Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-03-12
IO.-IhR School.

field had attained the sixth year OF her mar
tyrdom at school. In that long interval no
news of her mother, her brother, or her step
father had reached England; she had re-
ceived no letter, she had not even heard re-
port. Without friends and without pros
poets, Roderick Westerfeld's daughter was,
In the saddest sense OF the word, alone in the
world.
The hands of the ugly old clock in the scioOl
room were approaching the time when the
studies of the morning would come to an end.
YEARLY waiting for their release, the schol-
ars saw an event happen which was novel
ty in their domestic experience. The maid
of-all-work audaciously put her head in at
the door and interrupted Miss Wigger con-
Quoting the education of the first class.
''If you please, miss, there's gentleman
Having uttered these Introductory words,
she was reduced TO silence by the tremendous
voice of her mistress.
Haven't forbidden you to come here in
school hours? Go away dircctlyr'
Hardened by a life of drudgery, under con-
ditions of perpetual scolding, the servant
stood her ground, and recovered the use OF
her tongue.
There's a gentleman in the drawing
room," she persisted. Miss Wigger tried to
interrupt her again. "And here's his cardv'
she shouted, in voice that was the loudest
Of the two.
Being a mortal creature, the school-mis-
tress was accessible to the promptingS OF
curiosity She snatched the card out of the
girls hand.
Mr.. Herbert LtnLey Mount MorUera,
PertIlSlljTe. II don't know this person"
Miss Wigger declared. "You wretch, have
you let a thief into the hOuse?"
"A gentleman, if ever l see one yet" the
servant asserted.
Hold your tonguel Did he ask for me7
Do you hear"
''You told me to hold my tongue. No; he
didn't ask for you"
Then who did he want to see?"
ITS on his card.'
Miss Wigger referred to Me card again,
and discovered (faintly traced in penciD
these words: ITO see Miss S. W"
The schOol-mistress instantly looked at
Miss Westerfeld. Miss Westerfield rose
from her place at the head of her class.
The pupils, astonished at this daring act,
all looked at the teacher-their natural enc
my,apponted to supply them with undesired
information derived from hated books. They
saw one of Mother Natures favorite daugh-
tiers, designed to be the darling of her family,
and the conqueror of hearts among men of
all tastes and ages. But Sydney WeSter-
field had lived for six weary years in the
place of earthly torment, kept by Miss Wig
ger under the name of school. Every bud
ding beauty, except the unasSailable beauty
of her eyes AMI her hair, had been nipped
under the fros,y superintendent of her ma
ternal aunt Her checks were hollow, her
delicate lips were pale, her shabby dress lay
fiat over her bosom. ObServant people, meet
ing her when she was out walking with the
girls, were struck by her darkly gentle eyes.
and by the patient sadness of her expression.
"What pityp' they said TO each other.
"She would be pretty girl if she didn't look
so wretchcd and so thin"
At loss to understand the audacity of her
teacher in rising before the class was dis
missed, Miss Wigger began by asserting her
authority. She did in two words-"Sit
DOWN.
81 wish to explain, ma'amw
"Sit down"
81 beg, Miss Wigger, that you will allow
me to explain"
Sydney Westerfeld, you are setting the
worst possible example to your class. / shall
see this man myself. lVilL you sit dOwn%'
Pale already, Sydney turned paler still.
She obeyed the word of command-to the
high delight of the girls of her class. 1t was
then within ten minutes of the half hour aft
er twelye-whcn the pupils were dismissed
to the playground while the cloth was laid
for dinner What use would the teacher
make of that haf-hour of freedom?
In the meanwhile Miss Wigger had enter
ed her drawing-room. With the slightest
possible inclination of her head she eyed the
stranger through her green spectacles. Even
under that disadvantage his appearance
spoke for Itself The servants estimate of
him was beyond dispute. Mr.. Herbert Lin
ley's good breeding was even capable Of sup
pressing all outward expression of tho dis
may that he felt on finding himself face to
face with the formidable person who had re-
ccIved him
what is your business, if you please%'
Miss Wigger began.
Men, animals, and buildings wear out with
years, and submit TO their hard lot. Time
only meets with fiat contradiction, when he
ventures TO tell woman that she is growing
old. Herbert Linley had rashly anticipated
that the young lady," whom it was the OBJ
feet of his visit to see, would prove to be
vnupU in the literal SapGa Of the word When
lie and Miss Wigger stood face to face, if the
door had been set open for him he would
have left the house with the greatest pleas
ure.
II have taken the liberty of calling" he
said, "in answer to an advertisement May
| ask"-he paused and took n newspaper
from the pocket of his. oyercoat-'if have
the honor of speaking to the lady who is
mentioned here?'
lie opened the newspaper and pointed to
the advertisement
Miss Wigger's eyes reSted-not on the pas
sage Indicated, but on the visitors glove. 1t
fitted him TO such perfection that II suggested
the enyiable position in life which has gloves
made to order. He. politely pointed again.
Stll inaccessible to the newspaper, Miss
Niggcr turned her SpcCtaClcs next 10 the
front window of the room and discovered a
handsome carriage waiting at the door.
(Moncy evidently in the pockets of those
beautiful trousers, worthy of the glovesO
As patiently rs ever, Linley pointed for the
third time, and drew Miss Wigger's atten-
ton in the right direction at last. She read
the advertisement
"A young lady wishes TO be employed In
the education of little girl. Possessing but
few accomplishments, and having been only
n junior teacher at school, she offers her
services on trial, leaving it to her employer
to pay whatever salary she may be consider
ed 10 deserve, If she obtains permanent en-
gagcment Apply, by letter, to S. W., IA,
Delta Gardens, n. E"
Most impertinentp said Miss Wigger.
Mr.. Linley looked astoniShed.
II say, most impertinentp Miss Wigger
repeated.
Mr.. Linley attempted to pacify this terri
bic woman. ITS very stupid of me-" he
said; II am afraid l don't quite understand
you"
"One of My teachers has Issued an adyer-
tiSement and has referred to Ny address,
without first consulting Me. Have l made
myself understood, sir?' She looked at the
carriage again, when she called him ''sir."
Not even Ltnley's capacity for seIf-re-
straint could repreSS the expression of relief,
visible in his frightening face, when he dis
covered that the lady of the advertisement
and the lady who terrified him were two diff
ferent persons
Have made myself understood?' Mis-.
Wigger repeated.
Perfectly, madam, At the same time, !
am afraid must own that the advertisement
has produced a favorable impression on me-"
Il fail entirely TO see why" Miss Wigger
remarked
There is SURELY" Linley pleaded, some
. = w. Eg-n,4r g,