Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-09-10

haired creature; this perfectly proper
toned woman-no, II could not be
Mollie Kenton.
Idly he listened to the stirring words
Of the speaker, his eyes occasionally
pausing In their wandering to rest on
her fair throat, her queenly head or a
rounded shoulder. He felt a strange
lack of interest now, and his disap-
pointment was bringing him to a reali.
zation OF the folly OF making the un-
warranted journey.
In the midst of his thoughts the
speaker ended and drifted lightly away
TO the plaudits of the assemblage.
Mobile grows younger every dayi"
remarked some one near by.
The professor opened his eyes
quickly and glanced about. He tapped
his n~eighbor lightly on the arm.
Who was that last speaker" he
inquired.
That's Mollie Kenton! Don't you
know herr"
His informant spoke in a tone of
surprise and Professor Draper leaned
Imply back in his seat.
Was that really Mollie? There was
something of the miraculous in this
thing, and In an endeavor to account
for ii on scientific grounds he became
calmer. lie folded his arms and fixed
his eyes straight ahead. He was
aroused presently by his neighbours
rising and cdging out into the aisle.
Unthinkingly he, too, arose and forced
a way down to the rear of the hall.
He glanced at his watch-it was
eleven O'Clock. The program must be
well-nigh ended.
With a feeling of loneliness he left
the hall and stood bareheaded in the
calm June night. From the stage en-.
trance a lisht shone, and as the pro-
fessor caught sight of 1t his bosom
swelled with r~ecollections of other
times when he had watched that same
stage door with palpitating heart and
heaving breast.
And then, as he looked, a shadow
thrust forward, followed almost in
staptly by a form. He knew her now
that t~elltale sweep of the hands an
they gathered the straying locks and
patted them deftly to place. Before
he realized it he was stepping up
toward the light. In a moment he
stood at a point so near that another
step would reveal his presence.
Breath!essly he stood and studied the
girl-it was the same Mollie Kenton!
He stepped forward into the path of
light. The girl turned a startled face
toward him as he came up the walk.
why it's Tom! Tommy Draper!"
The girl reached out quickly and
grasped his hand.
ION, it is Toni" she repeated, while
the professor flushed to his hair and
struggled to speak.
eyes it's Tom" he said. And you
don't mean to say that you are the
sans old Mollie Kenton?"
THE same-oEly-a trife older"
She pushed him out at arms length
and surveyed him critically.
my! But az you really such a tre-
mendo,;s professor as those looks
would indicate? You are $3.50 stu
dious looking, Toni"
'I-ah--I am a triie studious, | pre-
sumo" he admitted.
Il can remember when YOU
Isn't It a lovely night? Is that an owl
hoot'ng, Tom?"
Some one blowing a horn, | judge"
said the professor.
She glanced at him with a faint
smile.
"And it is o fine evening"" he added,
apolcgetically.
"I'l get my things, Tom, and you
can take me home. was going with
Stella Tilton, but she has Ned Edgely
to fal! back on and won't be disap-
pointed"
She whisked out of sight, leaving
the profes .sor daZed Of the sndlenEcSS
of it all. 1t was just Ike the old
times. The same moon, the same rest
ful quiet. the same sprightly care-free
Mollie-ail was as it should be ex-
cept himself. lie seemed SO much
more advanced-older and more or
derry.
In a moment the cir. same out and
SelZed DIS arm WIFI an air OF pTOpEl-
etorship that made him vince, but
switched him wholly back to those
other days.
The walk home was strangely long.
At times the moon OPPORTUNITY lurked
In the protecting lee of intervening
clouds. At the end the man who had
fingered tc.: years over his researches
forgot his science la the possession
of his one perfect atinity-the .soman
who had fingered ten years. sustained
by her Ducyant spirit. melted into
weakness as she realized the presence
of the primal faator III her life.
And. desr,". remarked Tom Draper
facetioasS, Just before they sepa-
rated. II was wondering just recently
whom you had married, never dream
ing but that yen We're married." |
"Yes. Tenmy!" said the girl. as she
pushed away from him. Bat neve
wondered whom | was going to marry.
I knew that--youd come back some