Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-04-11
THROUGH THE FURNACE.

guile. the fires are coming nearer: |
wish you would dismiss school. and go to
town with mel don't like to leave you
here"
II should be weak minded girl, in
deed, to shut up the school house and
send the children home for little
smoke. | am in no more danger than
the others.
"But the others are not so dear to me"
"You are selfish, and-very presum-
ing"
"Oh. very well. Then l may as well
say good-by."
There was no answer, and for some
moments the two silently stood in the
hazy September sunlight, with the dull
mists and a strange quiet all about
them. The young man, dark eyed,
handsome and strong, held his horse S
bride in his hand ready to leap into the
saddle, yet with an unsatisfied, troubled
air. hesitating to do so while the young
girl with her dimpled hands in her
dainty apron pockets, looked provOkingly
Indifferent and pretty.
On the knoll behind them stood low,
log school house-twenty years ago log
houses were no novelty in northwestern
Ohio-and back of that 1.-THE erik. =
which was a creek only in wet seasons,
and at others as now. but q succession
of grassgrown 'swales." sleeping in the
dry heat. with SANDY desert" appear
ance. On three sides the low oak woods.
with their dead looking branches and
Curled up leaves. came down to the very
school yard, and few struggling trees
overshadowed the humble seminary of
learning itself.
The horizon was woody circle, be-
yond which rolled up dark. ominous
looking clouds-great purpllsh shadows
that filled the heavens, made the air
thick and oppressive, and disguised the
sun itself as sullen, overgrown moon.
1t was still early, but there was no
dewy freshness or breezy GOODNESS, moth
ing bright and invigorating, such as a
well disposed morning is expected to
bring; the red glows that had shown out
against a starless sky all night had sim
ply paled as the gray light crept on and
turned into black, heaving piles as the
dawn whitened the skies.
One or two farmhouses, with their
small "clcarings' attached, a winding
road with bushes on either side dropping
over it, and a creeping team in the dis
lance. were the only signs Of civilization
discernible in the monotonous wilder
ness. destined to be more drearv before
the day was over
"IIave you nothing more to say to me.
julie"
Il do not think of anything at pres
emit" the little teacher said, with aggra-
waiting GOODNESS.
"Well-you will not go to the party
to-night:'
Il think shall. If you cannot trust
me by myself at AN ordinary neighbor-
hood gathering, cannot be worth any
anxiety of mind on your part.
1T is not that, dear. But ] know
those fellows from town too well. They
intend to come out for the sole purpose
of seeing the pretty little schoolma'am
and ridiculing the natives, as they say
You are naturally so unsuspecting, ST
sweet and kind in your disposition they
will misunderstood and take advantage
of what they will term your simplicity.
If | come, knowing | had not intended
it, they will believe could not trust you
| cannot endure that they should ever
know you. to laugh and chatter abou
you for weeks afterward. To please me
dear Julie, remain away and disappoin
them
"NCs. and create more wOndermen
and eApostulalions than it is all worth
have promised my simple hearted friend
and pupils to be present, and shall go
and | don't care for your town cOmpan
ions, or-for you either
"NOu do not mean that. surely. Come
Julia, | have ridden five miles this morn
ing, left the store to the mercies of
green 81 rk, to see YOU, ANA to speak on
word Of warning. Give me a kind wor,
before 20. and tho smile | nave drcane,
of for days. to cheer and reassure me
But Harry Selden bent in vain to catch
glance from the deep blue eyes, yelled s.
obstinatcly by their long black lashes.
Il can stay 40 longer. Julia, and you
scholars are coming through the woods
You are not treating me fairly, and vii
see it yourself presently lie presses
her passive hand, and vaulted into tn
saddle
Good-by. If the fires come closely
dismiss school and 60 home. The Cleave
place is safe, | think, as there are fields o
plowed ground round il. Good-by, dear.
"Good-by, Harry she said, littl
more softly; but his restless horse wa
claiming his attention, and soon he wa
speeding down the road like the wind
Julia Atherton looked after him mo
ment with a moisture gathering in he
lustrous eyes. The shouts of the chill
dren rang out nearer. and glimmers o
pink calico and blue Bingham peepe'
now and then through the branches
Sentiment and self must be resolutel
put aside.
81 don't care. He had no right /
suppose | was not able To deal with thos
tops from town. and he should not al
Tempt To control my actions
Nevertheless she was very heavy heart
L AS she turned to gall her little floc