The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-09-22

two successive days at the cluster of
flowers which she found on her desk.
The great double geraniums seemed to
flash their scarlet glory all over the
room; and heliotrope, too, her favorite
flower, in masses of purple beauty, filled
the air with its fragrance. A spray of
it, with a few delicate ferns, another Of
her delights, was laid upon the Bible
opened at the chapter with which she
began the days exercises. Harley
Jones had certainly a taste and appre-
citation for which she had never given
him credit.
He was vigorously cleaning the black
board one morning as she came in just
in time to see the last few words as ne
erased them. The writing struck her
peculiarly.
what did you rub out, Harley?"
she asked, hanging up her hat in the
corner.
"somethink you writ yerterdav. Me-
Carpenter. Was writin' IL over" She
smiled at the name. He never could
get 1t right, but she corrected the other
slips in his speech.
You mean something Harley, and
you should say | wrote it. Can you
remember
"He jest done it hisself," piped up a
voice behind them. ~ seen him when
/ come in.
"Oh, Johnnie Mackp' was the teach
er'c exclamation, latter l have told you
SO many times" Yet no possible mu-
tilation of verbs seemed to effect her
love for the offenders, or to diminish
her patience with them, and in the
course of the day she noticed that Har-
ley Jones had really made vast improve
ment in his copybook. But she had
occasion to reprove Maggie Wetherbee
as they walked home together that
night.
81 saw you talking with man this
morning, Maggie, when l came across
the lot. Is it possible you met anyone
In that way outside your fathers
housew
"But 'twasn't him." stammered Mag
gle, growing red.
Him! who?'
why, Bill, that l told you about. l
didn't expect to meet him." she added,
growing redder with the consciousness
of how easily the stranger could make
her false to Bill" "He's boarding
somewhere round, and just asked me
how soon school would be out. He's
drawing picture of our school-house
and that's all. He had lots of pictures
in big flat book"
A strolling artist, Mildred thought.
She knew nothing about artists, but
had an idea they were rather inoffens-
i've people. Still she seemed determ-
ined to watch Maggie. She must not
drift into any danger.
Mildred went earlier to school the
next morning. earlier even than Harley
Jones. Fresh flowers were on the desk
again, but with great start she saw
the figure OF man at the blackboard
writing. 81 am here" were the words
he was rapidly tracing with the chalk,
g. and must see you if" Just then he
turned, conscious Of a presence-but
not before she had recovered her self
possession.
Good morning." she said, quietly
extending her hand, and with smile
glanced from his face to the black
board.
He caught her hand and held it.
Mildred, are you ready to forgive
me yet?"
She drew her hand away and stepped
back.
81 have nothing to forgive in you,
Oscar. | was angry when saw you
last, but was the one to blame. For
give me-"
He looked at her with establishment;
she seemed SO utterly unlike herself.
And have you got over your love as
we'll as your anger, Mildred %
The quick color flashed all over her
face. She looked like herself once
more, as she answered.:
"That question is in poor taste, Oscar
Brant. l have not congratulated you
on your engagement to your cousin
Ella. I do SO, heartily" she went on,
plunging along into chaos of words
lest, she should break down utterly;
"she is good and gentle and-aiid
that l am not. She" her
voice failed her after all.
"Why Mildred, what in this world
are you talking about?" His arms
were around her. She was sobbing on
his shoulder. "Where did you hear
such a ridiculous story?'
Maggie Wetherbee entered breath
lessly, "Miss Parmenter-" then stop
ped short bewildered at the sight before
her eyes. Bobby Whitman and Har-
ley Jones had been quarreling. They
came up behind Maggie, each eager to
exonerate himself. But the wet eyes
and flushed face of their teacher made
friends of them instantly. "Is it her
beau?' whispered Harley as he nudged
Bobby; but Maggie hustled them both
out of the room without ceremony,
hurrying after them herself, and before
The teacher recalled them the question
to have been satisfactorily
1t was we'll that the regular teacher
resum ed her duties the next week, for
oy that time Mildred was abundantly
wiling to give them up. Yet she al
ways declared that teaching WAS the
most delightful work in the world, and
hat she found the happiness of her
life on a blackboard Woman's jour.
1dl.
lsraePs Prayer for the President.
In the service at New York syna-