The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-25

pressure of the hand he turned and strobe
away.
III
And during the rest of that long sum
mer day and the many long summer days
that followed. that dingy little school room
| somehow grew brighter and brlgnteri but
even in the sanclity of her own chamber,
with only her conscience for contessor,
pretty Ethel Elhs dared not whisper 10
herself what it was that had caused the
change.
That was a secret. sacred TO her heart
alone, the mysterious, world-od, YET ever
new and precious secret winch many a
daughter of Eve has cherished. alasl in
vain and carried unconfessed to her grave.
Was that to be her fate2 Doubtless il
was she told herself. for there was no
reason why any one should owe or care
for her. She was only a school, teacher
struggling for a living, working hard, not
for luXuries, but for the bare necessities
Of life Mir Gordon was very polite and
kind 10 her, ii was true, but probably not
more so than he would have been 10 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. Why should a man
like Gerald Gordon. who could have his
pick of any of the petted society bellies Of
the town care for a young woman who
was compelled to teach school for a living?
Nevertheless the mere fact that he had
come into her life as friend and counselor
Drought a Drlgnter smile 10 Qer 1pS ana a
sense of contentment to her bosom If
things could only run on so forever she
would be perfectly content and happy
But she dreaded the awakeuing-the day
when perhaps she should be weighed in
the balance as a teacher and found want
ing. separated perChance from the COM
partnership she had learned TO treasure,
and the work that she still loved in spite
of its drawbacks, and with shattered hopes
turned adrift in the world to sink or swim
as fate might will
The school term was fast drawing to
close, and as yet no word had come to
Miss Ellis regarding an engag cement 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 message came for
her she began to fear the worst.
None kuev better than she her shot
comings IS a teacher and how utterly she
had failed in checking the turbulent ele-
ment in the school until it had been awed
into reluctant submission by the frown of
the new superintendent Since his adj
vent she had succeeded in keeping better
order, but there were times even yet-too
many of them, she sadly realized-when
the school got beyond 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 a success; but she hoped. o, how
eagerly Gag she she hoped that they would give
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 As she
thought of il she fairly hated herself for
being woman. School had been dis
missed for the day, the scholars had all
gone nome, and as Miss Ellis was follow
ing out this train of thought and clear
ing up her desk preparatory to taking her
departure she suddenly exclaimed
20, dear Ia give anything if I were
only mani"
Just then quick step crossed the thres-
non ana cheery voice sung out:
"Fie, fie, Miss Ellis. what a wish that is.
But, of course, YOU don't mean it,"
of course, ] do. though | didn't intend
you to hear me. Mr.. Gordon" responded
Miss Ellis, bushing wildly as she turned
20 6@W bei6. me nn speaker I'm sick and tired
why | wouldn't have you anything
else Tor the world" exclaimed Gerald Corr
don; moving a step nearer and earnestly
gazing down at the troubled face before
MIN. Only woman, you say, but 10 me
you are The dearest. sweetest. and hest
i,tte woman in the whole world, and /
need you just as you are. Miss Ellis
Ethel love you. Will YOU be nv yifao"
few moments later. as thew were
VA slowly homeward side by side
HiIe slaLlced shyiy up at the stalwart lover
upon whose arm she was leaning. and said.
A dreadful suspicion has lust come into
my mind, Gerald. | believe vou nronoseS |
10 70 me out of pity, because-because I'm n |
wish to revise my answer II is love ! |
want, not pity" 'S
my dearest, didn't I tell you that the |
committee reelected Won for ape4{ nc |
term at their meeting last night " nVl
claimed Gordon. smlingly " meant 70 |
pun more pressing news got ahead Of If |
lou received a unanimous reelection, bnt |
TOOK the liberty of declining Tor Won on |
the ground that you were about to a oii
Gept private school, with a more fracIa,
PIE pc pupil IN short, that you were soon 10 |
become my housekeeper.' 70"i "
why Gerald! How dare YOU tel rhep
mat when you hadn't even asked me vet9
N, m almost tempted to punish you for yt.Hr
temerity by-by-l" 0N III your
What. dearest?"
befo MaN I e You wait whole month ltneer