The Somerset reporter., 1902-10-23
.AONNANANAV\ANA7NA\A7\A7\1
! THE MISSION
OF DOROTHY
Copyright, 1901, by E. s. Windsor
BY EMILY s. WINDSOR

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Cyril Moore. lawyer, was not noted
for the suavity of his manner nor the
mildness of his glance. Both were I'M
usually severe this morning, and he
was not inclined to deal gently with
his disturber. He had been interrupted
In the consideration of an important
matter. but Dorothy Dale's brown eyes
never fllnched before his deep set gray
ones.
please, may 1 talk to you a few
minutes" she asked In her soft little
voice.
II am very busy" he returned, land
gave orders that | was not to be dis
turbed."
''The elevator boy showed me your
Office, and there was no one In the 9th
er room, and so l came ill.," said Doro-
thy.
The lawyer made an impatient move
ment, mentally resolving upon the GEN.
sure which Wilson should receive for
leaving the entrance to the office I'M
guarded.
Two little red spots had crept into
Dorothy's face, but she went on brave
ly:
You see," she began, "I"-
The lawyer again moved impatiently
and frowned, but his small visitor per-
sisted.
ut Is so important, you see" There
was a keen note Of anxiety In her
voice, but the brown eyes never wa
yered. And what was there In their
depths which brought to the lawyers
mind a vague memory and made him
look at his visitor with stirring of in
terest, then hesitate and finally push
aside the papers over which he had
been absorbed and say shortly:
What is it2 l can give you a few
minutes"
"Oh. thank you." said Dorothy po-
litely. ut Is about that position In the
Hilton school"
Cyril stared in surprise. What could
this little, old fashioned girl have to
say about that? 1t would be interest
ing to know. He pushed his papers
farther away and leaned back in his
seat.
OH doMu, lie bdiu, W u
chair. Dorothy obeyed with a grave
THANK you" settling herself comfort
ably In the chair which was so high
| that her feet were quite a distance
| from the ground. Her blue felt sailor
hat was pushed back on her head, and
several soft brown rings of her hair
had found their way to her forehead.
She lifted her clear eyes to the lawyer.
and again their depths vaguely stirred
his heart
You see, auntie lost all her money
In Boston. and so we had to come here
to live. Auntie owns little house here,
and she says that is better than moth
ing. And yesterday Mrs. Pruden told
her they wanted q teacher in that
school and that auntie must try to get
1t right away"
"Oh. indeed" CALCULATED Cyril.
You see," she went on in a confiden-
tial Tone "auntie knows lot of things.
She belonged to ever so many clubs in
Boston. Every one says that she is so
clever"
Dorothy paused to see If the lawyer
was properly impressed with the i'm
portance of her aunt's requirements.
YES" said Cyril politely.
Mrs Pruden told auntie that you
could let her teach that school, but
last evening a letter came from Mr.
White in Boston to say auntie must
come to see him right off. You see, he
attends to all Of her business. So she
had to go on the early train this morn
Ing" Here Dorothy stopped, out Of
breath.
Cyril uttered an interrogatiye Yes"
Dorothy smiled up at him. And l
was afraid she might be too late when
she came back, and then it will be
such a nice surprise for her when she
| does come back for me to tell her |
came to see you about it."
Then she doesn't know what you
are doing% queried Cyril.
ooh, no. | waited till she was gone"
"Where do you liver questioned
Cyril.
"Over on Rose Crescent"
The lawyer did not recognize the lo-
cality. but there had been many
changes In the old town during those
years In which he had been absent
| from 1t.
"Auntie will be a splendid teacher.
You see, she's so sweet Won't you
please try her?"
In her eagerness Dorothy arose and
stood beside Cyril, placing her hand In
it's wooden mitten on his arm.
The little action thrilled him. sud-
den realization of the loneliness of his
life smote him, and again the child's
brown eyes awoke that memory.
"Please, won't you" urged Dorothy,
with an unconscious pressure of his
arm.
Cyril looked down into the eager
face with an expression In his OWE
that few had seen there during later
years.
'I'll see what can do. | must know
more Of her qualifications. | mean."
he explained kindly. ''if she knows all
the things that the person who teaches
In that school must know I'll do my
best"
"Oh. thank you. I'll go now" Doro-
thy slipped Off the mitten and gravely
rendered her hand to the lawyer. He
rose and bowed over 1t with more cere-
mony than he had for many years