The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-05-30
* LOVE IS BEST -
By Florence Hodgkinson
By Florence Hodgkinson


AAoAI pdTlOTJ WQll0 the room on the
opposite side appeared to be a bakers,
one stale loaf and half 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:
Its 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
damsel in charge if she could have
some refreshments cup of tea or
something"
THE fires out, I expect. You can
have a glass of milk and a plate of
bread and butter, if you like"
The fare was plain, but it 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
urally visitors didn't want to send their
children to school when they came
down 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 so new that at the back the piece
OF waste ground called a garden was
not yet fenced off, and the front rail-
ings had not yet been fenced off.
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 it. the waves which
dashed over the shingle seemed to
laugh derisiveIy at it, and even to poor
Beryl the huge board over the front
windows Ladies' Schoo1"-seemed
grotesque in such place.
She rang the bell. It was SO stiff
her fingers could hardly move 1t, and
when at last it rang it made such a
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 Beryl was
actually contemplating second ring
when the door was flung suddenly
open, and a very small servant in a
very big white apron stood regarding
her curiously.
rs Mrs. Tanner at home? 1 think
she is expecting me. I am the new
governess."
You're to come this way" said the
child-she really was very little more.
And Beryf followed her across a good
sized hall to small sitting-room at
the back. the door Of which her guide
opened encoura g1ng1y-
'You go straight fn," she com
manded.
1t was very small room, and rather
sparsely furnished but what Beryl
saw first was tall. slight woman in
widows weeds, who came forward to
meet her with such frightened face
that the girl felt compelled to take the
Initiative.
II am afraid I am later than you
expected, Mrs. Tanner; but it is a long
walk from the station, and I came
slowly SO as 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 you," Beryl
began, and then she broke down help
lessly and cried as though her heart
would break. OF course it was behav-
ing disgracefully, it was most unschol-
astic and childish; but those few kind
ly words had been the last touch.
Mrs. Tanner did not seem in the least
angry. She took Beryl's hand and held
it for minute or two. then she said
gently:
II don't wonder at your being upset
my dear. When first came here in
January loathed the place quite as
much as you can do. I came from q
pretty country rectory, with a dea,
old garden and trees that had stood the
test of centuries, and this bleak, des.
olate place seemed terrible to me; but
Miss Lindon. work is the best cure
for sadness, and even Easthill-on-Sea
seems brighter when one is busy
Please forgive mel" said Beryl
pleadingly. Indeed, I am not discon.
tented; it was only that you were sc
kind to me-"
did you expect me tobe an ogress?'
asked Mrs. Tanner. when you have
had some tea and feel rested will
tell you all about things. am afraid
you will find plenty Of rough places
at Woodlands, but they won't be o.
my making"
Tea was delightful. With curtains
drawn and the lamps lighted, the room
seemed quito a snuggery; and Mrs
m U.s. ~