Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-02-13
SEW ENTY-FIVE
AND BOARD
BY NJ. p. MERHYMAN

Drary. Myriad dust particles tioatc,i
along the slantinS sun paths that slid
abruptly, into shadow at the tnbic's
edge. The assistant professor OF biol
ogF sat bumped over book that
Jay upon the table before him. but he
WAS not concentrating, at least not
upon the text. With Il thump or his
INST that set the book ju,,piny he
raised his head and looked about the
big. quiet room.
The assistant professor took of his
glasses and rubbed his eyes and
stretched. Then he showed his hands
INTO his pockets. tilted back in his
chair anu surveyed tho shelves Of dog
cared volumes opposite him. 1t gave
MN an Immense satisfaction, this bare,
i"w-vaultcd room with its brown walls
anu solid. brown tables and its rows
and rows Of books.
The assistant professor pul,c, out u
crHmpied bit Of paper from lis pocket
ana sinoothcd ii out upon the book.
after which he continued 10 regard it
with an expression o: irouical amusc.
men!. 1t WAS Il check made out to him
Tor the amount Of twelve dollars aud
hliy cents; sum lie had received in
payment of scientific article which
1t hnd taken him two months To write.
1t WAS Il good article, too, but accord
ing In more than one editor mot suf-
I hclcntly popular in tone"
He had been trying to make n de-
ciSion. This last cOntemplatiop OF the
scrap of paper in his hand had served
To topple the scales. He closed the
book with bang, uncroSsed his long
legs, rose from the table and ambled
down the aisle to 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 II stranger he turned and scuffed
along the lcaf-s!rewn path to the hike.
Now that there was no longer any
doubt about his departure the init
mate landscape seemed all az once un-
familiar and different. lie fc!; already
detached from it-and sorry.
The moment the tip of her canoe
vcercd round y bend in the shore line
he recognized It and whiStled. The
assistant professor Of English wills
tied her answer and waved an uuL!g-
niicd paddle in greeting as her small
craft slipped into sight.
Want TO Gomez" she called, invit-
ingly.
Sure"
"!All right! Climb in"
The canoe noSed landWard and
slushed into the sand. With Il lunge
which shot the boat into deeper wafer
and himself mraculously. into the
boat. the new passenger embarked
and took charge Of the paddle.
"Where to-" he asked
"Oh, anywhere she replied and
smiled ut him.
lie selected the most distant spot on
the lake, Ind the paddle across the
canoe and rested his elbows on it.
"Takes longer this way" he ex-
planned.
She laughed and leaned sideways to
watch 4 swirl OF red and yellow leaves
that went scuddine along the surcac CO
of the water like Il feet Of 10y sail
boatS. The red Of her taln-o'- Shautcr,
however, held more fascination for
him. At length the leaves whirlcd out
OF sight and she settled back In her
seat to feast her eyes upon lake and
trees and sky.
I'm so sorry for all the folks. who
live In Cities" she said.
"Why?"
She looked up inquiringly at the
question. He had snapped it out so
abruptly 1t puzzled her a little. Hc
had begun padding, too, furiously.
Why?" she repented. "Why, be-
cause they Miss all this" She waved
brown arm toward the rustiug woods
that ShadOwGd them. "WoIldn't YOU
hate to miss it," She quercd. Tie
blade in his hand cut long swalh
before he answered.
II expect TO miss it--after next
Sunday" he said.
"You--you mean-?" Her question
hung unfinished.
Eyes. I'm going away--to the city"
he said dryly with Il pucker OF his
mouth as il even the taste of the
words was bitter to him.
"Oh" She bit her lips ana tried 10
go on speaking naturally. bat her
brain appeared TO be turning somer.
sault--and no words came.
YES" he went on duly. "I'n 60
ing away. Decker has Il fellow here
HOW who can take my place. They've
given me these last two days ill col
lege opens to decide. Well, I've made
up my mind. I'm going to the city to
live In hall bedroom and work in
an ofiice--and sell rubber. III loathe
selling rubber. but I've got to stick
to II till | can make ii decent enough
living to ask decent girl TO marry
Ia lnt llnr cta,: Larx.