The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-02-15

IN Prof. MAX was coming &c
~ j tea, and, In Freda's opir
ion, this teacher OF astron
omy was the greatest Of men. The
emperor himself was not half 80 wise
or handsome, the foolish maiden
thought. Her father, who was an
enthusiastic student OF astronomy
was great friend OF Herr Max. and
the latter often came to his house,
where there was fine observatory.
| When the two men went up to the
house-top observatory to study the
heavenly bodies Freda, eager to learn.
went with them; but somehow the
consultations, comets. meteors and
asteroids she heard them speak of
so huently we're all so confusing that
she could understand nothing, try
hard as she might.
But she learned one thing, which
was not down in the books, all I'M
consciously. During those long, de-
licious nights spent upon the house
top watching the glowing heavens.
she had learned the lesson of love
and all the affection Of her pure,
young heart was lavished upon the
| professor.
| When the little German maid first
realized that she loved him she was
annoyed at her audacity and trembled
lest he find it out, but later on when
the noble passion had filled her whole
heart she trembled lest he should
never know. or care for her in return.
Then" she tearfully said to her
self, Il can but die" To young, ro-
mantle maidens it seems an easy
thing to die for love unrequited, but
he was wise who said that men have
died and worms have eaten them, but
not for love-"
The soft summer nights passed and
they met no more upon the roof, but
the two astronomers spent many an
evening in the Trainers cozy little
parlor. with their books and charts
spread on the table beside them. Then
the young hausfrau sat by quietly
knitting, feasting her eyes upon the
beloved countenance, but If by chance
Herr Max glanced in her direction.
she dropped her blue eyes, blushing
deeply. And as she always dropped
her eyes she never saw the tender
smile that played upon his lips when
ever she repeated this harmless ma
neuver.
When St. Valentines day came the
bright flower of hope blcssomed in
Freda's heart, for this was surely the
opportunity she sought and she hoped
the good saint would lend her his
aid. With loudly beating heart she
entered the stationer's shop and
asked the young clerk to show her
the valentines. She pressed her hand
against her heart to still its beating,
making, as she did so, q far prettier
picture than any of the painted graces
on the valentines before her.
Some one, passing by, caught q
glimpse of her and thought so, too;
but Freda was SO engrossed In trying
to find valentine to suit her. that she
did not know the professor had seen
her and had passed on with that rare
ly tender smile upon his lips.
At last she found what she wanted.
It was a very simple little valentine,
but it told an eloquent story. On the
top of the white embossed page
blazed glorious star, with beams of
light radiating from every point, and
beneath it. as If basking in its rays,
lay tiny heart pierced by an arrow
shot from the bow of roguish cupid.
"Ach!" thought Freda, the star is
Herr Max and mine is the heart. But
/ fear he can never stoop low enough
to reach It." With this humble
thought she tremblingly addressed the
envelope and then ran to drop 1t In
the nearest postbox. A score of times
she wished it back and reproached
herself for her holiness. but now he
was coming to tea and IL he UNDER
stood he would reveal it In his conduct
and she would soon know her fate.
At last the preparations for supper
were completed. and. with tired sigh.
she sat down by the bright fire to rest.
Pleasant visions filled her mind, and
she did not hear the footsteps which
softly drew near, and only knew she
was not alone when something
dropped into her lap.
1t was the valentine she had sent
that morning-he had brought or sent
1t back to her, she knew not which, for
grief and shame SO overcame her she
dared not turn her head to see.
Thinking he thus refused her love.
she was about to cast the now hateful
valentine into the fire and then rush
away and never look at the professor
again. when something stopped her.
Her eyes fell upon the valentine. It
was the same. and yet not the same,
for, although the great star still blazed
at the top of the card. the little heart
was no longer far beneath it, but, In
stead. rested within the heart of the
star