The Opelousas courier., 1893-06-17

iiTYykSEsg Min. elerkship in III
III ment of the Paten
o Office, at Washington-all alone,
eating her modest little lunch of bread
and 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
envelope. As it was, she flung il
rapturous to the ceiling with a cry OF
joy, caught it again and, springing to
her feet, clapped her hands like q
child.
"oh, thank goodness-thauk good
nessl" she exclaimed ecstatically. est
will all be right nowl Papa a go to
the South right away. Will can have
his school outfit, and we can pay Squire
Augur all the back rent that has been
owing for a yearl Oh, it was so good
of Judge Mellen to interest himself in
my poor little affairs! / am so glad that
I thought of writing to himl"
Miss Middleworth could hardly SON
duct the district school to the end of its
afternoon session, SC joyfully ~disquieted
was her mind.
"Teacher's in love-" said the biggest
girl in a whisper to the next biggest
girl.
"Guess teachers got an invite to
singing school," muttered the next big
gest girl, who was IN hopeless despair
over an interest SUI on her slate.
How gladly Miss Frank Middleworth
locked the battered schoolhouse door at
lastl How rapidly she walked home
wardl She was almost vexed at meet
ing Reginald Augur at the cross-road,
by the old stone mill.
His face frightened up at sight of
her.
sob, Frank !" said he. 81 was just
wishing to see you'll"
The "government-cler elect" drew
herself up. Mr.. Augur need not have
been SO familiar with her, she thought
ssIndeed?" she uttered somewhat frig-
idly.
Honest Reginald looked rather puz.
.'My cousin, Mrs. Evelyn, wants a gov
erness," said she. s'The family is small,
and she's willing to pay five hundred
dollars a year. And you know you have
always wanted to go the CITY,"
"Yes, I. know" said Miss Middle
worth, with chilling Indifference. "But
I have changed my mind"
Reginald Augur looked at her in amaze.
ment.
"Frank," he said, "have I offended
you?"
sob. no." said she. Chow should
you offend me! Butt am appointed
to an Office in Washington. / am to have
eleven hundred dollars a year."
"And leave US, Frank9' he exclaimed.
She bit her LIP.
"One cannot always stay in the same
place like a crooked apple tree or a linn
pet growing to the rock, said she.
"But, Frank, listen to mel" pleaded
Mr.. Augur. 81 am to commence the
practice of law on my W account next
month. My father will receive me into
equal partnership, and then"
81 am very harry to hear it," said
Mjss M~iddleworth, abseutly.
"And them persisted Reginald, "I
shall be able to marry. And if"
"Yesa' Frank liftei her eyebrows
provokingly enough. Il hore you viii
get a very good wife. I am sure you
will both have my best wishes"
Young AuguF's frank, boyish faca fell.
~ had hoped he began, a little
awkwardlY.
"surely. | cannot be at all interested
in your hopes, interrupted Miss Middle
worth. "Let me pass: please. I'm ina
great hurry to-day"
Reginald Augur stood aside, with a
sharp pang at bis heart. He hal loved
Frank Mlddlewc=..h ever since be could
Semember. He had always installed
FER, as queen, in all the visionary castles
III the air which he had built within his
own brain. Aud here she nal a5dicat-
ed of her W free will and flung his
offering away.
Frank, herself, felt a little conscious
stricken as she walked hurriedIy on.
Reginald Augur had all the winning
manner and sterling goodness of nature
which would naturally com cend them
selves to any feminine heart. She had
liked him-nay, she had once
believed that she loved him
but this new development had Changed
the whole aspect Of her world.
II am to be a Government Off
clai, now,' she said ia her.
self. II am to have eleven hun.
dred dollars q year. | can sen papa to
Florida. Mamma shall have a girl to
help her with the homework. Will can
go to school, and / shall have d career
open to me!n
So Frank went home, ordered a new
bonnet from the village milliner; hereto-
lore she had always trimmed her v
purchased, on credit, q fur.
;rimmed cloak which had long been the
OF her secret yearnings ia the
lho~w.vlndoWs OF Tape q Huckrarn,
Aud after seudllg Ii Dor resignation 10