Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-24

Professor and Dead Letter.
3 krighted' 1907. by P. G. Eastment.

Cd ygrighted, 1907, by P. G. BASEMENT.
AeIInda's introduction to the new
Professor, was distinctly unceremoni-
GUS one. Tripping lightly across the
mud sogged pavement, she suddenly |
caught one foot In a tangled heap Of |
wire-fung down from the telephone |
and telegraph lines by the ravaging |
hand OF recent hurricane and STUN
bled precipitately into the arms of
blond giant, who supported her valor-
ously till she had blushingly recovered
her poise.
''Thanks. awfully," she said. You
have doubtless saved my life"
"Your frock, more likely he replied,
lifting his hat. II am no end glad
happened along at the propitious mo
ment"
Belinda returned him q 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 reasonably safe length Of time
he'd elapsed before turning to look
arounN He had gained the opposite
sidewalk by thiN time, and his glance
back at the girl betrayed instantly to
!. the casual pedestrians that the profess
or had been abruptly shaken from his
phlSxmof1e attitude of mind.
belinda turned Into. Oak street all
unconscious of TIE ecf1tlhy that fol
lowod her. ana uardirp4n. oontInued
hi wy IA tumuIt of cI1l0tic rel1ec-
tious H. reocied bin holGI II gtat9
of mind tH0 VIA quite lmpo1eibIe.
The very first look into he 1sl'q foce
had thrilled him startlingly. 1He-1<-
7 cidental contact Of her delicate form
against his had finished the job He
told himself that it was case Of love
at first sight So much for the explo-
sion Of his lifelong theories! Then a
perfect regiment of doubts and fears
Resailed him. Perhaps after all she
as not a girl, but married woman.
The professor ate his dinner In ST.
=. Afterward he went to his room
for some inexplicable reason ex-
ged his dark suit for one Of lighter
pore becoming texture. He brush
hair painstakingly, placed soft
lpine hat on his head and saun-
forth In quest of-fresh air. 1t
lmost dark before he returned,
pinted and oddly depressed. He
led supper altogether and went
his room for a solitary cigar
lditation.
while Belinda had reached
put on pair of dry boots and
herself for a quiet afternoon.
would open on Monday, and she
ot have many more afternoons
e. as they would be given over
|or recreation after the trying
the morning. The town clock,
striking 9. aroused her. She tore up
the last letter old love letters they
we're. and tossed the bits into the CRATE
hen she made careful toilet and
ent downstairs to dinner. Teddy Ev-
lit was coming over that evening, she
objected but for the first time in
by months the prospect of visit
N that individual gave her no par
lar pleasure.
nday morning she selected hei
tlbecoming gown and hat 1t was
perfect day, and her satisfaction was
alluOct IOluPiClC. 5ollC titttt1 lnE uoud
stir as she walked up the aisle Of the
kAvillage church and took her seat neal
'the front Less than five minutes aft
erward the professor came In and sal
down in the pew opposite. He hat
nkeep waiting outside half the morning
served, but alert After servic,
hda gave him feeting smile o.
gnition and for some reason tina
new to her turned and hurried
& as fast as her pretty paten
ler covered feet could carry her.
hen school opened the following
the first person she encointeret
entering the faculty hall was tn
professor. She blushed to he
and tried valiantly to retain he
larly demeanor. but the dogge,
son showed perslstently through
9nned cheeks, and her eyes wer
iiman made no effort to concea
ratification, or II he did. hes wa
1t all successful The rest Of til
hers looked on In good nature
amusement. None Of them were oil
maids.
In month the acquaintance grew
intimacy. In two 1t became seriou
proposition. After three the only thin
lacking were the words and the ring.
The professor had at last made u
bis mind to propose. He had NEAR
to restrain his ardor till the close (
the term, but when 1t became NANTES
that the adorable little instructor {
grade No. 4 reciprocated his affectio
prudence was thrown to the wind
He sat in his study bordering. SUI
!. denly he got to work disposing Of b
- reports In short but thorough, orde
He made a point of never sighting b
duties for anything. Then he DIRE
forth square envelope and sheet !