Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-09-28
WHICH CONQUERED,
By MRS. l. A. L.

1t was evening in the gloomy old
kitchen Of Farmer Grey. The green
paper curtains, covered with pictures
Of impossible scenery and strange
grotcsque figures, were lowered, shut
ting ont the white moonlight as it lay
upon the snow covered fields like
glittering crystals.
Great logs of oak and cedar filed
the wide fire place, casting ruddy,
cheerful glow around the room; an
Angola cat lay basking in the bright
iirelight, while upon the opposite side
Of the hearth. stretched at full length.
lay a big Newfoundland dog: the yel-
low floor was as clean as hands could
make it, and altogether the room pre-
5ented a scene of rural comfort not
to he despised.
The farmer sat in his easy chair
deep in meditation, with his eyes
fastened on the fire, while the busy
house wife with deft fingers piled the
knitting needles, and glanced occa
sionally at the couple seated at the
table busy with their books. 1t was
their daughter and the district school
teacher
Faith Grey was an only child, and
from the time when she first began to
talk, had ruled ber loving subjects in
the little kingdom Of home with alb
solute sway She was now seventeen
years of age, with laughing brown
eyes and waving, auburn hair, that
rippled and shone with a touch Of
gold in its soft meshes when she
faced the sun. Her complexion was
fair and pure as an apple blossom.
Her dress was simple brown merinO,
with plain, white collar fastened at
the throat by a blue ribbon, while
streamers of the same azure hue con-
fined the meshes of waving hair. She
was tall and slender, with supple,
villowy grace perceptible in every
movement of her graceful form.
Her companion was apparently
about twenty five years of age, with
a broad white brow and dark hair,
which clustered in little ringlets
about his forehead; his eyes were
black and penetrating; the grave
firm mouth betokened indOmitable
will and strength of character; his
face was smooth. and his large, we'll
made form was arrayed in suit OF
plain black; he was college educated
and while waiting for situation had
learned that be could have the winter
school in this district to teach, and
being poor, had accepted it rather
than remain idle until a more eligible
one presented itself. He was fan
from despising small beginnings.
He well knew that the school bore
no enviable reputation, for by report
it was known far aud near Only the
winter before the scholars had chosen
to give the teacher seat ina snow
drift. and then entering the school
room had held high carnival, laugh
ing and jeeriDg at him as he tried il
vain to enter, and i'll despair he
had turnol his back upon the schoo
and the town. He we'll knew that il
was no light task which he had un
dertaken. hnt only tighter closing
OF the firm lips was visible as he ac
ccpted ihe trust. and silently vowe6
To conquer or die. 1t was a school o
fifty scholars, ranging from four Il
twenty years of age A mixed as
s"mbly. some good, some bad, an'
some neither one Ior the other, bn
ready to join the Strongest party. H'
Was obliged to hoard around, and IL
h" was exceedingly particular an'
faStIdlous IN all his personal affairs
some encounters which he was oh
hSed to make We're laushable in tn
extreme He chose the place farthes
from his school for his first boarding
! place. and as he took his seat at tn