The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-01-11
CHAPTER ~.



WISE MEN IN COUNCIL.
.You are requested to be present Of q moct-
fna OF tho board OF education 70 be held In tho
yIrst ward school this evening ut seven
o'clock. PErTI0RKw WHOM.
Moderator t"
A weale-cyed young woman, 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 a dislike to him thatamounted
to rabid hatred.
Grey read Wixons letter and asked,
quietly: add 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
1t each other in mute surprise.
WELL" he said, you can tell him
1T dinner time that win be there"
lyon cnn carry your own messages"
tho girl said in loud aggressive accents.
The young schoolmastcr gave glance
of panied surprise and ordered her to
leave tho room, which she did with as
much noise rs It was possible for her to
make.
When the drcary mornings work was
over, Grey sat brooding upon this un-
accountable trouble, which, to man of
his sensitive nature, was more than q
mere passing annoyance.
Presently hand touched him on tho
shoulder and aroused hun from bis
reveric.
"Elsic!" he cried, reprovingly. "Why,
NY dear child, have you not gone home
with the other girls?"
Out Of doors was sprinlxling of rain,
and Elsie had donned long cloak,
whose blue hood formed n picturesque
frame for her exquisite features.
Even Frank Grey was struck with
the loneliness and youthful freshness
of tho 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. / could not 60 without
saying to you that I-that Is all the
girls In my class are ashamed of her
conduct to you. That THAT Ia they,
arc very sorry for you, and"
may, Elsie" replied the teacher with
a. L. l. xs<.t ~. Qneor -
account only that am troubled to-day.
Other things are weighing on my
spirits Thank you very much for your
sysnpathy. Go homo now. ! vii fol-
low you presently"
"Then you have other troubles and
do not know them" there was world
of emotion In her tones "Why II there
30 much trouble? We werc SO happyi
and now--oh, sir" she broke out
passionately, twill anything happen
that win cause you TO leave 0rctownP"
~ hardly think so. do not know"
ne said, looking at the girl with a
strange newborn interest.
sOh, dear Mr.. Grey, what should
do II you were to go away and leave
me, and should never SEQ you againP
What would become of me?"
In the passion of her appeal. while
the tears were streaming down her
sweet face, tho child had graspcd his
hand ia both her own.
Ere Grey could reply, he saw, TO his
utter discontinue, that they were not
alone. Standing In the doorway but
few yards from him was the portly
figure of Capt Wixon, and beside him
posed the man no had seen on the hill
by the lake.
No sound had heralded their APP
proach. A deep blush OF vexation
monnted 20 the cheek of the schoolmas-
ter, as he babe tho girl leave him and
turned haughtilyto receive his visitors.
With O sinister grin on his coun-
tcnance Wixon camc forward and alb
ruptly introduced Rev. Archibald Dodd,
q gentleman interested In schools.
Tho minister had not IN imposing
presence. Short. squat In figure. in-
dressed In suit Of rusty black, with
fringe Of red vhislscrs Illuminating
coarse face, lac seemed but III suited 70
adorn pulpit.
Bowling coidly 70 the Two mon, and
without giving them time for further
address, Grey left the building.
That night the board Of education
nxt. and altar the dispatch OF some mi-