The St. Johns herald., 1900-05-26

| 6cuOOl, NDlcn 1ao cdTeioIly prepared q
 self in its studies. The second day, how
 ever, the lady arrived shortly afte
 morning prayers. The maid came l
 and told Miss Tabitha, whereupon tha
 excellent lady hurried down from th
 rostrum and made for the parlor. Sh
 was gone about three minutes, whe,
 she returned, ushering ia a medium
 sized woman, in a sober gown, an
 whose eyes were rather weak, eviden:
 ly, as she wore blue goggles. Her hai
 was neatly plastered down and partet in the middle in the old fashioned way
 and a very plain bonnet adorned he head. Altogether she was an intensei
 respectable and old style lady. of ap | parently middle age. She had q wonder
 fully clear and ruddy skin for he years and not a wrinkle was to b,
 seen.
 Miss Tabitha introduced her to be
 sister, and then Miss Primrose camt
 forward to the edge of the rostrum. anc
 said, in impressive tones: Young la
 dies. l have the gre1t pleasure and hon or to introduce to Sou my esteemed
 fellow teacher. Miss Mary Clark, oj
 Louisville, Ky" A loud cIapping o:
 hands greeted Miss Clark as she stepped forward, with smile.
 "Girls," said the visitor, cit Is great pleasure 10 be standing here addressing you to-day. (How great pleasure il
 was none of her hearers knew then or
 ever did know except Dolly and Julia.
 l have heard great deal about you and
 this excellent establishment. (Here
 the speaker turned and smiled gra- ciously at the two principals. who bobbed their heads and fairly beamed with gratified pride.) And hope 10. day to learn with my own ears that the good reports of your high standard of studiousness had not been exagger- ated."
 At that perfect buzz went around the room, and each girl wondered with a good deal of trepidation if she would be the one to be called upon.
 ''I should inform you." Miss Clark went on. that English history and geography are the branches which 1 am most interested in (which was per fectly true at that particular time) and l trust the Misses Primrose will per unit me to put few questions to you at random"
 Here Miss Clark turned to the two sisters. Immediately Miss Tabitha jumped up and got couple of books. which she placed in Miss Clark's hand,
 You will find to-day's lesson marked in each book" said Miss Tabitha.
 "Oh! Thank you." said Miss Clark. "But with your permission I should prefer to ask the girls some questions of the work they have gone over in stead of to-day's lesson. It is so much better test of what they know"
 There was a doleful silence at that, and the Misses Primrose looked glumIy at one another. for none knew better than they how quickly their pupils for got, and Miss Tabitha was afraid the result would not be fattering to her pride. She could not very we'll refuse Mss Clark's request. however, and 50. rather ungraciously, she gave her con- sent to her scholars being examined on their back work.
 Miss Clark asked a couple of ques- tions. one of which was answered cor rectly. but the second fioored two or three. Then Miss Clark looked at Dolly "Cau you give me the arswer?" she asked.
 Of course Dolly could. for it was one of the questions which Edna had told her to study. Miss Tabitha beamed upon Dolly. It was a very hard ques- tion, and she had not expected such | cleverness from her Miss Clark went | on picking out hard questions in both | history and geography, and somehow fl was Dolly or Julia who answered l most of them. At length Miss Clark | said she must take her departure, at | which the Misses Primrose expressed | iheir great regret. They went with her 10 the front door to see her off. and on The way Miss Clark inquired very par Iicularly about those two girls who were so quick with the right answers.
 Dolly Rivers and Julia Norris are he young ladies to whom you refer." 'eplied Miss Primrose.
 My dear Miss Primrose" replied Hiss Clark. impressively. "I must con- 'ratulate you on having two such iever. intelligent girls. Quite out of he ordinary, my dear madam. quite ut of the ordinary. Now. good-by. nd let me thank you for your hospi- ality. have enjoyed myselfimmense- y. In fact. don't know when have ujoyed myself morel"
 Aud then Miss Clark left with con- iderable haste. IT the Misses Primrose ouid have seen her after she turned he corner they would have been as- onished. For the stately Miss Clark vas leaning up against a fence in fit f Mysteries. When she had recovered to proceed she picked up Ter skirts and ran-yes, actually ran! till finally she came to waiting car iage. She climbed in and fell into the rms of bright. cheery looking little roman who was evidently expecting CT.
 'Well." said this person. "did 1t work n ripht2'' | ''Oh. Cousin Moral" cried Miss Clark. Not a soul suspected. It worked like charm!"
 And then Edna. for of course it was be. went of into another spasm of lughier. IL was fully half hour be- ore her young married cousin who ad helped her carry out her daring rick could get six words from her as how the thing went of.
 The Misses Primrose were so de phted with the credit which Dolly and Iiia had brought upon ihe school by 'ason Of their splendid showing before iss Clark that they excused the girls on taking the extra examination. Needless fn snr hnfh I,,lin nr rA NnII..