Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-27

go the pleasure He fancied she understood
MS wish, SO bright blush sprang up.
The remaining weeks of Walters teaching
| were dull enough. Louises sweetness seemed
assumed, and her frequent need of assistance
was very lrksome to him. The happy part Of
| his day was the few minutes he spent i'm the
parlor, when Caroline generally sat reading by
her mothers side. He never failed to call and
ask how she was, and snatch q few moments
gaze at that bright face becoming SO very dear
to him.
His last day at the accademy arrived
Walter was so abstracted he scarcely knew
what he was doing, and he thought with dis
pleasure Of the leave-taking He made it
general, and did not invite any particular
adieus after school, Therefore the scholars
departed as usual, and Walter was left alone.
Even the teachers had gone and he sat at his
desk, thinking how long these weeks had been
and how full of import to him. Raising his
eyes, girlsh form stood before him, with
head bent and hands clasped, while the death
ly pale and downcast features wore an express
sion of grief.
"Well, Miss Louise ?" he said freezingly.
She started slightly, and placing her clasp
ed hands over her heart, lifted her full dark
eyes, and said beseechingly, Do you hate me ?"-
lie felt lrritated enough to say Yes" but
answered with assuming gravity and senten-
tiousness,
deserve regard and you will be sure to OBJ
tain it. Good-by-I wish you WELL" She
did not move.
"Will you tell me how I have forfeited
your good opinion ?" she asked
" cannot !" he said impatiently "Do not
ask ME. am your teacher no longer. My
opinion is of no consequence to you now.n
NO." she said, her face pale, but her eyes
glowing angrily, for it is that of an easily
deluded, self-important boy !"
Astonished, after enjoying so long the re-
spect belonging to his dignity, he found the
severity of his look melting in embarrassment
while Louise regarded him fxedly .
"Yes," she said, eve meet now on equal
terms, MIR. Benson, and l can reply to you as
to any other presumptuous young gentleman
who takes as much upon himself Caroline
and | have often laughed at your boyish as
sumption of authority"
Walter thought of the blackboard and
changed color. Lonise still regarded him with
eyes eager in revenge. He did not care to be
braved farther, and rose, saying,
"My presumption never went SO far as to
| ask any favor of Miss Louise. If Caroline
has laughed at me she shall have an opportunity
of explaining herself Allow me |" and he
stepped past her as she stood in his way
| His good heart could not bear her look of
| disappointment and grief Turning quickly,
and taking her passive hand, he said, "For-
get my hasty words. | do not believe you
came here to say what would make US part
angrily, and [ am sorry | did not perceive at
once your kindness in thus giving me an OPP
portunity to ask pardon for my frequent i'm
patience. You forgive me ?"
She scornfully turned away, and Walter he
STATED no longer, but left the ROOM He was
touched however as he returned to the ante
room to leave the key, to see her sitting at his
desk, weeping bitterly.
! He was asked to tea that evening by Caro-
| lines parents, and went, accompanied by bis
cousin Ellen.
Caroline received him laughingly, and they
passed merry evening.
Walter watched an opportunity, and while
the others clustered around the piano listening
to Elen's singing, he asked her whether Louise
had spoken truly in saying they had laughed
| together at his boyishness.
Caroline's eyes flew wide open, and she an
swered,
"No, never ! 1 mean we never laughed"
and unwilling to expose her schoolmateS want
of truth, she said no more. --.
| Walter rejoined, Il am very glad would
not have you laugh at me- There is feeling
incompatible with ridcule that hope may"
Caroline's quick blush and suddenly dropped
head betrayed her consciousness. In broken
whispered sentences Walter told her how she
had won his heart, and though she did not vol
unteer similar confession, he guessed too we'll
not to risk asking her fathers consent to a long
engagement the next day.
1t was denied him then, but when after three,
years he again presented himself having pros
poets sufficiently bright to warrant careful
father in consenting, Caroline pledged him her
faith, and so they walked together in the plea
SAINT summer starlight, talking over old school
days Caroline often sighed in the midst Of
her happiness, and said, Poor Louise I"