The herald., 1922-08-31
According to
Pittnan
BY JAMES PAGAN


abilities were that he always would
be one. He was tall, lean. earnest,
and a crackerjack on bookkeeping.
IIowevH. he was also strong on
shorthand, for which reason Miss Cum
mings had asked him TO take Howells
place while that professor was on his
vacation. Howells was forty-five, dark,
energetic, and reported to be engaged
to Miss Cummings.
Elizabeth Cummings was forty. Why
she had never married was constant
theme Of speculation among her pupils
the feminine section for Miss Cum
mings was decidedly peachish. 1t was
generally agreed. however, that she
had met her fate In Howells, whom
they all detested.
Professor Atkinson was called IAN
old dear" which summed him up very
nicely. No one knew how romantic q
heart beat under his old-fashioned
waistcOat.
The professor had been six months
at the college, and he was dreadfully
afraid of Miss Cummings.
The Avenue school was only one Of
three which Miss Cummings superin-
tended in the town. Every Monday
and every Thursday morning she APP
peared and went through the building,
inspecting the bookkeeping, the French,
Spanish and German departments, and
the shorthand and typewriting section,
from which so many roses blossomed
periodically into the stern, nipplng air
of business life.
1t was on the second Thursday morn
ing after Professor Atkinson had taken
over Howells' Job that Miss Cummings
appeared. She stood for five full MIN
utes listening to the professors expo
sltion, while Professor Atkinson grew
redder and redder, and stammereA
more and more.
THAT won't do, Professorw Miss
Cummings spoke with her usual sharp
ness. This pupil made wrong gram
malOgue on the blackboard, and you
allowed 1t to pass"
"It's-it's-" began the professor.
Its not according to Pitman," 70
turned Miss Cummings sharply.
tits my way to allow the pupils to
make their grammalOgues, Miss Cum
mings," saN Professor Atkinson.
"In future, professor, you will kindly
follow Mr.. Pitman," retorted Miss
Cummings.
1.-THE test Is whether they can read
them!" said the professor.
Miss Cummings, whose locks were
auburn, was a little hasty.
II have given you my Instructions"
she said finally. "If you are not salts
fed, Professor Atkinson, nobody Is de-
tanning you against your WILL"
The class Uttered as Miss Cummings
went out, but the professor sat like a
broken man until the recess. Then he
paced the class room In desperation.
He reviewed his position. He was
fifty, he would have difficulty In Sc
curing another position, and he had no
capital with which to open school
Of his own.
On the other hand, his authority over
| his pupils was gone. II was impossible
to retain both his self-respect and his
position.
Worst of all, he knew now that he
| had always cherished a very warm
feeling for Miss Cummings. That was
| the browning blow-the way she had
turned against him. He sat down and
indited her a note:
"Dear Miss Cummings:
'"This letter is to say goodbye" he
wrote. 81 cannot help but leave you,
and I'd leave tomorrow, but Howells
can take my place on Saturday"
Then a diabolical Idea occurred to
him. He would write 1t In shorthand
aiss Cummings would understand the
hint. And the professor was only human
He did so and had posted the letter
before his heart began to beat rapidly
at the thought of what he had done.
Suppose Miss Cummings came round
In one of her flaming RACES?
However, 1t was done, and that after
noon he faced his tlttering pupils like
q mana broken man, but still man.
That evening he remained long at his
desk, porting over the accumulated ex-
ercises. The professor was cOnscien-
tious; he could not leave this mass
Of work to Howells.
He was about to depart at last when
a soft tap came at the door.
"Come in !" called the professor.
And II was Miss Cummings who
entered. But there was no fire In Miss
Cummings eye. She looked at him as
II possessed, approached, and suddenly
flung her arms about his neck.
Darling" she whispered. st was
only because l loved you and you
seemed so cold that was horrid to you
this morning. Was my sweet boy jeai-
Gus Of silly Mr.. HOwells. thenT
Professor Atkinson, lost in amaze
ment, felt Miss Cummings kisses on
his cheek.
"It was so brave Of you to write
me that darling letter." Miss Cum
mings continued. ut burned Itself in
to my brain, and then l knew that I
had found my real affinity. And so
short and plain and simple, like all
things that are real.
"'This letter Is to say goodbye.
cannot help but love you, and I'd love
to marry, but Howells can take my