Wichita eagle., 1888-08-03


her qualification At seeing him.
Evidently, Steve reelected, some idiot had
pointed him out to her ct church the other
evening He sat down In front seat feeling
unpleasautly ogerish.
She was hearing the last spelling clasA
how pretty she looked standing there in her
dark blue calico dress and white apron.
What . sweet voice she had. though putting
ont ''hen, men, PEN" to lot Of hdgeting
youngsters could hardly show It TO tho best
advantage.
When the class was dismissed and the last
street, the teacher and the young director
wardnee&
81 thought Pd CONS in," said Steve at Last,
apologetically, land SEQ Il anything b
needed"
He did not mention the fact Of his being
some six weeks late In tho Performance Of his
duty.
The girl dropped her eyes timidly.
'T-don't think So" she murmured
'What a brute she must think me" Steve
reflected, with some self disgust
Ho turned care'essly to the corner where
the broom stood
"1sn't this pretty far gone" he said with q
conscience stricken glance at its stubby end.
And the little teacher nodded.
"Your water pail seems to leak" the direc-
tor went ON, indicating the empty bucket
and the wet floor.
"Yes," the girl assented
"fH see that you have new ones" Steve
concluded
And he was rewarded by grateful glance
from the teachers soft eyes, as she took her
hat from its nail
He took her lunch basket from her hand
IA they started away together, and, having
taken 1t, could hardly surrender It short Of
Mr.. Larkin's gate.
He was a little reluctant to surrender Il
even then. For their first awkwardness had
quite worn OF; their walk had been far from
unpleasant. and they were feeling very well
acquainted
He walked home in an agreeable absorb
ton, repeating to himself the things SHE had
said, and recalling her pretty way OF saying
them.
He did not pause to consioer that Il was
old John Sanborn's daughter of whom he
was thinking; he was only conscious that she
was bright young girl, whom it was charm
ing to look at and listen to.
His pleasant mood was rudely interrupted
by little Mr.. Larkin. who dropped in that
evening.
Lyme Doty couldn't have the school, he
observed, with a chuckle, ''but it looks a.
though he was going to have tho teacherr"
"WhatT said Steve, with q sudden unex.
plainable sinking of the heart.
Hes hanging around considerable, any
how" said Mr.. Larkin. ''Went to visit the
school last week, and he was asking me to-
day whether Mollys got any way OF get
ting home Friday night He said he'd just
as Lief take her in his buggy as not Molly
generally walks; but guess she'll be glad Of
lift"
You don't mean to tell me-" said Steve.
warmly, "that she'd have anything to do
with himF
Mr.. Larkin stared. What could Steve care
with whom old John Sanborns daughter had
to dot
But he only said, deprecatingly:
well, Lyme's a good steady fellow"
"Eumphp was the scornful rejoinder.
The young man unused long and seriously
when his visitor was gone, and went to bed
with lighter heart, having como to firm
conclusion
When the now teacher closed school tho
next Friday night she was feeling rather
worn out, as she was apt to feel at the end Of
the week; nor did the prospect of the four
miles walk home servo to cheer her,
She locked tho door and started down the
path with q sigh.
A neat little buggy was coming briskly up
the road. Molly gave q start as tho driver
pulled up the horse and sprang to the
ground.
1t was the young director. and he was COM
ing toward her.
II won't make any excuses, Miss Sanford. {"
he said, with q humorous soiennity. 81 won't
say Pm going over the river on business, and
happened to think you might like to ride.
The truth is that it's q carefully laid plot.
Win you be an alder and abettorF'
Tho little teacher laughed appreciatively q
he helped her into the buggy.
81 must stop at Mr.. LArkins and leave my
dinner pail" she said, demurely
Mr.. Larkin was standing at the front gate.
He stood staring at the young director. as
the latter assisted tho teacher to the ground
her.
Lyme Doty was hero after Molly just
now" he said gaspingly. II sent him down
to the school house"
1--WE met him." said Steve "You see," he
added, making . bold attempt at careless
ness, but speaking. nevertheless, in a shame
faced way, and avoiding the little mans eye.
"You see, feel as though it's my bounden
duty to keep Lyme Dory away from her.
Pure impudenee. his hanging around her that
way"
The little teacher came tripping back, and
the young directors buggy whirled away in
q cloud Of dust.
'Steve Tsnney's taking Molly home in his
buggy" said Mr.. Larkin, joining his wife in
tho kitchen and sinking dazedly into a chair.
~ guess tho worlds coming to an endP
'Steve Tenney amt . fool" his wife re-
sponded practically II knew he'd get over
that ridiculous notion Of his-and especially
after he'd seen Molly"
Says he's doing it from sense Of duty"
said Larkin, chuckling slowly as the humor
Of the situation dawned upon him. "Won-
der how far his sense Of duty viii take
himr
IL shouldn't be surprised at anythingr
said Mrs Larkin mysteriously.
The Larkins-and, perhaps, Lyme Doty-
were tho only people who were not surprised
when the new teacher gave up the school at
tho end Of the term and was quietly married
to the young director.
The chairman of the school board Is won
dering over it yet-Hartford Daily Times
Prices Paid for Magazine Work.
Speaking few evenings ago With the ed
itor of one Of the great New York magazines,
l CHANGED to ask him as to tho present rates
paid to authors for their work His answer