Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-18

apostrophzisg the ceiling, that they
aren't willing to allow women, the
privilege of suffrage in this benighted
c country. And you, Alice Hopkins,
you may 90 home! You certainly will
be ofno use at all to me in lighting
this battle
And Alice, heartily thankful for tbs
grudgngly.accorded reprieye, put the
copy books into the desk-drawer, piled
up the dictionary and defner, caught
her little pink lawn sun-bonnet from It's
nail, and vanished like flying shadow
into the nearest patch of cedar woods.
Miss Negley sat very upright, with
folded arms and prominent elbows, her
nose slightly tinctured with the rosy
hue of coming battle, her lips slightly
compressed; while Mr.. Barthorse, a
pleasant-faced gentleman Of dve-and-
forty or thereabouts, trotted up to the
school house door, leisurely dismoun-
ted, tied his horse 10 the hitching post,
and, totally unconscious that he was
observed, alike by Miss Ncgley from
her post of authority on the school
room dais, and little Alice Hopkins by
the spring in the woods. paused to dust
his boots with his yellow silk pocket
handkerchief, and TO adjust his Tuck,
dark locks before he raped on the
door.
Pm glad I'm not there said Alice
Hopkins, with long sigh ofrelief.
And IL n, having cooled her face and
hands IN the transparent spring, she
sat down to think.
TO her, a reduction of her scanty
salary meant nothing less than starya-
ton. AS things were she could scarce
ly pay her board and other expenses.
And sitting there in the shifting
shadows of the wind-bl branches,
she cried a little, 10 think how solitary
and friendless she was in the world.
Miss Negley, however. was in a very
different mood.
Come in!' she had answered,
brusquely, 10 the knock at the door,
without taking the trouble to move
from her seat.
And when Mr.. Barthorne entered
he espled her sitting sta, silent, aad
straight.
Good afternoon, Miss Negley y SAID
the trustee, depositing his hat on the
nearest desk and venturing on an apo.o
getic bow.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Barthorne "
Miss Negley answered, with Just about
as much warmth as an icicle In her
address.
Il hope I do not intrude,' said The
trustee, clvilly.
oh, not at all y said Miss Negley.
'A-hem y said the trustee, evident
ly iii at case. 1T amt easy to broach
the business Tvc come on, Miss Neg
ley
Il should think not said the lady.
Blu! l called just at this hour when
l expected to find you alone
oh, yes, l haven't any doubt that
you did, Miss Negley: Uninterrupted him,
in accents Of fine sarcasm. Even you,
Squire Barthorne, would be ashamed
to hint at such thing before the poor,
dear children
'Eh p said Mr.. Barthorne, instinct
lively retreating pace or two, for there
was something pythoness-like IN Miss
Negley's attitude, as she rose and dar-
ted her head forward at him to empha-
size her words.
L know wha YOU are going TO say
said Miss Nesley; Aud l won't listen
to a word orit-not one word ! No one
but a set of narrow-minded miserS
could have thought of it. III leave
wyndale school frst!'
sWell. well. no harm done, said Mr.
Barthorne, clu.ching at his hat. III
I'd have known that you'd taken things
as hard as this
How did you suppose 1 was gong 10
take 'em p said Miss Negley. with o
scornful laugh. Did you mistake me
for tie dust under your feet ?
L assure you, ma'am, that nolhing
of the sort was in my mind humblv
uttered Mr.. Barthorne, 4 wish you
good afternoon y
He hsrried out, remounted his gray
steed, which, poor beast, was just com
posing itself tor comfortable doze IL
the sunshine. and rode of, making, tC
Alice Hopkins intense dismay, straigh
for the shady cedar.woods, where sh'
still sat arranging ferns around the rib
bon of her hat.
There's no use trying TO run away,
thought she. Il may as well stay where
am. And after all. why should l b'
afraid oil Mr.. BarthOrne p
Mr.. BARITONE checked his rein as hC
saw the pretty young school teacher
there under the cedar. He nodded
pleasantly.
Fine day. Miss Alice y SAID he wlp
lug his brow with the identical yello"
silk pocket handkerchief which ha'
but now served as a dus.er for hl
boots.
Yes said Alice, standing like SOM
tfar wood nymph beside the spring
sPlease Mr. Barthorue, what old sh
Hy? 49,,
sWhat did who say p said the middl
aged gentleman, turning scarlet
Miss Negley. Don't think me IN
trnsive,' she added, but L knoy al
; about IT.
l. - .c,l Mr ar