The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-05-10

HEX LOt Elk GAME BACk.
"Barleycorn is in brown study
again." said Leila Wharton. Look
at her, with her elbows on the desk,
and her head in her hands. I've been
watching her, and she hasn't stirred
for five minutes"
"What on earth do you suppose she
is thinking about?" said Alice Fortes-
cue
1t was on a cherries October after
noon, and the last dull rays of day
light were Illuminating the deserted
schoolroom. where Miss Barley-nick-
named by the giddy girls of Apple
nook Seminary ''Barleycorn," simply
because in a schoolgirl atmosphere it
is absolutely necessary that every
one should have nickname-sat there
all alone.
Leila and Alice had been out to get
autumn leaves. and now in the dusk
they were fiattening their fresh young
faces against the window-glass, watch
ing ner on the sly.
isn't she plain?" said Leila, with a
shudder. 'tAnd so old, too! Why,
she's eight-and-twenty if she's a day!
That at leastw declared Alice in a
whisper.
TO these fifteen and sixteen year old
''slips" eight-and-twenty summers re-
present quite a venerable old age.
81 do wonder, Leila, what she is
thinking about?'
Her lover, l suppose" said little
Miss Wharton with grimace.
Il h. Shn hoI 4,
thing in her lifew cried Alice. "She,
indeed! With such a crooked nose,
and eyes just the color of green.
clouded marblc.'
''She had, though" said Leila; 81
know, because old Mrs. Blackmore
told me. And he went away some,
where and never came back. Or else
he forgot all about her-l don't really
recollect which it was. He must
have been perfect gorilla, or he never
would have fancied her! And his name
was John Bates! Think of that
John Bates:'
Everybody can't have three sylla.
bled names, observed Alice. '.And-
Oh, how cold the wild wind sweeps uE
from the lake! Let's 90 in."
And rouse Barleycorn?"
''She can't sit there pondering al
night"
The lamps were lighted, the sound o.
the Changing tea-bel summoned the
| hungry young swarm of damsels to {
repast of freshly-baked brown bread
apple-sauce, and mugs of milk.
Miss Barley looked up from her desl
as Alice and Leila came by, arm-in
| arm, with clusters of scarlet leaves il
| their hats
Miss Fortcscue," said she quietly,
"these French exercise are disgraceful
| You will nave to do them over agair
| before bedtime"
Alice Fortescue's pretty brown
brows knit themselves together petu
| lantly.
Before bedtime? But I can't, Miss
Barley. I'm to sew bows on my nea
silk dress tonight. l shall want tc
wear it at the fortnightly reception to-
morrow"
The French exercises must be at
| tended to first"
"Must!' impatiently cried out Alice
YES, must. But remember, Mis-:
I L
"t.-e rules are not of my making, anC
| have my orders to see that they art
| enforced"
Alice brushed by without a word O.
reply. her fair brow clouded over, hel
rosebud lips twisted into pout
Gross old thing" she muttered tt
Leila; "to spoil my evening sor'
| Its just what she likes to do," saiC
Leila, full of sympathy; ''but I'll tel
| you how you can manage, Alice
| Cleo-a Field will do the exercises fol
! you if you give her some of those
cream chocolates you bought to-day
and yon and l viii play lovely tricb
on old Barleycorn."
The cloud vanished from Alice
Fortescue's forehead; the lips became
a perfect Cupid's bow of coral once
more.
! Wen write her note," whispered
| Leila; "we'll make her think that hel
lover wants to see her again. Fancy
old Barleycorn vending her way t.
the Chapel Pond by moonlight, Il
meet somebody who isn't there
Fancy her disappointment! And oh
Alice, only think what a capital story
4 IL VIII IldhS 1OI the OiElS.
And the two malicious young con
spirators giggled together in an ecstasy
of glee.
1t was a cruel plot, but Alice anC
Leila were very young, and had never
known the envenomed pangs of hope
| deferred. That was theil only excuse
Miss Barley had finished her shar,
of the daily treadmill of lessons, day
or so afterwards, and had gone out Il
get breath of fresh air in the drear,
poplar walk at the north end of tht
house. when a rough-looking little boy
with frost-nipped fingers and toes. anC
great black eyes, like those of gipsy
sided up to her and slipped a folded
uit of paper into her hand.
Twas told to give it to you, miss,
said he, aud vanished ike a human
squirrel into the strawberries.
Ruth Barley looked after him il
surprise, and then she opened the note
In it were printed. i'll rude imitation
of Roman letters, the words:
''ln the old place beside the Chape
Pond at nine tonight, John Bate
has returned"
Miss Barley grew very pale; then tn
blood rushed i'll a scaldin@ torren
through every vein in her body.
John Bates. Was she dreaming
Or was the thread of that sweet oIt