Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-11
SEVENTY-FI
AND BOARD
BY NJ. p. MERRYMAN

through the west windows or the IL
brary. Myriad dust particles Heated
along the slantmg sun paths that slld
abruptly into shadow at the tables
edge. The assistant professor of biol
Ogy sat bumped over a book that
lay upon the table before him; but he
was not concentrating. at least not
upon the text. With thump of his
fist that set the book jumping he
raised his head and looked about the
big, quiet room.
The assistant professor took on his
glasses and rubbed his eyes and
stretched. Then he showed his hands
into his pockets, tilted back In his
chair and surveyed the shelves of dog
cared volumes opposite him. II gave
him al immense satisfaction. this bare,
lOw-vaulted room with Its brown walls
aud solid, brown tables aud its rows
and rows OF books.
The assistant professor pulled out
crumpled bit OF paper from his pocket
and smoothed IL out npon the book
after which he continued 10 regard II
with an expression Of lronical smuse
ment. II was check made ont 10 him
for the amount OF twelve dollars and
fifty cents; = sum he had received 10
payment Of scientific article which
II had taken him two months to write.
Il was a good article, too but accord
ing to more than one editor mot SUI
hciently popular In tone.
He had been trying 10 make de-
cision. This last contemplation of the
scrap OF paper in his hand had served
To topple the scales He closed the
book with bang, increased his long
legs. rose from the table and ambled
down the aisle 10 the door. Outside
he stood for an instant blinking in
the strong light When he closed his
eyes they still registered printed book
pages With something of the feel
ing of stranger he turned and scuffed
along the leaf-strewn path to the lake.
Now that there was no longer any
doubt about his departure the init
mate landscape seemed all at once I'M
familiar and different. He felt already
detached from it-and sorry.
The moment the tip Of her canoe
veered round bend in the shore line
he recognized IT and whi>tled The
assistant professor OF English wills
tied her answer and waved au undig-
nified paddle in greeting a. her small
craft slipped into sight
"Want 10 Gomez" she called. lnvit-
ingly
sure :"
"All right! Climb in :"
The canoe no>ed landward and
slushed into the sand. With Il lunge
which shot the boat into deeper water
and himself miraculously, into the
boat, the new passenger embarked
and took charge of the paddle.
Where to- he asked.
"Oh. anywhere" she replied and
smiled nj him.
He selected the most distant spot OH
the lake. laid the paddle across the
canoe and rested his elbows on il.
flakes longer this way he ex-
planned
She laughed and leaned sideways 10
watch n swirl Of red and yellow leaves
that went scudding along the surface
of the water like II feet OF toy sail
boats The red of her tam-o' shanter,
however, held more fascination for
him At length the leaves whirled out
Of sight and she settled back IN her
seat To feast her eyes upon lake and
ireeS and sky.
I'm so sorry for all the folks who
live in cities" she said.
Why"
She looked up inquiringly AZ The
question. He had snapped II out so
abruptly IL puzzled her a little. He
had begun padding, too. furiously.
WhyT" she repeated. "Why. be-
cause they miss all this :" She waved
a brown arm toward the rusting woods
that shadOwed them. Wouldn't You
hate TO miss IL" she queried. The
blade I'm his hand cut long Swntil
before he answered
"I--I expect 10 miss it-after next
sunday" he said.
''You-you mean-?" Her question
hung unfinished
Yes, I'm going away-to the city
he said dryly with n pucker of his
mouth as if even the taste of the
words was bitter TO him.
ooh !" She bit her lSs and tried tC
go on speaking naturally. but hel
brain appeared TO be turning "A somer
sault-and no words came.
Yes" he went on duly. I'm 20
/ ing away. Decker has fellow here
now who can take my place. They've
given me these last two days till col
lege opens to decide. Well. I've mad,
up my mind. I'm going to the city L
live In a hall bedroom and work II
an office-and sell rubber. III lOath,
selling rubber, hut I've got 10 sticl
to Il till | can make decent enough
living to ask decent girl ~ MARI.
me. I'd rather stay here and 20 Oi
with my work than anything else al
earth. but I'll be hanged If I'll aSl
my wife to wear secondhand clothe
all her life or wear 'em myself. TIL
digging along forever on seventy-fv
n month and board is getting my goal
Today this came. II was the las
straw" He drew his offending chez
from his pocket and dipped It into he
lap. She read il and met his eye
ar