The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-08

1t had been a long, hard day for the lit
lie schoolteacher, and after the pupils
had gone she sat for fully half an hour at
her desk, her head resting YEARLY upon
one dimpled hand, the lashes of her big,
blue eyes shading the rounded cheeks be-
low them. She was good to look upon,
this toiler in the educational cause, whom
fate or chance, or whateverelse you choose
to call it, had sent TO the Willis of pic
turesque county in the northern part of
California. Very good indeed to look
upon, but just now observed by nothing
more appreciative than a bushy-ta tailed
squirrel, poised alert upon the doorstep,
with inquisitive eyes turned toward the
solitary figure in its neat, print gown, with
bit of bright ribbon at the throat, and
small, dusty shoe, decidedly the worse for
wear, at the hem.
Coyote G anyoD was drowsy with the
heat of a summer afternoon. Upon one
side of it, to the east of a rough road,
perched the schoolhouse, not unlike a
large-siZed cracker-box. a shaft Of
golden sunlight from the west, slanting
inward at the open door, finally reached
to the fair head above the desk, where it
caught CLINT of its own color amid the
smooth, shining braids. The girl stirred
and drew toward her a pile of examina-
ton papers, scrawled over almost illegi-
deed the majority of them were, the
school having been established only since
the beginning of that term.
Suddenly a shadow plotted out the
light. A tall figure stood on the spot
whence, at its approach, the squirrel
had leaped in swift alarm, and voice
started the occupant of the room. 1t was
musical voice, such as one hears but
seldom excepting in the Threats of noun
tain people, whose lungs are fed by pure
mountain air; and something in its tones
seemed TO vibrate in the girls ears after it
had ceased speaking.
Don't be frightened" the intruder said,
answering the question in her wide-open
eyes by smile that disclosed white, even
teeth. His bearded face was strong and
handsome, perhaps half dozen years
older than her own, with the courage in
1t that women are quick to recognize and
to like. A thin line of red trickled from
his left temple and stained the handker-
chief knotted at his neck. The girl rose
nervously when she saw it.
81 only want drink of water" he ex.
planned, eff you will be so good as to give
it to me or tell me where to find it,
For few seconds she hesitated, her
eyes fixed on his. Whatever doubt she
may have felt vanished before his answer
ing gaze.
"You are hurt" she said gently.
sit is scarcely more than scratch, he
replied. "a hunter mistook me for game
in the brush yonder, and. as luck would
have it, he was poor shot"
''Sit here at my desk" she said with
piquant authority. II am not much Of a
surgeon. but 1 will do what I can for
you"
In a moment she had filled basin with
clear. sparkling water from the spring
back of the cabin and brought a towel
Neither spoke while she deity bathed his
forehead and from between the leaves of
tattered geography took square of
courtplaster, divided it into small strips
and applied them to the cut on his fore
head.
When she had finished he rose and
looked down at her from his height of six
feet.
Nobody was ever SO kind to me be-
FORE he SAID land Ishall not forget your
goodness Miss"
miss Hunt"
He bowed and left her. The girl went
back to her work, and IN the cooler dusk
locked the door and walked the mile that