Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1901-10-31


new teacher in room Q.
"You have brought the young lady
to me? She has been-er-trans.
crossing, see," he said, gravely, 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 peremptorily toward
the prisoners dock" and turned back
to Frances.
"You may leave her with me. I 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 speeches., 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,
cropped-hairedt teacher. Areckless 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
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 mystiication. 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 I have
been put in charge of room Z, in her
place" she said, impressively. II need
not ask you to remember that it is
study hour. The class in Vergil may
recite."
A ripple of merriment ruf1ed tho
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 disturbance till then! shall
report every living, breathing 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 watched 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 Trap, white and an
cry, at his heels? Why didn't they
come?
Call this fun" thought Frances, in
disgust. II 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 monotonous-
ly. The principal had turned back to
his desk and resumed his writing quiet
ly. 1t was his way to leave indicators
to their own thoughts for 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 Trap had not succeeded 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
recatingly.
"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 Trap 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" It was what
he was sorely afraid he had not prac-
ticed that morning with Bobbie, and
his conscience was sensitive on the
point.
'If I tell him about it now, he will
dismiss her anyway. What hope would
there be after an escapade 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 dear girl, mis-
chief and all. can't do it! I'm going
to give her chance to take it all back.
There was just the one chance-Fran-|
ces should have it.
"You may go now, young lady, but
you will return at the opening of the
afternoon session. We will talk then"
The principals voice was kind, and,
although he did not look up from his
work, it was certain there were friend
ly lights in his eyes. Miss Trapp's
heart warmed to him.
Room 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 a laugh in Miss Traps eyes,
but her lips were grave.
Judgment is suspended. 1 am to go
back this afternoon for it," she said.