Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-10-05
A ripple of merrfnent ruf1cd the calm

A ripple OF meTrInlenp IuTlcQ the Call@
surface of the room, but Frances arrest
ed it with sharp tap OF little Miss
Traps ruler.
"Be quietl" she commanded. "There
aren't but fifteen 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 Trap
will not soon forget those fifteen min
utes. In Room Number Seven they
passed with fearful slowness. Frances
watched the hands of tho great clock
in momentary expectation of avenging
doom. That it did not come filled her
with Amusement. Where was the scan-
dalized principal, with Miss Trap,
white and gray, at his heels? Why
didn't they come?
Call this fur!' thought Frances in
disgust. Il ne1er enjoyed myself, so
little in my life! II guess I'm getting
scared"
In the Supreme Court the fifteen min
utes dragged their length out monoton-
ously The principal had turned back
to his desk and resumed his writing
quietly. 1t was his way to leave male
factors to their own thoughts for sea
son. The thoughts of this particular
one, sitting still and flushed in the
Prisoners Dock, were gradually
Strengthening out from paralyzed be-
wilderment and anger into steady rea-
soning.
Miss Trap had not succeeded in ut
tering a word. AS the door snapped
behind Frances she had stepped forward
and cleared her throat desperately. But
the principal had waved his hand depre
catlngly.
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 settle
this trouble.
Miss Trapp consulted her watch. 1t
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 prin-
cipal, dimly aware of the smile But
we will practice patience-yet, yes, GER
tainly, patience 1t was what he was
sorely afraid he had not practised that
morning with Bobbie, and his conscience
was sensitive on the point.
eff I tell him about it row, he will
dismiss her anyway. What hope would
there be after an escapade like this p
the little teacher mused He would
never let her come back-never And
that would break her mothers heart.
don't know but it would break Frances,
too. She's really dear girl, mischief
and all I can't do it! I'm going to
give her a chance to take it all bach"
There was just the one chance-Frances
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 friendly
lights in his eyes. Miss Traps heart
warmed to him.
Room Seven 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 a suspi-
cion of laugh in Miss Traps eyes.
but her lips were grave.
Judgment is suspended. I am to go
back this afternoon for it, she said.
Il thought would tell you, and if you
cared to go, instead-it is a chance"
Miss. Trcppw 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 told?"
II haven't told" the little teacher said,
gently. "l here was a chance to wait,
and did. I thought you might want to
take my place this afternoon"
Il do! I will I'm going to-" sob
bed Frances, in a tempest of tears. It'll
tell every single thing-I'll get down on
my knees! O Miss Trap, didn't
think Of mother then, or you, or any
thing in the living, breathing world but
fun p
Bobbie, in his little blue kilt, met his
father on the way home with glad cry
of welcome. 1t augured we'll for Fran
ces.-YonthS Companion