Nebraska advertiser., 1859-02-03

capable of annoying him, and so after
the first fame of petty anger had died out
from his cheeks and forehead, be said, in
a voice, the ealniness Of which surprised
even himself: 8Aa
"Can be of assistance to you Miss
sHawkes2"
'None,. sir, thank you. have quite
conquered my exercises alone to-day. -
Foolish fellow The very GOODNESS of
his manner betrayed the secret he stroye
so hard to hide, There was little need
of coverts if there was nothing to conceal.
And so it was that the forenoon slipped
unpleasantIy away, and the afternoon
came in its stead. The teachers rule
was so far a good one. The school was
remarkable for its qmetude. If Anna
Hawkes. had not been present, Mr.. Stone
whould 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 tiinid application for as
sistance was met with something like an
unreasonable frown. In hurried, ner-
vous way he proceeded to explain away
the difficulty to the timid applicant, anxi-
Gus to be free from such dangerous sur
roundings. Just as he was congratula-
ting himself upon his success, and about
turning away, a rapid, whispered volley
Of words ratified past his ears. There
was no avoiding it. He knew the source
from whence they came as well as did ev-
cry scholar who heard them. He could
not pass thoughtlessly along. The dread
alarm had come with such a sudden dis
tinctness as to surprise him into an invol-
untary start Every pair of eyes IN the
school-room were turned inquiringly and
curiously to his face. He was forced in
to doing his duty. The heavy beard
about his mouth was friendly 10 him then,
for It covered a suspicious pallor that set
tied there as he turned about and rested
his eyes sternly upon the blushing piquant
face of Anna Hawkes.. She was the pic
ture Of innocence Just then, with her
brown lashes dropped low upon her cheeks
and the pearly white teeth crushed cruel
! ly down upon the crimson of her lips
miss Hawkes., can you tell me who
whispered moment since 2"
"Yes, sir" The white lids were
thrown wide open and the clear eye fixed
frankly upon his own.
"Who 2"
81, SIR"
"Will you oblige me by stepping this
way moment!" He led the way out
into the floor.
"Yes, sir. certainly" She followed
him promptly, pausing beside the desk
and resting one hand prettily upon the
top.
Il suppose you listened to my rule Of
this morning !''
/ ''Yes, SIR"
"You understood it, too, doubtless Z"
ayes, sir, perfectly"
Understanding it perfectly then, you
have been pleased to break il. Can you
name my duty!"
''It does not admit of question. Fer
ule me, SIR" She commenced drawing a
slender gold ring from her left hand
This hand, s:r?' she asked, suddenly,
looking up lntohlS race.
"We have plenty of time. Miss Hawkes.
do not hurry" he said, evading her ques-
tion, / have something to say to YOU"
She leaned her elbow upon the desk,
and her burning face upon her hand. Il
shall be happy TO listen to you," she said.
Il will not trouble you but a moment,
only to say that / regret more than am
able to express, that scholar whom ]
have ever endeavored to treat with uni
form courtesy and respect, and in whose
advancement / have felt lively interest,
should by so glaring misdemeanor, such
an utter contempt of my wishes, avow her
disregard for me as a teacher and a
friend. Such a display is unpleasant
enough if a mere child wilfully breaks
the rule of a school, but when instead, a
young gentleman or lady so far forgets
him or herself, it is intensely painful.
f assure you / 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
4 Ecu VI uGIeCACCkSs
"Your hand, if you please"
J The little white hand was reached
, forth as though ii were to receive a cares:
. ins.eld Of a blow. As it lay SO tenderly
and trustingIy upon the broad palm of the
r teacher, he inwardly cursed his stars
He called himself brute, tyrant, Z
? monster. He had mind to get down OF
7 his knees and pray for big-moutheC
f earthquake to swallow him for sudder
r fash Of lightning Gin the winter time) Il
e melt him into nonentity; for whirlwinC
( with It's rapid rushing winds to sweep phiH
], from off the face Of the earth. Striks
d that little dimpIed hand with cruel twt
: inch rule? He had rather cover, aye bis
i ter it with kisses, instead. Il trembleG
d within his grasp. and about the mouth o
the owner, white line was islanding ihi
e redness Of her lips. For a moment, h,
It thought he'd kneel before her and asl
: her to give the pale prisoner to him. /
: would be his hand then. and who coul
y blame him for not wishing to iniure hi
f own property. A thought struck him
T He might strike his own hand instead Q
e Anna's. He could shield her and tax
;, the blow himself. The idea was rar
/, one. He was in the mood for cracking
q every knucl1le he owned He raised hi