Fair play., 1875-12-16

should ever need my services, shall
be pleased to aid you.''
"YOu are very kind-thank you,"
faltered the girl as she bade him good
afternoon and departed.
81 always thought him cross and
stern," she said to herself; I'm sure
he was very pleasant. l think l shall
quite like him.
And with Mr.. Kendall there remained
for many days the thought of 4 pale.
sweet face, and soft, musical voice that
fingered pleasantly in his memory.
| Mr.. Kendall dreaded visiting the
schools quite as much as examining the
teachers, but it was task which must
be performed nevertheless. For some
reason he dreaded NOrma's the least
and made his first visit there. She had
been looking forward to this visit with
apprehension, for kind as he had been
to her, she could not forget that he was
called hard and stern by his neighbors.
But if she had known that his trepida-
tiOn exceeded her own when he entered
the schOOl-roOm that afternoon in his
self-pOssessed manner, her fears would
have been laid to rest. He tried to
listen to the classes with due interest,
but much fear that he paid more at
tentiOn to the teacher than the pupils
and knew little more about their attain
ments when he left than when he ell
tered. He gave Norma kind words of
encouragement, which was much for
him, and was something pleasant for
her to think of in her wearisome life.
The young teacher found it very lone
ly to spend SO many hours of each day
in one tedious routine among those
children, who could of course be little
company for her, but as time passed on
she found q recOmpense for much that
was dull and wearisOme in the unvary-
ing kindness of Mr.. Kendall. He al
ways had q pleasant word for her when
she passed his house., and more than
once some acceptable gift from his gar
den, such as strawberries or cherries,
had found their way into her hands.
twas not so much the gift that she
valued as the kindliness that prompted
it, and she began to deem the plain face
of Mr.. Kendall almost handsome.
Mr.. Kendall's land extended almost
to the school-house, and one field un-
der cultivation was within plain view
from the windows. Evidently this
piece of land received Il great deal of
care, for almost any time when Norma
looked out she could see him at work
there. 1t was often great comfort to
her, for in that lonely school-room, so
far away from all dwellings, she would
sometimes have been half afraid but
for an occasional glimpse of MIR. Ken
dali as he worked within her sight.
One afternoon Norma dismissed the
school, and having some matters to
which she wished to attend, was de-
lined long time after the children
had gone. So busily was she at work
that she did not notice how dark it was
growing until she heard low mutter-
ing of thunder. Looking from the
window she saw to her dismay that the
sky was thick with black clouds and a
heavy shower was near at hand. 1t was
the work of a moment to throw on her
shawl and hat and grasp her dinner
.hoc cl-ot 1,,t ot tho lno,, oh
Kendall coming to see what had become
of her.
"You'll not think of going home till
the storm passes by, will you?" he said.
81 thought I would come and see if
you wouldn't call at my house and wait
until it is over. l hardly think it will
last long,"
Norma hesitated. "Couldn't posi-
bly, get home, if l walk fast?' she in
quired. 81 didn't notice that storm
was coming up, was so busy, and I'm
afraid if l wait mother will be frighten-
ed about me.''
"But guess you will have to-" he
said, smiling down at her; and, sure
just as he spoke, the rain came
down in torrents. 81 shall have to beg
your hospitality while, I'm afraid, in
stead of your accepting mine," he add
ed, advancing into the school-room.
"By all means; I'll try to do the hon.
ors to the best of my ability" said
Norma, who was inwardly much reliev-
ed to have a companion, for, though not
at all cowardly, she could not have help
ed feeling lonely to be there alone
through the storm.