The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-11

become the friend of the teacher. The old men had seen that she was not trying to get married, and the younger men had seen that she was not looking for young fellow. That she did not care to marry was a great surprise to the trustees. All the teachers and all the gcvernesses had, after all, looked out flor the main chance" Every day-more and more Miss Maglin became acquainted with this fact. She bi, her lips-of course she bit her lips. What was there left for her to bite. In fiction the lip is a great fac tor. The heroine must bite her lips. If not, the story is failure.
 Abe continued to be bad. The young lady thought of resigning. The trifl,ng rascal cared not 10 learn. All he cared for was 10 tease the other scholars" Miss Maglin saw this. t became her duty to reform or expel Abe.
 One day when Abe Buford had been ex- uemely rude, the teacher told him to re- main afser the other pupils had departed. The rascal did not seem abashed but quietly took his seat. The children rushed out of the house. One by one they came back and took up their dinner buckets. Joe kept his seat. The glad shout died away; the throw it here, throw it he-e," was hushed. The great rim of the sun had gone below the woods The teacher stood in the doorway, watch ing the children depart. She must bid each one good bye.' The last one tipped her rustic good evening, and with sense of loneliness she turned to Abe. Apparently he was absorbed in a book which he held in front of his face. "Abe," said the teacher, don, you know that the children are gone9"
 Yep" he replied, without taking his eyes oil his book. i After silence, and not until the shadows began to creep in between the logs, she said:
 "What are you studying p
 Grammar" he replied. Ut says first person l love, second person you love-"
 Regarding him curiously, she twisted the strings of her apron and did not reply Abe," she said, after .,ng interval of silence.
 "Yes," he replied without lifting his eyes.
 Do you like grammar"
 "Se, so,'' sad he, still without lifting his eyes.
 You seem to pay great attention to it, yet in school you declare that you know nothing abou, it,"
 Young woman" said Abe, "you have kept me in, haven't your"
 "Yes, have.r
 "Why?'
 Because you are bad.'
 He laughed. You have" said he, |" a quiet face"
 "I hope so,' she replied.
 You cultivate non-expression Of ooun- tenance, eh ?"
 "I don, know what you mean"
 "I suppose np,.'
 She looked al him with a bewilder ed stare, and then, flouncing her apron. seated herself ooughed and remained silent.
 "l suppose you think that am very rude boy, ehT'
 "Yes, do."
 "l thought so. You look at me in surprise"
 "Yes, for cannot help i,'
 "You think that have done many things to perplex you :"
 "Yes, know you have"
 Do you know why p
 "l surely do not"
 Because your face would occasionally fall into strange repose. This repose was death to me-"
 Boy, what do you mean?
 Abe laughed and settled himself back on the bench. The sun, fast bidding farewell to the earth. cast parting ray on the teachers desk.
 They ell me rough Abe" said he. | "Yes," she said in astoni shment.
 "What are you reading ?" she had taken up newspaper. "I am reading Zan)olas' last poem. It is beautiful Don't talk 70 me, but study your lesson. You ought tc be ashamed of yourself to keep me here"
 Have l kept you here!'
 "You know you have"
 "You think that ] am dunce, don't you?" His question shocked her. No,' I she renlied If thouobt vou weye a