The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-04-07

am Miss b ssington"-with her most
engaging air of welcome. please
walk in. l hope you haven't been very
much tired by the journey
It's Kate" whispered Chrissy. sud-
dcnly overcome by rangs of compunc-
ton. Don't let her know told you
about her temper"
Il am afraid there is some mistake"
said the gentleman, pausinS in the very
act of taking his wallis OF. OF the wagon.
'.Ny name j. no. Dorrsncr. And / was
going to NJ. Fa.kn rs place. where l
have engaged board :or the winter. l
am John Wilder, TIC principal OF the
Graded School,"
Chrissy dropped the rcias. jumped
out of the wagon and ran to hide her
self in the hay mows of the barn.
The Morefields stared harder than
ever. Kate BIessington looked in
tinitcly puzzled.
Dear me" said she; "it's one of
Christmas blunders. We were very
foolish to have trusted her. Do come
in, Mr.. Wilder'-with a still more win
some smile-''and rest yourself. and
have some tea. We are all anxiety to
become acquainted with our new prin-
cipal. Pete! Pete! don't unharness the
horse! Go right back to the depot.
Mr.. Dorrance must be waiting there
yetw
But Mr.. Wilder, with a curious OK
preston of the mouth and eyes, declined
Miss Blessington's invitation.
He would so Immediately to Mr..
Falkner's. he said, if they would be
good enough to tell him in what direc-
ton it was.
And so he bowed himself away.
An hour or so afterward, the depot
wagon from Smiley bridge, the next Sta
ton above, brought Mr.. Dorrance, a
withered little old man, who wore a
wig and walked with a gold-headed
cane.
There wasn't anyone at the lower
depot to meet me-" said he. "And 1
was told could get hack at Smiley
bridge. two miles further on; aad I'm
no walker, so just stepped back into
the train; so here l am. Aad I'd like
my tea at six o'clock, if you please, and
rye bread and bakei apples with it.
For haven't got Lack my digestion
yet, and the doctor is very particular
about my diet"
Chrissy B!essingto1 was very silent
and dispirited when she made her
appearance in the Graduating Glass of
the Graded School at the opening of the
fall term, and she scarcely venturcd to
look at Mr.. Wilder, as he entered her
name at the head of the list
At recess she fingered little, as if
there was something on her mind.
"Well" said the principal. kindly.
SIN so sorry that said those foolish !
things" burst ont Chrissy. with tears
sparkling in her eyes. THAT day, yoa
know, that l took you for the city
boardcr. and drove you to our house
please. please forget them KITE and
George are always telling me that
shall get into mischief with nv tongue
and now know that they arc
r-r-riGht."
And poor Chrissy broke into a sob. In
spite of ali her self control.
my child, do not fret yourself"
said Mr.. Wilder. Il will remember
nothing that you woull have me for
get"
At the end of the year. when the
SHOWS lay white on the hilltops. Mr..
Dorrance was still boarding az the Bics-
sington cottage, and tormenting every
body on the subject of his "liet."
Georgia was getting ready for her
to the army officer. Kate was
her solitary blesscdncss, and
Chrissy---li,t!e CIrlssy, who was not vet
seventeen-was actually engaged to Mr..
Wilder, the Lew priGcipa! Of the Graded
School
Though, Of course" said Mrs. Blcs-
sington, ''she can't be married for a
year yet. Why, she il nothing but a
child"
''But don't miad waiting little
while" said Chrissy. to her fiancec.
"For the family all treat me with respect
now. Kate don't car, IN hoy nv nor,