Year: 1879




closed the door, murmuring to him.
self:


"Very singular very singular, in
deedl''


The same embarrassed flush still lin
gered on his face, but he got into bed
and calmly went to sleep, as if nothing
unusual had happened.


Meanwhile the ghost and audience
were holding a hurried consultation
down stairs. All three we've considera-
bly, taken back.


He knew, said Jem, disconsolately.
HE must have known us the very first
thing. His young friend This was
cool, at any rate. Which of US does he
mean Tom-you or me ~


" Perhaps he didn't know himself
which it was, said Tom.
AS neither of them could settle this
point, they at last adjourned to bed each,
perhaps with little sense of discom-
future under all his merriment.


The next morning, after watching
Tom out of the house, May sat down
to some feminine work of her own, to
ponder over the ilLiated schemes, when
in walked Professor Rensel, who was
supposed to be safe in his classroom
May was aghast at the sight of him.


"Now for it ~ she thought. sit is
too bad that should have to take the
scolding alone"


For it could not be but even so mild
a man would be angry at such an esca-
pade. True, he could not know of her
share 1t, but then it was nearly as bad
to have Tom made the scape-goat.


Miss May was an audacious young
lady, but conscience made coward of
her, and she dared not look up or ask
him why he was not at school.
"Why don't he begin 7" she unused
still keeping her eyes on her work, as
the tall figure shuffled uneasily about
the room.


Presently the professor stopped in
front her and cleared his throat.


MY dear Miss May, do you think
you could ever bring yourself to marry
me 20


The work fell out of her hands, and
May sat fair dumb with astonishment.
The professor picked it up again for
her.


s. am very much older than your
self, Miss May" he went on, sand o
very awkward man in action and speech,
as you see. Not such a one as young
lady would ever be likely to fancy. =
Only-I felt it my duty to ask YOU"


Then at last May found her tongue
Gone would not like to marry anybody
who asked her merely from sense of
duty" she said, bending still lower
over her work.


The same flush tinged the professors
face that had been there the night be-
fore.


"When I said so, Miss May" he re-
piled, half reproachfully, II only ex-
pressed the motive that had led me to
speak to you this morning. said moth
ing of my own feelings. Surely you
must know what they are and have
long been. You must know that man
like myself, who has no noyouthful attrac-
tions of any kind, would, under ordi-
nary circumstances, feel debarred from
the right to ask what a younger and hap
pier man might ask. Such one as
myself can only stand aside, glad to be
your humble friend, and wish you all
happiness to the end of your life."


There was something so pathetic of
this gentle, learned professor addressing
such words to the thoughtless girl whom
others treated only as a companion in
mischief, but whom his love elated to q
pedestal above common womanhood,
that May might well have been restrain
ed by it. His gray hairs and simple
kindliness of life might have turned
aside the jokes his credulity brought
upon him. She wavered visibly for mo-
ment then the old mischievous sparkle
came back to the eyes that were so de-
murely dropped.


Yet you have altered your resolution
this mornings" she said inquiringIy.


"As told you, Miss May, because 1
believed that it was right for me to do
so.''


Well" said May, after long pause,
in which she was scarcely able to keep
down the roguish quivering of her lips
"if it is your duty to marry me, it must
be mine to marry you"


"Then you consent ?"


Yes"
The tail ungainIy man stopped, with