Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-01-12

| enthusiasm, and as she rec1tef she
4 gently jerked her head and now and
then waved her hand. There was grace
in her movements.
''This is the one / am going to fall in
| love WITH" I said to myself, and a
| week or two later was SO far gone
that was afraid Of my own shadow.
Mile Ryshkina and the other girls in
the class seemed to have discovered
| the secret of my heart, to make fun of
me, to think of nothing but my insane
love for Maria Vasilyeyna Ryshkina.
| Suppose the director finds it out? Why,
that would be terrible. The shame of
it! Besides it might lead to all sorts
of disagreeable situations and finally to
my losing the position.
The teacher of mathematics in the
higher classes of the male gymnasium
fell sick, and the work was divided
between another man and myself. 1t
only took me one hour day and did
not in the least interfere with my les
sons at the female gymnasium.
The most stupid member of the
eighth class was fellow named Kras-
soft. He did not seem to have clear
idea as to the difference between the
size of an angle and the length Of it's
sides. How they had passed him to
the highest class was more than |
could understand. But he was very
diligent, and his struggles with his
geometry 1--WE were reviewing the cur
riculum Of the lower classes for the
final examinations) touched my heart.
was so madly in love that l seemed
to be mutely praying everybody to help
me convey my feeling to the young
lady to whom I dared not speak ex-
cept in the stern accents Of teacher
addressing his pupil. had never been
in such a meek, almost fearful, mood.
l was the kindest man in the world,
and every sufferer or victim aroused
my sympathy. 1 invited Krassoff to
my house, gave him few private les
sons, patiently went over the elements
of the subject with him, and, flushed
with success, l spoke to him Of my
past and got him to tell me about him
self.
Outside Of his studies he proved to
be quite a sensible fellow. He even
had a sort of humor which I thought
delightful. also liked his honest face
and his manly figure. AS to him, he
was rather shy and slow to cast off all
restraint, but one evening, after few
hearty words from me, the ice sudden
Iy broke, and he said: "
"Ah, Semyon Semyonovitch, know
am stupid and that it's no use study
ing! But l am in love with an angel, |
and it is for her sake that am sitting |
up nights, trying to drive my lessons
through this iron forehead. She would |
take me as am. She said so. But
pledged myself to be an educated man,
to be worthy Of her,
'FTell me who she isl l commanded |
him, pressing his hand and all but fall
ing on his neck and kissing him. 1t
was all could do to keep myself from
giving away my own secret.
"You, know her. he answered. "She
is your scholar. It's Mile. Ryshkina.
She, says you are an ANGEL
I / let go his hand. felt as though
the floor was giving way under me, but
at the next moment was overcome
with fear lest he should divine the
cause Of my sudden change, and, put
ting on a mask, fell to clapping my
hands.
Bravo! Glad to hear it, old boyv' l
shouted. OF course my voice did not
ring true, but Krassoff was in a fer
ment Of all sorts Of feelings, so he did
not notice it.
Eight years have passed. Krassoff is
law. He is quite successful,
and often, as l make my way home
after lessons, meet Maria Vasilyevna
driving. l don't call on them. Am l
still in love? hardly think am. But
so far l have not been interested in
any other woman in the same way in
which l was in her. Maybe had in
me just love enough for one attach
ment; maybe am still destined to love
and to be loved. At all events, my
heart feels so empty, so empty All, if
you knew how hard it is to live as l
lo!-New York Commercial Advertiser.