The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-13
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| up, Oll, ana LII SIano SudrO'
The elm was tall and straight,
towering over the gateway like giant
sentinel, but Gil had no trouble in
CHM ing it, and though the nest was
| on one of the highest branches, he
soon had his eggs safe in his cap.
But as he was about to descend, the
front door suddenly opened, and ont on
the wide veranda stepped Mrs. Sloane.
Aunt Betsy and Madge, while behind
them came the professor, carrying an
arn1tut of camp-chairs.
Gil drew back in disInay, for the
house stood scarcely twenty feet from
the gate, and besides, Prof Sloane was
the principal of the high school, and
Gil knew only too well that he was
already in disgrace with him.
But they won't be likely to stay
there long" he thought, at the same
time congratulating himself that the
heavy LEAKAGE furnished SO good a
screen, they'll find it too cool"
The family, however, seemed to have
no disposition to go indoors.
How pleasant it is out here" re-
marked Aunt Betsy, taking her knit
ting from the bag that hung at her
belt.
Its delightful" said Mrs. Sloane,
leaning back in her chair with such an
air of comfort that poor Gil, wedged in
a narrow fork of the elm, could not help
envying her. tits so still and shady.
Seems to me the old elm's more leafy
than usual this year." she added, look
ing up admiringly at the spreading
boughs.
80! mammal cried Madge, 81 do be-
lieve there's an orioles nest in that
tree. 1 saw an oriole flying in and out
this morning"
81 hope none of those wretched boys
will find it if there is said Mrs.
Sloane. Its shameful the way they
are robbing the nests"
They'd better keep off these prem
Uses if they don't want to be arrested"
said the professor, savagely.
The situation was growing critical.
eff only a swarm of mosquitoes
would come up from the marsh and
drive them into the house!'' muttered
Gil; but not a hum was to be heard.
Neither had he anything to hope from
the coming on of night, for a full moon,
high in the east, just opposite the elm,
was growing steadily brighter and
making every fe allure of the landscape
stand out with frightful clearness.
Meanwhile Jack, tired of acting as
picket, had deserted his post and gone
home to supper. Gil saw him as he
darted from his covert, and his heart
sank within him. The knowledge that
Jack was crouching behind the fence
had given him comforting sense of
companionship, and to be left in the
lurch in this way completely shattered
for the time his faith in Jacks friend
ship.
How much longer were those people
going to sit there, he wondered, as stiff
and hungry he peered down at the coy
group on the veranda. The town clock
struck eight.
suppose we go in and have some
music" said Madge, presently.
BLESS her little i1eart!" calculated
Gil, under his breath; but just then
there was click of the gate latch, and
Gil, to his horror, saw Miss Martha
Parks, from across the way, walk in.
Now Miss Parks was the assistant in
the high school, and Gil had good reason
to suspect that she had come to report
him to the professor, for scarcely day
passed thai he did not try her patience
almost beyond endurance.
But Miss Parks showed no disposition
to discuss school affairs. She talked of
the fine weather and the moonlight
nights and seemed to forget for the
time that she had anything to do with
teaching. But just as Gil was beginning
to take heart the professor startled him
by saying:
"What have you decided to do with
that young reprobate, Miss Parks?'
"Who-Gil? Gil Crampton?" said
Miss Parks, slowly. Really, professor,
don't know what to do with him. He
is sad trial to me, l must confess. Still
/ should be sorry to have to resort to
extreme measures.
Just as you please" said the profess
sor, in his curt way. You have the
hardest part of it, but if he doesn't turn