Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-02-03
Che Leap
Year Lady.
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. ls06. by Associated
Literary Press.

81 have often wondered why you
didn't marry" said Bobbie Hayes dif.
fidently.
The professor leaned on the porch
rail and looked over his rose garden,
where the firef1:es starred the night
with gold.
Because love a little lady who
doesn't love me-" he said dreamily.
land I'll have no other"
"Oh! 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
your"
The professor laughed. ''She let's me
see that I am her good friend. her com
rade. but nothing more"
Look here. professor. l don't believe
you've asked her, not outright. you
know" Bobbie accused.
mo. l haven't" the professor admit.
ted.
II thought so.' Bobbie stated. ~
know how modest you are. You'd new.
er believe any one cared If they didn't
tell you. Now, had to-why. profess
or. 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 deer
feeling. and the professor held out his
hand to him.
''Dear iadr' he said
found out how lonely you are and
well. l think you ought to marry. pro
fessor.'
"Alas," said the older man. IF Il
were as easy as it sounds!"
ut is easy" said Bobbie cocksured
~. Twelve had some experienc,
with girls. professor.
The professor chuckied- More thar
have had in all my forty years. Bob
bic"
"And I've learned" Bobbie asserte,
solemnly. that when man wants t
marry a girl he's got to let her know
that he cares awfully."
But she knows that care" the pre-
fessor said.
'Have you told herY' Bobbie de
handed.
"Not in words" was the response
'but. Bobbie. boy. I've sent her
bunch of pink roses every day tina
they bloom in my garden, and l hav
never looked at another woman"
Bobbie sat up straight. "Oh. loo
here" he said unexpectedly. "Yo
won't mind If guess who 1t is?"
II don't believe" the professor hes
tated. that we ought to bring he
name into It,"
"Yes, we ought Bobbie insisted
when it means your happiness an
hers. Isn't it Miss Merriman?'
"How did you guess?" the professo
demanded.
Nobody else grows such old fasl
ioned hundred leaved roses as you. an
when | went up to Miss Merriman
room the other night to borrow a boo
there was a bunch of them on be
table"
"She is very fond Of roses" the pr
lessor murmured.
"Of your roses" Bobbie amended
II have no reason to believe that sh
cares more for my roses than for an
other" said the professor.
"Well, I'll bet she does" Bobbie a
gued 'Ill bet she's got lot of thel
pressed in the Bible or her favorit
book of poetry"
The professor rose. II hardly thin
like to bring her name into this di
cussion." he said again quietly. an
| after that he and Bobbie walked in tt
garden arm in arm. and they talke
| Of books and Of men, but not of Mis-
| Merriman
| The next afternoon Bobbie called Q
| the little teacher.
| II want to know If you'll chapero
] some Of the summer schoolgirls to
picnic at High Rock" was his excus
Dul later Tic cVeuluR lie ucullOue
the professor 81 don't think he's loo
ing WELL" be said.
II have noticed It," said Miss Merr
man anxiously. II believe he Is wor
ing too hard"
ut isn't that" said Bobbie HE
In love. Miss Merriman, and the 81
he cares for Ia treating him very crue
i! ly."
: Miss Merriman turned pale. ''Oh
she said family. "does-does he cal
= for some one?"
Eyes" Bobbie stated. land he ougl
to be married. He is lonely, vel
!. lonely. I am sure II the woman
loves could know she would say yes.