The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-21
'THE LEON REPORTER, THURsDAY, MARCH 2, 1912.


counted for his taciturnity-but 1t
didn't '.
And now several days followed in
which the professors glum humor was
very marked. lie scarcely looked at
his wife, And one who would thought
bride would have melted into tears
at such treatment. She didn't. The
professor noted, that If anything she
appeared more contented than ever.
She's tired OF me-" was his inward
conviction. she didn't care for me
after ALL" Then he grew furious.
That was no reason why a woman
a good woman!- should-should- He
left his thought unfinished.
And now a time came when he lay
wide awake each noon on that couch
where he had had so many pleasant
siestas. Furiously each day, he wait
ed for that rousing smack that at
first he had puzzled over. There was
no question In his mind now as to
what it was. The sound had been
filed. He knew what it was. No
wide-awake person could mistake it.
But to think that Emily-hts wife
should
''Pll kick that young jack-a-napes
out of the house tomorrow" was a
conclusion he arrived at one day.
That day the smack had been repeat
ed. He's too good-looking anyway.
And Emily-she's only kid. Why
she's never had any other fellow but
me-" 1t was rather unprofessional
talk, but If the truth must be told
the professor always did his thinking
in the vernacular. He wasn't very old
himself.
The next day he spent only fleet
ing moment on the couch. He just
let them see him there, eyes closed.
Then, teeth gritted, he took his place
at the door between the dining room
and kitchen 1t was slightly ajar.
Somewhere overhead he heard the
teacher of mathematics humming a
tune. In the kitchen his wife was
busily scraping the plates. The pro-
fessor felt the cold sweat of nervous
ness on his body as he waited. To
look on at his wife's pertidty was no
joke In his throat he swallowed hard
at his conscience on account of his
eavesdropping. And yet he must
something drove him to 1t!
When the footballs of Forbes de-
scending the stairs, came to him, he
clenched the door in the intensity OF
his feeling. Then just as the teacher
Of mathematics reached the hall floor
that kiss reverberated loud and clear.
The professor grew rigid. The out
er door slammed. Again that kiss.
This time, dignity thrown to the winds,
the professor thrust his head through
the doorway. And he was just In
time to see his wife, not more than
a foot away, kissing with whole-souled
ardour the back of her own hand. Al
so, there was no way in which she
could have reached the hall except by
passing her husband.
The professor gasped. The gasp
startled the wife from her self-absorb-
ing rite. Rigidly erect, she gazed at
him. But the professor was hopping
bis genuinely beaded brow, and did
not see it. At last when he looked at
her a ripping laugh issued from her
lips.
Your sleep-made you warm. Ar.
thur"
Il wasn't sleeping!" The professor
confronted his wife with peculiar
look. II haven't slept for week."
You haven't slept for week."
Her tone was properly surprised and
she laughed girlishly.
mo, l haven't"
But thought you"
well, l haven't" he interrupted
seriously. He put out two arms and
placed them on her shoulders TO
day l was going to kick our respected
teacher Of mathematics out OF the
house."
Gurgles of laugher came from the
woman.
Poor, innocent Mr.. Forbes" she
beamed up at him.
There was a moment of silence
while the professor smiled back. Then
suddenly he caught her to him. And
now a perfect imitation of those re-
sounding kisses echoed through the
house. When he finally released her
1t was with low laugh OF satisfac-
ton.
What a trickster you are, Nell.
You've certainly put me through the
third degree" he said whimsically. Il
don't believe I'll ever be able to sleep
again without being haunted"
She pointed threatening finger at
him. III you do" she blushed, 'I'Il
really do it-really and truly"
WHAT" he laughed. kiss our pro
lessor Of mathematical"
She nodded.
He wagged his head teasingiy.
Maybe old Forbes wouldn't let
YOU"
POOL" she snapped her fingers in
his face. "A woman can do anything
she likes with man-even to keep
ing him from his MONDAY siesta!"
At which the professor only laughed
happily and rushed away.