The record-union., 1893-06-24

sAe must go Mr.. higgins came IN, and in
an abrupt and earnest manner asked her
II she could teach skule?' "We've bin
thinkin' fur quite a spell of gittin' up a
class fur the gals and bys, and you might
as we'll heY the money ez eny one, an l
reckon you kin teach 'em."
And so 1t was arranged. Reiba was to
undertake to teach the children that lived
near enough to go to school, and was al
lowed the sum of sixty dollars and her
board for her trouble. Twas an ample
sum for all her wants, and she could live
on with the old folks who had proved
such kind friends to her. An old barn
was arranged and fixed up for the pur-
pose until such time as a new one could
be built, and here, on a fine Monday
morning in April, Reiba Crayton, heiress
to the Crayton estates, began her sway as
country school ma'am" in a small
district in Maine
Things went on smoothly, the children
grew to love their teacher, and took an
interest in their studies. The parents
thought there was no one like Reiba and
to Reiba they all came in their trouble,
for they were sure of comfort.
There were many tourists from the
large cities to the woods Of Maine during
the summer months, hunting in the
woods and fishing in the numerous
streams. The school marm" made
many friends among these, and many a
gentleman of wealth and culture would
have given much to have her share his
home. But for all these there was
gentle nay. There always came before
her the deep, blue eyes OF Leon Humph-
reys, and the kind smile he always gave
her. The white brow and golden hair,
the tender mouth. shaded by its fair,
SILKY mustache, always shone before
Reiba's eyes, and she felt that to none
other could her promise to 'Iove, honor
and Obeyp be given
Three years passed, and Reibas life
was becoming almost unbearabIe, when
a little incident occurred which stirred
her into life.
The little tin box she guarded so care
fully was always kept sitting on the little
mantel over the Fireplace. One night
the inmates of the Higgins household
were aroused by the cry of fire. When
Relba awoke her room was all ablaZe She
had only time to snatch her clothing
lying on chair, catch the little box from
the mantel and make her escape. In go
ing down the stairs her foot caught in
the mating and she stumbled and fell,
dropping the little box on the stairs. In
her hurry and excitement she forgot the
box and left it. When she thought Of it
in the morning and looked among the
ruins it was gone.
The girl who did the cooking for Mrs.
higgins had often cared for Reiba's room,
oAlNl l1OLiOCNI tu5 IlLGl6 Llu DOAs oQ6 knew
Relba had money somewhere. and con-
Guided it must be there. She had been
on the ground early after the fire, and
seeing the little box lying there sound as
WREN twas dropped, picked it UP and
carried 1t away with her. Upon opening it
she found nothing but papers, and not
being able to read these closed the box
and put it away for future reference, and
Ro1ba concluded it was lost in the fire,
nor knew for many months that it was in
the hands of Sally Brown.
The house was rebuilt, school went on
and Reiba's life was much the same as
before. She grew restless and dissatified,
She felt she could not stand her own life,
and longed for change in the monotony
Of her path. She little knew how soon a
change was to come.
1t was October now. The grass was
golden; the bleak winds swept the leaves
of crimson and gold from the trees and
LETT their branches naked and shivering.
The birds were beginning to talk to their
mates OF seeking warmer climate.
The children had nodded a good night
to their teacher, and had trooped home,
leaving her alone. The tiny clock on the
desk gazed at her with a countenance al
most sympathetic it's little hands pointed
to /, and its silvery voice chime1 the
hour.
Reiba's eyes stared softly and SADLY at
~ AOA d LIOul6LIL, Lu6Il uOI IlCe was bowed
on the desk. She thought it all over
then. All her life since she had known
kathle. Before that she had not lived at
all. She thought OF the many days spent
at the old Hall; the first birthday dinner:
would she ever forget that, or the many
days of JOY and sorrow at the Hall,
crowded into her life since then? She
thought of those days at school; of her
earnest work and Kathie's passionate
grief and misery. She wondered if
kathie was happy now; surely she was.
1t would be terrible to think her sacrifice
had been for naught.
She thought of their return to the Hall,
and of hathie's marriage. She thought
of the nurses death and her discovery
finally of her departure. But most of
ali she thought OF Leon Humphreys, and
her own wasted, passionate, longing love
for him. The tears were streaming
through her fingers now; her form was
shaking with convulSive sobs.
Down the road a solitary horseman was
riding shivering in the bleak wind, He
came up the road to the little school
house, his head bowed on his chest his
eyes sad and thoughtful.
The wind whistled around the corner:
the fire in the stove died out; Reiba was
quiet now and prayed for strength. The
solitary hOrseman rode on.
The tiny clock licked slower now-the
hands moved wearily. There was a step
on the porch; the little clock stopped as
Reiba rose with suspended breath and
turned her eyes toward the door.
on the threshold stood bronzed and
bearded stranger. Reiba's face was white
as death, but, with an indescribabIe long
ing, she stretched her hands toward him.
In another instant they were taken: then
she was gathered close, close to his throb-
bing heart.
When she would have withdrawn he
clasped her closer-"This is your place
my darling. Here, here close to my heart"
and then he told her how since he had
left her he had thought constantly of her.
How at first he would not allow himseif
to dream of happiness with her, but his
heart turned to her more and more.
You are the one woman for me, Reiba.
and now that l know you love me | can
not be content until you are mine. You
must come with me to England where
you shall bless my life with your sweet
presence"
But, Leon, do you know you are mar
rying woman without home or money:
without even a name?" and she hung
her head while the crimson flooded neck
and face.
Never mind about friends, home and
money. All that / have shall be yours.
As for name-a spotless name is the one
the angels write in the Golden Book" and
he kissed her face reverently.
The wind had ceased moaning, and did
not blow so cold; the fire in the stove
blazed brightly, and the little clock
sprung into life and ticked merrily on.
The Loneliness was dying out OF Reiba's
life, and her face was transhgured with
happiness, aud so they walked home
hand in hand, their faces toward the
sun.
What need to dwell upon the sorrowful
farewell OF Reiba and her warm friends
the happiness of once more being on
English soil.
They Were married in the Little Chnr.h