The Washington herald., 1914-03-08
DAILY SHORT STORY.
THE PROFESSORS ADVICE.
ny JUNE GRAHAM.
Copyright. is4l

Copyright. ma
Miss Saxon Colby was twenty years
old.
She was imperious and self-willed
and obstinate.
Her father hadn't very much money.
and she wasn't very good looking. but
the attitude of the girl was that OF
one born to a throne and expecting
every minute to receive a check OF sew
eral billion dollars from Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter.
Miss Saxon had had plenty OF admir-
ers. but had become interested in none.
About the time she ought to have been
interested In n young man she would
give him the cold snub and he would
vanish and another take his place.
There were people who called the girl
a fiirt and a coquette. but she wasn't
that. 1t was that she had not yet met
the right young man. No one had ever
clashed with her: no one. not even her
father. had dared to say to her:
who are you to think yourself the
salt of the earth? You have got
passable figure: you are as good look
ing as most OF the girls In the de-
partment stores. You have only a fair
education. Why do you swagger? Why
~ goh s"ups "h1N nave sob ~
say that one shall do this and do
that"
Three different people appeared at
Willow Springs by the same train.
There was her ladyship. Miss Saxon
Colby
There was Prof. Peters. professor Of
mathematics at a certain college. He
was fftyhve years old. and was taxi
ing vacation for the first time in If
teen years
There was Gilbert Needham, a success
full author. who was just then very much
before the public.
The professor and Mr.. Needham put
UP at hotel while Lady Saxon Colby
stopped with friends at a private house.
hTe professor put in much of his time
wandering over the roads and fields. Mr..
Needham sat on the veranda and smoked
| and took a walk now and then. Miss
Saxon drove out in a pony-cart or an
auto. and frequented the hotel more or
less. At an early date she and tho
young man were introduced. After they
had sized each other up he said to him.
| self:
Rather nice looking. but she's snobbish
| and imperious."
Hes a very clever author. but in
to he criticised. Miss Saxon said of
him.
II has happened thousands of times.
| and II will happen thousands more. that
| a nan and a woman who are antagonis-
| ue at a first meeting, and rather wish
to avoid each other. will be thrown to-
| gether In spite of themselves.
One day young Needham was almost
knocked of his feet by an Invitation from
| Lady Saxon to take her for a walk TO
| pick daisies In his mind he COM
/ plimented her on dropping her usual at
\ titude, and thereupon he made himself
] as agreeable as possible IL was not
l long however, before he came to suspect
that she had a plan. They had gathered
a great bunch of daisies, and were sit
ting with their backs to ticket, when
| she remarked:
Il suppose you have received lots Of
| hattery over your so-called literary
| achievement
] Certain people have spoken kindly of
my efforts" 'sas the reply.
| There are always toadies. As liter
ary effort | must say that I regard your
books as dreary failures.
They nay be from YOUR standpoint.
Which. am sure. is the correct one.
| Most any one can hit the taste of the
| rabble."
II beg pardon. Miss Colby. but some Of
| the highest md most competent critics
have spoken well of my work"
But my criticisms will stand, sir. and
they are most unfavorable. As an
author you are failure
Thanks
After that there was nothing to do hut
walk back to thc hotel and they hadn I
progressed ten rods when Prof Peters
emerged from the thicket with grin on
his face He had heard every word.
OF course, che authors feelings were
hurt. but he .ealIzed that malice was the
incentive. and ne tried TO be cheerful
over 1t. 1t was only three days later
when he was asked If he could drive an
| auto. Upon his replying in the affirma-
tive. Lady Saxon said:
Il wish to 90 over TO Hill City on an
| drive me over"
| 1t was a direct command. and for a
moment the young man was inclined TO
refuse Then he thought OF the rudeness.
| and relented.
| II was a rough road across the hills.
and the auto was started at about ten
miles an hour II should not have been
even that much. They were about to
cross a stone bridge on which sat man
with his head down when her ladyship
called out:
| Why this dallying:"
at isn't safe to go faster
Are you also a failure as chauf-
feur?''
II think / am a good judge of bad
| road.
| IF you do not at once increase the
speed / shall get out and walk"
| The speed was doubled, and as the ma
chine bounded away. threatening a disas-
ter every minute. the man on the bridge
looked after il and grinned. II was the
professor.
Her ladyship and servant reached Hill
| City without a tragedy. On the return