Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-04-20

school.
Geraldine was growing, and she was
now tall and 1.-the of figure, with her
big blue eyes clearer and more ez-
pressive MS she looked at people. The
true soul of rather designing maid
en- was showing forth from them. She
was glad to receive attentions, and it
smote Jupiter hard when he observed
that she walked with one and then with
another in the still and balmy spring
evenings. Just why it .smote him as
it did. Mr.lJenkins never knew until
few years later.
But it did, and Geraldine's face
seemed to have framed itself into the
centre of his thoughts. She REQUIRED
to his consciousness constantly, and
when he thought of these big boys he
was truly uncomfortable.
He had another conference with
Mrs. Coffin, in which he suggested
that Geraldine had better be kept in
the house and made to give closer ut
tention to her lessons. When he
called her in recitations he was also
doing his best to make the girl fail.
And when she did fail he did his best
to make it uncomfortable for her.
She had to remain after school and
get the whole lesson. Jupiter made
herrecite tall 'spreceptupon precept, "
SO to speak.
He had conceived the ambition to
make q teacher of the girl. He
broached the subject to Mrs. Coffin.
Geraldine, he began, sis cut out to
be teacher" Mrs. Coffin started in
astonishment. eyes, she is, he af-
frmed, with thunderbolt, "and she
ought to be sent to normal school.
L never went to one, and what I know
about teaching has been, gained by e1-
perience. But there is no mistake.
The learning of methods means some
thing in these days, and I'm sure
that if Geraldine is sent to q normal
school she will make a first-rate
teacher"
Mrs. Coffin thoughtit over for few
days and then came to the conclusion
that Mr.. jenkins was right. That was
the usual conclusion about Mr.. jenkins
in the little village. The idea was
placed before Geraldine, and when
she heard Of Jupiter's proposal she
-miled smile that made her mother
look at her twice. But Geraldine had
the key to certain kinds of human ma
ture which was far beyond her years.
She thought she would like to go, and
it was great Joy when she came to
Jupiter's throne and in her sweetest
aud calmest manner thanked him for
his kindness and said she would do
her best to deserve it. That was the
happiest day that Jupiter had ever had
in the school. He did not quite uu-
derstand it. but there was singing
heart rs homeike as the singing of
tea kettle and as soft as cats purr.
Geraldine took new interest in
school. She tried no more Of her
subtle ways to disturb Jupiter, and
the boys found a change in her which
ut once set their former interest at
naught
''She amt no more fun," they all
agreed, and they troubled her no
more.
Geraldine entered the normal school,
and passed her preliminary examina
ton with extraordinary success. She
was one of the three highest out of q
large class. The veteran principal of
the school knew human nature at q
glance. He wrote to Jupiter letter
which confirmed all that worthy had
sail about the battling Geraldine.
When Geraldine returned at the end
of her first year the townspeople be-
gan to relent in the hard opinion they
had entertained of her, and saw an
other person in the tall and earnest
young woman who had appeared be-
fore them. Jupiter Jenkins had ended
his work as schoolmaster in the little
seaport town. He had been studying
law. and was now employing the same
forensic talents he had used before his
schoolroom in more lucrative if not
higher court. He was cup in the
city," and was making q name.
When Geraldine finished her course
in the normal school she received the
highest commendation, and the old
principal happened to find q good
place for her in the same city where
Jupiter was making his way.
When Geraldine came into his Office
at the end of her first quarter it was
the first intimation that he had re-
ceived of her presence in the city.
She said she had come to make a pay
ment, and while she spoke poor Ju-
piter was turning all sorts of ruddy
colors.
"But I hadn't heard you were here,
Geraldine" he said; 81 have been
thinking of you, too, wondering if I
should hear from You. Of course l
knew should. But somehow can
not get you ont OF my head, gUl;"
this was punctuated with one OF the
old-time thunderbolts. ''Fa:t is,
Geraldine, I've only just found out
why treated you so hard when in
school. and it was simply this-T
loved you! want you always: want
you to make me happy, to be my
wife!'
Geraldine smiled as she raised her
face and received the salnte from his
lips.
'I knew tnut vas the matter ell the
time" she said.-Ciicago Record.