The Kanzas news., 1859-04-09

play her full, white throat. Was strangely
becoming to her. :. He had never thought oi
it before, but there was a certain refinement
in her taste that was truly pleasing. Il
was visible in everything she wore-the
dainty cambria collar, confined at the throat
by small cameo bfeastpin; the knots Of
black velvet ribbon fastened about her lux
uriant soft brown braids; the petite black.
full silk apron, with its girdle of silk cord,
and full, large, dropping tassels, and even
the slender. shining little kid boots that
peeped daringly out from the folds of Ter
ample skirt. In all his life Arthur Stone
had never looked upon face or figure so
pleasing or captivating. But as he watched
her. she raised her eyes to his face. In q
moment the pretty seriousness which had
rested so becomingly upon her features was
gone. A provoking smile ,curled mp her
rosy mouth, and went with sudden rush
of triumph over her whole face, dilating
her finely curved nostrils and sweeping
like very sunshine over the blue of her
eyes, making such rare dimples about her
chin, as one might have supposed to have
been fitted by the. cunning fore6nger of
Cupid himself
Arthur Stone was yexed, but he was too
much man of the world to allow the
young girl to know how much she was ca
pable of annoying him, and so after the
trst flame OF petty anger had died out from
his cheeks and forehead, he said in voice
the GOODNESS of which surprised himself:
"Can l be of assistance to you, Miss
Hawkes?'
"None sir, thank you. have quite CON
quered my exercises alone to-day"
Foolish fellow! The very GOODNESS of
his manner betrayed the secret he strove to
hide. There was little need of coyerts if
there was nothing to conceal. And so it
was that the forenoon slipped unpleasantly
away, and the afternoon came in its stead
The teachers rule 80 far was a good one
The school was remarkable for its quietude.
If Anna Hawkes. had not been present, Mr..
Stone would have counted it success; but
as it was, he was, in constant tremor of
fear.
: A raised hand in the neighborhood of her
seat, and a timid application for assistance
was met with something like an unreason-
able frown. In a hurried, nervous way he
proceeded to explain away the difficulty to
the timid applicant, anxious to be free from
such dangerous surroundings. Just as he
was congratulating himself upon his sue
cess, and about turning away, a rapid, whis-
pered ,yolley of words ratified past his ears.
There was no avoiding it. He knew the
source from whence they came as well as
did every scholar who heard them. He
could not pass thoughtlessly along. The
dread alarm had come with such a sudden
distinetness as to surprise him into an in
voluntary start. Every pair of eyes in the
school-room was turned inquiringly and
curiously to his face. He was forced into
doing his duty. The heavy beard about
his mouth was friendly to him then, for it
covered suspicious pallor that settled
there as he turned about and rested his eyes
sternly upon the blushing. piquant face of
Anna Hawkes.. She was the picture of in
nocence just then, with her brown lashes
drooped low upon her cheeks, and the pearly
white teeth crushed down upon the Grim
son of her lips. aa
q "Miss Hawkes., can you tell me who
whispered moment since?"
'.Yes sir.'' The white lids were thrown
wide open, and the clear eye fixed frankly
upon his own.
"Who?" " 1"-t
81, sir.'' -
''Will you obhge me by stepping this
way a moment?" He led the way out in
to the floor. -
'.Yes sir, certainly" She followed him
promptly, pausing beside the desk and rest
ing one hand prettily upon its top.
81 suppose you listened to my rule of
this morning?" @
Eyes sir
.'You understand it too, doubtless?''
; Yves sir, perfectly"
understanding it perfectly, then, you
have been pleased to break it. Can you
name my duty?"
''It does not admit of question. Fer
ule me, sir" She commenced drawing
slender gold ring from her left hand ssThis
hand?" she asked suddenly, looking into
his face
ave have plenty of time, Miss Hawkes.,
do not hurry" he said. evading her ques-
ton. 81 have something to say to you"
She leaned her elbow upon the desk, and
her burning face upon her hand. s'I shall |
be happy 70 listen to you,''' she said. -
Twill trouble you but moment, only to |
say that regret more than am able to ex- |
press, that a scholar whom I have ever
TO treat with uniform courtesy
and respect, and IN whose advancement / |
had felt lively interest. should by so glar-
ing misdemeanor, such an utter contempt |
Of my wishes, avow disregard for me as |
teacher and a friend. Such a display is |
unpleasant enough If a mere child wilfuliy
breaks the rule of a school, but when In |
stead young gentleman or lady SO far for |
gets him or herself, itis intensely painful. |
assure you that 1 deeply regret this
Anna bowed gracefully as Mr.. Stone
ceased speaking. Again her white teeth |
were dented into her lip, while the brown
lashes trembled close upon the burning red
of her cheeks. ~ saa EssT
Your hand. if you please
The little white hand was reached forth |