The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-30
IN THE LABORATORY
BY JANE OSBORN.

romance In a chemistry laboratory seems. the
race Oh It, abusrd. but then Burke Langton q
most unusual professor-young, good looking self
possessed good natured and bit conceited And
Madge Walton, at least Burke thought from the
nrss was quite unlike the usual of chemistry
she was always letting acids ourn her pretty
fingers accidentally blowing up tubes and beakers
Professor Burke Langton in particular. a state OF
perpetual excitement
The task of woong Madge had been anything but
easy, NOT because Madge herself unwilling
wooed, but because it wasn't wise arouse college
ana never would be until there aetua
11,saseheht. TO eau on her at the dormitory
much too obvious. to chance encounter her in
once or twice when Madse had 'let things happen
IN the laboratory Burke had had chance help
several occasions he had requested with
ne, aiter hours. apparently to help her with her
Finally. when the school year was almost over
n ne s0S Si the 4, final ssphe asked her to
to taik over with YOU he told her. trying make
where around the old college Wen Just make the
theatre sort OF excuse"
. Apparently Madge was delighted. She blushed ana
then biushed all the think that he had
noticed her blush He was to get the tickets for
IN town where none of the college people could see
mem mem. Madse was to spend the night IN town
happy.
me great day had come, and Burke was sitting
neIore his desk in state blissfuI reflection en-
Madges eyes, and Madges voice. and Madges amusing
Professor Lanston!" II was indeed Msdge Who was
atklng she seemed very grave and constrained Pro-
night -" ~
why. Madse, why, Miss Walton" he said. looking
all planned can't let you OF" He looked intentiy
ehahse OF heart What do you mean?" he de-
manded.
She avoided his glance II hoped Won woo,a
understand" she said II can't explain
Professor Langton would have insisted upon a
more complete explanation not been for the in
eytaoie approach of other members OF the class
mat ever-present class He stumbled through his
lecture somehow. experiencing all the I'M
certainty When he had finished and had entered the
sanesum OF his inner laboratory he felt II ne had
endured Years OF aging Il hoped you would UNDER
stand. she had told him, II can't explain" He re-
called the words and again the look OF anxiety
on her race Yes she understood how he felt only
wanted to save his feelings
theh the vision OF her as he had last her
TO his mind She had left the with two of those
tall oVer6earing ai-important Just how he
seniors were responsible tor the change been
with them continually. he remembered. They were
type OF college girl. And yet there came back tn.
certainty again and and again that Madge really and
When the afternoon had dragged away and tho
monotony OF dinner he thought the tickets in his
pocket and Inclined at nrst TO invite a fellow pro-
lessor to share the evenings entertainment with him.
sibe Suns "'"''' 'e' was ''hpos-
SO it was that Burke sought consolation in the
laboratory 70 go on with an important experiment
try to work himself into of scientific indff-
ference 1t was about 100 when he reached builds
ing, 1t was, usual closed for day but with
the use of his latch key he gained admssioasA.Hs
CROPPED his way through the main hall up the A&4r~
way along the corridor toward the laboratory. Sud
denly he stopped short.
ing dread came upon him he realized that he had
stumbled IN the dark upon something soft and human
OF girl covered with black lying motionless upon
It's of those poor overworked students who's
tainted from fatigue" he thought with a touch OF
annoyance he bent down over her and Than
that students couldn't be building at this time
OF night as their work there was over at shutdown.
no one within cali Of his voice He hurriediy lifted
the limp form in his arms and carried it up the
the floor while he reached to snap the electra0
1t was Madge-Madge enveloped in academic
gown. with black cloth drawn over her Almost
breathing Everything was perfectly normal. but sun
ne could not rouse her In second he had the
her face when he perceived faint smile.
s ser 0ssa and she wa, apparently
that did not sound like his Don't you
As he elasped her hands frantlcally his recalled
on by over work. and yet he had never thought Of
spend much thought on chemistry He hurriedly
reached TO his experiment table for strong
He-put the uncorked bottle before her and watched
her anxously In a second she had opened her eyes,
she saw the anxious face before her. look Of
why why. where II" she asked. rubbing her
eyes an1 hooking about in alarm. My, but THAT'S
ITS all right, Madse little girl said the profess
sor lifting her to g chair You'll feel better IN
ing Down into her Nshed face. '0' - 'V'' 80
It was 9 good many minutes before things were
MadEe was undergoing the p siminary stages Of her
Initiation IL Becret society when he her
in the hail and that she had been commanded by
her initlsors to lie perfectly quiet with her closed
no matter hat occurred and before Madge realised
that the professor wasn't in some taking =
the foolish performance
And why didn't you tell why you couldn't
keep date with me ?" he asked.
Because 1t was all solemn about the
initiation and we were commanded to tell" she
said Simply Its such honor to be asked to Join
that thinks of objecting II they do
have to break their engagements thought you would
understand when told you"
The rroiefaer was sitting on his desk looking
curiocHy 1T the girl who had been taken from him
and now had been strangely brought back again see
here Madge.' he said. looking at his watch .weri
only miss the first act II you with now. DO
want 70 q would ypn rather 60 back to and Join
| that fool society n
rha fir,a ~ nrnfeasor nndarst1n1 " ~ - -