The age-herald., 1899-05-28

It was the day appointed for the school to open in the little town of R..
 The majority of the pupils had already gathered around the door of the school house, watching eagerly for the appear anee of the new teacher.
 "They say he is immensely rich" said pretty Alma Embry, 'and that he teaches for the enjoyment he finds in it. They say, too, that he is awfully handsome, and-", But further comments were cut short by the appearance of the new teacher him. self, and the report that he was handsome was not in the least exaggerated. Possibly a little above the average in height, with a pair of expressive eyes of a chestnut brown, and perfect head of coal-bIack hair, he could not be truthfully called any thing else.
 As he passed the little crowd, he lifted his hat fin an easy, graceful manner, and with polite good morning." he entered the school house. Soon he rang the bell and the crowd, now augmented by several others, entered for the days work.
 The handsome young fellow, apparently about 25- years of age, introduced himself to them as MT. Floyd, made a short talk, Informing them that while he would de- mand the strictest obedience, he hoped they would one and all, become friends of his," and then settled down to the work of the day.
 Presently Alma's class in geometry was called to the recitation seat, and were sent to the board to demonstrate the proposition for that day. All succeeded admirably, with the exception of Alma herself who, 1t must be confessed, was woefully ignorant In regard to her geometry lesson for this particular day, though In justice to her, 1t must be stated that she was considered kbV the class itself aS itG mi nhar
 Why should miss my lesson this of all dny?' she said to herself. But I guess he won't notice it."
 She was mistaken. When the recitation was finished and the class had seated themselves, Mir. Floyd said: "I want to compliment the class upon the thorough manner in which they have learned today's lesson, with the exception of Miss Embry, who will, I trust, be better prepared to- morrow. We will now take up the class in history"
 Alma blushed furiously There had been several teachers-all but one being of the 'sterner sex'-in charge of the school since she had been attending, and not a one had spoken to her as had this proud handsome young fellow, who was her teacher. She was intensely high-spirited. was this pret- ty young lady, scarcely out of her "teens," and she immediately resolved not to learn her lesson for the morrow.
 But the surprise the teacher had given ItT was Qulckly IOllOWeQ Dy another, TOT when she reached home after school she was informed by her mother that he had engaged board with her. This almost up- set poor Alma. How in the world am I go- ing to live in the same house with that man?" she uesdoned herself. q won't do so tonight, at any rate. I'll just go over and spend the night with Maud Som mors," and this she did.
 That night at the supper table, when the teacher asked for Alma and was informed of her whereabouts, he bit his lip and said nothing, for he knew perfectly well the cause of her absence.
 The next morning as he left the house for school he noticed her in the front yard un- der a spreading tree intently reading He was troubled in mind as he wended his way to the school room that bright, sunny - morning.
 "There's bound to be trouble between us t before many more days have passed" he thought, as he walked with quick, ener- getic step toward his destination. "I must be gentle with her, and yet firm, whatever the cost may be-"
 Alma came in that morning as the geom- etry class was called for recitation. AS on the preceding morning, she was perfect ly ignorant on the subject before the class.
 MT. Floyd drowned, hesitated moment, and looking her intently in the face, he said:
 Miss Embry did you study this morn ing's lesson very hard?"
 'No, sir
 ''Did you even look at the lesson?" .= ''No, sir.''
 Miss Embry, am compelled to say that your conduct for the first two days have taught you has been exceedingly mortfy- Ing. You will please be so kind as to pre- @ pare your lesson for tomorrow. or you will have to suffer the consequence"
 "This will be-"
 "To remain one hour after school has been dismissed" he interrupted her. "The class in history will come forward"
 With heightened color, and with her head erect, she walked slowly to her seat. The eyes of the entire school were upon her, and every one wondered what would be the outcome of the affair
 On the way home that afternoon MT. Floyd noticed Alma just ahead of him, and uuickened his pace. intending to speak with her, but turning her head she saw him and started upon a swift walk, amounting al- most to a trot
 Much chagrinned the young man fell back into his first gait and followed
 MT. Floyd slept but very little that night. He was thinking. thinking, and wondering how he should act in case she should again defy him on the morrow
 But that was not all, for he had discover ed that, despite all his efforts to the con- trary, he was in love with this fair young pupil of his who so stubbornly disobeyed him and who so openly and persistently de- fled him.