Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-11-12
Che Leap
Year Lady.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR,

nueutlN.
The professor leaned on the porch
rail and looked over his rose garden,
where the frefiles starred the night
with gold.
Because love little lady who
doesn't love me-" he said dreamily.
"and I'll have no other"
"Ohr' Bobbie gasped as one who has
come unexpectedly upon romance.
There was a moments silence out Of
which Bobbie questioned curiously,
"How do you know she doesn't love
you?"
The professor laughed. "She let's me
see that ! am her good friend, her COM
rade, but nothing more"
Look here professor. don't believe
know" Robbie accused.
mo. / haven't" the professor admit
ted
al thought So" Bobbie stated 81
know how modest you are You'd new
er believe any one cared II they didn't
tell you. Now, l had to-why, profess
or, 1 just had to hang around you aft
er class and come over here and bore
you and beg you to go places with
me before you'd believe that / thought
you were about the best thing I'd
found In college"
The boys voice was husky with deep
feeling, and the professor held out his
hand TO him.
''Dear ladr' he said.
"And since I've been coming have
found out how lonely you are and
! well, think you ought to marry, pro-
fessor"
Alas" said the older man, III it
were as easy as 1t sounds!"
''It is easy" said Bobbie cocksured-
ly. Twelve had some experience
with girls, professor"
The professor chuckled More than
have had in all my forty years, Bob
bic"
'And I've learned" Bobbie asserted
solemnly, that when a man wants to
marry girl he's got to let her know
that he cares awfully."
"But she knows that care" the pro-
fessor said.
"Have you told herT Bobbie de-
handed
Not In words, was the response,
but, Bobbie, boy, I've sent her a
bunch of pink roses every day that
they bloom In my garden, and / have
never looked at another woman"
Bobbie sat up straight. "Oh, look
here" he said Unexpectedly. You
won't mind II guess who II ISL"
81 don't believe" the professor hest
tated. that we ought to bring her
name into it,
Eyes. we ought" Bobbie insisted.
"when IL means your happiness and
hers. Isn't it Miss Merriman?
"How did you guess?" the professor
demanded.
"Nobody else grows such old fash
toned hundred leaved roses as you, and
when | went up TO Miss Merriman's
room the other night to borrow a book
there was a bunch of them on her
table"
"She is very fond of roses.' the pro-
fessor murmured
"Of your roses" Bobbie amended.
81 have no reason to believe that she
cares more for my roses than for any
other. said the professor
"Well. I'll bet she does" Bobbie ar
gued III bet she's got a lot OF them
pressed in the Bible or her favorite
book of poetry"
The professor rose. II hardly think
/ like to bring her name into this dis
cussion.' he said again quietly, and
after that he and Bobbie walked In the
garden arm in arm. and they talked
OF books and Of men. but not Of Miss
Merriman
The next afternoon Bobbie called on
the little teacher.
81 want to know IL you'll chaperon
some of the summer schoolgirls to a
picnic at High Rock" was his excuse.
But later In the evening he mentioned
the professor. II don't think he's look
ing well. he said
81 have noticed It." said Miss Merri-
|
ing too hard.
1T isn't that" said Bobbie He's
In love. Miss Merriman. and the girl
he cares for is treating him very cruel
ly."
Miss Merrlman turned pale. "Oh."
she said family. "does-does he care
for some one?'
yes" Robbie stated. land he ought
to be married He is lonely. very
lonely. | am sure If tile woman he
loves could know she would say yes "
'T am sure she would" Miss Merri-
man agreed
'T have wondered" Bobbie began
and stopped. 'if you could find out
who she is-women have such intui-
lions about things, and you and the
professor are such old friends"
But" palpitated Miss Merriman.
'T'm not a bit OF a detective. Bobbie.
| shouldn't know how to look for her.
"Well. I'll give you tip" said Bob
bic You find The lady he sends his
pink roses TO; she's the one"
He was looking at her with round,
innocent eyes. and he saw the color
come back into her cheeks. He saw
the uplift of her graceful head, with
its crown OF shining hair lie saw the
radiance OF her eyes.