The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-08


and men toward each other. and he
would investigate one particular in
dividual as specimen. There was a
girl who did not seem so-er-hrazen.
He would Investigate her and sum-
moned courage to approach
mo ] don't care to dance"
The professor was very sorry.
Would she care to sit out? And as he
led her to his corner, he secretly com.
plimented himgelf on his rare judy
Inent in so neatly managing his in
Uestigation and in selecting so inter-
N3t!ng and attractive d specimen. 4"
| fie would imagine her as bug ready
for dissection, as in his biological
studies. But it would have 10 be a
very pretty bug. So he chose the lady
bug.
/ Perhaps because the girl was pref
ty, or perhaps because investigations
were SO interesting. but somehow as
the hours sped by the professor no
longer noticed the blatant ,raucous
notes of tho saxophonist nor how
dreadful out Of time the pianist was
hammering. Again the hall was
empty. The girl noticed 1t before he
did. His ice cream soda still stood be.
fore him untouched, its foamy lather
all vanished.
mo you can't see me home; but I'll
be here tomorrow night"
And when the professor crept into
bed, restless tossing brought tardy
sleep, fttfully interrupted by nervous
dreams.
II declare, Duncan" laughed Mrs.
Parminter Tie next morning as he en-
tered the breakfast room fifteen min.
utes late "but you look as If you had
never been out before. And-why,
Duncan she exclaimed as her eye
took in his person, "you5re wearing a
colored tie!"
He murmeled something about be-
Ing tired of black and appeared reti-
cent as to his previous eeVnings ex-
kperience, vouchafing the information
that he would again visit the dance
hall that evening.
But Duncan" Mrs. Parminter re-
monstrated. I've invited Celia
Doane for dinner and you know did
want you to meet her. The investiga-
ton can wait. Won't you please be
homer"
Quickly the professor tried to ana
lyze his thoughts. There was no rea.
son why he should not be home except
that the girl had promised to be there
and he would not dlsappoint her, But
his spoken reason centered about
prompt suomittal Of the report. To
complete il tic must go. And go he
did.
lie walked the block trice to avoid
again being the first in the hall and
paid his entrance fee with an air al
most of bravado. Seeing his corner
he watched the dancers to find the
particular girl, but she was nowhere
visible. He circled the hall, colliding
with every other couple-but no girl
Why should ne be disappointed Sure
~ she meant nothing to him-he was
only watching her as a specimen to
include in mis- report, So he entered
IN his notebook Dance halls create
dlsappointments early in life.' Nor
dld the investigation seem to reouira
attendance the following evening, but
as soon as he entered the hall he know
she was there, for he could sense II IN
his whole 5ody. By an analytical sur.
vey he considered the question. Whv
was he so glad to see her? Just to
complete his report He made his wav
TO her side and she answered the
question in MS eyes.
IAN engagement kept ME away last
night. l am sorry"
The professor was for overlooking
everything, he was glad to see her
looking 80 wcii this evening. And al
though the syncopated melodies temp.
ted all feet on the floor, the two sat in
the secluded corner and talked what
were considered original topics when
Adam first saw Eve. She dropped her
handkerchief and as both stopped to
pick the tiny square Of white linen
from the floor their heads touched:
and somehow-the professor was not
thinking of analyses then-thelr lips
met.
The professor was dizzy as he grip
ped her adnds with wild fear she
would escape. He had to confess it.
Ete Professor Duncan Parmint&, in.
structor OF social and political SNon-
omy at the Belle vue Seminary, aud
recently appointed operative OF tho
morals Investigation committee, was in
love with public dance hall girl-one
who came there unescorted to be
picked up-a girl whom he had seen
but once before-whose very name no
did not know. He took keen delight
in torturing himself with the reflec-
ton. All, but she was worth 1t all: one
did not catch so tire a specimen
every day. Together they would brave
the wrath of the world. Tomorrow
night she should meet lis mother.
And Mrs. Parminter u exception
al spirits was quite agreeable to her
snn's earnest suggestion that one of
the subjects OF his investigation be