The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-09-30

don, but, you see, I'm not big enough
to brighten them, and as nothing else
seems to answer the purpose | am hav-
ing rather hard time of it trying to
keep them within bounds.
Il wouldn't care so much, but this is
my first term at school teaching, and
| wanted to make good record so /
could retain the place, as I am fond of
teaching and would prefer making
living in that way to any other. l
presume, however, that the school COM
mittee won't want me another term I'M
less | can manage somehow to keep
betterorder-and if they dismiss me I'm
sure | don't know what / shall do" Z
"Well, Miss Ellis, if / were in your
place, shouldn't be at all discouraged.
Keep on doing the best yon can with
your school, and / will get around as
often as possible and assist you in
Strengthening matters out in case ]
find it necessary to do so. think
shall be able to visit your school three
times week, or perhaps oftener fol
the present, and if there is anything re-
quiring my attention at any time | trust
you will not hesitate to let me know
And during the rest of that long sum.
mer day, and the many long summer
days that followed, that dingy little
schoolroom somehow grew brighter and
brighter; but even in the sanctity OF
her own chamber, with only her con.
science for confessor, pretty Ethel Ellis
dared not whisper to herself what il
was that had caused the change.
She was only school teacher strug'
Cling for living, working hard, not fol-
Injuries, but for the bare necessities OF
life. Mr.. Gordon was very polite and
kind to her, it was true, but probably
not more so than he would have been to
any woman situated as she was.
Sometimes she had thought there was
something deeper than mere friendship
in his looks and tones, but no doubt this
was only her fancy.
Nevertheless, the mere fact that he
had come into her life as friend and
counselor brought brighter smile to
her lips and q sense of contentment tc
her bosom. If things could only run on
so forever she would be perfectly con-
tent and happy. But she dreaded the
awakening-the day when perhaps she
should be weighed in the balance as q
teacher and found wanting, separated
perchance from the companionship she
had learned to treasure, and the work
that she still loved in spite of its draw
backs, and with shattered hopes turned
adrift in the world to sink or swim, as
fate might will.
The school tern was fast drawing to
close, and as yet no word had come
to Miss Ellis regarding an engagement
for the term to follow. For some time
she had been in daily expectation of
hearing from the school committee, but
as day after day passed and no mes
sage came to her she began to fear the
worst.
None knew better than she her short
comings as a teacher, and how utterly
she had failed in checking the turbu.
lent element in the school until it had
been awed into reluctant submission by
the frown of the new superintendent.
keeping better order, but there were
times even yet-too many of them, she
sadly realized-when the school got be.
You'd her control and gave her many
uneasy moments.
Though she had done her best, she
felt that her teaching that first year
had been far from success; but she
hoped, oh, how eagerly she hoped, that
they would give her another trial!
But if they did not, she felt that she
could not blame them. 1t would be
only what she deserved. She was too
weak, too soft-hearted, to teach school,
School had been dismissed for the day,
the scholars had all gone home, and
as Miss Ellis was following out this
train of thought and clearing up her
desk preparatory to taking her depar'
ture she suddenly eXclaimed:
"Oh, dear! I'd give anything if were
only a mani"
Just then quick step crossed the
threshold and CHEEKY voice sung out:
"Fie, fe, Miss Ellis, what wish that
is! But, of course, you don't mean it. y
"Of course do, though l didn't in
tend you to hear me, Mr.. Gordon re.
sponded Miss Ellis, blushing wildly as
she turned toward the speaker. Pm
sick and tired of being only woman. u
why, l wouldn't have you anything
else for the world" exclaimed Gerald
Gordon, moving step nearer and ear
nestly gazing down at the troubled face
before him. Only woman, you say,
but to me you are the dearest, sweetest
and best little woman in the whole
world, and 1 need you just as you are. y
| A few moments later, as they were
walking slowly homeward side by side
she glanced shyly up at the stalwart
lover upon whose arm she was leaning
and said:
"A dreadful suspicion has just come
into my mind, Gerald. l believe you
proposed to me out of pity, because
because I'm failure as school-teach.
| er, and, if so, wish to revise my an.
swer. 1t is love want, not pity"
"Why, dearest, didn't tell you that
the committee reelected you for anoth.