Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-05-23
THROUGH THE FURNACE.

s Julie. the fires are coming nearer; l
wish YOU would dismiss school, and go to
town with mel don't like to leave you
here"
II should he 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
1 "I3ut the Others are not so dear to me. "
= "You are selfish, and-very presum-
ing"
! "Oh, very well. Then 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 horses
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 "the erik, {"
which was a creek only in wet seasons,
and at others, as now, but a 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 a few struggling trees
overshadowed the humble seminary of
learning itself.
The horizon was a woody circle, be-
vond which rolled up dark, ominous
looking clouds-great purplish shadows
that filed the heavens. made the air
thick and oppressive, and disguised the
sun itself as n suilen. ovCrgrown moon.
1t was still early. but there was no
dewy freshness or breezy GOODNESS, moth
ing bright and invigurating, such as
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 whitcned the skies.
One or two farmhouses. with their
small "cleGriugS' attached. winding
road with bushes ON either side dropping
over 1t, and Il creeping team in the dis
tance were the only signs Of civilization
discernible in the monotonous wilder
ness. destined TO be more dreary before
the day was over.
"Haye you nothing more to say to me,
julie"
Il do not think Of anything at pres
ent," the little teacher said. wi,h aggra-
waiting coolness.
"Well-you will not 60 to the party
to-night:"
Il think shall If you cannot trust
me by myself at an ordinary neighbor-
hood gathering, l cannot be- We orth 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 umsuspecting, so
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 even
know you, to laugh and chatter about
YOU for weeks afterward. To please me,
dear Julie, remain away and disappoint
them
"Yes, and create more wonderment
and expostulations than it is all worth. |
have promised my simple hearted friends
and pupils to he present, and shall go,
and don't care for your town compan-
ions, or-for you either.
"You do not mean that, surely. Come,
Julia, have ridden five miles this morn
ing. left the store to the mercies of a
green clerk, to see you, and to speak one
word of warning. Give me a kind word
before 90, and the smile have dreamed
of for days. to cheer and reassure me"
But Harry Selden bent in vain TO catch a
glance from the deep blue eyes, veiled so
obstinately by their long black lashes.
Il can stay no longer, Julia, and your
scholars are coming through the woods.
You are not treating me fairly, and will
see it yourself presently" lie pressed
her passive hand, and vaulted into the
saddle.
"Good-by If the fires come closely,
dismiss school and go home. The Cleaver
place is safe, think, as there are fields of
plowed ground round it. Good-by, dear. "
"Good-by, Harry" she said, little
more softly; but his restless horse was
claiming his attention, and soon he was
speeding down the road like the wind.
Julia Atherton looked after him mo-
ment with a moisture gathering in her
lustrous eyes. The shouts Of the chill
dren rang out nearer, and glimmers of
pink calico and blue gingham peeped
now and then through the branches
Sentiment and self must be resolutely
put aside.
II don't care. He had no right to
suppose / was not able to deal with those
fops from town, and he should not at
tempt to control my actions"
Nevertheless she was very heavy heart
ed as she turned to call her little flock