White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-01-05

Anna Hawkes. pin her plaid shawl close.
: " about her throat, and tie under hen
, chin the blue ribbons hof'l her quilted
hood. preparatory to her drive With DR..
Barker, that he was the most miserable
man in existence. and that that he Would
purchase him farm, work at shovslling
on the railroad, and do any thing rather
than tesch another school, He had enga.
ged already to take charge of the village
academy the following spring. but now
he resolved that he would not do it-he
would throw up the engagement at once.
"No doubt she thinks me very
brute" he said to himself, as the gay
equipage went dashing down the street.
Perhaps, after all, she had not meditated
that ruthless attack upon his dignity
and patience. Indeed, now he thought
Of it again. the whisper was more like a
sudden exclamation than anything else.
Yet he had not given her the slightest
chance for an explanation. but, like the
executioner who loved his occupation.
hurried her forward to punishment-the
dolt, that be called himself. he had q
very poor opinion Of Arthur Stone Just
at that moment. He was sure that he
would like to horsewhip him.
A fair counterpart Of the pupils
thoughts and feelings were those of the
teacher. It was dull, dreary drive that
Anna Hawkes. took with DR.. Barker
She hadn't heart to enjoy it after the
folly of the afternoon.
"He thinks that do not care for, nor
respect him." was the thought uppermost
in her mind, whichever way she turned.
"And this rs the return am making him
for all his kindness to me-all the inter-
est be has taken in my studies, both in
and out Of school. o, if he could but
know the truth.
The truth Tho young girl startled
herself by the words. And what was
the truth ? She buried her burning face
in her hands as she asked the question.
1t was this She loved arthur Stone
loved him better than life itself A cry
Of pain went from her lips as the knowl-
edge settled down upon her heart. But
what proof had she given him of this ?
What proof that she was any other than
vain, selfish, unwomanly thing p
None, alas. none Like any woman
who is conscious of her power, she glo-
ried in hers over Arthur Stone. But how
was he to know that it was anything
but the glory of tickle, heartless CO.
uuette, rather than that of a strong, low
ing, true-hearted woman, who makes her
power a golden chain about the heart Of
the man she loves. by which she draws
him tenderly and gently towards her ?
How, o, how, was he to know this ?
The thought was agonizing to her.
She resolved at last to go to him in
the morning and confess her fault, hum
bling as it was. He should know at least,
that she held his feelings too sacred to
wound them wantonly. But in the NOR
ming she was sick and feverish, scarcely
able to lift her head from the pillow
She could not see Arthur that day, and
so she must contentedly wait Cor the next.
Against her wishes DR.. Barker was sum-
moned, who croaked obviously of fe-
YER which was hanging about her. She
must be very quiet, and follow his direc-
tons, he said. and be would come again
in the afternoon to learn how she was
getting along. He came in the afternoon,
but at an unlucky hour. Anna sat lean
ing back in a rocking chair. by the win
dow, looking eagerly up the street,
But while he prated learnedly at her side,
he saw a rapid red stain through the
whiteness of her cheek, and an eager
light break out from the clear blue Of
her eyes. Arthur Stone was passing BY
the house, and viewed with scornful
curl of the lip 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
Anna sank back into the softly cushion |
ed chair.
The next morning she refused to re-
main away from school another day.
Arthur Stone would say that she was
cowardly, that she feared feruling, that
she absented herself purposely, because of
the misunderstanding of Tuesday after
noon, which she was too guilty to face
again. She would go to school though
she dropped fainting on her way. She
could not rest until her weary mind was
unburdened of this heavy load. So she
went pale ana trembling. at an early hour.
to the school house.
How he scorns mellow he hates
me-" she thought, as Mr.. Stone quietly
raised his eyes to her face, and bowed .
silent good morning As she entered the
room. How could she face that stern,
cold gaze, and make her excuses for not
keeping her appointment Of the previous
morning?
~ was too i'll to come ont yesterday
morning." she said. in trembling voice.
''or I should not have broken my prom
ice. Will this morning do as well ?"
Mr.. Stone glanced keenly into her face.
The blanchej cheeks, and white culver
ing lips testified to the truth Of what she
said. -
-v.'Are you able to be here now 7"
be said in a tone of voice that had more
Of tenderness than aught else running
through it. ' -.-,-.
"HardIy. You can fer-fsruls me,
and 1 win go homs," she ssid, while her
cheeks crimsonsd with shame. se;s1 Goa
Mr.. Stone bit his lips to keep back
reply which rose involuntarily TO them.