The Owosso times., 1921-04-22
ON DORA,S HONOR
BY MILDRED WHITE.
a % % % % % % % oook

Michael Moore listened to the lifting
song which came to him through an
upper open window, then with sigh
and frown he reluctantly entered
the house.
"When Theodore has finished her
tasks" the professor remarked to his
elderly sister, II should like to talk
with her."
tasks" jeered the sister, "Theo-
dora is, believe, at present engaged
in trying the effect Of various muslins.
Her new summer dresses have come
home. And l do wish Michael, that
when you talk with your ward, you
would endeavor to persuade her that
the continued presence Of students on
the front veranda is not desirable.
Michael, without reply, passed on to
the broad stairway, and called stern
ly, "Theodora."
A ruffled dark head Immediately APP
peared above, while girls laughing
face looked down upon him.
Theodore !" she repeated in mock
alarm, my full name always means a
scolding. TREMBLING come"
The professor did not smile.
Seated in the library before his
charge, he regarded her gravely.
II am weary of complaint regarding
your conduct, Dora," he said. "Sister
Martha has been telling me of your
disobedence."
If" he continued, "you choose to
disregard my wishes, college rules at
least, must be respected. Our college
forbids absolutely the presence of
young women on college grounds.
Knowing this, you. the inmate of a
professors home, are still persistently
seen walking about the campus in
company with one or another Of the
students. These young men are duly
reprimanded and warned against fur
ther infringement of rule, while you
remain openly defiant. What am i to
say to you, Dora?'
IF you are asking me-" pleasantly
replied the girl, II answer that you
have said enough. l don't go to the
campus to deliberately meet the boys,
Mike, dear, it is just so nice and quiet
and green there, and if the boys will
follow, how can / help ii.
A grudging smile crept to Michael
MOOre's lips, it was the very tender
smile, that Dora awaited.
you know you can't be angry with
me, Mike, DEAR" she said softly, "but
/ do wonder how you have had pa
tience with all my perverseness since !
came, tiny tot to your generous care.
Do you think that can ever forget that
you took your dear chum's little Or
phaned sister to raise, that he might
die content in that assurance. Mike
my brothers own name for you-I am
always grateful, it is only that you will
not understand"
Michael fiercely clasped the prof
fered hand, shyly embarrassed before
praise he dropped it abruptly.
"All right Dora," he hastily ended
the interview.
She looked after him shaking her
head.
Dear big stupid" she murmured
wistfully.
The professor from his classroom
that evening saw Dora out among
her lilies, and family he heard the
call Of her song. Michael went to her.
Dora led him to seat beneath the
maple tree and made him name for
her the stars. 1t was an old childish
game. She gave whimsical little names
Of her own, which brought from the
plodding professor refreshing laugh
ter.
II must get back to work." he said,
"and you, my dear, to your rest"
Michael was strangely happy, through
the days which followed. Rigidly had
Dora held to her resolve and students
were banished.
At evening, sister Martha beckon-
ing him into her special sanctum,
brought a sense Of foreboding. "Theo-
DORA" she said, "has at last trans.
gressed all prOpriety. A student tfyst
more reckless than usual, and under
the eyes of a member of your facul-
ty. / was. Inundated, when observed
the dean also watching the romantic
scene from his window. Dora In close
communion with her admirer beneath
q tree, near midnight. Michael you
must issue stern command, you have
been too lenient." Slowly the pro-
fessor walked toward the lily beds.
where he had been told he would find
his unruly charge
II hope" said the vision beneath
the maple tree, that you are going
to punish this latest culprit severely,
and not my innocent self. I refer"
Dora continued, ito my late cOmpan-
ion beneath the stars In the lily gar
den. He did stay, l admit, until an
unholy hour; and deliberately he
sought me. Truly, Mike dear, would
have sent away the man, but you see
lust could not, because"
"YesT Michael questioned sharp
ly.
Because, you see, ! love him."
There was silence in the garden.
Then the professor cleared his throat.
"Whom do you love, Theodora?"
"The man Miss Martha and the
Dean saw with me last night in the