The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-07-15
Birthday Of Miss Hartley.


tears. as she looked wistfully out on
the oldfashioned garden, which had
marked so many springtimes for her.
1t might be the last spring she would
ever see II again. She was growing
feeble, and was no longer able to
teach. as she had done for so many
years. There was nothing to live
upon II her hands and brains were
Idle. so the house had been sold the
day before.
She was quite alone In the world,
without kith or kin: but the dear,
quaint old lady was beloved by gener-
ations of pupils, whom she had taught
in the little town.
The piles of notes in her lap were
birthday greetings, a day ahead OF
time, to be sure. Her girls had in
vited themselves to luncheon, and a
day was scarcely a long enough no
tice. In spite of the pleasure their
coming would give her, Miss Marley
could not help some anxious specula-
tions as to ways and means to pro-
vide for ~ hearty. happy, hungry
girls, whose delight had always been
"a spread at Miss Hartley's."
She could not longer afford
spreads" but she would do the best
she could, trusting to the girls offer
ings to exc out her scanty supply.
Meantime, the girls were In quite a
fiutter Of excitement, and their NAM
mas. who had also been girls" once,
were almost as excited.
BY half-past twelve on Miss Hart
ley's birthday, flock Of bright-faced
sweetly dressed little maidens pre-
sented themselvese at the we'll known
front door. to be welcomed by an
eager, smiling hostess, who looked
Quainter than ever in her gray silk
gown and beribboned cap. The girls
offerings proved substantial indeed,
SO that when they sat down to lunch
con 1t was at a groaning table, and
laughter and talk flowed merrily,
while the dear old lady forgot her
worries, and Joined in the fun.
Now tell us all about the house."
said Alice Dent. who being the Oldest
Of the dozen, was naturally the spokes-
man.
There's nothing much to tell, my
dear" said Miss Hartley, with a lit
tie quiver in her voice, ut was sold
yesterday"
Sold" they echoed incredulously.
"Yes, the business was concluded
yesterday, and the sum paid for 1t
will make me comfortable for the rest
of my life. | ought TO be very nap
py but-but it's hard to get used to q
new place at my age. I'm Go today"
"A health to 65!" cried Alice rails
ing her glass of water. Every girl
enthusiastically followed her exam
pie, and the old lady's eyes filled with
tears.
And now" said Alice. I'm going to
make a speech"
Hear, hear!" cried the others, and
they settled themselves to listen.
Once there was a dear, sweet lady,
whom everybody loved" here Alice
bowed to Miss Hartley. "Sne had
spent long years in teaching, and at
the close of every school year, there
had been a great time, for diplomas
and medals and prizes of books, we're
awarded for excellence In standing.
All the graduates, Of course, received
diplomas, and though they drifted
away, married-and had daughters of
their own-they kept their diplomas
carefully, for they loved their dear
school teacher, and remembered her
gentle influence and sent their daugh-
ters TO her in after years. But one
bles were turned-for the teacher de-
cided to graduate; so at the time she
appointed there was grand luncheon
and her IL pupils who we're invited or
rather who invited themselves, de-
cided to present her with a diploma.
Elsie bring it in"
Elsie, who was the youngest. and,
therefore the messenger, ran out, re-
turning in few moments with a long,
interesting looking box. Alice took
off the cover-and there lay the diplo-
ma-rolled as all diplomas are, and
iicu win HNS' WHllc uOW, WIN IL
lond ends--one for each girl.
At a signal from Alice they all
arose, and each taking her end, car
ried 1t in state to Miss Hartley, and
placed it in her hands.
You are to open it," said Alice.
There may ,be some mistakes; you
know we never made out a diploma
before.
Miss Hartley smiled and obeyed
drawing off the complicated bow with
old maid precision.
But as her eyes fill upon the con-
tents of the paper-she gave cry
which was as girlish as any of her
pupils, and stretched out her hands.
"Oh, my girls!" she cried. What
have | done to deserve this?"
They could not answer, because of
such queer feeling in their throats;
they could only cling to her as one by
one she held them close-for the
"6tnInnnan wac tho dead m tho aaar