Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-12-20
I'ortcscllc.

it was on checrless October after
noon, and tho last dull rays of day
light were illuminating the deserted
school room. where Miss Barley
nicknamed by the giddy girls of
Applenook Seminary "Darleycorn, "
simply because i'll II schoolgirl atm os.
phcrc it is absolutely necessary that
every ono should have IL nicknnmc-
sat thero all alone.
Lciln and Alice had been out to cet
autumn leaves, and now i'll tho dusk
they were Entering their fresh young
faces against tho windowglass, watch.
ing her on the sly.
'Isu't she plain?" said Della, with n
shuddcr. "And 80 old, too! Why.
she's eight-and-twcuty if she's II
day!"
''rhat nj lcast!" declared Alice in a
whisper.
TO these fifteen and sixteen wear
old "slips" eight-nnl-twcnty summers
represent quite IL venerable old age.
al wonder, Leila, what she is think
ing nboui?"
"Hcr lover, I suppose, said little
Miss Wharton with grimnco.
81 don't believe she ever had such n
think in her life !" cried Alice. "Shc,
indeed With such crooked nose.
and eyes Just the color of IL green
clouded mnrblc!"
"She had, though" snil Leila; al
know, because old Mrs. Blackmoro
told me. And he went away some
where and never cnmo bnck. Or else
he forgot all about her-I don't really
recollcct which it was. He must have
been perfect gorilla, or he never
would have fancicd her! And his
namo was John Bates Think of
thnt-John Bates'
Everybody can't have three syl-
Tabled Names" observed Alice. And
oh, how cold the wind sweeps up
from the lake! Let's go in"
"And rouse Barleycorn?"
"She can sit there pondcring all
night"
The lamps were lighted; the sound
of the changing tea bell summoned the
hungry young swarm of damscls to n
repnst OF freshly baked brown bread,
apple sauce aud mugs OF milk.
Miss Barley Looked up from her
desk rs Alice and Leila came by, arm
in-arm, with clusters of scarlet leaves
in their hats.
"Miss Fortcscuc," said she quietly.
"these French exercises are disgrace
full. You will have TO do them over
again before bedtime"
Alice Fortescue's pretty brown
brows knit themselves together petu-
lantly.
"Betore bedtime? But I can't, Miss
Barley. I'm TO sew bows on my new
silk dress tonight. L shall want 10
wear it at the fortnightly reception
tomorrow"
"fhe French exercises must DO Mt
tended to first"
"Mustl" impatiently cried out
Alice.
Eyes, must. But remember, Miss
Fortescue," the teacher gently added,
1.-The rules are not of my making, and
L have my orders to see that they are
enforced"
Alice brushed by without word of
reply, her fair brow ciouded over, her
rosebud lips twisted into pout.
Gross old thing" she muttercd to
Leila, "to spoil my evening so u"
"1ts just what she likes to do" said
Leila, full of sympathy, "but I'll tell
you how you can manage, Alice. Gle
ora Field will do the exercises for you
il You give her some Of those cream
chocolates You bought to-day, and
you and will play lovely trick on
old Barleycorn.
The cloud vanishes from Alice For
tescue's forehead; the lips became
q perfect Cupid's bow of coral once
more.
"We'll write her 81 note" whispered
Leila; well make her think that her
Lover wants to see her again. Fancy