Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-05-09
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During the next few years my posi-
ton as high school teacher gradually
altered for the better, 50 that by the
time | WAS twenty-five years of age
| had become second mistress In a
tiourlshing private school with a sal
AIRY of $50 per annum.
The school where | was teaching
when my story recommences was in ]
London suburb, where, as the proSpec-
tus said, we had ''rhe advantages of
The town combined with the saluhrity
1T the country" The name of the head
mistress was Murray. In a girls
school, Of all places in the world, one
would suppose ones self safe fro m eN.
element romance and mystery: never.
theleSs, il was while within Miss Muir.
rays sacred inelosure that the second
chapter Of the story 81 my lost bank
note found its way to me,
Miss Murray was an ambitious
woman. and as the importance of het
school really demanded it, she was in
the Eabit of paying a university man
To come down once n year in the sum
mer to examine the pupils. This
event had taken place annually ever
since my coming to the schoo.: the eX-
animation occupied three days. and il
was my duty 90 superintend 1t had
always been proSlic and somewhat
arduons undertaking, and its s,,le re
dceming feature was that it preceded
rhe long vacation.
one year, however, the monotony
was broken by an extraordinary event
On warm midSummer's morning
rose early, my mind full of examina-
uion matters. 1t was my habit to take
care that the eXaminationFoom was
fresh and cool. | helped the maid to
set the place In order before break
fast. ana as soon rs the meal was over
went TO make final arrangements.
Ii was fifteen minutes past nine
After a tinal glance round was about
TO hcrry from the room to call the
pupils when the rustic of Miss Muir
rays silk and manly tread accom-.
panying hers warned me thar | was
late. | stepped toward The door in
some vpNation at being discovered be-
lAndhaud, and there confronted Miss
Murray with "A tall man by her side.
She was in one of her happiest
moods; the examiner had hot neglected
10 bring his cap and gown, and this
was Il point in his favor; for Miss Muir
ray stickled for ceremony and felt
sighted if the honors of the university
were not accorded. At this moment,
however. | only SAW him as one sees
i shadow. my mind WAS taken up with
my seeming inattention 20 duty, and !
directed a somewhat anxious glance 10
my superior
quite right, Miss Keith" said She,
1--WE are early Allow mo to Introduce
our examiner. He expressed desire
Is see the room This will be your
table, Mr. MarSton. Wonder Miss
Keith will sit. Call the pupils, my
dear! We will retire to the garden
| vanished while Miss Murray still
flowed oil: and soon had my pupils
In their places, and was endeavoring
to suppress rhe rising tumult OF in-
uuiries as 10 the appearance and prob
able temperament Of the examiner
irlscible, sy-to-beentrelted, or other
wise.
In che midst Of ripple Of whispers
thc door opened and hc entered the
room. Every head was instantly
turned. and through the dead silence
certainly twenty five pairs Of eyes 81,
reetel inquisitile glan,ss toward him.
looked up with the rest, neither In
quisitiyely nor with interest. II was an