A College Idyll.

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1420, 18 February 1911, Page 5 (Supplement)

A College Idyll.

MOLLIE AND THE PROFESSOR.

It was May—May in Cambridge, that month which in a university city seems the fairest in all the year. 'Along the banks the giant elms were clad in tender, . shimmering green, and the lilacs m the college gardens were, a tossing sea of white and purple blossoms, while the chestnuts reared their creamy spires in the scented air.

Everywhere the sunlight lay athwart the world, waking the summer roses into beauty and stealing into the sanctum of jfhilip .Hazelton, professor of Greek to Trinity College. The man was busy writing, and as his pen passed rapidly over the pages a tender smile curved his lips —those lips which were usually set •and immobile—for with' the advent of the spring love had come knocking at the door of the professor's heart, and love, so long denied admittance, had gained sure entry afe last.

And she? All! The man laid down his pen and leaned back in his chair while he gazed at the lilacs, seeing naught of their beauty because of sweet gray Irish t>yes and a. steadfast mouth. Thtn he pulled his straying thoughts up sharply and came back to the present with a sigh. How hopeless it all seemed! Surely they could have nothing in common—he, the scholar, the recluse, the man of five and forty, and she, the tall slip of a girl with barely twenty summers behind her, a creature made for life, youth and beauty. His reverie was cut short by the chiming of great St. Mary's and, putting on his cap and gown, he went out. An hour later one of his students begged the loan of his "Alcestes."

"If you would lend it to me for a little while, sir, I should be very glad."

"Certainly, Fraser, with pleasure. I ani going to Ball at Gpnville tonight, but you will find it lying on ; the table in my room. Take it on your way back."

So it befell that when Jack Fraser was reading steadily in his den in the "small wee hours" he was surprised to find a letter in the professor's book addressed to Miss Milligan, care of Dr. O'Byrne, Trumpmgton street, Cambridge.

Jack gave a low whistle. "So," he ejaculated at length. "I think I begin to see daylight. Well, well. I wish my proctor good luck with all my heart. He's been jolly good to me. Now I wonder if he meant to post that letter to-night. If so, it's too late now. I'll leave it for him on my way to Queen's in the morning." Thus it happened that while the professor slumbered in serene "unconsciousness fate was busy weaving golden threads in the fabric of life.

The next day was the-Trinity garden party, and as the professor went hither and thither chatting to hia friends he encountered Jack Fraser.

"You found the book all Fight last night, I saw," he remarked. "Yes, sir, thank you very much. And your letter. As it was too late to post it last night, I left it at Miss Miliigan's this morning." ''My letter!" the professor gasped while the ground! seemed to open under his feet. Horror of horrors I Dove in all kindness, this act was surely the finale of all his dreams. Then as if impelled by some magnetic force which he understood but vaguely, he raised his eyes and, glancing across the smooth, green lawns, beheld a slim girl in white with a knot of crimson roses at her breast. In a flash, in an instant of revelation, he saw aIL

"Yes, ■ yes; my letter," he said. "Quite so. I forgot to post it in xhe afternoon when I went out, and then of course it was impossible afterwards, for you had the book. You left it for me this morning? Very kind of you, very kind indeed." Jack murmered some polite , but unintelligible reply as the professor hurried away across the velvety lawns, turning a dozen friends into enemies by cutting them in blissful unconsciousness till he -reached a girl in white.

After the first formal greetings had been exchanged, "You got my letter?" he queried as his fingers touched the knot of crimson roses, the token of his love accepted. A shy little blush leaped to Mollies cheeks, then she smiled. "It was the queerest proposal I have ever had in my life," she answered.

"Was it?" The man stood smiling down at her from his superior height, now fervently blessing Jack, dear, blundering Jack, who, as he supposed, had all unknowingly brought him this wondrous joy by rescuing that letter, which he knew he never have dared to have sent himseK, but wou'dhave ultimately committed to the flames.

"Was it a strange proposal?" to repeated. "But, then, you see, I have never proposed to any one before." She laughed up at him. "Quite sure?" Quite sure/ , emphatically. "Oh, Mollie, darling," ■he went on gravel 7, "dare you really trust your Kfe to me? I am so old beside you, yoct pretty child. But I will, indeed I will strive to make you happy." "I don't think I am frightened to trust you," she said gently, "God bless you—dear heart I" he answered reverently; "bless you al = ways." .

Then as he saw the sweet 'ight ia Mollies eyes he stood up and squared his shoulders suddenly. The years seemed to fall away from him. The professor was growing young again. Presently .a little hand was laid on his arm.

"Professor , ," Mollies voice begin. "Phillip," he corrected,' impris3ning the hand in both his own: love?" ■■■.:■■;■

The light of mischief danced in Mollis eyes. "Well, Philip, de*r. I'm just, dying for a cup of tea, jw* know," she said.

The professor and Mb wife are ntr ideal couple, but there is one which he has never shared with her, and that is why a certain letter w*% onoe left by hand instead of iwrning through the post.! A&d if Mollie guesses, she only smiles and is glad.