The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-09-17
4 Practical Joke.

11cI Will uCI @clDOWS Oh Il1e ueSh5 duu
her head in her hands. I've been
watching her, and she hasn't stirred
for five minutes
The last dull rays of daylight were
illuminating the deserted school room
where Miss Barley -nicknamed by the
giddy girls of Applenook seminary
Barleycorn, simply because in a school
girl atmosphere it was absolutely nee
essary that every one should have a
nickname-sat there all alone.
Isn't she plain!' said Leila, With a
shudder. "And so old, too! Why, she
is eight and twenty if she is day!'
"That at least,' declared Alice in a
whisper. .r.
II wonder, Leila, what she is think
ing about?"
"Her lover, suppose" said little
Miss Wharton, with grimace.
Il don't believe she ever had such a
thing in her life," cried Alice
''She had, though" said Leila. sI
know, because old Mrs. Blackmore told
me. And he went away somewhere
and never came back. And his name
was John Bates. Think of that, John
Batesv'
The lamps were lighted; the sound Of
the changing tea bell summoned the
hungry damsels to a repast Of freshly
baked brown bread, apple sauce and
mugs of milk
Miss Barley looked up from her desk
as Alice and Leila came by, arm in
arm, with clusters of scarlet leaves in
their hats.
Miss For'escue," said she quietly,
these French exercises are disgrace
ful. You will have to DO them over
again before bedtime" ...
Before bedtime? But I can't, Miss
Barley. I'm to sew bows on my new
silk dress tonight. I shall want to
wear it at a fortnightly reception to-
morrow"
1"The French exercises must be at
tended to first"
"Must!' impatiently cried out Alice.
Yes, must. But remember" Miss
Fortescue, the teacher gently added,
the rules are not Of my making, and
have my orders to see that they are
enforced.'
Gross old thing she muttered to
Leila, ito spoil my evening SOP
FITS just what she likes to do" said
Leila, full of sympathy, ''but I'll tell
you how you can manage, Alice
Clera Field will do the exercises for
you if you give her some of those
cream chocolates you bought to-day,
and you and will play lovely trick
on old Barleycorn." -.
We'll write her a note" whispered
Leila. well make her think that her
lover wants to see her again. Fancy
old Barleycorn vending her way to the
Chapel pond by moonlight to meet
somebody who isn't there!'
Miss Barley hadfinished her share
- OF the daily treadmill of lessons a day
OF so afterWard, and had gone out to
get breath Of fresh air, when a rough
looking little boy, with frost nipped
fingers and toes slipped folded bit
of paper into her hand Ruth's heart
beat, her breath came quick with sur
prise and then she opened the note.
In it. were printed in rude imitation of
Rc.Grl letters the words:
TN the old place, beside the Chapel
pond, at 8 tonight. John Bates has
returned"
A sense of wild exultation filled her
soul. For it never once occurred to her
that all this might be only a hoax.
Chapel pond was a deep, glittering
sheet of water lying in the heart of
the woods about a quarter Of a mile
away. Steep rocks walled it on three
sides. On the fourth side the woods
fringed the shore and close by was a
secluded dell.
"Oh," she murmured to herself, IT
am the h:upiest woman in theEWorld!"
Half the girls at Applenook semi
nary had been let into the secret Of
this excellent joke and were watch
ing Miss Barley from one vantage
point or another, as she threw a black
shawl over her head and slipped out of
the house.
Little Louise Belville started to her
feet.
Girls" she cried, cts too bad! It's
cruel-that's what it is! 1t shall not
go on! I'll run after her and tell her
the whole thing is a deceitr'
But Leila Wharton pulled her back
as she was springing to open the door.
TITS too late,' said She "You
couldn't overtake her now. And it is
such splendid joke Just wait until
you see the expression on her face
when she comes back. We shall be
avenged for all of Barleycorn's vicious
4ASoo hOHs a
Nine o'clock came, 9:3O-1O. Still no
Miss Barley returned.
The governess on duty for that parti-
cular evening, one Miss Pugsley, with
eyes that looked different ways, rose I'D
with a yaWn at last.
Time for evening prayer and bed.
girls" said she.
ooh, not yeti" pleaded the girls with
one accord.
Just then the door opened. Miss
Barley came in
But instead Of pale, discounted
face her eyes sparkled, her cheeks were
crimson with an unusual glow. She
went up to Miss Pugsley, and Alice
Fortescue could hear her say in low
tones:
Dear Harriet, congratulate me. My
lover has come back, and we are to be
married next week. have just seen
him down by Chapel pond. I'll tell
YOU, all about it by and by. am going
IN to see madam now"
While in madam's little sanctum
Ruth Barley was telling the worthy
snrecentrASS how 1ohn Pa+nc, 1,ad +ror,.