Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-05-19

fever would result from the evenings pleasure
"What are you looking at me for ?" criet
Grace, petulantly, suddenly opening her eyes
81 can't bear light shining in my face"
"hIr. Barnard thought you were not well to
night, and he made me promise to see before
went to sleep" said Jane, quietly.
Grace covered her face with her hands.
"It's nothing to him whether I am sick OF
well, she muttered she needn't trouble him
SELF
Nevertheless the young lady became suddenly
composed after this, and in very short time
was asleep, with smile on her lips and tears
on her cheeks.
Mr.. Barnard went away to spend Thanksgiv,
ing day. In vain Aunt Patty painted glowing
pictures of the dinner Jane was preparing in
vain Mrs. Wynne urged his remaining at home
until afternoon. Mr.. Barnard had made up
his mind, and as Aunt Patty said "You
couldn't turn him, and 'twarn't no more use to
try than twas to throw stones against the
wind"
school commenced again. 1t was pleasant to
be at her studies again, Grace thought, as she
ran up stairs to the school-room, with her
satchel on her arm. She opened the door with
glowing checks, and her eyes fell first on her
teacher who stood at his desk, looking so pale
and sorrowful that she thought he must have
met with some great grief. Then she heard a
smothered whisper:
"There she is-theres Grace Wynne She
ought to be ashamed to show her face here y
The girl passed by them all to her desk, at the
upper end of the room, and sat down, and Mr.
Barnard spoke:
at is not that my own misfortune has been
turned into subject of ridicule," he said,
somewhat unsteadily ~ am very well aware
that it has often excited yonr mirth but it is
the thought that there is among your number
one who will so openly insult hel teacher, and
who gives evidence, not only of thoughtless-
ness and levity, but of heartess disregard of
the feelings of one who most earnestly wishes
her Improvement and happiness. I am panied
for her more than l can express, but she has
my free forgiveness. Young ladies', you may
take your books"
Mr.. Barnard sat down, and Grace glanced at
the blackboard, upon which all eyes had been
fastened. 1t was covered with q roughly
sketched picture of the dancing party of Ches-
ter Hall, and among the most conspicuous fig
ures was ridiculous caricature of Mr.. Barnard
cane in hand, dancing with Jane Wynne. The
indignant blood rushed to Grace's face, and
tears sprang to her eyes but she brushed them
almost angriy away, and bent over her book
Her class was called to recite but she sat still
IN her seat recess was given and yet her
dropping head was not raised the hours wore
on, school was dismissed, and one by one the
scholars passed out, until Grace alone was left
trace i'll her seat, and Mr.. Barnard, appa-
rently unconscious of her presence, at his desk,
with his head bent upon his hands. For many
minutes the ticking of the clock was the only
sound in the room. At last Grace arose, push
ed back her long curls, and went noiselessly
down the aisle. Her pride was all gone ; that
was evident from her tear stained cheeks and
luivering mouth. She drew near the plat
form and stood beside her teacher, who appear
ID quite unconscious of her presence. She |
'ould endure the silence no longer, and laying |
ler little white hand upon his she knelt down |
beside him. sobbing out the first words that |
prang to her lips
at wasn't 1 who drew that horrid picture. |
Dear teacher, couldn't have been SO wicked. |
Won't you believe me p
There was no such thing as resisting that tear |
tained. humble face-that clasping hand and |
ineeling figure. Mr.. Barnard forgot his dig
lity as teacher-he only remembered that in
pite of her childisbness and folly he loved
trace Wynne better than any one else in the
vide world. So he drew her into his arms and
eld her there while she wept and sobbed like
little child, and he not only whispered in her
ar the assurance of his faith in her words, but
mother assurance that made her heart beat
asst and her checks crimson and after awhile
hey walked home through the willow fringed
Inc together, Grace still looking very humble
nd quiet, but Mr.. Barnard, with his fine face
GIFTED with such smile that Aunt Patty, who
TODD at the window as-they came up the yard,
'as quite at lossto know what had happened.