Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
chicken-perhaps a little OF all three. But,
at any rate, ] was a different girl.
CHAPTER XVII.
CIandestine.

But when I got near the school a new,
and at the moment, pleasant surprise
awaited me.
found the children, big and little, cheer
ing and shouting, hiving in uproarious
throngs about the rector and Immediately
scattering and reuniting as soon as he sent
them away. 1t appeared a perfect miracle
to me, who had never seen such conduct
since l first went to the academy. For the
rector was a man apart to us-teachers and
taught-and even that priggish Martin
Frazer, the little boy dressed up in the
long coat with the ridiculous tails, was
cheering along with the others. The poor
lad at that time did me the compliment to
imagine himself very much in love and,
though he hardly ever spoke to me, was ac-
customed to stand apart and glare at those
who we're less bashful. But now he came
running, as hard as he could, shouting that
Mr.. Colstoun had got a degree from his W
university Of Aberdeen for a book he had
whitehall about Roman history and prov
ing 1t wasn't history at all. but something
made up by the Germans Martin also told
me that We would have to say Doctor
Colstoun now, Just as We did to DR.. Caesar.
but that the rector was another kin OF
doctor and wore a different hood.
OOS VI COuIbc, lucT0 was TO De u 0hlI-
holiday at the academy. Indeed, the chill
dren were taking 1t already. 1t was a
warning to me to see how quickly s~trictest
discipline may be overturned. Fer the whole
of the children, without any dismissal or
leave given, ran of out OF the playground,
waving their schoolbags and shouting, to
tell their parents that the master was going
to be a doctor now and keep the n~astiest
kind OF physic In his desk instead Of taws.
l stayed a little, waiting for a chance
to speak to Mrs. Colstoun, to kiss her and
tell her how happy l was. And at last /
got an opportunity. But she only smiled and
said: "Ah, my dear, It won't make the
least difference. He will Just be as tire
some as everl Men are like that. Only
getting hardened to them makes them en-
durable"
But secretly I could see that she was
both pleased and proud-especially when
DR.. Caesar arrived with his fine coat and
tall hat on and made a little speech about
the honor IT was to the academy and to the
town. His wife looked across at Mr.. Col
stoun then with something tina gIittered
very brightly in her eyes.
/ went slowly back then through the
pleasant winters afternoon. II was still
early, and when l got home-lol there was
no one to be seeni I called Kate as I came
through the gate to tell her the news. and
wondered that she did not answer. ran
upstairs. She was not there. I looked
about and found her work-a-day dress on a
chair. and the hanging cupboard open where
she kept her Sunday frock.
Then a Wild fear came over me. I held
to the mantelpiecs and steadIed myself,
praying for strength to withstand, for
knowledge to Judge what I must do. Some
thing told me to go down to the woodslde,
where In a field a hundred yards from the
high road was the old walled cemetery OF
the olendonwyns.
Without removing my hat or waiting .
moment ] ran down the side Of the hedge.
crossed over at the stepping stones and
took through the wood like a hare. Thank
God. ! was not too late. There was Kate
standing in her cloak and hat. a little
handbox At her side. she did not hear me
till I was quite close upon her. And then
she started and turned. dropping the box
and thrusting out one hand AZ II 10 prevent
me from taking hold Of her.
Where are you going, Kate?" ! gasped.
breathless with my fright. though. indeed.
! knew all TOO well. But even then my res
oiution wa coming upon me.
she stood looking Il ms Nith vide. shiny