The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-03-04

the prisoners 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
wal stin flushed and speechless, Fran
ces had realized the principals mis-
take and the rich possibilities for fun
in 1t. She had taken in all the things
that conspired-the absence of the all
important s%pectacles 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,
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 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-
nity2
Frances drew herself up and bowed
with dignity.
Il will leave her here, then, with you
land 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 Z she
walked, and then she dropped into the
chair behind the teachers desk.
Their was dead silence in the room,
while from one girl to another trav-
eled a look of mystifcation. 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
r~ecite.''
A ripple Of merriment rufled the
calm surface of the room, but Fran
ces arrested It with a 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! l 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. Z they passed with fearful
slowness. Frances watched the hands
of the great clock in momentary ex-
pectation of ayenging doom. That it
did not come filled her with amaze
ment. Where was the s~candalized prin-
cipal, with Miss Trapp, white and an
CRY, at his heels? Why didn't they
come?
Call this funl" thought Frances, in
disgust. 81 never enjoyed myself so
little in my lifel II 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 malefactors
to their own thoughts for\a season.
The thoughts of this particular one,
still and flushed in the pris-
oner's dock, were gradually straight
ening out from p~aralyzed bewilder-
ment and anger into steady reason-
ing.
Miss Trap had not succeeded in ut
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 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
in the 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
lie was sorely afraid he had not prac-
iced that morning with Bobbie, and
his conscience was sensitive on the
,oint.
If / tell him about it now, ne will
her anyway. What hope would
here be after an escapade like this ?"
he little teacher unused. "He would
lever let her come back-neverl And
hat would break her mothers heart.
don't know but it would break Fran
es', too. She's really a dear girl, mis-
hief and all. can't do it, I'm going
o give her a chance to take it all back"
was just the one chance-Fran-
es should have It..
you may go now, young lady, but
will return at the opening of the
fternoon session. We will talk then
Room 7 was emptying itself into the
in its usual orderly fashion.
stood soberly at the door. The
tile teacher touched her arm and
eckoned her aside. There was a sus-
of a laugh in Miss Traps eyes,
ut her lips were grave.
Judgment is suspended. 1 I'm to go
ack this afternoon for it," she said.
thought would tell you, and if you
AIRED to go instead-it is a chance"
Miss Trappl" cried Frances, breath
catching at both the small white
do you mean he doesn't know
Thnf-tho - -