Daily camera., 1901-12-04
crossing. / see, he said. ersrei1. turn.

fer to have the story directly from
her. he said, gravely.
1t had all happened in the briefest
possible time. While the little teacher
was still flushed and speechless, Fran.
ces had realized the principals mis-
take and the rich possibilities for fun
in it. She had taken in all the things
important spectacles from the princi
pals nose, the presence Of the far
away, preoccuped look in his pleas.
ant gray eyes and the ridiculous con.
trast between herself and the tiny,
cropped aired teacher. A Areckless 81 pir-
1t seized the girl. The end Of the world
was at hand, in any event; why not
make the most Of this last opportu,
nifty?
Frances drew herself up and bowed
with dignity.
II will leave her here, then, with you
and her own conscience" she added,
in little Miss Traps best manner.
Then she closed the door behind her
and sped down the hall, sitting her
laughter. Straight into room she
walked, and then she dropped into the
chair behind the teachers desk.
There was dead silence in the room
while from one girl to another trav-
eled look of mystification. Then
Frances rose to her feet. She had re-
covered her breath and was quite alm
and serious.
| "Young ladies, our beloved teacher
has unfortunately been arrnlgned be-
fore the supreme court, and I have
been put in charge Of room 7, in her
place" she said, inpressively. II need
not ask you to remember that 1t is
study hour. The class in Nergil may
reciie.'
A ripple Of merriment ruffled the
calm surface of the room. but Fran
ces arrested il with a sharp tap of lit
tie Miss Traps ruler.
! "Bs quiet!" she commanded. There
aren't but IS minutes left before the
noon hour. Don't any of you dare TO
make a disturbance till then! ! shall
report every living, breathing soul that
does! Now somebody recite."
| Frances Wylic and little Miss Trapp
will not soon forget those IS minutes.
In room No. they passed with fearful
| slowness. Frances watched the hands
Of the great clock in momentary eI-
pectntion OF ayenging doom. That it
| did not come filed her with amaze
msnt. Where was the scandslized prin-
cipal, with Miss Trapp, white and an
CRY. al his heels? Why didn't they
| come?
| Call this fun" thought Frances, in
disgust. 81 never enjoyed myself so
little in my life! II guess I'm get
ting scared"
| In the supre me court the IS minutes
dragged their length out monotonous-
| ~. The principal had turned back to
his desk and resumed his writing quiet
| ly !, was his way to leave male factors
20 their own thoughts for a season.
The thoughts OF this particular one,
| sitting still and flushed In the pris-
1ner', dock. were gradually straight
ening out from paralyzed bewildsr-
ment and anger into steady reason
| ing.
| Miss Trapp had not succeeded in ut
| ierirg word As the door snapped be-
| hind Frances she had stepped forward
| md cleared her throat desperately.
But the principal waved his hand dep
recatingly.
Not yet;-we will talk later on" he
| had said. calmly. In his mind he had
| determined to walt until the be esinaing
| Of the afternoon session, and then set
| lie this trouble.
Miss Trapp consulted her watch. It
vas cool and still in the supreme
court, and she folded her hands on .he
| cover OF her Vergil and rested, with .
smile in the corners of her mouth
a hardened case" reflected the
principal. dimly aware of the smile.
But we will practice patience-yes.
yes. certainly, patience" 1t was what
he MAS .orely afraid he Mad not prac-
ticed that morning with Bobbie, and
his conscience WAS sensitive on the
point
"f tell him about II now, he will
dismis, her anyway. What hope would
there be after an escapade like this?'
the little teacher unused. He would
never le; her come back-afver! And
that would break her mothers heart.
don't know but ii would break Fran
ces', too. She's really dear girl, mis-
chief and all. can't do it, I'm going
10 give her a chance to take il all back"
There was just the one chance-Fran-
ces should have II.
You may go now, young lady. but
you will return at the opening Of the
afternoon session. We will talk then"
Room I was emptying itself into the
corridor in its usual orderly fashion.
Frances stood soberly at the door. The
little teacher touched her arm and
beckoned her aside. There was = sus-
picion Of laugh in Miss Traps eyes,
but her lips were grave.
Judgment is suspended. am to go
back this afternoon for IT," she said.
II thought would tell you, and il you
cared to go instead-it is a chance"
Miss Trapp!" cried Frances. breath
lessly, catching at both the small white
hands. "Do you mean he doesn't know
yet? That-that there is some chance,
after all, for me? You haven't toid?"
II haven't told" the little teacher
said, gently. There was a chance to
wait, and l did. l thought you might
want to take my place this afternoon"
II dol will! I'm going to!" sobbed
Frances. in a tempest of tears. III
tell every single thing-l'll get down
on my knees! Oh, Miss Trapp, didn't
think of mother then, or you, or any.
thing in the living, breathing world
but fun"
Bobbie, in his little blue kilt, met his
Gather on the way home with glad cry
of welcome. 1t augured well for Fran
ces-Youth's Companion.