Evening star., 1912-09-08


sleeps ewes at newell, that person might just as
well be off the earth for real notice that she take
OF him. And matter how many there are Eileen
added, "she always seems to know which one 1t IS
"Why not tell your father, then!
Eileen shook her head you know Father!'
The professor nodded.
Not that he is blame of course Eileen fastened
to say. "Army apt to be-you know.
The professor nodded. Il wish knew your
stephen, Uncle.
Stephen better. I'd like to see him. and havea
little talk with him.
~You can, Uncle! He's just outside. Shall | call
him in?"
@Oh no-no! At least not now. the professor
swered in some confusion. Lets not be hasty about
anything.
"But you can him, Uncle, right here from this
window There he sacross the street, walking up and
DOWN.
"Hm! That's Stephen, is it, that er-nice looking,
nervous young man. eh:
The professor felt himself squeezed rapturously.
isn't he nice looking. You'd know he gentle
man, wouldn't you, just by his walk Poor boy, he
can't help being little nervous, of course
Naturally, the professor granted, turning back INTO
the depths of the again He was not quite sure
that such eavesdroppng was fair to any man.
T OOK here Eileen" he said after a moments refec-
II tion "Why don't you and Stephen go and break the
news and let me walk up and down outside That
would be more-sCentifc, don't YOU think. Id be
right at hand, you see-brave as a lion-to help II
necessary.
Eileen drew a long breath. "It's good deal to ex-
pect of Stephen, Uncle
Faint heart you know" the professor urged: Good
advice he assured her, good advicescentic reig
ious, and every other way; | know: my dear. |
haven't been a bachelor all these years for nothing
The dear girl rose beautifully to the occasion You re
right Uncle she said with the sweetest reasonableness
in the world Strengthening her hat and turning toward
the doorway. 1--WE ought not to expect you to 90 what
we are afraid to do ourselves.
@But I'll back YOU. the professor cried Delighted
with his victory I'll back you'll You just run right
along, you and
stephen, Uncle
ayes, know-you and Steve. You 60 first. III give
you twenty minutes-time for the prelimlnar1es you
know-and then II follow, and come in-accldentally
But be sure Uncle.'
ooh I'll be there, never fear. In twenty minutes
Fifteen would be better, don't you think, Eileen
suggested, "or ten.
3Well, say fifteen. In fifteen minutes, my dear Ill
stand beside you ready for anything! Ready for
anything he repeated, gently urging her toward the
door.
But Eileen glanced back at the Uttered desk "Prom-
se me- she said, "that you'll not read single line
think-unt it's over! If you do, you'll forget.
You know you will
aNot line. Not a thought exclaimed the profes-
He would have promised anything.
"Be sure, Uncle.
"Cross my heart'
"Uncle | have your promise
"My solemn promse-as scientist, my dear
"Swear it,
The professor paused. Raising his eyeglasses in his
hand he took the OATH BY intussnsce bon and meta
bolism" he muttered hoarsey, bateral symmetry and
doysopentral differentiation my dear arM be there!7
Eileen shuddered. Il don't know what you said,
Uncle she confessed she futtered farewell in
slant in his arms; "but its the way f-feel.
And she gone
THE professor as good as his word. He did not
l read line. And for his thoughts they had
nothing whatever do with science. For fifteen min
utes he paced up and down the bookned study, smil
ing to himself, and murmuring the most irrelevant
words imaginable, that had nothing to do with
the affair at hand, but in which, apparently he found
necessary for feelings of the 1iveiest
ment and delight
In fifteen minutes he left the house 1t was but
short walk his sisters. a neghborng street. and
he covered it eagerly enough but, he reached the
end of it, suddenly found himself wishing it longer.
And it with foolish childish beating of the heart