The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-06-27

* LOVE Is f. - y
\ BY Florence HodsNnson

BY Florence HodSkinson


front parlor; while the room on the
opposite side appeared to be a bakers,
n stale loaf and half a dozen stodgy-
looking buns being arranged in the
window.
Can you tell me the way to Mrs.
Tanners school-Woodlands, the house
is called?' asked Beryl anxiously.
The young woman behind the
counter was better informed than the
railway people, for she answered with
out any hesitation:
It's the last house on the front.
The names not up: but you can't be
mistaken because there are no more
houses"
This was conclusive; but Beryl felt
positively sinking from weakness and
fatigue. She looked at the loaf Of
bread and buns, and finally asked the
dameel in charge II she could have
some refreshment-"a cup of tea or
something"
THE fires cut. I expect. You can
have a glass Of milk and a plate of
bread and butter, II you like"
The fare was plain, but 1t revived
the traveller. The attendant gave her
plenty Of local Information while she
ate and drank. Mrs. Tanner had not
been at Easthill-on-Sea long. There
wasn't much opening for a school;
there were very few residents, and nat
rally visitors didn't want to send their
',ildren to school when they came
Gown In the summer.
you do look tired" she concluded.
but It's not much further now. The
end of this street leads to the front,
and Mrs. Tanners is the last house
on the right"
Beryl found the house easily; but
her heart sank as she looked at it. It
was 50 new that at the back the piece
Of waste ground called a garden was
not yet fenced of, and the front rail-
ings had not yet been fenced of.
Woodlands looked as though it had
been built elsewhere, brought to East
hill on . trolley, and Just popped down
on the first vacant space. The wind
howled round 1t. the waves which
dashed yer the shingle seemed to
laugh derisively at It, and even to poor
Beryl the huge board over the front
window-"Ladies' School-seemed
~grotesQue in such a place.
She rang the bell. It was so stiff
her fingers could hardly move 1t. and
when at last 1t rang it made such q
noise she decided Mrs. Tanner would
think her new teacher very impatient.
There was not the least sound of move
ment In the house. and Berry, was
actually contemplating a second ring
when the door was flung suddenly
open, and q very small servant in a
very big white apron stood regarding
her curiously.
rs Mrs. Tanner at home? I think
she 10 expecting me. I am the new
g~overness."
You're to come this way" said the
child-she really was very little more.
And Beryl followed her across q good
sized hall to q small sitting-room at
the back. the door of which her guide
opened encouragingly.
you 60 straight IN" sAs COM
manded.
It was . very small room, ava rather
sparsely furnished: but what Beryl
saw first was q tall. slight Woman in
widows weeds, who came forward to
meet her with such q frightaAed face
that the girl felt compelled to take the
initiative.
II am afraid I am later khan you
expected. Mrs. Tanner: but X is a long
walk from the station, anA I came
slowly 30 AZ not to lose my way"
you look cold and tired said Mrs.
Tanner gently. sit down and warm
yourself. Rhoda will bring tea soon;
I waited for YOU"
1T was very kind Of yNu," Beryl
began. and then she broke down help
lessly and cried as though her heart
would break. OF course It sas behav-
Ing d~isgracefully. It was mcst unschol-
astic and childish; but thoss few kind.
~ words had been the last touch.
Mrs. Tanner did not seem n the least
angry. She took Beryl's haAd and held
It for . minute or two. thea she said
gently:
II don't wonder at your Aring upset,
my dear. When l first came here in
January I loathed the place quite az
much az you can do. I came from q
pretty country rectory, with a dear
old garden and trees that had stood the
test OF centuries. and this bleak, des-
olate place seemed terrible TO me; but,
Miss Ldndon. work Is tAA best cure
for sadness. and even Easthill-on-Sea
GEMS brighter when one u busy"
please forgive mel" said Beryl,
pleadingly. Indeed. I am not discon-
tented; It was only that you were so
kind to me-"
Did you expect me tobe an ogress?"
asked Mrs. Tanner. when you have
had some tea and feel rested I will
tell you al about things. / am afraid
you will find plenty Of rough places
1t Woodlands. but they won't be Of
my making"
Tea was delightful. With curtains
draWn and thA lamma 1i1htnds <ha roo~