The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-22
been pleased to break it. Can you name my

1T does not AUNT VI question:. reEut
me, sir.' She commenced drawing slender
gold ring from her left hand. 'This hand?
She asked, suddenly, looking up into hi:
face.
sWe have plenty of time. Miss Hawkes.
do not hurry he said, evading her question.
q have something to say to you.'
She leaned her elbow upon the desk, and
her burning face upon her Land. Il shall be
happy to listen to you,' she said.
il will not trouble you but moment, on.
ly to say that regret more than l am able
to express, that a scholar whom have ever
cndeav ored to treat with uniform courtesy
and respect, and in whose advancement had
felt lively interest, should by so glaring a
misdemeanor, such an utter contempt Of my
wishes, ayow her disregard for me as a
teacher and friend. Such display is un-
pleasant enough if mere child wilfully
breaks the rule of a school, but when instead
young gentleman or lady SO far forgets
him or herself, it is intensely painful. as
sure you that dep!y regret this.'
Anna bowed l-racefully as Mr.. Stone ceas-
ed speaking. Again her white teeth were
dented into her lip, while the brown lashes
trembled close upon the deep, burning red
of her checks.
'Your hand if you please
The little white hand was reached forth
as though it were to receive caress instead
of blow. AS it lay so cnderly and trust
ingly upon the broad palm of the teacher,
he inwardly cursed his stars. He called
himself brute, tyrant, q monster. He
had mint to get down upon his knees and
pray for big-mouthed earthquake to come
and swallow him; for sudden fash OF
lightning Tin the winter time) to melt him
into nonentity; for whirlwind to sweep
him with its rapid rushing winds from off
the face Of the earth. Strike that little
dimpled hand with cruel two-inch rule
lie had rather cover, ay, blister it with
kisses, instead. 1t trembled within his grasp,
and about thee mouth of the owner little
white line was islanding the redness of her
lips. Every moment, he thought he'd kneel
before her and ask her to give the pale
prisoner entirely to him. 1t would be his
hand then, and no one could blame him for
not wishing to injure bis own property. A
thought struck him. He might strike his
own hand instead of Annals. He could
shield her and take the blow him> elf. The
idea was rare one. He was in mood for
cracking every knuckle that he owned. lie
raised his ruler. Anna raised her eyes to
his face. His fixed, determined expression
started her. She W ouId bear his blow with
out shrinking, without starting she thought,
him. SO long as she liyed As the thought
flashed through her mind. Il gay dashing
looking sleigh, drawn by a pair of fine
horses, came raj IDLY up to the school-housc
door.
Luck, lucky, Mr.. Stone, the rule fell
h"rmlessly upon the fail, rosy palm of Anna,
as he turned his eyes toward the window,
and exclaimed hurredly:
'The committee, Miss Hawkes.. You can
take your seat now, but remain to night
after school. Even for this interruption |
should not feel justified in letting the affair
pass
'The last committee MIN upon the earth
would care to sce,' exclaimed Mr.. Stone
to himself, as he bowed low before the
rompous young gentleman, known by the
cosncmcn of DR.. Wesley Baker, who rap
ped with his whip upon the door-said
young gentleman being one of wealth and
education. But the teacher did not care Il
fig for his wealth-he did not envy him-ol
care anything for his education-his own
was quite equal to 1t. Bet what he did care
for was, that DR.. Baker was great admi-
rer of Anna Hawkes., and in tho present
state of affairs he did not care about having
any rivals arouud. Everything went along
smoothly during school hours, az it always
did during the visits Of the several commit
tees, but the mo onent school was dismissed.
DR.. Baker stalked across the school-room
floor and upto Anna Hawkes. seat. Mr..
Stone bit his lips with vezation. His rival
had made his appearance quite in the nick
of time. lie depised mcanncss heartily.
denounced it wherever he saw it, but now,
in spite of himself, he stood and listened d
eagerly to catch the few words that drop.
ped from DR.. Bakers and Annals ipg.
'fll ask Mr.. Stone to excuse ME- he
heard Anna say.
(which of course he will do replied Dr.
Baker.
Il am not so certain of that was the
smiling reply, as she started towards hi:
desk.
/ Il hope you'll pardon me for daring tc
ask such a thing, but DR.. Baker wishes mt
to drive with him in his new sleigh, which
I'm very anxious to DO, and so I'D like to bt
excused from remaining to night to take my
feruling, promising to come carly to morrow
morning.
/ Mr.. Stone bowed and said, very well,
though the words quite choked him. Eli
secretly wished DR.. Baker, and his new
sleigh in China, and himself free from the
vocation of school teaching. He though
rs he stood moodiy by his desk watchin,
Anna Hawkes. pin her plaid shawl closel.
about her throat, and tie under her chin tht
blue ribbons of her quilted hood, prcpara
tory to her drive with DR.. Baker, that h
was the most miserable man in existence
and that he would purchase him farm, worl
shoveillng on the railroad, would do any
thing rather than teach another school. H
had already engaged to take charge of tn
village academy the following spring, bn
now he resolved that he would not do it,
lie would throw up the engagement q
once.'
'No doubt she thinks mo n very brute,
he said to himself, as the gay equipag
went dashing down the street. Perhap
after all, she had not meditated that ruth
less attack upon his dignity and patience
he mused. Indeed now he Thought Of
again, the whisper was more like sudde
exclamation than anything else. Yet, he ha
not given her the slightest chance for a
explanation, but like an cSecUtioner wh
loved his occupation, hurried her forwar
to punishment-the dolt that he had cal
: ed himself. lie had very poor opinion {
, Arthur Stone jast at thut moment. He W:
sure that he would quite iii ke to horsewh
, him.
} A fair counterpart of the pupils though
/ and feelings were those Of the tea acher.-
: 1t was dull dreary drive that Anr
Hawkes. took with DR.. Baker. She hadn
a heart to enjoy it after the folly of the o
, ternoOn.
Q 'He thinks that do not care FOR, or =
, spcct him. was the thought uppermost
$ her mind, whichever way she turned. "Ar
l this is the return am making him for a
D his kindness to me-all the interest he hi
= taken in my studies, both out of scho
c and in: ., if he could but know Il
, truth.'
Q The truth! Tire young girl startled he
V self by the words. And what was the trut
She buried her burning face in her ham
j as she asked the question. 1t was this. s.
a., iored Arthur Stone loved him bett
G than life itself! A cry Of pain went fro
+ her lips, as her knowledge settled slow
, down upon the heart. But what proof hi
Al.