The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1901-11-09

crossing, T see,' he said, grave1y, turn
ing his near-sighted eyes with grave
disapproval upon the tongue-tied little
teacher. And before little Miss Trap
had time to gasp with establishment he
had waved her perempt orily toward
the "prisoner's dock" and turned back
to Frances.
you may leave her with me. pre-
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
that conspired-the absence of the all
important spectacles from the princi-
pals nose, the presence of the far
away, preoccupied look in his pleas
ant gray eyes and the ridiculous con-
trast between herself and the tiny,
congratulated teacher A reckless spir-
it 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.
Il 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 justification. Then
Frances rose to her feet. She had re-
covered her breath and was quite calm
and serious.
"Young ladies, our beloved teacher
has unfortunately been arraigned be-
fore the supreme court, and l have
been put in charge of room 7, in her
place. she said, impressively. 81 need
not ask you to remember that it is
study hour. The class in Vergil may
recite.'
A ripple of merriment ruffied the
calm surface of the room, but Fran
ces arrested it with sharp tap of lit
tie Miss Traps ruler.
''Be 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! I shall
report every living, breat thing soul that
does! Now somebody recite."
Frances Wylie and little Miss Trapp
! will not soon forget those Is minutes.
In room No. they passed with fearful
! slowness. Frances wat ched the hands
| of the great clock in momentary eX-
pectation of avenging doom. That it
did not come filled her with amaze
| ment. Where was the scandalized prin-
cipal, with Miss Trapp, white and an
CRY, at his heels? Why didn't they
come?
Call this fun!" thought Frances, in
disgust. 81 never enjoyed myself so
! little in my life! IL guess I'm get
! ting scared"
| In the supreme court the Is minutes
| dragged their length out mon otonous-
! ly. The principal had turned back to
his desk and resumed his writing quiet
ly. 1t was his way to leave ma lie factors
to their own thoughts for a season.
The thoughts of this particular one,
sitting still and flushed in the pris-
| oner's dock, were gradually straight
ening out from paralyzed bewilder-
ment and anger into steady reason
ing.
Miss Trapp had not succeed in ut
tering a word. AS the door snapped be-
hind Frances she had stepped forward
and cleared her throat desperately.
But the principal waved his hand dep
recat ingly.
Not yet; we will talk later on" he
had said, calmly. In his mind he had
determined to wait until the beginning
of the afternoon session, and then set
tie this trouble.
Miss Trapp consulted her watch. It
was cool and still in the supreme
court. and she folded her hands on the
cover of her Vergil and rested, with a
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 was sorely afraid he had not prac-
his conscience was sensitive on the
point.
eff I tell him about it now, he will
dismiss her anyway. What hope would
| there be after an eSca pade like thiS?"
the little teacher unused He would
never let her come back-never! And
that would break her mothers heart.
I don't know but it would break Fran
ces', too. She's really a dear girl, mis-
chief and all. l can't do it! I'm going
to give her chance to take it all bac
There was just the one chance--Fran-
ces should have it.
gu may go now, young lady, but
you will return at the opening of the