Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-04-28

snd butter and baked pears, while,
through the open window, she could see
the children disportlng themselves in the
March winds, and hear the music OF
their merry shouts. If school had been
in session, she would decorously have
read the letter and replaced it in Its
euvelope. AS 1T was, she flung It
rapturous to the ceiling with cry OF
ioy. caught it again and, springlng to
her feet, clapped her hands ike
child.
ooh. thank goodness-thank good
nessl" she exclaimed ecstatically. "lt
will all be right nowl Papa can go to
the South right away. Will can have
his school outfit, and we can pay Squire
Auour all the back rent that has been
owing for yearl Oh, it was so good
Of Jndoe Mellen to interest himself in
my poor little affairs am 50 glad that
I thought of writing to him !"
Miss Middleworth could hardly con-
duct the district school to the end OF its
afternoon session, SO joyfully disqulcted
was her mind.
"Teacher's in love-" said the biggest
Girl in a whisper to the next biggest
girl. ..u;.o -
singing school," muttered the next big
oest girl, who was IN hopeless despair
over an interest SUM on her slate.
How gladly Miss Frank Middleworth
locked the battered schoolhouse door al
lest! How rapidly she walked home
ward! She was almost vexed at meet
ing Reginald Augur at the cross-roao
by the old stone mill.
His face Enlightened up at sight ol
her.
ooh, Frank" said he. 81 was JUS
wishing to see your
The government clerk elect, " dreV
herself Up. Mr.. Augur need not nav'
been so familiar with her, she thought
"Indeed" she uttered somewhat frg
idly. -
eled.
,My cousin, Mrs. Evelyn, wants gov
srpesg'" said she. "The family is small
and she's willing to pay five hundre'
dollars year. And you know you hav
ALWAYS wanted to go the city,"
ayes, I know" said Miss Middle
worth, with chilling Indifference. "Bu
I have changed my mind"
Reginald Augur looked at her in amaze
ment.
"Frank," he said, shave Ofende'
youa" ,,
YOU offend me Butt am apPolnte
to an Office in Washington. am to hav
eleven hundred dollars year.
"And leave US, FrankG' he exclaimed
She bit her LIP.
zone cannot always stay In the sam
place like crooked apple-tree or lin
net gro wing to the rock, " said she.
uBut, Frank, listen to meV pleade
Mr.. Augur. 81 am to commence tt
practice of law on my own account ne1
month. My father will receive me in'
equal partnership, and then
"I am very happy to hear it," sal
Miss Middleworth, absently.
"And then,' persisted Reginald,
shall be able to marry. And il"
"YesG" Frank lifted her eyebrows
provokingly enough. 81 hope you wi
get a very good wife. am sure y'
will both have my best wishes"
Young Augur's frank, boyish face lei
oI had hoped" he began, lit
awkwardlY.
"Surely, cannot be at all interestt e
in your hopes, interrupted Miss Mlddl
worth. "Let me pass, please. I'm II
great hurry to-day" -,
Reginald Augur stood aside, with
sharp pang at his heart He had love
Frank Mlddleworth ever since he cou
remember. He had always install'
her, as queen, in all the visionary castl
in the air which he had built within
own brain. And here she had aOdics
ed Of her own free will and flung
offering away. ~
Frank. herself, felt little conscIo
stricken as she walked hurriedly {
Reginald Augur had all the winn'
manner and sterling goodness OF natu
which would naturally commend thel
selves to any feminine heart. she Il
alwsys liked him-.nay, she had on
almost believed that she loved him
but this new development had chang
the whole aspect Of her world