The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1910-03-18
Che Leap
Year Lady,.
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

fidently.
The professor leaned on the porch
rail and looked over his rose garden
where the firefies 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 moments silence, out Of
which Bobbie questioned curiously
How do you know she doesn't love
you
The professor laughed. "She lets me
see that 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.
NO, haven't" the professor admit
ted
II thought So" Bobbie stated. 81
know how modest you are. You'd nev-
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
found In college"
The boys voice was husky with deep
feeling, and the professor held out his
hand to him.
Dear lad.' he said.
and since I've been coming l have
found out how lonely you are and
well, l think you ought to marry, pro-
fessor"
Alas" said the older man, "if it
We're as easy as it sounds!'
ut is easy" said Bobbie cocksured-
ly. Twelve had some experience
with girls, professor"
The professor chuckled. More than
l have had in all my forty years, Bob
bic"
And I've learned" Bobbie asserted
solemnly, that when man wants to
marry girl he's got to let her know
that he cares awfully."
But she knows that care" the pro-
fessor said.
Have you told herY Bobbie de-
manded.
Not in words" was the response,
but, Bobbie, boy, I've sent her
bunch of pink roses every day that
they bloom in my garden, and l have
never looked at another woman"
Bobbie sat up straight. "Oh, look
here he said unexpectedly. you
won't mind if guess who it isl"
Il don't believe" the professor hest
tated that we ought to bring heI
name into it
Yes, we ought" Bobbie insisted
when it means your happiness and
hers. Isn't it Miss Merriman?"
How did you guess?' the professor
demanded.
Nobody else grows such old fash.
Toned hundred leaved roses as you. and
when l went up to Miss Merriman's
room the other night to borrow a book
there was a bunch of them on her
table"
she is very fond Of roses" the pro.
lessor murmured.
"Of your roses" Bobbie amended.
Il have no reason to believe that she
cares more for my roses than for any
other" said the professor
We'll, III bet she does" Bobbie ar.
gued. III bet she's got lot Of them
pressed in the Bible or her favorite
book Of poetry"
The professor rose. II hardly think
l like to bring her name into this dis
CUSTOM he said again quietly. and
after that he and Bobbie walked in the
garden arm in arm, and they talked
of books and Of men. but not of Miss
Merriman.
The next afternoon Bobbie called on
the little teacher
Il want to know If you'll chaperon
some Of the summer schoolgirls to a
picnic at High Rock" was his excuse.
But later in the evening he mentioned
the professor Il don't think he's look.
ing WELL" he said.
Il have noticed it," said Miss Merri.
man anxiously. II believe he is work.
ing too hard"
1T isn't that" said Bobbie. "He's
IN love, Miss Merriman, and the girl
he cares for is treating him very cruel
~"
Miss Merriman turned pale. ooh"
she said family. "does-does he care
for some one?"
Yes" Bobbie stated, "and he ought
TO be married He is lonely. very
lonely. | am sure if the woman he
loves could know she would say YES"
Il am sure she would" Miss Merri
man agreed.
Il have wondered" Bobbie began
and stopped, ''if you could find ont
who she is-women have such intui
tons about things, and you and the
professor are such old friends"
But" palpitated Miss Merrimap.
I'm not bit of a detective. Bobbie
shouldn't know how to look for her"
well, I'll give you tip" said Bob
bic. You find the lady he sends his
pink roses to: she's the one"
He was looking at her with round
innocent eyes. and he saw the color
come back into her cheeks. He saw