The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1909-08-07


to the plaudits Of the assemblage
Mollie grows younger every day."
remarked some one near by.
The professor opened his eyes
quickly and glanced about. He tapped
his neighbor lightly on the arm.
Who was that last speaker" he
inquired. a'
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 it on scientific grounds he became
calmer. He folded his arms and fixed
his eyes straight ahead. He was
aroused presently by his neighbours
rising and edging out into the aisle.
Unthinkingly he, too, arose and forced
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 light shone, and as Thea pro-
fessor caught sight of it his bosom
swelled with recollections of other
times when he had watched that same
stage door with palpitating heart and
heaving breast. ~..... .-,.. .s-.5 .s
And then, as he looked, a shadow
thrust forward, followed almost in
stantly by form. He knew her now
that telltale sweep of the hands as
they gathered the straying locks and
patted them deftly to place. Before
he realized it he was stepping up
toward the light. In moment he
stood at a point so near that another
step would reveal his presence.
Breathlessly he stood and studied the
girl-it was the same Mollie Kenton {!
He stepped forward into the path OF
light. The girl turned 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.
"Oh, 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
same old Mollie Kenton?"
1.-THE same-Only-a trifle older"
She pushed him out at arms length
and surveyed him critically.
my! But are you really such tire.
mendous professor as those looks
would Indicate? You are $3.50 stu.
dious looking, Toni"
"I-ah-I am a trifle studious, pre-
sume," he admitted.
Il can remember when yOu-
Isn't it lovely night? Is that an owl
hooting, Tom?"
Some one blowing a horn, judge
said the professor.
She glanced at him with a faint
smile.
And it is a fine EVENING"" he added
alphabetically.
I'll get my things, Tom, and you
can take me home. I was going with
Stella Tilton, but she has Ned Edgely
to fall back on and won't be disap
pointed"
/ She whisked out of sight, leaving
the professor dazed at the suddenness
| of it all. 1t was just like the ole
times. The same moon, the same rest
full quiet, the same sprightly care-free
Mollie-all was as it should be ex
| cept himself. He seemed so much
| more adyanced-older and more or
derby.
In moment the girl came out anc
| seized his arm with an air of propri
| 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 lurkec
| in the protecting lee of intervening
clouds. At the end the man who haG
fingered ten years over his researches
| forgot his science in the possession
of his one perfect affinity-the woman
who had fingered ten years, sustained
| by her buoyant spirit, melted into
| weakness as she realized the presence
| of the primal factor in her life.
'And, dear,' remarked Tom Draper
facetiously, just before they sepa
rated, Il was wondering just recently
| whom you had married, never dream
ing but that you were married."
Eyes, TOMMY" said the girl, as she
chol 1T DIT
wondered whom I was going to marry
! knew that-you'd come back some
| time!"
"Ah-that is to say-as-''
THAT is to say that 1 knew the con
sequences would be-would BE-
"Fatal?",
Fatal, Tommy!" said she, laugh
ingly. ~~.. d..
Some moments later there was {
! smothered Toni" from somewhere
| after which Professor Thomas Drape,
| strobe hastily down the moonlit walk
What Time Do Birds Get Up?
One of the small compensations fol
sleepless old age is to lie awake al
| night while the whole household is
asleep and listen to what is going on
I will give you one of my nights ex
periences. I say nothing of the earlier
hours except that l think the black
bird is the last to go to bed. At half
| past two the robins song hear. Al
quarter to three thrush flies uI
from somewhere on to the bare branch