The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-06-09

l
She dropped the spelling book she held, and
her voice was hardly steady Us she expressed
| her qualification at seeing him.
Evidently. Steve reflected, some idiot had
pointed hlm out to her at church the other
| evening He sat down IN front seat feeling
! unpleasantly ogerlSh
She was hearing the last spelling class
How pretty she looked standing there in her
dark blue calico dress and white apron
What sweet voice she had. though putting
out "hen, men, pen" to a lot OF tldgeting
youngsters could hardly show it 10 the best
advantage.
When the class was dismissed and the last
small student had rushed whoopIng down the
street, the teacher and the young director
stood looking ut each other with some awk-
wardneSs
II thought I'd come in" said Steve at last,
alphabetically, and see If anything IL
| ueeded."
He did not mention the fact OF his being
some six weeks late in the Performance OF his
duty
The girl dropped her eyes timidly
"l-dOnt think So" she murmured.
What brute she must think me-" Steve
reflected with some self disgust.
He turned cerelessly to the corner where
TIE broom stood
"lsn't this pretty far goneT he said with a
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," girl assented
lnt
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
an they started away together, and, having
taken it, could hardly surrender it short Of
Ar. Larkins gate.
He was little reluctant to surrender it
even then. For their first awkwardness had
quito worn OFF, their walk had been far from
unpleasant, and they we're feeling very well
acquainted
He walked home in an agreeable absorp-
ton, repeating TO himself tho things she had
said, and recalling her pretty way OF saying
them
He did not pause to consider that it 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 as
though he was going 10 have the teacheri'
IhntT gntI 10,
plainablc sinking of the heart.
He's hanging around considerable, any
how" said Mr., Larkiu. "Went TO visit the
school last week, and he was asking me to-
day whether Moliy's got any way Of get
ting home Friday night He said he'd Just
rs lief take her in his buggy as not Molly
generally walks, but guess she'll be glad of
a lift"
lyon 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 Sanborn's daughter had
to doa
But he only said. deprecatDgly:
"Well, Lyme's a good steady fellow"
"Humph% was the scornful rejoinder
The young man unused long and seriously
when his visitor was gone, and went to bed
with a lighter heart, having como to firm
conclusion.
When the now teacher closed school the
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 tho four
miles walk home serve to cheer her.
She locked the door and started down the
path with sigh.
A neat little buggy was coming briskly up
the road. Molly gave start as the driver
pulled up the horse and sprang to the
ground.
1t was the young director and he was com.
ing toward her
~ won't make any excuses, Miss Sanford, n
he said, with humorous solemnity. IL 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 a carefully laid plot.
win you be an alder and abettorf'
The little teacher laughed approximately as
he helped her into the buggy.
81 must stop at Mr.. l.arkin's and leave my
dinner pail, she said demurely.
Mr.. Larkin was standing at the front gate.
He stood staring at the young director, az
the latter assisted the teacher to the ground
and sat down on the horse block waiting for
her.
Lyme Doty was here after Molly Just
now" he said gaspingly. al sent him down
to tho school house"
ave met him" said Steve "You see," he
added, making q bold attempt ut careless
ness, but speaking, nevertheless, in a shame
faced way, and avoiding the little mans eye,
"You see, feel Us though it's my bounden
duty to keep Lyme Doty away from her.
Pure impudence, his hanging around her that
way"
Tho little teacher came tripping back, and
tho young directors buggy whired away In
q cloud of dust,
"Steve Tenney's taking Molly home In bis
buggy" said MIR. Larkin, joining his wife In
tho kitchen and sinking dazedly into chair.
al guess the worlds coming to an endl"
"Stovo Tenney amt fool" his wife re
sponded practically. 81 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 humoI
of tho situation dawned upon hun. won
der how far his sense of duty win TAX,
himP' Al tt' -.
| al shouldn't be- strprised mt anythfncf