The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-20

which the professors glum humor was
very marked. he scarcely looked at
bis wife. And one who would thought
u bride would have melted into tears
at such treatment. She didn't. The
professor noted. that II anything she
appeared more contented than ever.
shes 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 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 70
what 1t was. The sound had been
filed. He knew what 1t was. No
wide-awake person could mistake It,
But to think that Emily-his wife
should
I'll 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. Hes too good-looking anyway
And Emily--she's only kid. Why
she's never had any other fellow but
me-" II was rather unprofessional
talk. but II 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 It was slightly aJar.
Somewhere overhead he heard the
teacher Of mathematics humming
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 perfidty 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 It.!
When the footballs of Forbes de-
scendiny the stairs. came to him. he
clenched the door In the intensity or
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.
or 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
q foot away. kissing with whole-souled
ardour the back Of her own hand. Al
20. 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-
ins nte. Rigidly erect. she gaxed az
him. But the professor was hopping
his genuinely beaded brow. and did
not SEQ It At last when he looke1 st
her . ripping laugh issued from her
lips.
Your sieep-made you warm. Ar.
thur
II wasn't sieeping!" The professor
confronted his wife with a peculiar
look Il haven't slept for q week."
You haven't slept for a week!-
Her tone was properly surprised nn<
she laughed girlishly.
mo. l haven't"
But thought you"
well. I haven't" he interrupted
seriously. He put cut two arms and
placed them on her shoulders. TO
day 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 moment OF silence
while the professor smiled back. Then
suddenly he caught her to him. And
now perfect imitation OF those re-
sounding kisses echoed through the
house. When he finally released her
II was with a low laugh OF satisfac-
tion.
What a trickster you are, Nell
You've certainly put me through the
third degree" he said whimsically. II
don't believe I'll ever be able to sleep
again without being haunted"
She pointed a threatening finger at
him, III you do" she blushed. "Iu
really do it-really and truly"
What" he laughed kiss our pro
fessor OF mathematics?
She nodded
He wagged his head teasingly
Maybe old Forbes wouldn't le,
YOU"
"Poof!" she snapped her fingers In
his face. "A woman can do ANYTHING
she likes with a man-even to keep
Ing him from his MONDAY siesta!"
a ~