Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-10-13


never seen her look halt as pretty
loyeable as then,as she sat there bel
ding thoughtfally over her book, vii
one white haod running rapidly an
gracefully over her slate. Her dres
of dark crimson cloib, with its ia
I sleeves confined at the wrists, b
black velvet bands, fashioned high
the neck, but in such a manner as t
display her full, white throat, wa
strangely becoming TO her; He ha
never thought of it before, but. thel
was a certain, refinement 10 her tast
which was truly pleasing. ltwas Wis
ible in Everything she wore--th'
dainty cambric collar confined at th'
throat by small cameo brssst pin
the knots Of black velvet ribbon fas
tened about her lnxariant soit
brown braias, the petite black, full
silk apron, with its girdIe Of silk cord
and full large dropping tasseIs, and
even the slender, shining little kid
boots that peeped daringly out from
the folds of her ample skirt. In all
his life Arthur Stone had never look
ed upon face or figure so pleasing
or captivating. But as be watched
her, she raised her .eyes TO Lis face.
In moment the pretty seriousness
which had rested So becomingIy up
on her features was gone. A provo
king smile curled up her rosy mouth,
aud went witha sudden rash of ri.
umph over her whole face. dilatiag
her finely curved nostrils and sweep
ing very sushipe 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
foreGpger of Cupid himself.
Arthur Stone was vexed, but he
was too much man OF the world to
allow the young lady ito know how
much she was capible Of annoying
him, aud so after the. irst fame Of
petty anger bad died out from bis
cheeks aud forehead, he said in .
voice the GOODNESS Of which surprised
even himself:
'Csn Ibe of any assistance to you,
Miss Hnwkes?'
None. sir, thank you. | have.
quite conquered my exercises alone,
to-day
!, Foolish fsllow! The very cool
ness of his manner betrayed the Sc
eret which he strOve to hide. There
was little need Of eoverts If there
was nothing TO conceal. And SO il
WIS that the forenoon slipped qnpfeas-
antly away, and the. afternoon came
in its stead. TIE teachers rule, so
far was good. The school was re-
markable for its qaietude. II Anna
Hawkes. had not been present, Mr..
Stspe would have counted it a suc-
cess, but as it was, he was'in con-
slant. tremor of Sear. =
A. raised hand 10 the neighbor-
heed Of her seat, and a tlmld appii-
cation For assistance was. met With
something like an unreasonable
frown; In a hurried, nervous way.I
be proceeded to explain away the
tothe timid applicant, anx-
ious to be Tree from such surround
Jugs. just as he was congratulating
himself npon his. success, and aboat
tlraing away. a rapid, whispered vol
ley of words ratified past his ears. =
There was no avoiding it. He knew
the, source from whence they came IS
we'll as did every scholar who heard
them. He could not pass thought
lessly along.
The dreaded alarm had come with
such sudden distinctness as to sur
prise him into.a an involuntary start.
Every pair Of eyes in the school
room were turned inquiringiy and
curiously to his face. DE was fore
ed into doiog his duty. The heavy
beard about bis mouth was friendly
to him then, for it covered a suspl-I
cious 2allor that settled there as be
turned about and rested his eyes
sternly upon the blusbing, piquant
face of Anna Hawkes.. She was the
picture Of innocence just then. with
her brown lasbes dfooped low upon
her cheeks. and the pearly white teeth
crushed cruelty down in the crimson
Of her lips.
Miss Hawkes., can you tell me
who whispered a moment since! 8
Yes sir.' The white lids We're
thrown wide open, and the clear eye
fixed frankly upon bis own.