The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-06-30
Number 25.

to learn how she was getting along.
He came in the afternoon, but at an
unlucky hour. Anna sat leaned back
in the rocking chair by the window.
looking eagerly up the street. But
while he prated learnedly at her side
he saw rapid red stain through the
whlteness OF her cheeks, and an eager
light break out from the clear blue of
her eyes. Arthur Stone was passing
the house, and viewing with a scorn-
fal curl of the lips the handsome
equipage Of Dr. Barker. He did not
look beyond it to the pale face bent
so earnestly towards him, but turned
his eyes coldly away and walked
haughtily down the street, while An.
ma sank back with a sigh into tue
soft-cushioned chair.
The next morning she refused to
remain from school another day. Ar.
thur Stone would say that she was
cowardly, that she feared ferruling,
that she absented herself purposely,
because of the misunderstanding on
Tuesday afternoon, which she was
too guilty to face again. She would
60 to the school though she dropped
fainting on her way. She could not
rest until her weary mind was unbur.
thened of this heavy load. So she
went, pale and trembling, at an early
hour, to the school house.
"How he scorns mellow he hates
me Z" she thought, as Mr.. Stone quiet.
y raised his eyes to her face, and
bowed silent good morning as she
entered the room. How could she
ever face that stern gaze, and make
her excuses for not keeping her ap.
pointment of the previous morningl
al was too i'll to come out yester-
day morning. she said, in trembling
voice, "or ] should not have broken
my promise. Will this morning do
as we'll 2"
Mr.. Stone glanced keenly at her
face. The blanched cheeks and
white, quivering lips testified to the
truth OF what she said.
"Are you able to be here now r.
he asked in tone of voice that had
more of tenderness than of aught else
rdhning through it.
Hardly. You can fer--ferrule
me, and | will 60 home," she said,
while her cheeks crimsoned with
shame.
Mr.. Stone bit his lips to keep back
a reply which rose involuntarily to
them. Again was that tender white
hand before him, waiting meekly for
its punishment, now weak and trem.
bling from illness. Did she think him
brute! Quite evidently from her
action.
l-l--regret that ] wounded your
feelings on Tuesday," she said, rais-
ing her eyes to his face. al am
thoughtless, though hope not heart
less. Will you pardon mc?" The
question was asked in a low, culver.
ing voice half choked with tears.
Pardon you?" Mr.. Stone repeated
the words slowly, in clear, emphat.
ic tone.
"ls it too much to ask You would
not refuse me if you knew"
What!"
"How utterly miserable | am; | can
not tarry here--here is my hand--be
quick--let me so home y
With quick rapid movement the
teacher grasped the little feverish
hand that outstretched to him, and
covered it over and over again with
fervent, passionate kisses.
"Forgive you," he said, while his
fine eye grew deep and tender in their
expression, forgive you, yes, a thous.
and times, and then not be able to
show you millionth part of the love
which bear for you. Forgive YOU.
but I'll dare ask more than you dare
hope, perhaps more than you care 10
hope--that you will love me that
you will place yourself and this sinned.
against, abused little hand in my
keeping. Tell me, Anna, have ask.
ed too much?"
The answer was faint and low that
came from the lips Of Anna Hawkes.,
but nevertheless it was satisfactory
one, for the sweet little mouth from
whence it came took immediate re.
ward in kisses.
So it all ended. And few weeks
after, Anna Hawkes. became Mrs.
Arthur Stone, much to the satisfaction
of the wondering school at Elton.
"Patrick, the widow MalOney tells
me that you have stolen one Of her
finest pigs. Is that sol"
"Yis, your honor"
"What have you done with it u