The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-19

ing you," the lady answered, smiling.
"Will you take this porch chair while
you wait? It cooler here"
'sMalrina's her husbands sister, !
suppose" Burt thought, and whlstIed
softly while he waited.
He had but five minutesto wait, ane
then a strange thing occurred.
A slender young girl, with 'chestnuA
hair crimped around her delicate face,
with bright, dark eyes and vivid col.
oring, tripped out Of the house, and
shook hands with him in the friendliest
way.
':I was all ready, you see, "she said !,
and her quick smile made two distinct
dimples. "Good-by, Toni" She
hugIea and kissed fourteen-year-old
boy, who had brought out a big sat
chel. "Good-by, mammal another
warm embrace. 'I'm coming home
next Saturday on the morning train,
and I'll get back somehow. I'll write
10 you before then. Good-by!'
Burt took the satchel, and followed
the afectionate family group down the
walk. He felt dazed.
He did not know exactly what he waA
doing. When the blooming young
lady kissed her relatives yet again at
the gate, he shook hands with them
both, confusedly. Then he blushed
but the young lady looked pleased.
A light wind lifted the soft locks o.
her pretty hair, as they drove away.
Burt hardly dared look at her. He did
not find his voice till he had turned
the first corner.
$50 you are Miss Fletcher-Malvina
Fletcher?" he said, abruptly.
The new teacher turned her bright
eyes upon him.
"Who did you think I WASP" she de.
manded.
"Nobody-I-nobody," Burt falt
cred.
''Thank you!" Miss Fletcher cz@d,
laughing; and Burt laughed.
He was half afraid of this bright
soung creature, with her charming
prettiness and her lively ways; and
yet, he felt oddly at ease with her, she
was so cheerful and so friendly.
He did not know how he did it, but.
commencing stammeringly, he told her
Of the little joke which Mr.. Pease had
conceived and successfully carried
through.
Chow funny!" Malvina Fletche,
,ried. "And how cute of himl / be-
lieye I shall like him. I thought /
should when I saw him. I believe I
can manage him, you know-make
him furnish new things for the school.
room, and raise my wages dollar a
week, "she declared, merrily, her dim
pies twinkling.
81 know you can!' Burt responded
with warmth-Burt, the bashful, the
self-distrustful. "You'u have him at
your mercy, too, for you'll board
there. They always board the teach
ers. We live just round the corner
from the Peases's," he added, more
imorously.
81 am glad you do," Malvina re
Joined, frankly. and without blushing.
"1've tennis court" said Burt
sif you play?"
"Oh, yes-badlyl'
EMalvina laughed.
S'I am glad you do. Well have some
games. I'm busy just now, but my
onions will be of my hands before
long, and then I'll beat you somf
games if T cam SO
Onionsl How far away and uninter.
ssting they seemedl
The color in her cheeks was like that
of rose, and her eyes sparkled with
quick sympathy and girlish enjoy.
nent.
The sun was waning when they
drove into West Cary.
Burt had stopped and bought cara
mels and bananas, and the half-emptied
bags reposed in a companionable way
between them.
Malvina had taken her hat of, for it
was warm, and her hower-like face
shone forth in all its sweetness.
Therefore, when Wade Loring came
driving down the street in his new
buggy, and met Burt and the new
teacher face to face, he almost dropped
ais lines.
He stared; his jaw dropped; he
grew red and redder. Bewilderment
was depicted on his face-disappoint-
ment, indignation.
And Burt-he could not help it-as
he drove on, laughed.
The new teacher went home at the
snd of the first successful week Of her
labors in the West Cary school, but
she did not go by train Saturday morn
ing. She went i'm Burt Olds's phse-
ton, Friday night, after school, and he
drove back for her Sunday afternoon.
It was by 40 means the only time
ihe made trip home in the same way;
nor did Burt ''hitch up only on Fri
days and Sundays.
It became matter of common
knowledge that Burt Olds took the
new teacher driving quite often on
moonlight nights, and that they played
checkers in Mr.. Pease's parlor when
they did not 60 driving, and did other
significant things.
Malvina often wrote TO her mother;
but portion of letter written early
in the winter, when her. second tern
in West Cary was half done, was the
most interesting of all her loving let
sers:
81 can't wait till Friday night to toll you,
namna-we are engaged. Yes, engaged,
and I am the happiest girl in Dyke County
Or the State. never could have loved any
body but Burt, and I am so glad he loves
ne. There is nobody like him in all the
world. Mr.. Wade Lorins hasn't stopped
bothering me for minute-well, you know