The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-02
EVENING STORY
The Professors Proposal.
(By ]. Lendrum King.)


sion, quite out of keeping with the
usual vivacious repartee, hung over
the dinner table at which were seated
Helena Rider, her son Herman, a pro-
fessor in the academy, and Leonore
Claymore, their guest since the sud-
den death of her father, a month pre-
yious. Mrs. Rider seemed to be study
ing the others, for her gaze wondered
from one face to the other. The pro-
fessor's attention seemen centered
upon his cigar. Leonore played with
her dessert, tasting but not eating it.
The professor cleared his throat.
and for the third time during the
meal asked the girl on what train she
was leaving. Her answer was invari-
ably. "Seven-fifty in the morning.
The professor coughed, and. rising
went to the library to finish his cigar
alone. Leonore looked up to find
Mrs. Rider regarding her intently.
Child. why don't you put off going
woman. laying a kindly hand on the
girls arm.
you are so kind, Mrs Rider. an
swered the girl, land I should SO like
to remain with you.- I don't want to
go to Aunt Elmeda's, but really
The old lady patted her arm assur-
ingly. This is your home as long as
you want to make it SUCH" she said.
Your mother and were fast friends,
and her daughter is my friend, too.
Besides, 1 must confess to being
little selfish. I want you for myself.
You make an old woman very happy"
Together they rose from the table
to join Herman in the library. Mrs.
Rider put her arm about the shoulders
of the girl, drawing her close to her.
Suddenly she put her lips close to her
ear.
st wish you were my daughter.
child" she whispered. II never had
one. If only Herman" She stopped
suddenly, her eyes upon the crimson
face beside her.
Herman switched on the lights as
they entered and pulled forward
chair for his mother. They sat silent,
all thinking of the one thing-that
Leonore was about to leave them. She
had been with them but short time,
but she had brought a marked change
in the home. She had brought cheer
fulness to them that hitherto mother
and son had never known.
No one appreciated the change more
than Herman. Most of his time he
spent with his books, entering little
into the social activities about him
True, he had won his reward, for he
was already pointed out as a man who
had achieved things in the world of
letters, but in the past month he had
found a new happiness wholly uncon-
nected with his work.
What would life be like when she
had gone away? He tried vainly to
think of something to say, to offer
some new argument, hitherto I'M
| thought of, that might induce her to
remain.
The girl broke his train of thought
by rising abruptly. II have some
| packing to do she said, and left the
room hastily.
az wish she would stay" said Mrs.
Rider when she was out of hearing.
| so do l." seconded the professor.
Cant you induce her to remain ?"
| mo, she seems to think that she
should co. answered his mother, dole
fully. 'You know, her father before
his death, arranged that she should
live with her aunt, and, of course, the
aunt is very anxious to have her. L
have a suspicion that she means to
marry her to that worthless son of
hers. He is willing. if only to get the
money the girl has. 1t would be. a
shame to have that happen"
He sighed deeply. but did not speak
st wish you would marry her, Her
man. she continued hesitatingly.
''She is the only girl I know whom I
would like to have for daughter"
A hopeless smile fitted across the
young mans face. st would be willing,
the sort of man a girl like that
marries. She is young and full of
life, while 1 am almost an old man
already at least, in my way Of living.
1t would be something like hitching a
/ trotter UP with a draft horse"
You are only five years older than
she. isl returned the mother stoutly,
land II believe she would if you
would ask her. She bushes when
| speak of YOU
Mother! You haven't ever sug-
gested it, have you ?" he asked, with a
Mortified look.
..No-but believe she would
II shouldn't know how to ask
her.
I'm going to send her down here
decided the mother suddenly. You
| Just ask her." and she was mounting
the stairs before he could demonstrate
1t was but few minutes until he
heard the girl coming slowly down
Did you want to see me 2" she ask
ed. hesitating in the doorway
.'Why-why. no." he stammered
utterly confused That is-won't you
sit down ?"
| He pushed a chair forward, and tht
girl sank into it.
'You mother said you wanted me. :
she said.
Il do he answered, boldly max
ing the plunge and then feeling his
courage deserving him.
81 am awfully sorry you are going
away" he continued lamely, unaple
to think of anything else he could
trust himself to say.
Are you?" she returned simply.
Il know we haven't made it very
pleasant for you here he temporiZed
, ssWe-we-aren't very lively, 1 sup.
pose
aoh, that is just what have liked
about it. 1T is all SO quiet and home
like
.swhy do you have to go?" he ques
! toned
q can't stay here all the time
Not if you had a-reason to
But 1 have no reason
/ He felt that the case was becoming