The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-03-27

81 wou.E not leave my rcet Of duty"
replied H. B., for all the girls that
live, and strongly advise you to stay
where you are.'
''Bahr' rejoined Tommy, trying to
throw contempt into the working of the
machine. 'sYou have never been in
love, and don't know anything about it.
The whole branch line may go to thun-
der as far as am concerned, but I'm
going to Hobbsville Center school
house, and I'm going to be there by 4
o'clock"
Tommy was as good as his word. He
arrived at the school house just as
school was being dismissed, and he
waited till the children left before go
| ing in. The youngsters looked rather
! curiously at the machine leaning
against the fence, but Tommy paid lit
| tie attention, and with beating heart
opened the school house door. Stand
ing at desk, looking over some exer-
cises. was an elderly spinster with
curls hanging against her cheeks. She
] III lpliSS " SSO a. JNNN-S
man entering without rapping.
"I-I-beg your pardon" stammered
Tommy. Il expected to find Miss Sea-
ford here"
Miss Seaford?9 inquired the lady
meditatively. Il know no one of that
name
..She teaches this school, does she
notY" inquired Tommy, rather bewii-
dered feeling somehow that he had
been fooled, but not knowing quite in
what manner.
Il am the school mistress here" said
the lady.
II beg your pardon" said Tommy.
Il have been misinformed. / thought
Miss Seaford was the teacher
He backed out as well as he could,
closed the door and mounted his BIZ
cycle. There could not be mistake
about. the school house, for she herself
had shown it to him. Tommy rode
as fast as he could towards Hobbs
farm, where he hoped to get some ex
PLANTATION of the mystery from the CIR
herself.
: Before he had gone far his heart be
/ gan to beat quickly when he saw the
Girl herself on her wheel coming to
: wards him. Her face was rosy witt
, excitement and exercise. AS soon a:
| she came up to him she sprang off he
machine.
5 'Oh, Tommy, Tommy" she cried
i ..get back to Sutton's Corners as quicl
: as YOU can. There's a special com
e ing at five-thirty, and is to wait Their
9 for further orders. l answered in you
name, but if another message shoui'
l come YOU must ask them to repeat
Hurry, hurry, for there is no time t
r lose"
/ Good gracious, Miss Seaford, wha
do you know about repeat message
! and further orders and specials!
v Don't wait to talk to me-" she sale
y ''but hurry back. 1 have ridden twelv
G miles to tell you this, and must retur
n TO Hobbsyille so as TO be there whe
e the special comes. ] am Ii. Is. l al
It the telegrapher at Hobbsyille. 70
:, might have known that long ago, 70
e stupid fellow, if you had been half a
o clever as you pretended to be some
e times over tho Wire
e Tommy Brown stood there, hal
e dazed, looking at the girl. and thel
X passed through his mind the though
IS what on earth in days gone by have
It telegraphed to herr"
e She seemed to read his mind, for
It slight smile fiickered around her lips.
"a Hurry back" she said, hurry bacl
s. they may be calling for you now.
n sLet 'em CALL" replied Tommy, rec
a. lessly. "Clara-"
ii "Yes, yes, know all about it. u
L. back at once to the post l told you il
to leave, and then telegraph me. 81
le~ IL l don't reach Hobbsville before ye
lg reach Sutton's Corners"
ne CLARA / shall not move pedal uni
It, you tell mo promise
er ..I'n promise anything cried TIE gu
IS IF you only reach Sutton's Corners !
fore the special"
ed With that she mounted her wheel al
rode off, waving her hand to I'LL
To- which motion seemed curiously IL
waiting "A kiss.
J." And thus forever after Clara Seafo
was Tommy Browns best GIRL
&C. troit Free Press,