The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-05-02

long, cOiQ drive, hau UuiilDg eucct-
as did his subtle, growing bsppines;
after his long dreariness. He was al.
most sleepy.
He wore a bland, contented smile
which puzzled the school---thc scholars
admired him, however. He was not
very distinctly aware of anything; be
knew history class succeeded the
geography, and a spelling class the his
tory, and that two additional spelling
classes followed, and that Molly was
speaking to the school in her bright
tones---something about next week
work; and that she was giving a mill.
sounding order-one, two, three
and that the school was filing out with
well-trained precision; and that at last,
at last, he and Molly were left alone in
the warm, CHEEKY, dusty schoolroom.
"Did you-dld you come 10 take me
homer" she said, hurricdiy and breath
lessly, as though afraid of the silence.
And she went to the far end of the
room and began erasing figures from the
blackboard.
"That's what" said Harry, emphatic.
ally. Don't you want to goa I'll bring
you back Monday morning."
A faint murmur in reply.
81 thought you'd give it up after q
week of it. Shan't youa Do you like
your boarding placer"
Molly erased in silence.
ats jolly little school," he burst
forth, warmly, "and you're jolly little
teacher! 1 don't care what you're doing
it forts gorgeous SUGGEST"
All his bitterness was gone, and be
laughed ht-heartedly and immoderate.
ly.
"Molly," he cried, s'what is the mat
ter?"
He was over at the blackboard the next
minute.
Molly was crying. 1t was more than
her lover could credit, but she was cry.
ing.
"You-you came SO suddenly" she
whispered, chokingly. 81 wasn't look
ing for you, and-oh, dear!"
She gave up and turned away, help.
lessly fearful.
But Harry turned, too, andy nc
means could he help it-put his strong
and comforting arm around her.
1t was question after that of who
should break the silence, which stretched
itself alarmingly.
Harry did at last. For light had
had broken over him, and he meant to
sift matters.
"What made you do it, Molly2" he de.
"Was it--could it be anything
to do with me2"
A silence, and then a low murmur.
And, under protest, few more tears.
"Good gracious!" the young man cried.
"You never believed that2 Molly Paine,
you didn't9 By George! who put thai
into your head2"
"Jenny Ford, the injured tones muir.
INJURED.
Jenny Ford!" said Harry. in stag.
hiss.
She was the pretty girl he had disliked
1T the party because she was not Molly.
Now he abominated her.
sis she crazyl" he fumed.
"She said she'd heard it."
"But anybody knows better-every.
body! You, Molly! Have you lived in
Perry all your days not to know that I'm
Alvira Austen's cousin2"
81 knew you were some distant con.
nection," Molly whispered, trying to ge:
her hand free, and failing.
'1'm her first cousin third remove, as
hey say. We're third cousins. Well,
md you know she's quite some Older
han I2''
81 didn't think that made any differ. |
,nce. She's pretty and stylish"
$50 she is; and good girl beside!"
laid Harry, warmly. "There's only ono
orettier and better. Well, and you knew
The was going to marry Mr.. John Chap
nan, of Pomeroy, next March-ths !
you know9"
"No, never!" said Molly, stoutly.
"She is, though, and good match he |
s. One thing you did know, Molly"
said Harry, gravely, "and that is that ! |
never cared for anybody but you, and
never would and never could. To have |
doubted what you knew so well, all for
nonsensical rumorl Molly"
He softly boxed her ears.
"Come now" he said, when a second |
lappy silence was overland he laughed |
gain, neutrality-suspicious., you're not |
,oing to teach school any longer9 Now
hat you've proven that you're utterly |
Indifferent to me, and entirely able to |
axe care of yourself, and more than
anxious to get along without me, went
7ou say goodbye to district number
welve?"