Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-04-13

at the breakiast-tabie, and Mrs. Webb said
that he would not be able to teach that day,
as he had been seized with a violent ague
chill.
"I've a notien to substitute myself for
te""h school Just. for one day." said Erma.
81 wish you would. The poor man can't
afford to lose his situation. He needs the
money. I believe"
ut isn't because I am very charitable, or
in the least solicitious about pleasing him,
that l propose going. My motive is evil
IDENTIFY selfish. 1t is the novelty OF being a
country school-mislress that presents an ir-
resistable charm to my mind"
Arrayed in a pretty walking costume, Err
ma knocked at the door of Mr.. Harris's
room to ask for the key to the school-house.
He surveyed her q moment in mute adj
m~iration-the.only kind he dared offer.
"How tasteful she is in her dress!" he
thought.
"You are very kiud to take my place"
he said at last, land j am deeply grateful.
l shall not require your aid long, if there is
virtue in q%uinine. You will find the key on
the table there under my hat. l hope that
my pupils will not give you any trouble"
Give yourself no u~neasiness on my &C.
count, l might carry a bundle of rods
with me if you think it probable that 1
shall need to defend myself" said she with
an annihilating glance as she hurried away.
~ feryently hope l shall see or hear
something to-day that will make me hate
that man." remarked Erma to herself as she
moved l~eisurely along the road. THE idea
of allowing myself to fall in love with a
poor teacher! 1t makes me augr;er with
myself than l I'm always pretending to be
with poor Mr.. Harris. There!' she ex-
claimed, as she neared the school-grounds;
II see something already! There's a pond
of stagnant water behind the house. He
ought to have the ague! And has no more
sense than to be dosing himself with qui-
nine. But, after all, it is his business to
teach, not to drain marshes. I'll make
him some hop tea to-night-no, 1 WON'T"
How anxious II sad the children seemed
to learn that their teacher was not we'll and
how they all seemed to love him. Erma
thought she should feel almost guilty if she
could not love him too.
His solici&ude for the welfare OF his school
led Mr.. Harris to rise in the afternoon,
when the fever had left him, and walk with
slow, painful steps towards the scene of Er
mas temporary sovereignty. He reached
bis destination in a state of great WEAKNESS,
and sat down 10 rest awhile before going in
to the school-room.
A recitation was in progress, and he had
not listened long to the sounds that were
borne through the open doorway before he
discovered that his pupils were being guided
by a master-hand. To say that he was sur
prised would give but a tame idea of his
emotions. Absorbed and delighted, forget
full of himself, he remained a listene. I'M
til he was startled by hearing prepare
lions for dismission. He catered Just as
the pupils were passing out. They gath
cred about him, eager 10 hear HIM soy he
was better, and as the last left him, Erma
was about to go, too, with only a word or
two about the key.
"Wait q moment, can you not? l would
like to consult you about the record" said
be.
When they were alone he said to her,
You have taught b%efore?''
'Never!'
Then you are a genius. But even If you
are, you did not receive your education in a
country school, did your"
No reply, Erma turned WITH nervous
haste to the register, and commenced talk
ing about the days attendance and punclu-
atty.
AS they turned the leaves together, they
came upon the photograph of a sweet faced
woman, and a loose sheet of pape upon
which was written a poem, with the title
staring out in bold letters, s'To my Love-
Mr.. Harris murmured something about his
carelessness in leaving such things in such
a place, and proceeded to place the y in his
coat-pocket; but Ern,a held out heshand.
May 1 see the portrait?" she asked in a
very faint voice.
Certainly" he replied, handing it to her.
He noticed that her fingers shook as they
closed over it, and that, her face was a trihe
pale.
That is my sisters picture" said the
school master, after she had examined il
carefully, watching her face intently as
he spoke.
He saw a CLEAN of light leap into her
eyes, and an expression of relief soften all
the lines about her mouth. Then he took
the hand that was still trembling in his wv
looked into her eyes.
"Tell me-" be said, sif it had been a
| sweetheart instead of a sister, should you
have cared2"
mo. What are 20 ur sweethearts to me2'
she said Withdrawing her hand, and making
a desperate effort to look out of the window;
but somehow his gaze compelled her own,
and she found hers IF lifting her eyes to
his face, and dropping them in bewildered
confusion before the light that met then.
"Erma," he said, II feel that l must tell
| you wha. is in my heart. Nay, my darling
you shall listen, "-seizing her hands, fol-
she was rising and turning from him. 81
am too poor to marry, but poverty has not
prevented me from loving, ay, worsh piping
YOU. Tell me, Ernia, is there any hope fol-
me? Can you ever learn to love me?"
NO." she replied, a culver OF happy ex
element in her voice; 81 shall never learn
to love you, for l love you already"
His arms were about her in an instant.
"Bless you, my love, my lovel Do you
think we could live on a very small salary:
But no; l was wrong to ask it.. must gal,
for you until l obtain a better position"
81 am sure we could live on a small sala.
ry. Let us try it. If it becomes necessary,
l might teach, too" she added, mischiev.
o1sIv