Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-10-10
CHAPTER w.

"You are requested to be present at a meet
ing OF the board of education to be held in the
First ward school this evening at seven
o'clock. PETTIGREw WIxoN,
Moderator"
A weak-eyed young woman, a daugh-
ter of Wixon's foreman, handed the
young schoolmaster this missive as
soon as the days session was begun.
This girl, Susan Green, was one of
Grey's oldest scholars, and certainly
his most troublesome one. In the early
advent of the handsome teacher, she
had done her poor best to attract his
admiration, and, having failed, had
imbibed dislike to him that amounted
to rabid hatred.
Grey read Wixon's letter and asked,
quietly: Ibid the captain desire an an
swer?"
''No, he didn't"
The schoolmaster did not condescend
to notice the insolence of the girls
tone, though the other pupils looked
at each other in mute surprise.
''Well,' he said, you can tell him
at dinner time that [ will be there"
"You can carry your own messages"
the girl said in loud aggressive accents.
y
of panied surprise and ordered her to
leave the room, which she did with as
much noise as it was possible for her to
make.
When the dreary mornings work was
over, Grey sat brooding upon this I'M
accountabl trouble which, to a man of
his sensitive nature, was more than a
mere passing annoyance.
+ Presently a hand touched him on the
shoulder and aroused HIM from his
reverie.
'''Elsie!" he cried, reprovingly. "Why,
my dear child, have you not gone home
with the other girls?"
Out of doors was sprinkling of rain,
and Elsie had donned a long cloak,
whose blue hood formed picturesque
frame for her exquisite features.
Even Frank Grey was struck with
the loneliness and youthful freshness
of the fair face turned up to his SO
pleadingly.
The round, pansy eyes were moist
with tears, the lips were trembling,
and she spoke hurriedly with much
emotion.
"Dear Mr.. Grey, do not be worried
about Susan. l could not 60 without
saying to you that THAT is all the
girls in my class are ashamed of her
conduct to you. That THAT is they,
are very sorry fory you, and"
ebay, Elsie" replied the teacher with
much tenderness, sit is not on Susan's
account only that am troubled to-day.
Other things are weighing on my
spirits. Thank you very much for your
sympathy. Go home now. 1 will fol-
low you presently"
''Then you have other troubles and l
do not know them" there was world
of emotion in her tones. s'Why is there
SO much trouble? We were so happy;
and now-oh, sir" she broke out
passionately, will anything happen
that will cause you to leave Oretown?"
81 hardly think so. do not know"
he said, looking at the girl with a
strange newborn interest.
ooh, dear Mr.. Grey, what should I
do if you were to go away and leave
me, and 1 should never see you again?
What would become of me?"
In the passion of her appeal, while
the tears were streaming down her
sweet face, the child had grasped his
hand in both her own.
Ere Grey could reply, he saw, to his
utter discontinue, that they were not
alone. Standing in the doorway but a
few yards from him was the portly
figure of Capt. Wixon, and beside him
posed the man he had seen on the hill
by the lake.
No sound had heralded their APP
proach. A deep blush of vexation
mourtcd to the cheek of the schoolmas-
tcr. as nc badc the girl leave him and
''''-i l'augiltily TO receive his visitors.
ter grin on his coun-
.t,...li.-> Lon came forward and abb