The bee., 1916-11-21
THE PROFESSORS SHIRT
BY FRANCES LAW.

passing the little house next door, for
there on the swing sat Miss Martha
Tilbridge, crocheting.
"a little warm for so early In the
year." he remarked, pleasantly. II
seemed that although these two had
been neighbors for years they never
got past the conventional subject of
the weather or how much better the
hlacs were doing this year than last.
He was quite up on his own porch
and had his hand on the screen door
before Martha had the courage to ask ;
'How are you getting along. since
Mrs. Gold went awayT'
'Pretty well. Her niece is here to
look after me until she returns"
my, but 1 wish l had his teeth
when he smilesl" sighed Martha and,
not realizing that her words weren't
exactly what she meant at all, she
sat a minute idle, but her thoughts
were busler than her hands. That's
shiftless creature that's keeping
house for him now. l suppose it's the
best he could do, though. Well, /
guess I'd better get a cup Of tea. 1
do believe he'd like a piece Of that
nut bread Of mine. I'll take over a
plate of It."
So, rolling up the work, she went
back to the kitchen. Then, before
thinking of her own lunch, she fixed
up the professors treat, covered 1t
with a napkin and took 1t over the
back way. The clothesline was dl-
rectly across her path and she had to
dodge various articles of wearing ap-
parel as she went.
Suddenly her sharp eyes made a
discovery hole right in the breast
of one of the professors fine white
shirts. The housekeeper had COM
planned to her at one time about his
propensity for spilling acids upon him
self In the laboratory and what a time
she had with his mending.
Martha ate her lunch and the pro
fessor went back to school. The street
Quieted down and Martha prepared for
a nap. Then, remembering waist
that was minus a button, she got out
her sewing basket.
Then it just happened that she
looked out Of the window In time to
see the girl in the next house lock the
door and go out.
Instantly her thoughts reverted to
the shirt. The clothes though dry,
were still on the line, and here was
she with thread and needle all ready.
No second thought was necessary. She
ran downstairs, through the kitchen
door, around the lilac bush and had
the shirt In her arms in no time. Then
indoors again with her precious bur
den.
So she patched the shirt with
stitches 80 fine and so neat that 1t
would take sharp eyes indeed to de-
tect the situation.
But who was that just turning the
corner? The professor himself COM
ing home earlyl In a panic, she
picked up her mending and tore down
stairs to the yard. She managed to
get the clOthespins back to place, al
though her fingers trembled dreadful
ly and she was shaking with fright.
Then! She went upstalrs-and
found the professors shirt lying on
her bed
Her eyes wldened with horror.
What had she done? Weakly she got
to the back room window, and there,
swinging in the lazy afternoon breeze,
was her waist on the professors
clOthesllne. She almost tainted with
dismay.
There was nothing to do but wait.
And waiting only brought increased
dismay, for the maid returned and
gathered in the clothes, with her waist
among them.
Get the waist she must-some way.
So that evening, when the dishes were
done and "the street" was sitting out
In front, she saw the professor go out
with some books under his arm, and,
later, Hattie, In Haunting pink, de-
parted with q beau for a movie. The
house next door was dark and de-
serted.
Finally she reused herself with an
effort, and tlptOed across the back
lawns to the other house. A window
opened onto the porch and nothing
stood between her and the coveted
interior but a rickety screen. She
pushed and IL gave. She was soon
inside the black kitchen cropping for
the laundry basket.
Then her hand touched it, Thank
heaven, and right on top was her waist.
She could tell 1t by the lace collar she
had made herself. The shirt was
quickly substituted for 1t and she was
retreating when a light was switched
on suddenly and the professor stood
in the dining room door
Martha looked at him an instant |
with wide-Open eyes, and then prompt |
ly and quietly tainted.
She revived almost Immediately and |
saw the agitated professor bending |
over her. Then, with a fresh reallza-
ton Of what had happened, she shud-
dered and closed her eyes again. She
wanted to die But he had one Of her
hands In his and didn't let go. AS she
comprehended that fact, her cheeks
went from a deathly white to vivid |
red, and then the tears started. II
nnIy ha oot.Id srak