The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-21

Carter left the table and disappeared in
the crowd outside the door and Miss Warren
said absently to Amelie while she kept her
eyes fixed steadily on the door. " -
II was quite sure say fone of our pro-
fessors-Professor Marvflle, the one who
you know I'm dying to Vsee how he will
look and hear what he will say when ne sees
us here like this"
Ameles heart was palpitating wildly and
she felt as if she were looking at wonder
full picture. She only remembered after
wards that through that magic doorway,
out of the surging throng, into the brilliant
beauty of that dream room had come her
French professor! And as he took her hand
firmly in his own and looked into her eyes,
she heard his voce-the voice she loved,
now far more beautiful, more SYMPATHETIC,
more mellow, as if it had filtered through
the gossamer of millions Of dreams, and
she heard him say:
"How are you this evening? hope you
are we'll"
"You must stop and have dinner with u.s."
1t was Carter Raines who was speaking.
THANK you, very much" said the profess
sor in polite, quiet tones. 81 really cannot"
"Oh, but you must" insisted Miss War
rem. eve will take no excuse"
The professor seemed perplexed and
look Of undeniable inquiry was in his face.
81 have returned from abroad only today"
he said simply, land have scarcely seen my
dear mother at ALL 1 only ran out for an
hour with her and then had to come straight
back to the city to attend to some bust
ness. l merely dropped in here to send a
telegram. How very strange that should
find you here"
well, you have not dined yet. have you?"
asked Carter.
mot vet" he replied, "but really must
hurry on. 1t was very kind indeed Of you,
Carter to look me up and l am glad to have
this opportunity of speaking with YOU" He
was looking into Amele'sSeyes now and ex-
tending his hand. .4sE'.5
II particularly wanted you to meet Miss
Trent" said Miss Warren, because she is
from Louisiana, and she is as foolIshly fond
of it as you are"
A swift ray of surprised pleasure lit up
the professors face and in that moment he
seemed to have forgotten everything except
the little woman into whose melting eyes ne
was looking questioningly.
From louisiana he said softly. Glow
very interesting! But / am quite sure l
would have known it had l thought for an
instant"
"You may not be aware of it," she re-
turned sweetly,. and a smile Lit her face
with wonderful radiance, but you are
really paying me very decided compli-
ment."
"But do realize it," he said with an an
swering smile. II think am paying you
the very greatest compliment l could pay
me is typified in the women of the south. I
have idealized them so long and so much
that almost dread to go back to Louisiana
for fear some of my illusions will be dis
pelled-but still what real pleasure it is
to meet one who is typical Of the land one
loves"
II must not sail under false colors," she
said, smiling again. 81 think must be
more Kentuckian than 1 am a Louisianan
now, for 1 have lived in Kentucky SO long"
Kentucky" he said brightly, another
word to conjure with e.:
The walters began to get busy with the
service.
But 1 really must co., he said,s and then
he looked inquiringly at Carter and at Miss
Warren. What did this meanzrV1hat were
they doing here, the office boy, the stenog-
rapher and this strange little woman from
the south? They insisted that hesdine with
them and assured him it was perfectly all
right" The waiter handed a. menu to the
professor. He took it absently, but was
looking at Amelie.
There is something about YOU he said,
''that reminds me Of some picture / have
seen. From the moment first saw you I
have been trying to remember what it is"
Their eyes met, something in their depths
answered back each to the other, and then
she knew that it was in the crowded eleva-
tor that morning that she had seen him