Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-05-02

|
She pressed the crumpled bit of
paper to her lips again and again.
ooh" she murmured to herself, 81
am the happiest woman in the world!
What right have | to expect a second
poisoning time in my life? and yet it
| has come"
Half the girls at Applenook Semina-
ry had been let into the secret of this
excellent joke, and were watching
Miss Barley from one vantage point or
another, as Sc threw a black Shetland
sha wi over her head, and slipped out
of the house just when the hands
of the clock in the hall were nearing
quarter to nine.
1t was still mild evening. with the
moon at full; one could almost hear
the gurgling Of the little brook out
side.
Some laughed as the door closed
softly behind the English governess,
who fondly supposed herself to be I'M
noticed; some whispered, one or two
| looked grave.
Only the other teachers gossping
around the fire, and Madame Apple
/ ton herself, writing letters in her own
sanctulh, remained in ignorance of
what was going on.
Little Louis Belville started to her
feet.
Girls" she cried, "it's too bad!
| It's cruel-that's what it is! 1t shall
not go on! iii run after her, and tell
her that the whole thing is deceit!'
But Leila Wharton pulled her back
as she was springing to open the door.
g 10 Nv I,,it
overtake her now And it is such
splendid joke! Just wait until you see
| the expression of her face when she
comes back. We shall be avenged for
Barleycorn's viciousness now"
/ Slowly the time-tarnished minute
hand of the venerable clock travelled
around the dial Nine o'clock came,
half-past nineteen. Still no Miss
Barley returned.
The governess on duty for that par
ticular evening, one Pugsley, with
eyes that looked different ways, rose
up with a yawn at last.
Time for evening prayers and bed,
girls, said she.
"Oh, not YETI pleaded the girls with
one accord.
And each had some special reason
to give for desiring five minutes more
delay.
"It's past hours already" said Miss
PugsleY, "and-"
just then the door opened: Miss
Barley came in.
But instead of a pale discounted
face, she wore a most radiant aspect.
Her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks
were crimsoned with an unusual glow.
She went up to Miss Pugsley (who was
a good soul, although not fair to look
upon), and Alice Fortescue could hear
her say in low tones:
Dear Harriet. congratulate me.
to be married next "eek. | have just
tell you all about it by-and-by. l am
going to see the madame now"
Like wildfire the news spread
through the room. The girls looked
blankly at each other.
cit can't be possible!" cried Leila
Wharton.
Il only know what I heard her
say" declared Alice, looking half
frightened.
Il am so gladw exclaimed Louise
Belville, joyously clapping her hands
''oh, so glad!'
While in madam's little sanctum,
Ruth Barley was telling the worthy
preceptress how John Bates had
travelled half around the world-hOw he
had been prisoner in the heart of
Africa for months-how at last he had
esta blished himself in good business
in South America, and had finally
come back to claim the promise Ruth
had given him long ago.
He has written again and again."
she said, land he can't understan
how it is that he never got any answer
But how could reply to letters that
never reached mep"
Madame kissed the futtering little
COVER! ess in her slow and stately way.
My dear, congratulate you," she
said. ''Of course, deeply as l regret
losing a good teacher, | shall not OBJ
ject to cancellIng your engagement
with me, under the circumstances"
And she smiled and nodued, and
looked preternaturally wise.
''How did it happen?" said John
Bates.
why in the most natural way in
the world. | came in on the evening
stage, and when | got to the little
stone stile and footpath that led
down to the old spot, | told the driver
to leave my traps at the hotel, and I'd
take the ,ort cut through the woods,
seeing that it was such fine night
and the moon at full just an excuse
you know to look aG the rememberep
haunt. And as stood there, thinking
of the happy old times, who should
come right into the glade but Ruthie
herself, just as if it were only yester-
day that we parted!'
But" cried Miss Barley-Mrs.
Bates she was now-'who could have
sent me that note? John declares he
didn't. How could he, when he didn't
even know that was teaching at the
seminaryP'
'Why of course it was he!" said
everyone.
And deny it vehemently as he would,
no one believed him.
,