The St. Johns herald., 1900-05-26
The Three InSeparableS 4 Boarding School Story.
THE three "inseparables'

WlIl seem strange when l tell you that
 the Christmas holidays were only ter
 days of, and their young heads should
 have been full Of such joyous things as
 visions of home cOmings. sleigh rides and plum buildings.
 The trouble was this; Both DoIIie
 xnd Julia Norris had received notE
 saying that their midyear examina.
 tions in English history and geography
 had been % poor that unless they were
 prepared to take another examination
 in each study before they went homt
 for Christmas the Misses Primrose
 would be obliged to give them home
 work to do.
 Now, 10 have to study during the
 holidays was too horrible to contem.
 plate. It would spoil half their fun. and, moreover, it was disgrace which
 both girls would have felt keenIy.
 Edna had invited both Julia and
 Dolly home with her for the holidays. as Julia's home was in the far west and
 Doily's sole relative-her father-was still abroad.
 Isn't it too dreadful for anything!" exclaimed Dolly, with tears in her eyes, as she gazed blankly at the note.
 ''I see nothing for us to do but to burn the midnight oil between now and the holiday time," said Julia, despond- ently.
 What! Study your eyes red and worry yourselves half to death just to please our dear teachers?" demanded Edna. ''Why, won't hear of it. So just put that idea out of your head at once"
 Edna was healthy, robust girl of Is. and, being older than her two friends, she had assumed sort of guardian. ship over them which they did not dis. pute.
 ''Alf right, Edna" said Dolly, meek ly. "I am not over-anxious to work my self sick, but what do you propose to do?"
 "Let me have till tomorrow morning to think out plan, and I'll promise you Co find way out of your trouble"
 The next morning at breakfast tele gram was brought to Edna. She opened it, drowned and bit her lip. "So pro- vokingi" she murmured.
 "I trust there is nothing wrong at home, Miss Edna!" said Miss Tabitha Primrose, looking over her spectacles at her pupil.
 "Why, my cousin Nora, who lives but a few miles from here, wants me to spend q couple of days with her. She is not we'll and her husband is away on business. She says the carriage will be here for me in an hour or so," replied Edna, as she handed the telegram across the table to Miss Tabitha.
 ~1 am very sorry to have you miss | any recitations at this time," said Miss | Primrose. "But of course you must go | If you think it is necessary"
 ''Yes, think had better go," replied | Edna, and, hurrying through the meal. she excused herself, and went 10 her room and got ready for her departure.
 You're a nice one!" cried Dolly, breathIessly. running of in this fash ion. when you promised to get us out of our scrape"
 Edna burst out laughing.
 My dear children" she began, "this visit of mine is simply part of my kttle scheme to help you out of your scrape."
 Edna went to her little desk ard picked up some slips of paper.
 "Here girls" she said. take these papers. They contain list of ques- tions in English history and geography. Learn the answers perfectly. It won't take you long. Now. my dears." she went on. don't be surprised at what may happen during the next two or three days. All ask of you is to learn the answers to these questions and give them when they are asked of you. And HOW. good-by for little while"
 But Edna" cried Julia. please te!! us more. What does all this mean?"
 ''The less you krow-now-the less danger there is of my little plan going amiss," retorted Edna, and not another word could her friends draw out of her
 That night at dinner Miss Tabitha made the following announcement to the school:
 'sl have just received letter from Miss Mary Clark. who is tso she in- forms me a teacher in a southern school for girls. She says that she has heard of OUT excellent method of instruction and she is going to take the liberty as she expresses it-of calling here to- morrow. She would like to spend few l hours attending our various classes with the hdea of studyingour methods. ''I need not tell you" Miss Tabtha added. ''that i shall toe most pleased 10 Miss Clark, who. am sure. nust be very fine woman, judging i 'rom her nice letter. Of course, trust lll you young ladies will make ii your pecial duty 10 be we'll prepa. ed for to- norrow's reeitafious. as shall natur- lily feel q pr:de iG your making good moving beforva strange teacher" Dolly looked at Julia and Julia looked It Dolly. Then they grew red in the 1, aee. Presently they both stole from he table and went straight for Dolly's 'oom.
 What can it mean?" burst out Dolly. You don't think that-that-" z "Oh, no! It's just coincideneei hats all" replied Julia. "Just the ' anne, we'had better study the uues- ions Edna told us to. and tonight" [ And they did, working till long past ( heir usual bedtime. Miss Tabitha. see lg chink of light under Dolly's door, falked in.
 Under ordinary circumstances 1 { houId not approve of such late hours," c be announced to the two girls, "but wing to the fact that you are both de- { cient and that we are expecting Tis-