The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-23

lily entered = classroom.
Meanwhile Edna Gay was staring 1T
Frofessor Straker with eyes Of brilliant
anger. Anger for him. not toward him.
pioned him 10 profoundly. that they Inn
parted sympathy at the same time
that they exposed his shame.
Such girls!' she exclaimed with an
intensity that vibrated through her
cruelty deformed little body "Such
girls! It ia the same with me as with
you. They aliot US our roles and are
astontshed IL we would escape tho
bounds. fou are tos play the piano
you are q piano.playing machine. Woe.
to play the VIOLIN" She stretched ont
her long. awkward arms IT may be
clever az possible with. my head and
carry on prtxes with these ugly hands.
But I am not to have feet! No! Nor
the motion Of the body! Nor she
stopped In passionate silence.
Are you fond Of dancing?'' he i'm
quired slowly. And in spite of himself
incredulity had not been kept wholly
Even you are surprised she an
swered bitterly. Since you ask: love
body"
Nobody knows that you care to
Nobody shall KNOW" she retorted
Il should only be rebuffed. in another
way. Just as you have been. You are
q professor. I am a deformed girl.
Therefore. we do not Dance
Suddenly she laughed ruefully as
though sorry for her outburst But I
have my enjoyment" she added gently.
There IL a dark turn in the big hall
above the dancing room. There I go
ana hide me. early; and while the or
chestra plays. dance and dance and
dance. all TO nd
very happy" Her face became softly
transfigured. IF you care to ind my
little nook" she offered shyly, ''and
like me can dance alone for love of it.
shall not turn you out-we two unde-
Being a temperamental young man.
the professor felt his heart nearly turn
in pity. My dear Miss Gay" he said
with gravest courtesy, III you will do
me the honor Of dancing with me. and
OF your senior class. we certainly shall
not secrete ourselves in your little nook.
Let US como out and dance in the
gay"
The girl was dumfounded. DO you
mean" she began. and could say no
more.
Certainly! BY all means!" he cried.
Breathlessly she answered. Thank
you. thank you'll" and was gone.
He went back into his studio and
for g moment rested his head upon his
hands, his elbows upon the grand
piano.
At the dance there were agitated
whispers. glances of establishment,
murmurs Of self-reproach, when the
lessor was all devotion to his COM
panion. who danced with Joy radiant
in her face, her twisted little body
borne lightly az on fairy feet. 1t was
true that none had suspected she car
ed to dance. And since youth IL cal
opened. she was sought by many part
ners. Her cup was filled. And the
professor, transformed into merely q
young man. found himself the target
for many laughing, challenging eyes,
found his pupils even eager for con-
tact with this newly revealed person
atty Of his. found himself in the very
midst of that boyhood he had missed.
Toward the end Of the evening
Natalie. stopped in passing. You
have not asked me to dance she said
with little smile. You have chosen
30 maryland not once me-"
Il have been careful not to intrude
upon your program he answered de-
liberately. merely because I am In
your presence"
ut would not have been intruding,'
she said. little catch in her honest
voice. "And the way in which you
have come into my presence, as you
put 1t. is beautiful. We had not re-
allied our selffshness Shall you bring
Edna to the next dancer"
others who will seek the opportunity
now, I am sure. No, shall not
likely come again."
mot If one of the other girls sends
you an invitation p"
No." he said.
ssNy0r ovou fP-T9ss c1~ r..,S