would be given over
to outdoor recreation after the trying
hours of the morning, The town clock,
striking g, aroused her She tore up
the last letter, old love letters they
were, and tossed the bits into the CRATE.
Then she made a careful toilet and
went downstairs to dinner. Teddy Ev-
ertt was coming over that evening, she
recolectel. but for the first time in
many months the prospect of a visit
from that individual gave her no par
ticular pleasure.
Sunday morning she selected her
most becoming gown and hat 1t was
a 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 seat near
the front. Less than five minutes aft
erward the professor came In and sat
down In the pew opposite. He had
been waiting outside half the morning,
unobseryed, but alert. After service
Belinda gave him a 1eetlng smile Of
recognition and for some reason that
was new to her turned and hurried
home as 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 the
new professor She blushed to her
ears and tried vallantly to retain her
scholarly demeanor, but the logged
crimson showed perslstently through
the tanned cheeks, and her eyes were
puzzles.
Hardiman made no effort to conceal
his qualification, or. II he did, he was
not at all successful The rest of the
teachers looked on In good natured
amusement None or them were OLD
maids
In month the acquaintance grew to
Intimacy. In two 1t became a serious
proposition. After three the only thing
lacking were the words and the ring
The professor had at last made up
his mind to propose. He had meant
TO restrain his ardor till the close OF
the term, but when 1t became manifest
that the adorable little instructor of
grade No. 4 reciprocated his affection
prudence was thrown to the winds
He sat In his study bordering Sud
denly he got to work disposing of his
reports In short, but thorough, order
He made point Of never sighting his
duties for anything. Then he drew
4 L ! ! !